2018 NRL.com Fantasy Thread Part 5

Vanish wrote:

I think if Cook misses out on the 80minute gig, it gets very hard to leave Smith out. I've argued for his exclusion a fair bit, but that is assuming Cook is a high value and high point scoring alternative.

This is almost certain to happen. Even if Farah is out of the 21, all signs point to having a utility on the bench (probably Doueihi). You won't be able to confirm Cook's playing minutes prior to round 1, and will have to make an educated guess about his value to your team

Same applies for pretty much every hooker

First attempt


A. McCullough
R. Campbell-Gillard M. Lodge
C. Murray J. McGuire J. Arrow
J. Thurston K. Nikorima
J. Hayne T. Milne
K. Ponga R. Tuivasa-Sheck L. Mitchell


1. C. Watson
2. P. Hiku
3. N. Asofa-Solomona
4. B. Cartwright
5. V. Kikau
6. L. Leilua
7. L. Croker
8. C. Garvey

Smith
Gurgess, Lodge
Murray, Arrow, RFM
Croft, Watson
Aubbs, Milne
Teddy, Edwarda, Ponga

Cook, Garvili, Carty, NAS/Liu
Gray, Croker, Kennar, Hiku/Katoa

Thoughts lads, decided to try a Smith team again

Smith
Matulino, Lodge
Murray, Harris, Nas
Cronk, Croft
Croker, Milne
Mitchell, Ponga, Inglis

Cook
Carty
Mcqueen
Croker

Butcher
Havili
L.Leilua
Brimson

Despite only having one actual gun, I like this team. I think its as close to risk free as Ill get. A bit of coverage, with no reliance on a players really stepping up (maybe lodge). But also, there is room for improvement in the other players. Mostly tried and tested, but either under new management, or playing different roles/coming back from injuries or playing out of possie.

Or, have I missed the point here and just created a team of mediocrity.

Vanish wrote:

Edwards and Nofo are priced at 45avg, and I think that'll be their avg for the season. Ideally both keepers but little value.

I don't like Dufty. But if you think he's capable of improving on his average go with him.

Any chance Nofo is used a bit more because of no Tedesco. I am wondering if there are any stats of Nofo playing without Tedesco in the team?

Buramada wrote:

Any chance Nofo is used a bit more because of no Tedesco. I am wondering if there are any stats of Nofo playing without Tedesco in the team?

I don't have stats, but im fairly certain the point scoring ability of each players was fairly individual. As in, the way they picked up points was unaffected by each others presence.

Mostly crab runs across the field swatting lazy grabs from forwards (not taking away anything from the players)

Fortitude wrote:Smith
Matulino, Lodge
Murray, Harris, Nas
Cronk, Croft
Croker, Milne
Mitchell, Ponga, Inglis

Cook
Carty
Mcqueen
Croker

Butcher
Havili
L.Leilua
Brimson

Despite only having one actual gun, I like this team. I think its as close to risk free as Ill get. A bit of coverage, with no reliance on a players really stepping up (maybe lodge). But also, there is room for improvement in the other players. Mostly tried and tested, but either under new management, or playing different roles/coming back from injuries or playing out of possie.

Or, have I missed the point here and just created a team of mediocrity.

I would avoid GI. No Arrow which is a surprise. Need CTR/WFB cover, don’t see the point in having Butcher, Leilua and Brimson

Fortitude wrote:

I don't have stats, but im fairly certain the point scoring ability of each players was fairly individual. As in, the way they picked up points was unaffected by each others presence.

Mostly crab runs across the field swatting lazy grabs from forwards (not taking away anything from the players)

We haven't had anyone spit the dummy about tackle breaks this thread.

Good call.

dreamers wrote:

I would avoid GI. No Arrow which is a surprise. Need CTR/WFB cover, don’t see the point in having Butcher, Leilua and Brimson

I haven't really looked into Arrow that much, whats the attraction? Is oldmate Boyle going to get a run, not sure how he scored but he looked a hungry player* at the end of the season.

