2016 NRL.com Fantasy Thread Part 8

Regardless of how many weeks Pearce is out JNiko is probably the best rookie half option bar Taylor, so unless you have Feeney there there isn't many other options TMM the likeliest...unless you run 2 gun halves or a gun and JRey esque player

Welshy wrote:Regardless of how many weeks Pearce is out JNiko is probably the best rookie half option bar Taylor, so unless you have Feeney there there isn't many other options TMM the likeliest...unless you run 2 gun halves or a gun and JRey esque player

That's pretty much the decision I think. If you run with 3 cheapies then despite long term job security, Niko is the best 4th option. But if you don't want him then the better thing to do for your team is run with a mid ranger as the 2nd option, with Hastings at 3rd, as you would otherwise be killing off a spot in one of the more reliable scoring positions and hoping for an injury for your non-cheapie that isn't JNiko to get a run

Beast From The Big East wrote:

That's pretty much the decision I think. If you run with 3 cheapies then despite long term job security, Niko is the best 4th option. But if you don't want him then the better thing to do for your team is run with a mid ranger as the 2nd option, with Hastings at 3rd, as you would otherwise be killing off a spot in one of the more reliable scoring positions and hoping for an injury for your non-cheapie that isn't JNiko to get a run

probably the best option will be if Barba is named FB then You can shunt Feeny into the 4th half spot if you are not happy with how many games JNiko will get, nothing to say JNiko can't make $100,000 in those 6* weeks though

Hypothetical: If Shaun Lane is named to start over T-Rex on TLT, would you take the punt? I've got a sneaky suspicion that he'll get big minutes this year as he's off contract and they'll want to retain him, but it's just a matter of when.

Only two more needs to join L4 well done guys!

Welshy wrote:
probably the best option will be if Barba is named FB then You can shunt Feeny into the 4th half spot if you are not happy with how many games JNiko will get, nothing to say JNiko can't make $100,000 in those 6* weeks though

Fair call forgot about their DPP for a bit. Definitely the best alternative to JNiko if you still want a cheap 4th half option with the other options like TMM needing injuries to stake their claim

Big Nick wrote:Hypothetical: If Shaun Lane is named to start over T-Rex on TLT, would you take the punt? I've got a sneaky suspicion that he'll get big minutes this year as he's off contract and they'll want to retain him, but it's just a matter of when.

If he were to start over trex which I doubt he will he would get 50 mins I reckon, maybe round 10 if trex doesn't perform

Beast From The Big East wrote:

Fair call forgot about their DPP for a bit. Definitely the best alternative to JNiko if you still want a cheap 4th half option with the other options like TMM needing injuries to stake their claim

TLT can't come quick enough mate, sort out all this guessing then haha!

Big Nick wrote:Hypothetical: If Shaun Lane is named to start over T-Rex on TLT, would you take the punt? I've got a sneaky suspicion that he'll get big minutes this year as he's off contract and they'll want to retain him, but it's just a matter of when.

The minutes would be key and I think with the doggies pack there just isn't enough for him. Des likes to run with his big boys off the bench in small spurts and in doing so likes to rotate the forwards around pretty regularly. With Tolman, Graham and Jackson all being big minute players I can't see there being enough for the rest if Lane also gets 60+

Welshy wrote:
TLT can't come quick enough mate, sort out all this guessing then haha!

Don't even think TLT sorts out some guessing. Until we get an announcement on Pearce's punishment people will be iffy about running with JNiko. And adjusting a team to bringing him in/taking him out is a reasonable undertaking and can easily see about 3 or 4 other positions in your team changing as a result

Welshy wrote:
TLT can't come quick enough mate, sort out all this guessing then haha!

i think if learned anything last year with likes of Bird, important to go with the few rookies you think will make it this year even if not starting come Tuesday.

