2017 NRL.com Fantasy thread part 1

Warriors wrote:So Knights prices are out. Very steep prices for Buhrer and Barnett, are people actually considering these two at those prices? Will both need to play 80 to maintain these prices I feel.

Both Sione Mata'utia and Daniel Saifiti are interesting propositions. Thoughts?

Don't really know whether Kostjasyn will be worth it in the hooking spot. No DPP half.

Also the fullback Dylan Pythian at $143,000, will he be the next Feeney?

Joe Wardle at centre $194,000 could be a smokie?

Too many unknowns and I think there is better value in a lot of other teams. Will take the plunge with Pythian if named to start round 1 and that's probably as far as I will go regarding the Knights.

With the Knights I'll probably go Buhrer or Barrett if he gets the lock position. Plenty of defense means good fantasy scores for tackle hungry forwards. Fensom in his prime played for a poor Raiders team who made plenty of tackles. Phythian will be a pick if he's in the starting 13. Sione Mata'utia on the surface looks good for a ctr position with his dpp status but with Barnett & Buhrer probably playing 80 minutes them Sione may only get 40-50 minutes a game so I'm not sure on him. Atm I have Buhrer/Barnett & Phythian as my picks for the Knights.

Sea Eagles sign Jackson Hastings for 2 years. I really thought the Dragons were going to sign him. I wonder if he will play hooker to replace Parcell.

Bren wrote:Sea Eagles sign Jackson Hastings for 2 years. I really thought the Dragons were going to sign him. I wonder if he will play hooker to replace Parcell.

Thanks mate. There was even talk of him going to the Storm but as you said the Dragons seemed likely. But why would Manly want him. They signed Blake Green so the starting halves are covered. Barrett stated the reason Parcell was sold was because they didn't want a running dummy half but if Hastings played there he'd definitely be a running dummy half. I'd say Koroisau will be the starting hooker. So this leaves a utility spot on the bench. Maybe he's there for his goal kicking which is very good & if his ego got out of control they could just have Taupau knock some sense into him haha.

So I'm expecting the Roosters to bounce back in 2017. They'll have Pearce, Cordner & JWH starting the season fit & the 2 problem positions they had re half & f/b have been solved with the additions of Keary & M. Gordon who will also be goal kicker. I expect Cordner to lead the charge so he'll be a good fantasy pick & I expect the Roosters will score plenty of points meaning Gordon could be a good fantasy pick as well with his goal kicking. Which Roosters players are on the radar. I reckon Pearce, Keary, Gordon, Cordner, Napa & Friend. Also 3 smokies could be Nat Butcher, Liam Knight & Zane Tetevano.

Merry Christmas dudes and dudettes, I am hoping Cody Walker is a duel Position player could be a handy pick up if not to expensive.........

Been burnt too many times to pick Gordon again.

Any chance Hastings plays fullback with Turbo and Walker playing in the centres with Uate and Taufua on the flanks?

Mighty Fishes wrote:Been burnt too many times to pick Gordon again.

Any chance Hastings plays fullback with Turbo and Walker playing in the centres with Uate and Taufua on the flanks?

I read on some supercoach forum that Taufua is out of favour apparently. They have brought Brian Kelly from the Titans & Beale might be going there. I think Hastings plays the bench utility role. The backline imo will be - T-Trbo, Uate, D. Walker, B. Kelly, Beale, B. Green, DCE.

White Lightning wrote:

I read on some supercoach forum that Taufua is out of favour apparently. They have brought Brian Kelly from the Titans & Beale might be going there. I think Hastings plays the bench utility role. The backline imo will be - T-Trbo, Uate, D. Walker, B. Kelly, Beale, B. Green, DCE.

Don't be silly!! B Kelly is an excellent player! That means Barrett wont play him and play Matt Wright in the centres with Beale on the wing instead of Taufua!

White Lightning wrote:

Thanks mate. There was even talk of him going to the Storm but as you said the Dragons seemed likely. But why would Manly want him. They signed Blake Green so the starting halves are covered. Barrett stated the reason Parcell was sold was because they didn't want a running dummy half but if Hastings played there he'd definitely be a running dummy half. I'd say Koroisau will be the starting hooker. So this leaves a utility spot on the bench. Maybe he's there for his goal kicking which is very good & if his ego got out of control they could just have Taupau knock some sense into him haha.

Agree Korsiaou likely to be the starting hooker. Barrett's picks seem to be all over the place. Maybe he wants extra cover at hooker given how he was burnt with injuries last year, but if that's the case wtf get rid of Parcell? Unlikely to be his goal kicking - wont be doing much kicking if he's battling for bench spot with Cullen and Godinet?

Maybe he feels there isn't enough depth in the halves?

I'm not convinced anyone will come close to Smith as captain. Most likely in my side. But with the tighter prices I'm thinking you can probably only have in total no more than four elite (500k+) guns, possibly less. I will be looking at those lesser guns with potential, but in terms of elite guns I'm looking at Smith Graham Gallen Surgess Cleary.

