NRL Fantasy 2023 Part 1 - Just open up already

So sorry for your loss Rabbits, but glad that you got to spend the last week with her.
Condolences to you and your family.

Bethany_B wrote:

Jazz was on SEN radio and he said Barnett is training in the middle so it seems to be legit.

MID is the position with the most depth this year, there’s 10-15 conceivable options

Guns: Murray, Haas, Tapine, Cotter
Mid Price: Carrigan, Tohu (if return to 2020/21 levels), Barnett, Elliot, Horsburgh, Gilbert, Nelson (if EDG), TPJ/Sutton, BSmith (if not picked at HOK)
Cheaper: JWallace, Hopgood (if DPP on TLT), Makatoa

Welshy wrote:I'm liking Gilbert taking on a large role at the Dolphins, will be plenty of work for him

Priced at 40, averaged 46 playing 60+ minutes, needs to push that to 50 to make him viable and he's also dual

I expect he will play MID, with K Brom and Kaufusi both playing 80. Should be capable of big minutes there and has a high work rate.

Honey Badger wrote:Thoughts on Burton this year? Can he go to the next level and match Cleary and Hynes?
Bulldogs should be better this season and with Kikau now outside him you'd expect them to attack even more down his edge.
Im not 100% convinced about Hastings yet. With Ponga at 6 does he take too much ball away from Hastings? Id be more keen on Hastings if Ponga stays at fullback.

Hastings should get almost all the kicking next to Ponga. I prefer that role for him. Sounds like Hodgson has the front running for the fullback position. Looking like many cheap WFB and CTR options should be available. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-kalyn-ponga-to-play-in-halves-for-newcastle-knights-coach-adam-obrien-interview-new-fullback-jackson-hastings/news-story/620d390e194f586e412a74ccc3f795b1

Camo123 wrote:

MID is the position with the most depth this year, there’s 10-15 conceivable options

Guns: Murray, Haas, Tapine, Cotter
Mid Price: Carrigan, Tohu (if return to 2020/21 levels), Barnett, Elliot, Horsburgh, Gilbert, Nelson (if EDG), TPJ/Sutton, BSmith (if not picked at HOK)
Cheaper: JWallace, Hopgood (if DPP on TLT), Makatoa

Niukore is also a good option at MID. Plays for the Warriors but is likely to get 80 minutes on the EDG. I think he will be one of those ones that looks bleedingly obvious in hindsight. Will most likely have DPP by Round 1 too.
Makatoa will get very limited minutes - not really worth a shout.
Hopgood on the cheaper list is special. Will play good minutes at LOCK even when Matterson returns

rhinoceroo wrote:Anyone remember how Seibold used his bench at Broncos or Souths, in case it gives insight into how things will go at Manly?

He didnt use his bench at Broncos, just flogged Haas for 80 minutes every week.

mattnz wrote:

Hastings should get almost all the kicking next to Ponga. I prefer that role for him. Sounds like Hodgson has the front running for the fullback position. Looking like many cheap WFB and CTR options should be available. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-kalyn-ponga-to-play-in-halves-for-newcastle-knights-coach-adam-obrien-interview-new-fullback-jackson-hastings/news-story/620d390e194f586e412a74ccc3f795b1

Five NSW Cup appearances, averaging 30. Meh.

They obviously want Miller but have literally nobody to offer the Sharks in return. Between that and Gagai/Gamble training at fullback it doesn't scream confidence in Hodgson. Wouldn't be surprised to see them starting the season with Gagai there if Miller doesn't come, but obv wait for trials etc.

Sorry for your loss Rabbits, always hard to say goodbye to a loved one.

The Dolphin Conspiracies wrote:

Niukore is also a good option at MID. Plays for the Warriors but is likely to get 80 minutes on the EDG. I think he will be one of those ones that looks bleedingly obvious in hindsight. Will most likely have DPP by Round 1 too.
Makatoa will get very limited minutes - not really worth a shout.
Hopgood on the cheaper list is special. Will play good minutes at LOCK even when Matterson returns

If Niukore starts on the edge and looks like getting 80 he's a no brainer, averages 45 in 70+ minute games on the edge. If he gets less than 70 mins then he's no good, only averages 32 in sub-70 minute games on the edge, and there's every chance Barnett plays a bit of both and steals some minutes off him.