*Corey parker hungry, not Dave Taylor hungry.

Fortitude wrote:Smith
Matulino, Lodge
Murray, Harris, Nas
Cronk, Croft
Croker, Milne
Mitchell, Ponga, Inglis

Cook
Carty
Mcqueen
Croker

Butcher
Havili
L.Leilua
Brimson

Despite only having one actual gun, I like this team. I think its as close to risk free as Ill get. A bit of coverage, with no reliance on a players really stepping up (maybe lodge). But also, there is room for improvement in the other players. Mostly tried and tested, but either under new management, or playing different roles/coming back from injuries or playing out of possie.

Or, have I missed the point here and just created a team of mediocrity.

Concerned for Matulino's dodgy knees which he will need to manage well throughout the season to stay injury free. GI may be out for round 1 and also has a mixed injury history, especially coming off an ACL injury. Croker im not a fan of in the 17 as he has high potential be a flop by reports on the forum. Would be more inclined to chuck in Doueihi for Brimson as Brimson could be behind Carty nowdays. Expect a rollercoaster ride from Mitchell but GK should help.

Love Milne and think he is the only LOCK in cash cow at this stage, should be in for a great year. Lodge is great value too. McQueen is an interesting choice but could be good depending on how he is used by Ivan. Havili should be OK value too. J.Croker had a quiet year but should bounce back if Raiders do.

Finally, Murray I completely missed last year, he's in my team due to the hype haha, anyone got stats and/or scores on him?

Fortitude wrote:

I haven't really looked into Arrow that much, whats the attraction? Is oldmate Boyle going to get a run, not sure how he scored but he looked a hungry player* at the end of the season.

*Corey parker hungry, not Dave Taylor hungry.

1.0 PPM last season, should play lock with decent minutes at a new club

Shooter McGavin wrote: Finally, Murray I completely missed last year, he's in my team due to the hype haha, anyone got stats and/or scores on him?

I picked him up towards the end of the year in my Draft comp. Pulled out some +45-50 scores and one over 60 if I can remember correctly

NewyCoop wrote:

I picked him up towards the end of the year in my Draft comp. Pulled out some +45-50 scores and one over 60 if I can remember correctly

Cheers NewyCoop

Am I right in thinking that now the AE's will only come from positions 18-21 so I'm not going to worry about covering every position from these 4 spots. Won't it be better to reserve these spots to the best cash cows that will make the most money. After a few rounds you can start planning to cover all these positions with suitable DPP's.

my tv broke wrote:Ding ding ding!!!! Lachlan Croker is training the house down according to Tommy T

It's going to throw a spanner in the works of many teams when Todd Carney signs with Manly.

Am I the only numb nut that is running without Teddy would appear so ............

Pacey's Best wrote:Am I right in thinking that now the AE's will only come from positions 18-21 so I'm not going to worry about covering every position from these 4 spots. Won't it be better to reserve these spots to the best cash cows that will make the most money. After a few rounds you can start planning to cover all these positions with suitable DPP's.

From the Fantasy Website:

"If a member of your starting 17 (13 on field and 4 interchange players) do not play in any given round an Emergency will be automatically assigned. This Emergency’s score will be automatically added to the total points scored by a team in any given round. The assigned Emergency will be the highest-numbered scoring player from the Reserves Bench who receives a score for the round and matches the position of the non-playing Starting 13 player. If this auto-emergency player is listed within the Interchange Players they will be replaced as an Interchange Player by the highest-ranked eligible Emergency not currently in the Scoring 17. This process of automatic emergency substitution will continue as described until there are no more eligible emergency replacement players. If no player from the Reserves is eligible to substitute for a non-playing member of the Scoring 17 no emergency substitution will be made. If the process of applying automatic emergencies results in fewer than 17 players scoring points a team’s total score for that round will be the aggregate total of only those players who have scored points"

TL:DR: If your starting CTR or WFB pulls out and you don't have a CTR/WFB in 18-21 you won't get an auto emergency. If someone in 14-17 pulls out it doesn't matter what position your AE is.