I think Latrell Mitchell is very important for this, and possibly even Barba as I can see him eventually at fullback if not right away. Couple of saved trades right there. I think forwards are hardest for rookie spots. Will be looking for those named to start not bench here. That way when teams return to full strength in the forwards there's good chance they relegate to bench rather than out of squad, which is what I expect someone like Leuluai will do at the chooks (i.e. Lose his place completely when players come back)

GreenMachine wrote:

i think if learned anything last year with likes of Bird, important to go with the few rookies you think will make it this year even if not starting come Tuesday.

I think Latrell Mitchell is very important for this, and possibly even Barba as I can see him eventually at fullback if not right away. Couple of saved trades right there.  I think forwards are hardest for rookie spots. Will be looking for those named to start not bench here. That way when teams return to full strength in the forwards there's good chance they relegate to bench rather than out of squad, which is what I expect someone like Leuluai will do at the chooks (i.e. Lose his place completely when players come back)

definately mate had bird and coote stashed away last year will be going with Mitchell regardless, Barba potentially, I think the tigers will have a cheapie or 2 emerge in the pack come TLT their backrow is hugely underwhelming and surely have to get some youngsters blooded soon

GreenMachine wrote:

i think if learned anything last year with likes of Bird, important to go with the few rookies you think will make it this year even if not starting come Tuesday.

I think Latrell Mitchell is very important for this, and possibly even Barba as I can see him eventually at fullback if not right away. Couple of saved trades right there.  I think forwards are hardest for rookie spots. Will be looking for those named to start not bench here. That way when teams return to full strength in the forwards there's good chance they relegate to bench rather than out of squad, which is what I expect someone like Leuluai will do at the chooks (i.e. Lose his place completely when players come back)

See what you mean, especially with the Newcastle players, but in the specific case of Leuluai would be happy to carry him as JWH/Cordner out for long enough for him to have made maximum money before they're back.

Mitchell is one I'll have in my squad even if not named Rnd1. TMM would be as well if it weren't for strength of HLF options - think he's going to get plenty of football sooner rather than later.

Just wanting to discuss a few rookies/bottom price players that are confirmed to play round 1 and whether they are a viable option or not:

Greg Eden - No (four weeks)
Latrell Mitchell - Yes
Curtis Scott - Worth a gamble for me
Jaleen Feeney - Yes
Pat and Chanel Mata'utia - steering clear with Sione, Ross and Mamo in waiting
MCK - not yet
Benry - maybe but probably wait for an injury
Aloiai - No for me with Halatau and Edwards to come back round 2/3, and Buchanan floating around
Vleuluai - Probably safe for first 6 weeks (will make some coin)
DSafiti - no for me as in prop rotation with Snowden, KSims, Mataora and with Stockwell/Paea floating around
JSafiti - yes for first five weeks
DBhana - maybe and is a tackle machine.

Gutherson is locked in

Looking to have Gutherson, Mitchell, Scott, Feeney, JSafiti in my team and 1 of Benry, Leuluai and Bhana.

Choose 1 of Benry, Leuluai and Bhana if all named on bench round 1.

I am very close to putting Mitchell Moses in my team

Big Nick wrote:Hypothetical: If Shaun Lane is named to start over T-Rex on TLT, would you take the punt? I've got a sneaky suspicion that he'll get big minutes this year as he's off contract and they'll want to retain him, but it's just a matter of when.

Won't happen TLT as I believe he's injured but I'll be monitoring his minutes when back

Looks like barba will jag the FB spot

http://www.nrl.com/fit-again-barba-not-a-bench-player-flanagan/tabid/10874/newsid/93257/default.aspx

Liverpool_Bulldog wrote:I definitely think i will go with that tip from greenmachine about rookie forwards. Have been playing with my team endlessly this evening but it all comes down to who is named in those team lists really.

I didnt start last year with any of the guys like Bird and Coote and went with Lee and Nabuli because i knew they would be on the field. Lesson learned there.

Only problem with this is you could be stuck with guys like Chee-Kam and Moga who were talked up all preseason in years past and then didn't even play a single game of first grade