NRL Fantasy 2024 Part 1 - Gates are open, come on in

Characteristically grumpy Ricky Stuart interview. Main takeaway is that there is no certainty anywhere. Between the lines, Weekes seems to have the inner for 5/8th though, unfortunately for fantasy. Strange is more "at some stage this season". Sounded a bit like the same for Stewart. No clarity on hooker situation either. We're going to have weeks/months of this.

https://archive.ph/2024.01.22-205414/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-coaching-clipboard-ricky-stuart-lifts-the-hood-on-the-green-machine-in-2024/news-story/51814a2f007c67cfbd956a8dc2b4ae75?amp&nk=1d56e71929c6e476f1095c4f1a230de4-1705956867

Camo123 wrote:

I wouldn’t expect Strange to be put at CTR for 1 game (which is Kris’ remaining suspension). Would either get 5/8 or not I think.

Just have to pick someone who won’t get dropped even if they may not have value to not use trades on the dumb position. I think I remember Darius Boyd was in top 10 CTR scorers (for overall points) in 2020 simply because he played all the games even though he sucked for a bit.

Wighton looks great when he gets DPP but may not be R1 due to suspension.

Just posted an article where it does indeed look like Strange might get centre for one game. Still might be worth picking him and then storing for when Weekes flops.

Lemmy KGB wrote:Dang Arthars stats are grim. Iro won't make the team and Strange probably makes way for Kris (who knows when, round 4 maybe?). What a shit show.

There's some ok-maybe options around centre.

Jed Carty could be worth stashing in EMG to save a trade later.
Berry outside Metcalf could be a safe-ish option under 400k, and 3 high-point games at home helps.
Reimis for the Storm should reliably start under 400k
I reckon Iro will play once Talakai gets 5 games of behind run around.
Averillo is pricey at 447, but has a step and a turn of pace
Alamoti will get a run at the Panthers sooner rather than later, and will score like a Panthers back but for 407.
Arthars is cheap and nailed whilst you wait for Iro/Jed/Alamoti to start


Throw in Strange and there'll be an interesting bit of variation around.

L-Jimmy wrote:



There's some ok-maybe options around centre.

Jed Carty could be worth stashing in EMG to save a trade later.
Berry outside Metcalf could be a safe-ish option under 400k, and 3 high-point games at home helps.
Reimis for the Storm should reliably start under 400k
I reckon Iro will play once Talakai gets 5 games of behind run around.
Averillo is pricey at 447, but has a step and a turn of pace
Alamoti will get a run at the Panthers sooner rather than later, and will score like a Panthers back but for 407.
Arthars is cheap and nailed whilst you wait for Iro/Jed/Alamoti to start


Throw in Strange and there'll be an interesting bit of variation around.

Am sure I read somewhere that Alamoti has been training a bit with the forwards and they're looking at him to be more a Jaeman Salmon replacement than a pure centre. Not fantasy relevant in that case. They have Peachey who can play centre as well, remember.

rhinoceroo wrote:

Am sure I read somewhere that Alamoti has been training a bit with the forwards and they're looking at him to be more a Jaeman Salmon replacement than a pure centre. Not fantasy relevant in that case. They have Peachey who can play centre as well, remember.

Peachey can play a defensive centre, but they'll miss attacking play there. Alamoti fits that mould well.

But yeah, it's far from certain.

BBowler wrote:Bit of Pre-Season entertainment:

NRL Bootcamp

The Shawshank/Ben Hunt reference seeent me

rhinoceroo wrote:

Just posted an article where it does indeed look like Strange might get centre for one game. Still might be worth picking him and then storing for when Weekes flops.

Oh and I love that you posted a paywall-free link. Huge props for the consideration!

L-Jimmy wrote:

Oh and I love that you posted a paywall-free link. Huge props for the consideration!

Well there's no way I'm paying for the Telegraph myself either. archive.ph is your friend (until it gets shut down)

Is Tom Jenkins worth a look? The Knights outside backs flourished last year with all that early ball. Mapapalangi and Tuala in the mix as well of course

Camo123 wrote:

I wouldn’t expect Strange to be put at CTR for 1 game (which is Kris’ remaining suspension). Would either get 5/8 or not I think.