Priced at 37 though he is overpriced based on his 2022 average of 33

Fantasy being open a month prior to Australia Day:

"It came much earlier than I'm used too"-all of my Girlfriends in the history of forever...

Chewie wrote:Sorry for your loss Rabbits, always hard to say goodbye to a loved one.

Thanks mate I appreciate that. Can’t sleep yet feeling too emotional. Glad I can come on here in bed and read places like on here to try distract me.

Bethany_B wrote:

If Niukore starts on the edge and looks like getting 80 he's a no brainer, averages 45 in 70+ minute games on the edge. If he gets less than 70 mins then he's no good, only averages 32 in sub-70 minute games on the edge, and there's every chance Barnett plays a bit of both and steals some minutes off him.

Priced at 37 though he is overpriced based on his 2022 average of 33

He will be first to move into the back line for any injuries as well. Really screwed up Mann's scoring last year.

anyone doing TPJ this year?

GarethEllisismyDad wrote:anyone doing TPJ this year?

Hard to find a decent role for him. Was best as an 80 min Edge.

Can see him playing limited minutes in the middle and maybe some minutes from Kikau on the edge.

EDG: Kikau, RFM
Big minute MIDs: King, Thompson, Sutton
Supported by: Davey / Waddell / Topine / Patolo / Pele

mattnz wrote:

Hard to find a decent role for him. Was best as an 80 min Edge.

Can see him playing limited minutes in the middle and maybe some minutes from Kikau on the edge.

EDG: Kikau, RFM
Big minute MIDs: King, Thompson, Sutton
Supported by: Davey / Waddell / Topine / Patolo / Pele

makes sense, im looking at all my favourite traps again,

reece walsh, ponga, brandon smith, etc

fun fun fun

Thoughts on Haas? Lots cold on him but I mean he’s still a quality player it wouldn’t shock me if he had a big start to the year and has a season avg of around 60.

If you had to go Carrigan or Haas as your gun mid who are you picking?

GarethEllisismyDad wrote:

makes sense, im looking at all my favourite traps again,

reece walsh, ponga, brandon smith, etc

fun fun fun

Smith is the #1 pick, should do great as fulltime hooker. Has always said that he would play lighter and be fitter at hooker. Should carve up in that role fulltime. You don't want to miss him. Also a hard position to fill outside of him. I can't decide on a 2nd hooker, but will need one as Roosters have an early bye round.

mattnz wrote:
Smith is the #1 pick, should do great as fulltime hooker. Has always said that he would play lighter and be fitter at hooker. Should carve up in that role fulltime. You don't want to miss him. Also a hard position to fill outside of him. I can't decide on a 2nd hooker, but will need one as Roosters have an early bye round.

yep I have him

1st draft - of many many revisions to come, but I'm happy to have things ive overlooked crowd sourced and to get the discussion going further

Hooker - robson
mid, cotter, b.smith, tapine
edg, garner, gilbert.
hlf, cleary, hynes
ctr , HTF, Thompson (souths)
wfb, T.Martin, walsh, ponga,

Extended squad
Howarth edg,
katoa, hlf
sloan, wfb
s.luke, hok
blore, edg
mooney, mid
naden, wfb/ctr
alamoti, ctr

61k$ burning a hole

I know there are lots of written and unwritten rules I’ve almost certainly contravened so feel free to point them out

GarethEllisismyDad wrote:1st draft - of many many revisions to come, but I'm happy to have things ive overlooked crowd sourced and to get the discussion going further

Hooker - robson
mid, cotter, b.smith, tapine
edg, garner, gilbert.
hlf, cleary, hynes
ctr , HTF, Thompson (souths)
wfb, T.Martin, walsh, ponga,

Extended squad
Howarth edg,
katoa, hlf
sloan, wfb
s.luke, hok
blore, edg
mooney, mid
naden, wfb/ctr
alamoti, ctr

61k$ burning a hole

I know there are lots of written and unwritten rules I’ve almost certainly contravened so feel free to point them out

Both Cleary and Hynes looks like overkill. There are cheaper options that could get gun / near gun level scoring, which should provide value, like Douehi and Hastings.