2018 NRL.com Fantasy Thread Part 55

I was wondering why everyone was talking about Holland, but then I saw his price and DPP status. He is an absolute must have for me - solves all sorts of problems. Good cash out for stupid MCK, plays 17, can be played at C in fantasy too (I was resound to having no C cover). Just need him to get named now.

Means I can roll with the following team from round 18:

Cook
Taupau, Fifita
Arrow, JTrbo, Tolo
SJ, DCE
Isaako, Hiku
Teddy, Ponga, RTS

Cam, McInnes, Harris, Surgess
Gutherson, Holland, Mann, Doueihi

Means I have cover in every position, a decent 18th man (but not great), and I could stretch on any given week to cover a 2nd injury too.

The above team means I'll have 2 trades left for the run home which I think is plenty (fingers crossed)

Trades until then are:

Martin to Cook
MCK to Holland

Anyone see any better options?

Current rank 28th and can't see my self climbing much higher unless I opt to switch Doueihi to a cheap round 17 playing forward but I feel like that needs to also be a player who will likely also play post 17 as well.

Anyone with thoughts on Stimson, Lui - kinda interested in Stimpson right now. At worst he gets 80 min in round 17 you'd think...right?

multiple.scoregasms wrote:

I have no cover for Hiku who may not back up from Denver if Warriors are to be believed

I don't believe them to be honest. There was so much chatter coming out of them regarding this test and they already weren't able to follow through with the "players may even be rested for round 115 too" threat. Isaac Luke made his desire to play for the Kiwis known over 2 weeks ago. So despite the team not being named until after the Warriors round 15 game they could have rested him, so I call BS on that. I call BS on Hiku, Luke, and Maumaolo not playing 16 as well. Luke may get smaller minutes but I reckon all three make the 17.

Rippin and Tearin wrote:

I don't believe them to be honest. There was so much chatter coming out of them regarding this test and they already weren't able to follow through with the "players may even be rested for round 115 too" threat. Isaac Luke made his desire to play for the Kiwis known over 2 weeks ago. So despite the team not being named until after the Warriors round 15 game they could have rested him, so I call BS on that. I call BS on Hiku, Luke, and Maumaolo not playing 16 as well. Luke may get smaller minutes but I reckon all three make the 17.

I think it was all for show ie the clubs kicking up a "stink" becuase they didn't want the game to happen.

Meanwhile there are three origin games every year where players back up 2 days/3 days later and it is not questioned at all.

I'm probably going to dump DCE, that manly run is horrid. Jurbo and turbo will stay most likely. Milf and SJ ones I'll ponder as DCE replacement

During the Storm/Knights clash the commentators were saying Pearce is expected back Round 18-19 however he is progressing really well and may be back by RD 16.

I am not going to look at my team until TLT next week!

Having Both Founa (wfb) and Hiku (18th man) is a bit tricky. The weeks break will make things clearer.

8 trades left (60k) with two (212k) red dots with TMM and Hiku. My coverage is looking up the creek, especially since Fonua is down.



Ill be one of those players that falls down the ranks end finishes outside top 1000 currently 61st.

my tv broke wrote:

I think it was all for show ie the clubs kicking up a "stink" becuase they didn't want the game to happen.

Meanwhile there are three origin games every year where players back up 2 days/3 days later and it is not questioned at all.

a) Origin isn't played on te otherside of the world, and high altitude

b) Clubs did kick up a stink about it, that's why this year they've made one of the origin games on a stand alone weekend, rather than a wednesday night - to minimise disruption to clubs during origin period.

WT2K wrote:I'm probably going to dump DCE, that manly run is horrid. Jurbo and turbo will stay most likely. Milf and SJ ones I'll ponder as DCE replacement

I'm considering it. I currently have DCE, SJ and A Rey....and may dump DCE for Hodgson (I was impressed with what I saw on the weekend).....but there's something about glass half full....or was that two glass halves....that makes me nervous...

Milchcow wrote:

a) Origin isn't played on te otherside of the world, and high altitude

b) Clubs did kick up a stink about it, that's why this year they've made one of the origin games on a stand alone weekend, rather than a wednesday night - to minimise disruption to clubs during origin period.

True, but also remember there are three Origin games which are each arguably more intense than a Kiwis England test match.

Also, much has been made about the travel, but many pro sports players have come out and said that the travel argument is a bit outdated now.

There have been studies to show that the high altitude thing, is not a thing.

Isn't all do with less oxygen in the air the higher you go ? So you have to work harder to get the same amount of oxygen ? The question would be at what level does it actually start to make a difference

my tv broke wrote:There have been studies to show that the high altitude thing, is not a thing.

This one suggests that it is a thing, albeit at heights much higher than what Denver is
http://economics.mit.edu/files/6572

No Worries wrote:Isn't all do with less oxygen in the air the higher you go ? So you have to work harder to get the same amount of oxygen ? The question would be at what level does it actually start to make a difference

Study I just quoted suggested somewhere between 2500m and 2800m is where it makes a difference. Denver is 1600m

That was more a study about comparative advantage to the home team rather than recovery time on athletes who play there.

I'd say the jetlag from flying in and flying out on longhaul flights over multiple connections will be a bigger issue than the altititude.

I understand the appeal of playing a game in the USA, but mid-season is just the wrong time do it.

TheWeapon wrote:

I'm considering it. I currently have DCE, SJ and A Rey....and may dump DCE for Hodgson (I was impressed with what I saw on the weekend).....but there's something about glass half full....or was that two glass halves....that makes me nervous...

Cleary and DCE my current two. Will see how rep weekend goes before deciding. Hodgson on my radar too.

Would Australian exhibition test been scheduled in Denver in middle of season? Doubt it. Is this supposed to balance out teams that play origin??

Holland avg about 44 pnts at Centre in 2016 (incl goal kicking)

Chewie wrote:Holland avg about 44 pnts at Centre in 2016 (incl goal kicking)

Which WOULD be relevant if the Doggies could score tries

Fortitude wrote:

Which WOULD be relevant if the Doggies could score tries

Hey, they might get their attacking flair back after dumping that deadweight Mbye.