2018 NRL.com Fantasy thread part 1

Random wrote:So I am stuck on some Nightshift action and have many questions.

- Are either Nikorima or Milford possible pick ups this year with no Hunt or Benji around?
No more so than last year I would imagine when Hunt was out and they played together

- How is Tagataese priced?
250k, 17 points, but don't see him in the starting 17

- Josh Dugan price point and his potential at the Sharks? You know assuming he can return the ball more than once without limping.
for 40 points I would want him at FB and not at centre

- Will James Segeyaro return to being an 80 minute viable Hooker and his price point.
Brailey played so well there last year I actually think he will keep the starting position. With so many of the forward pack retiring, Sharks will look to the future and this kid is an absolute gun. Barely missed a tackle last year

- Let's talk up Michael Gordon.
I can't imagine he does any better playing FB for the Titans than he did for the Roosters. Maybe with less stars around he becomes a more focal point of attack? Always liked the journeyman though, but priced at 39 he would need to be at his absolute best. I will pass

- Will Mitch Rein ever find a starting position again. (Not including when Peats is on Origin.)
Livewire in attack but defense can let him down. But defense is way too important for a hooker, which is probably why hes at his third club in 3 years. Back up only if you ask me.

- Joel Thompson's value if he gets 80 minutes at Manly.
About the same as his 80 minutes at the Dragons. Probably still holds value, and I superstitiously think he is one of the unassuming players who is likely to jag a few 80s with some tries at the start of the year before falling back to his average (there is always one or two random players that nobody thought about picking in their teams!)

- Does Beale crack the FG side at the Warriors. |
I think he is injured at the moment, but i don't see why he wouldnt when fit. Warriors seem to rate Fusitu'a and Kata quite highly but I imagine he and Hiku make the other wing pairing over Maumalo, and Klokstad

- What is the make up of the entire Knights team this year and does Jack Johns get a look in later in the year.
Johns seems to be a great talent, but Knights are stacked for depth in the halves. Okay maybe not depth exactly, but there is still Cogger and Lamb in front who won't make the 17. Possibly they bleed him on the wing with enough injuries, or play him to give him some experience in the backend of the season when its already obvious the knights wont make finals in prep for 2019 (sorry knights fans!) (

- will Tony Williams become a TB machine again under Brad Arthur?
Would love to see it, but the longer he goes without finding that form which once made him the unstoppable T Rex, the more I think it wont happen again. I worry about Gurgess for the reasons now too, 2 bad seasons is one hell of a form slump and Tony been terrible for even longer than that!

- Does Dane Gagai become a more consistent CTR now with an okay team around him.
Could go either way. A much stronger roster means they would be less reliant on him so it might not just be "throw the ball to Gagai and hope he scores us a try" for him this season, but having a bit more help might improve him also. I imagine he scores the same amount of TBs but his tries increase.
But Gagai already scoring as well as anyone can in a poor team, it's hard to find a massive improvement. Im betting he at least hold value though

- Who is everyone's breakout player of the year?
I hate it when people don't reveal information (/their stupid opinion) and talk about a "secret" player they have, but I have someone in my side I rate for a huge breakout year, that I have not seen mention in a single post here or on Renegades/Rogues. So now I can't mention him (or her ) just in case A) its the biggest POD i've ever stumbled across, or B) im a complete idiot and they flop massively and I look like a goose. Either way, im hush hush until I do some more research and now im *that guy* who everybody hates. If the stats back me up, i will share before the season starts (on here, but not on Rogue/Renegades)

rhinoceroo wrote:DPP alert... https://www.zerotackle.com/greg-inglis-set-return-centre-stage-31110/amp/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Zero%2BTackle&__twitter_impression=true

Pookus McFly wrote:

Random wrote:So I am stuck on some Nightshift action and have many questions.

- Are either Nikorima or Milford possible pick ups this year with no Hunt or Benji around?
No more so than last year I would imagine when Hunt was out and they played together

- How is Tagataese priced?
250k, 17 points, but don't see him in the starting 17

- Josh Dugan price point and his potential at the Sharks? You know assuming he can return the ball more than once without limping.
for 40 points I would want him at FB and not at centre

- Will James Segeyaro return to being an 80 minute viable Hooker and his price point.
Brailey played so well there last year I actually think he will keep the starting position. With so many of the forward pack retiring, Sharks will look to the future and this kid is an absolute gun. Barely missed a tackle last year

- Let's talk up Michael Gordon.
I can't imagine he does any better playing FB for the Titans than he did for the Roosters. Maybe with less stars around he becomes a more focal point of attack? Always liked the journeyman though, but priced at 39 he would need to be at his absolute best. I will pass

- Will Mitch Rein ever find a starting position again. (Not including when Peats is on Origin.)
Livewire in attack but defense can let him down. But defense is way too important for a hooker, which is probably why hes at his third club in 3 years. Back up only if you ask me.

