NRL Fantasy 2019 thread part 6

What do people think of a team that has cash cows in both of their centre positions? Last year the position was so volatile and really screwed me over. With this set up I'm able to run a much stronger team and bench that i feel may be good. At least in the short run. But as I dont have much experience in fantasy I would like to hear others opinions.

This year there are some pretty solid value options in the Cs. I wouldn't be surprised if the go-to option is start with at least one 'value' mid-ranger: Holland and Capewell spring to mind. Both of these could easily stay in your team for the season.

Last year I went pretty well and never had a 'gun' centre. In fact Im pretty sure I spent most of the year with the two CC guys I started with (Isaako and Hiku) and I grabbed CC Holland toward the end of the year and got lucky that he went well and was a timely replacement for Hiku when he got dumped.

That showed me that you can go OK without a great C pairing. So in answer to your question, yeah I think two CC in the Cs is workable, but I think you'd need some luck that they go well. The safer bet, IMO is to take at least one C that should score ~40s and at worst you keep them for the season (and save a trade). If you have the trades to spare you could upgrade at some point to a gun.

Iron Mike wrote:Sorry if I'm missing the point but those going with Friend, Macca why? I guess if you are keeping them it makes sense but likely they will not be in the top three hookers come end of year. Likely you will want Cook and Smith at some stage this year.

Also those with Tolman, how much will he actually improve if not starting at lock. In a rotation with Napa, Sue, RFM etc will he actually hit the scores you want? I've noticed in the last few years he has started to slow down and miss tackles as a result. He is not without risk because as soon as those minutes go you could end up with a mid 30s scorer.
I'm waiting on who is going to get the Tigers and Broncos lock spots before even considering the likes of Tolman, LAM, Twal, Offa, TPJ. Will make it an easy pick if TPJ gets the lock spot I feel.

The point with all (most) of the guys you mentioned is pretty simple, there are pretty strong cases to make that they are undervalued which is basically what this game is about when picking your starting team.

Im not so sold of Friend, but I can see the strong case for Macca. Strong case for Tolman if you run the numbers on him given team changes at the Dogs. I see value in Ofa and TPJ too. TWal will be value if he gets the start you'd think. LAM? seems like we went there a couple years back and Steve's article on him was top quality and has me staying away.

I’m sick of braiding my pubic hairs just waiting for the football to get back into my retinas.

Rippin and Tearin wrote:This year there are some pretty solid value options in the Cs. I wouldn't be surprised if the go-to option is start with at least one 'value' mid-ranger: Holland and Capewell spring to mind. Both of these could easily stay in your team for the season.

Last year I went pretty well and never had a 'gun' centre. In fact Im pretty sure I spent most of the year with the two CC guys I started with (Isaako and Hiku) and I grabbed CC Holland toward the end of the year and got lucky that he went well and was a timely replacement for Hiku when he got dumped.

That showed me that you can go OK without a great C pairing. So in answer to your question, yeah I think two CC in the Cs is workable, but I think you'd need some luck that they go well. The safer bet, IMO is to take at least one C that should score ~40s and at worst you keep them for the season (and save a trade). If you have the trades to spare you could upgrade at some point to a gun.

My possible value centre options were the likes of Hampton, Holland & Capewell. All of which I love. But my only worry is the chance that they fail to fire. And I end up wasting trades and missing potential points. Bird is at a good price point but I have a gut feeling he is past his prime and too unfit. Xeri if he gets a run could be a good CC with Lomax as another option. Still not sure which way I prefer to go :/

I'm liking JMcLean, once he got back on the park for the Cows last year and got fully fit, his numbers were good

StormTrooper96 wrote:I’m sick of braiding my pubic hairs just waiting for the football to get back into my retinas.

I grew a beard so I had something to plait

StormTrooper96 wrote:I’m sick of braiding my pubic hairs just waiting for the football to get back into my retinas.

I've seen a lot of quality posts in pre-season but this post beats them easily.

Some guy posted this from NRLSUPERCOACHTALK:

Still early days and all speculation but this looks promising:

“Wayde Egan has reportedly re-signed with the Penrith Panthers on a 2 year contract extension keeping him a Panther until at least the end of the 2021 season.

Egan has set his sights on becoming the Panthers full time hooker under new coach Ivan Cleary. Rumours from the foot of the mountains suggest Egan is ahead of Sione Katoa to wear the number 9 jersey in 2019. These rumours go as far as to suggest Tyrone May has been training at hooker and will wear the 14 jersey with Katoa set for a stint in reserves.

Egan has already attracted praise from the highest level whilst featuring 11 times for the Panthers in 2019. Rugby League immortal Andrew Johns stated, ”I hate to say it, but he reminds me of Cameron Smith when he first started… He hasn’t got the bulging muscles but he’s very efficient in the way he plays… Every time I look at him when he’s at dummy-half, he’s always watching the tight defenders and markers. He’s always watching the defence and he lets them make his decision for him.”

courtesy Clarkeys NRL column

Iron Mike wrote:Sorry if I'm missing the point but those going with Friend, Macca why? I guess if you are keeping them it makes sense but likely they will not be in the top three hookers come end of year. Likely you will want Cook and Smith at some stage this year.

