2017 NRL.com Fantasy thread part 1

Page looks slow, may as well post my draft. I am gravely worried I have too many mid-rangers in my forwards. Most rookies interchangable depending on TLT

HOK: Smith C, (Hodgson)
FRF: JWH, Gurgess, (Ofahengaue, Tetavano)
2RF: Surgess, Bolton, Kromwich, (S.Mata'utia, Arrow, Elliot)
HLF: Norman, Moses (Hampton, Croker)
CTR: T.Trbo, Idris, (Olive, Jennings)
WFB: Holmes, RTS, Hayne (Physthian, Abbey)

I think Trent Hodkinson is priced in an area where he will need some serious consideration

Pookus McFly wrote:Page looks slow, may as well post my draft. I am gravely worried I have too many mid-rangers in my forwards. Most rookies interchangable depending on TLT

HOK: Smith C, (Hodgson)
FRF: JWH, Gurgess, (Ofahengaue, Tetavano)
2RF: Surgess, Bolton, Kromwich, (S.Mata'utia, Arrow, Elliot)
HLF: Norman, Moses (Hampton, Croker)
CTR: T.Trbo, Idris, (Olive, Jennings)
WFB: Holmes, RTS, Hayne (Physthian, Abbey)

I like that more than most teams I've seen posted.

Only looks like you've got 16 players you'd want in you 17, but still early days in terms of viable cheapies. At least you have some sort of strength in every position and your 2nd row isn't complete mud.

Pookus McFly wrote:Page looks slow, may as well post my draft. I am gravely worried I have too many mid-rangers in my forwards. Most rookies interchangable depending on TLT

HOK: Smith C, (Hodgson)
FRF: JWH, Gurgess, (Ofahengaue, Tetavano)
2RF: Surgess, Bolton, Kromwich, (S.Mata'utia, Arrow, Elliot)
HLF: Norman, Moses (Hampton, Croker)
CTR: T.Trbo, Idris, (Olive, Jennings)
WFB: Holmes, RTS, Hayne (Physthian, Abbey)

love the hooking combo
I like JWH he certainly has big room for improvement on his 2016 avg, year prior was 10 points better, Gurgess will be in a lot of teams for same reason above, 18 points below 2015 avg for an injury affected season
Surgess is great option, not sold on Bolton but Kbrom could be the good, same as Sione! lots of talk on Arrow and the muddled donkeys backrow rotation
Ive had Norman locked in all season and can't see him moving, he was immense before his suspension, lots of good stats to back Moses with no Farah, don't like Hampton on bench utilities in general for fantasy
good back 5, probably better options than Abbey for a rookie priced NPR but early days yet

Milchcow wrote:

I like that more than most teams I've seen posted.

Only looks like you've got 16 players you'd want in you 17, but still early days in terms of viable cheapies. At least you have some sort of strength in every position and your 2nd row isn't complete mud.

Yeah the real drawback of this team is that I am relying on both Ofahengaue and Arrow to become reasonable scorers. A hard ask, especially when in the same team. I was thinking of upgrading Ofahengaue to Prior and downgrading Moses to Hodkinson, but the Moses gamble is one of my favorite picks so still look for the cash elsewhere

Welshy wrote:

love the hooking combo
I like JWH he certainly has big room for improvement on his 2016 avg, year prior was 10 points better, Gurgess will be in a lot of teams for same reason above, 18 points below 2015 avg for an injury affected season
Surgess is great option, not sold on Bolton but Kbrom could be the good, same as Sione! lots of talk on Arrow and the muddled donkeys backrow rotation
Ive had Norman locked in all season and can't see him moving, he was immense before his suspension, lots of good stats to back Moses with no Farah, don't like Hampton on bench utilities in general for fantasy
good back 5, probably better options than Abbey for a rookie priced NPR but early days yet