- Joel Thompson's value if he gets 80 minutes at Manly.
About the same as his 80 minutes at the Dragons. Probably still holds value, and I superstitiously think he is one of the unassuming players who is likely to jag a few 80s with some tries at the start of the year before falling back to his average (there is always one or two random players that nobody thought about picking in their teams!)

- Does Beale crack the FG side at the Warriors. |
I think he is injured at the moment, but i don't see why he wouldnt when fit. Warriors seem to rate Fusitu'a and Kata quite highly but I imagine he and Hiku make the other wing pairing over Maumalo, and Klokstad

- What is the make up of the entire Knights team this year and does Jack Johns get a look in later in the year.
Johns seems to be a great talent, but Knights are stacked for depth in the halves. Okay maybe not depth exactly, but there is still Cogger and Lamb in front who won't make the 17. Possibly they bleed him on the wing with enough injuries, or play him to give him some experience in the backend of the season when its already obvious the knights wont make finals in prep for 2019 (sorry knights fans!) (

- will Tony Williams become a TB machine again under Brad Arthur?
Would love to see it, but the longer he goes without finding that form which once made him the unstoppable T Rex, the more I think it wont happen again. I worry about Gurgess for the reasons now too, 2 bad seasons is one hell of a form slump and Tony been terrible for even longer than that!

- Does Dane Gagai become a more consistent CTR now with an okay team around him.
Could go either way. A much stronger roster means they would be less reliant on him so it might not just be "throw the ball to Gagai and hope he scores us a try" for him this season, but having a bit more help might improve him also. I imagine he scores the same amount of TBs but his tries increase.
But Gagai already scoring as well as anyone can in a poor team, it's hard to find a massive improvement. Im betting he at least hold value though

- Who is everyone's breakout player of the year?
I hate it when people don't reveal information (/their stupid opinion) and talk about a "secret" player they have, but I have someone in my side I rate for a huge breakout year, that I have not seen mention in a single post here or on Renegades/Rogues. So now I can't mention him (or her ) just in case A) its the biggest POD i've ever stumbled across, or B) im a complete idiot and they flop massively and I look like a goose. Either way, im hush hush until I do some more research and now im *that guy* who everybody hates. If the stats back me up, i will share before the season starts (on here, but not on Rogue/Renegades)

Nofzilla wrote:What are your thoughts  on centres. At the moment I've got Hiku and Milne like most people but I'm looking for a third.

SI wrote:

Haha, pretty much how I would have answered it all.  Besides Lamb not being in the 17, he will get first crack pairing with Pearce won't he?  And maybe the make up of the 4 Warriors outside backs.  They seem to love Maumalo there.

Pookus McFly wrote:

SI wrote:

Haha, pretty much how I would have answered it all.  Besides Lamb not being in the 17, he will get first crack pairing with Pearce won't he?  And maybe the make up of the 4 Warriors outside backs.  They seem to love Maumalo there.

I think Connor Watson has been promised first crack at the 6, though rumours Lamb could be utility on the bench (which would be a waste IMO, so I don't see it happening- I think its starting half or not at all for Lamb)

You might be right about Maumalo, I think the lineup will be:

1. Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Fusitua
3. Hiku / Beale
4. Kata
5. Hiku / Beale /Maumalo

But with Beale injured to start the season, I think Hiku plays centre and Maumalo on the wing. Not sure if Beale will force a place when he comes back, but doubt it will be Hiku if he does which leaves Maumalo the odd man out IMO

Pookus McFly wrote:

I think Connor Watson has been promised first crack at the 6, though rumours Lamb could be utility on the bench (which would be a waste IMO, so I don't see it happening- I think its starting half or not at all for Lamb)

You might be right about Maumalo, I think the lineup will be:

1. Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Fusitua
3. Hiku / Beale
4. Kata
5. Hiku / Beale /Maumalo

But with Beale injured to start the season, I think Hiku plays centre and Maumalo on the wing. Not sure if Beale will force a place when he comes back, but doubt it will be Hiku if he does which leaves Maumalo the odd man out IMO

White Lightning wrote:re C. Watson. There was an article post the Pearce purchase where Brown stated that C. Watson will get first crack & that the arrival of Pearce didin't change that.

Chewie wrote:

Hmmm what about Anthony Gelling?

Pookus McFly wrote:I am now at that ominous point in pre-season planning. I have combed the rosters, unearthed all the  players I am interested in, both the definites and those contingent on team lists; cracked all the possible combinations. There is little for me now until March 6 TLT, save keeping an eye on players' trial form and injuries. Truly I have entered the long, dark fantasy time of the soul.
Feels like January to me.
#50sleepstoTLT

SI wrote:

Feel sorry for Lamb then, although I love Watson.