Also those with Tolman, how much will he actually improve if not starting at lock. In a rotation with Napa, Sue, RFM etc will he actually hit the scores you want? I've noticed in the last few years he has started to slow down and miss tackles as a result. He is not without risk because as soon as those minutes go you could end up with a mid 30s scorer.
I'm waiting on who is going to get the Tigers and Broncos lock spots before even considering the likes of Tolman, LAM, Twal, Offa, TPJ. Will make it an easy pick if TPJ gets the lock spot I feel.

Macca was carrying injury into 2018, then copped some more. His 2017 average minus injury affected, 59... Pretty simple really

StormTrooper96 wrote:I’m sick of braiding my pubic hairs just waiting for the football to get back into my retinas.

It's really quite funny how we're all here trying to piece together tidbits of information on whether a player might get a start or not, when TLT will clear all that up anyway, but likely present a whole host of other problems that haven't even been considered yet.

Rapture_NRL wrote:

Macca was carrying injury into 2018, then copped some more. His 2017 average minus injury affected, 59... Pretty simple really

Its not that simple, he's approaching 30 (29), has a tough draw against Storm, Cowboys, Dragons and Roosters to start the year. Not many middle forwards score well against the Storm because they tend to spread the ball from side to side. If he has a game where he misses the odd tackle given the lack of attacking stats he tends not to score well.

Iron Mike wrote:

Its not that simple, he's approaching 30 (29), has a tough draw against Storm, Cowboys, Dragons and Roosters to start the year. Not many middle forwards score well against the Storm because they tend to spread the ball from side to side. If he has a game where he misses the odd tackle given the lack of attacking stats he tends not to score well.

Yes, but this is the year that Macca actually turns into Cameron Smith MKII. Broncos fans been waiting for this for 8 years!!!

Iron Mike wrote:

Its not that simple, he's approaching 30 (29), has a tough draw against Storm, Cowboys, Dragons and Roosters to start the year. Not many middle forwards score well against the Storm because they tend to spread the ball from side to side. If he has a game where he misses the odd tackle given the lack of attacking stats he tends not to score well.

You mean they have a tough draw against us?

Isn't a tougher draw somewhat good for a HOK in McCullough's mould?
More tackles and possibly chance of high KM and possibility of 40/20 from dummy half?

Iron Mike wrote:

Its not that simple, he's approaching 30 (29), has a tough draw against Storm, Cowboys, Dragons and Roosters to start the year. Not many middle forwards score well against the Storm because they tend to spread the ball from side to side. If he has a game where he misses the odd tackle given the lack of attacking stats he tends not to score well.

We can't gauge how age will affect him but we do know that he carried significant injury all 2018.

Picking someone based on opponents is not a sound strategy.

Attacking game could be argued to be coach dependent.

He only needs to average 55 to make money. Smith and Cook likely lose some over the opening weeks.

Tolman or DFifita?

Rapture_NRL wrote:

We can't gauge how age will affect him but we do know that he carried significant injury all 2018.

Picking someone based on opponents is not a sound strategy.

Attacking game could be argued to be coach dependent.

He only needs to average 55 to make money. Smith and Cook likely lose some over the opening weeks.

What was/were his significant injury/s?

I know Napa knocked him out last round. Just not sure there is as much upside as thought given he's not getting any younger and he really only scores from tackles. He plays the game in a way injuries are bound to happen.

Also I am a firm believe Broncos will be one of the premier sides this year and could just as well win all of those games. Macca is what priced at 48 and as previously posted has a 50% rating of averaging 55+ in a season. Had significant injury problems and sometimes shared his role with pie day and one eyed moose. Has been to kicking school with the North Melbourne Roo boys over the off season. If he is fit, firing and under Seebs who unleashed the next best thing last year in the number 9 spot there is no reason he can’t average 55+. Also 30 years old is nothing these days in footy, Gallen, Smith, Luke Lewis, Mannering, JT, Slater just to name a select few suggests he still has 3 or 4 years left in him. If you start with Macca and Mahoney/Egan you are looking at keeping Macca and picking up Smith, Cook, McInnes for the home stretch. Mind you if you can make a decent squad with Egan and Cook May aswell to save a trade.

Iron Mike wrote:

What was/were his significant injury/s?

I know Napa knocked him out last round. Just not sure there is as much upside as thought given he's not getting any younger and he really only scores from tackles. He plays the game in a way injuries are bound to happen.

He did his ACL in round 21 2017, with an expected recovery of 5-8 months. He barely managed to start last season. Most players have quieter seasons after an ACL. Then he dislocated his elbow mid-way through 2018 which was supposed to be a 4-6 week injury and I'm pretty sure he either only missed one game or played the next week.

He should be healed up now.