Would only really run Bolton if he took starting prop position, but mainly because he went to school with my Mrs. Probably because this is my closest "six degrees of seperation" to an NRL player (pathetic, i am aware) I have always quietly supported him over the years. So if Bolton wears 10, he's in my team for sure. Yeah not sold on Hampton either. Would like to get Elgey has my cow instead, but would need to downgrade somebody (and I am reasonably happy with most positions). Yeah Abbey is probably unlikely to be in my final team haha.

oh and thanks for the input guys, much appreciated

Welshy wrote:I think Trent Hodkinson is priced in an area where he will need some serious consideration

Yeah I agree with this. Priced at 30 points. Surely he can manage that if he is paired with a relative rookie (Lamb). Should be getting most of the kick metres at least, surely. Sometimes halves can be guns on that alone (Mullen use to be a 50 point player simply from km, Sezer too (though with some goal kicking). Hodkinson to kick goals for knights also?

that said, where is our list of kickers? Maybe it has already been posted and I missed it. Some I am really not sure on, much-needed corrections are welcome

Broncos- Kahu/Milford
Raiders- Sezer
Bulldogs- Mbye/Holland
Roosters- Gordon
Rabbitohs- Reynolds
Dragons- Widdop
Knights- Hodkinson
Coyboys- Thurston
Titans- Roberts/Taylor
Sharks- Maloney
Storm- Smith
Tigers- Moses
Warriors- Johnson
Panters- Moylan
Sea Eagles- Walker?
Eels- Gutherson?

Pookus McFly wrote:

Yeah I agree with this. Priced at 30 points. Surely he can manage that if he is paired with a relative rookie (Lamb). Should be getting most of the kick metres at least, surely. Sometimes halves can be guns on that alone (Mullen use to be a 50 point player simply from km, Sezer too (though with some goal kicking). Hodkinson to kick goals for knights also?

Not a knights supporter but think Brock Lamb is more likely to affect Hodgkinson KM than Mullen would, Hodgo and Mullen pretty much share the duties but sure Lamb took the bulk in their few matches together mate

Definate room for a scores uptick, not generally hard for a half to get to the 40s from KM and tackles, throw in GK duties I think he is a solid bet to return to a realistic fantasy option

How is Hodkinson going to score any points when he's standing behind his goal line all day?

Pookus McFly wrote:Page looks slow, may as well post my draft. I am gravely worried I have too many mid-rangers in my forwards. Most rookies interchangable depending on TLT

HOK: Smith C, (Hodgson)
FRF: JWH, Gurgess, (Ofahengaue, Tetavano)
2RF: Surgess, Bolton, Kromwich, (S.Mata'utia, Arrow, Elliot)
HLF: Norman, Moses (Hampton, Croker)
CTR: T.Trbo, Idris, (Olive, Jennings)
WFB: Holmes, RTS, Hayne (Physthian, Abbey)

Very similar to my most recent draft

Hok: Smith, Lichaa
Frf: Fifita, Gurgess, Ofa, Kaufusi
2rf: Surgess, KBrom, Sione, Arrow, Capewell, Stimson
Hlf: Norman, Moses, Hodkinson, Elgey
Ctr: Idris, Whare, Scott, Kelly
Wfb: Slater, RTs, Hayne, Phythian, Jennings

White Lightning wrote:How is Hodkinson going to score any points when he's standing behind his goal line all day?

If he was, would mean more tackling duty, and more KM , I'd take that....

Welshy wrote:

If he was, would mean more tackling duty, and more KM , I'd take that....

you forgot the missed tackles Welshy.

White Lightning wrote:

you forgot the missed tackles Welshy.