Just have to pick someone who won’t get dropped even if they may not have value to not use trades on the dumb position. I think I remember Darius Boyd was in top 10 CTR scorers (for overall points) in 2020 simply because he played all the games even though he sucked for a bit.

Wighton looks great when he gets DPP but may not be R1 due to suspension.

I thought Kris got a 5 week suspension back in round 27 so he missed finals week 1 wouldn’t he have 3-4 games more suspended? Which other 3-4 games count? Did he get international games or something to count

Rabbits21 wrote:
I thought Kris got a 5 week suspension back in round 27 so he missed finals week 1 wouldn’t he have 3-4 games more suspended? Which other 3-4 games count? Did he get international games or something to count

NZ international games and potentially the All Star game.

L-Jimmy wrote:



There's some ok-maybe options around centre.

Jed Carty could be worth stashing in EMG to save a trade later.
Berry outside Metcalf could be a safe-ish option under 400k, and 3 high-point games at home helps.
Reimis for the Storm should reliably start under 400k
I reckon Iro will play once Talakai gets 5 games of behind run around.
Averillo is pricey at 447, but has a step and a turn of pace
Alamoti will get a run at the Panthers sooner rather than later, and will score like a Panthers back but for 407.
Arthars is cheap and nailed whilst you wait for Iro/Jed/Alamoti to start


Throw in Strange and there'll be an interesting bit of variation around.

Vailea's also a shout if he can beat Laybutt in the race for Hiku's right centre spot.

Bethany_B wrote:

Vailea's also a shout if he can beat Laybutt in the race for Hiku's right centre spot.

Vailea is mud I won’t be touching him.

Good interview with Kiraz

Confirms he came back too early last season from injury and wasnt close to 100%.

Also says that Hughes is the fittest player in the team, including the backs.

If you want a red dot round 1, rather than some iffy rookie I think a tigers player makes sense.

Chuck them at 17 to loop a Vegas player, and then they only have 1 bye in the next 24 rounds.

Milchcow wrote:
If you want a red dot round 1, rather than some iffy rookie I think a tigers player makes sense.

Chuck them at 17 to loop a Vegas player, and then they only have 1 bye in the next 24 rounds.

Any chance a base price winger (Alaimalo or I think Lobb who isn't in the system yet) makes the team with Nofa going?

Obv these are "iffy rookies" as well as Tigers players, so double jeopardy.

rhinoceroo wrote:

Any chance a base price winger (Alaimalo or I think Lobb who isn't in the system yet) makes the team with Nofa going?

Obv these are "iffy rookies" as well as Tigers players, so double jeopardy.

Surrrely Alaimalo is a no-brainer. 6"5, athletic Kiwi from union with plenty of experience. Need I say more?

Alfie wrote:

Surrrely Alaimalo is a no-brainer. 6"5, athletic Kiwi from union with plenty of experience. Need I say more?

Easy position to switch codes in too. His highlight reel looks impressive. Strong fast runner with a good step, breaks tackles and offloads. Could be a fantasy weapon.

Also good that he wont play week 1, many are likely to miss him.

mattnz wrote:

Easy position to switch codes in too. His highlight reel looks impressive. Strong fast runner with a good step, breaks tackles and offloads. Could be a fantasy weapon.

Also good that he wont play week 1, many are likely to miss him.

We will have to watch trials closely mate

mattnz wrote:

Easy position to switch codes in too. His highlight reel looks impressive. Strong fast runner with a good step, breaks tackles and offloads. Could be a fantasy weapon.

Also good that he wont play week 1, many are likely to miss him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjkrNW4M8z4

He's certainly a big boy, although so is Tommy Talau.

Get him the EDG dual and he's the classic MattNZ pre-season pick!

(With the caveat that it's only Rugby Union, the highlights reel is indeed very tempting, but when are highlights reels not?)