I think an interesting one is Graham vs Gallen (yes different position, but in terms of cap space). I lean toward Graham because I had him all last year and have a crush on him as a result, but they are basically the same price, both play two big byes, both won't play origin, both will have extra to do during origin and both should be set and forget.

Gallen has a history of injuries around origin but maybe this won't be the case now. Graham has a history of concussion, and the policing of this is getting stricter maybe. Gallen might do better or worse depending on who gets the hooker role?

If your ultimate team has reserves of HOK, FRF, 2RF, 2RF, you would need Graham to finish in the top three FRF or Gallen to finish in the top five 2RF (given he has lost his dpp).

To me both seem probable but I lean toward Graham. Thoughts?

mulvy wrote:I'm not convinced anyone will come close to Smith as captain. Most likely in my side. But with the tighter prices I'm thinking you can probably only have in total no more than four elite (500k+) guns, possibly less. I will be looking at those lesser guns with potential, but in terms of elite guns I'm looking at Smith Graham Gallen Surgess Cleary.

I think an interesting one is Graham vs Gallen (yes different position, but in terms of cap space). I lean toward Graham because I had him all last year and have a crush on him as a result, but they are basically the same price, both play two big byes, both won't play origin, both will have extra to do during origin and both should be set and forget.

Gallen has a history of injuries around origin but maybe this won't be the case now. Graham has a history of concussion, and the policing of this is getting stricter maybe. Gallen might do better or worse depending on who gets the hooker role?

If your ultimate team has reserves of HOK, FRF, 2RF, 2RF, you would need Graham to finish in the top three FRF or Gallen to finish in the top five 2RF (given he has lost his dpp).

To me both seem probable but I lean toward Graham. Thoughts?

Hey mulvy, nice to see you back.  I'll be leaning towards Graham based on the injury history of the two.  Gallen can go massive, but how many games will he actually play is anyone's guess, and he is nearly as fucking old as me...

I can also see the SMH Headline after our mob smash the filthy cockroaches in Game 1 "Gallen to answer Daley SOS".

Aardvark Ratnick wrote:Merry Christmas dudes and dudettes, I am hoping Cody Walker is a duel Position player could be a handy pick up if not to expensive.........

Merry Christmas Ratnick

You nailed that Cody Walker tip off from last year! His price will scare most off so has the potential to be a Gun POD.

The Cowboys nrl.com review says 1 of Aiata, Kaufusi, Spina or Hoare will be good cash cows if they nail Tamou's vacant starting spot. This is very true but imo the 2 front runners are Bolton or Hess.

White Lightning wrote:The Cowboys nrl.com review says 1 of Aiata, Kaufusi, Spina or Hoare will be good cash cows if they nail Tamou's vacant starting spot. This is very true but imo the 2 front runners are Bolton or Hess.

They also got our premiership year wrong and have Bolton as a 2RF for some reason (was he last year?). I agree more likely to be Bolton or Hess, but one thought is Hess might be starting edge backrow as they look to ease Lowe back in after his neck surgery. Also wouldn't surprise me if we sign another prop before round one.

mulvy wrote:

They also got our premiership year wrong and have Bolton as a 2RF for some reason (was he last year?). I agree more likely to be Bolton or Hess, but one thought is Hess might be starting edge backrow as they look to ease Lowe back in after his neck surgery. Also wouldn't surprise me if we sign another prop before round one.

Bolton was a 2fr in 2016. I'm hoping Hess gets an initial starting gig cause I have him in my team based on him starting. I was reading some forum & apparently McLean from the Storm has been targeted by the Cowboys as a frf replacement. It may be just a unfounded rumour though. If McLean does go it brings NAS onto the radar.

White Lightning wrote:

Bolton was a 2fr in 2016. I'm hoping Hess gets an initial starting gig cause I have him in my team based on him starting. I was reading some forum & apparently McLean from the Storm has been targeted by the Cowboys as a frf replacement. It may be just a unfounded rumour though. If McLean does go it brings NAS onto the radar.

Out of the bench Hoare interests me the most. Preseason games to see how his injury recovery has gone

I've had an absolute Barry last year after a brilliant 2015, but I'll be back in 2017, bigger, better and stronger. Just like the bunnies.

My early tip for this year is get on Elgey and Farah. Take it as you please

Rabbit wrote:I've had an absolute Barry last year after a brilliant 2015, but I'll be back in 2017, bigger, better and stronger. Just like the bunnies.

My early tip for this year is get on Elgey and Farah. Take it as you please

High mate. I agree with you on Elgey but Farah with his torn bicep injury & the fact he won't play 80 minutes with Cook lingering has put me off him. Plus how does Farah fit into the Bunnies team structure makes me unsure about him.

White Lightning wrote:

High mate. I agree with you on Elgey but Farah with his torn bicep injury & the fact he won't play 80 minutes with Cook lingering has put me off him. Plus how does Farah fit into the Bunnies team structure makes me unsure about him.

Plus origin makes any bunnies origin players not a good pick up to start