I was cherry picking

Pookus McFly wrote:Page looks slow, may as well post my draft. I am gravely worried I have too many mid-rangers in my forwards. Most rookies interchangable depending on TLT

HOK: Smith C, (Hodgson)
FRF: JWH, Gurgess, (Ofahengaue, Tetavano)
2RF: Surgess, Bolton, Kromwich, (S.Mata'utia, Arrow, Elliot)
HLF: Norman, Moses (Hampton, Croker)
CTR: T.Trbo, Idris, (Olive, Jennings)
WFB: Holmes, RTS, Hayne (Physthian, Abbey)

Interesting, I was just playing around with my team today, seeing how it would look without a gun in the FRF. Given the discussions have recently focused on the number of possible midrange FRF such as Vaughan, Prior, JWH, Daifiti, Gurgess, Wallace, Ofenguaueu, but not as many midrangers in the 2FR, thoughts on running without a gun in FRF? For example if I go:

Gurgess, Wallace, Offa (if starting), Hoare (if in 17)

I can get:

Surgess McGuire ETaylor Butcher and a couple of cheapies

multiple.scoregasms wrote:

Very similar to my most recent draft

Hok: Smith, Lichaa
Frf: Fifita, Gurgess, Ofa, Kaufusi
2rf: Surgess, KBrom, Sione, Arrow, Capewell, Stimson
Hlf: Norman, Moses, Hodkinson, Elgey
Ctr: Idris, Whare, Scott, Kelly
Wfb: Slater, RTs, Hayne, Phythian, Jennings

Nice team MS. Keep an eye re Lichaa. I was reading on some forum that the Bulldogs have been shopping Lichaa around but there have been no takers so far. They reckon he doesn't lead the team around. Garvey or Woolford could be on the bench in round 1 as they start to phase him out. The only other doubt is Slater but you'll know his situation come round 1. Last year I started with Slater & he got injured in round 1. I think he's too injury prone but I could be wrong. Also will the Knights get enough dominant possession for Hodkinson to score attacking points.

So I haven't tried making a team yet. The teams I have seen around the traps suggest this is by far the hardest year in the FanHub era to make one? That is awesome, will make it a bit less formulaic and predictable but might mean a bit of luck picking the right mid rangers?

Backlines will potentially be similar but FRF and SRF could be very different between teams.

probably a bit back heavy and $24,000 over budget but I'm pretty happy with this

Smith, McCullough
JWH, Gurgess, Hoare, Ese'Ese
Surgess, Taylor, SioneMat, Hess, Elliott, Capewell
Norman, Hodgkinson, Elgey, Spud
Croker, Idris, Scott, Kelly
Tedesco, RTS, Hayne, Jennings, Phythian

plenty of option in the CTRs to dump Croker to someone like Chambers and use the cash up top

flasSId* wrote:So I haven't tried making a team yet.  The teams I have seen around the traps suggest this is by far the hardest year in the FanHub era to make one?  That is awesome, will make it a bit less formulaic and predictable but might mean a bit of luck picking the right mid rangers?

Backlines will potentially be similar but FRF and SRF could be very different between teams.

I have a challenge for ye. Only allowed to select a squad of players with the letters S and I in their name. Least you can still select Cam Smith.

Welshy wrote:probably a bit back heavy and $24,000 over budget but I'm pretty happy with this

Smith, McCullough
JWH, Gurgess, Hoare, Ese'Ese
Surgess, Taylor, SioneMat, Hess, Elliott, Capewell
Norman, Hodgkinson, Elgey, Spud
Croker, Idris, Scott, Kelly
Tedesco, RTS, Hayne, Jennings, Phythian

plenty of option in the CTRs to dump Croker to someone like Chambers and use the cash up top

Hook: Nothing to see here, move along
FRF: I like the undervalued picks, both had frustrating 2016's but solid scorers before that
2RF: Just not convinced of Hess's minutes, perhaps will get more gametime but too awkwardly priced for someone I am not convinced will get the upgrade. I worry that ET could spend time at hooker with their new options while JT figures it all out. He scored poorly there and Doubt he will see much price rises if he does
HLF: I like the Hodkinson pick, definitely could be a big improver, and you have Elgey as pseudo-backup in case he is not
CTR: Solid
WFB: Am I crazy to think Tedesco will be a POD with so many well priced WFB? You might have a huge edge with this pick if he busts out a classic Teddy 100 in round 1 with low ownership. As a Souths' fan, let me assure you- the Tiges love to turn up for the bunnies. It could happen.

I like your team overall, just wondering who your reserves are?