A tricky round for Fantasy coaches awaits, with the absence of Origin stars being combined with a major bye round that has gun players like Terrell May, Luke Metcalf and Joseph Tapine also sitting on the sidelines.
Here we look over all the big Fantasy news to come out of the naming of the teams for Round 15 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 15
Sharks v Dragons, Thursday at Sharks Stadium
Sharks: The loss of consistent CTR KL Iro to a pectoral injury means Mawene Hiroti retains a spot in the backline, despite Ronaldo Mulitalo's return. Hiroti, who has DPP designation as a WFB and CTR, could now be a worthwhile pickup at $431k, with a path to a regular NRL spot. There wasn't much to like about Cronulla on the Fantasy front last week, with Cameron McInnes and Addin Fonua-Blake their only players who managed over 50 in the loss to the Warriors. Nicho Hynes, who now sits in over nine percent of teams, comes off a 25-point outing but should be able to improve against the Dragons.
Dragons: Toby Couchman is again named to start on the edge this week, and while he still managed 54 in Round 14, it's a move that is likely to lower his scoring ceiling. Popular cash cow Lyhkan King-Togia might have just about run out of gas as a money maker, with a break even of 24 which is only six points lower than his season average. However, given it's a major bye round he's one to hold for at least another week. The return of Emre Guler to the side could mean a bit of a drop off for players like Hamish Stewart and Loko Pasifiki Tonga.
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Titans v Sea Eagles, Friday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: A season-low 36 from Jayden Campbell hurt plenty of coaches last week, but he's a definite hold with plenty of upside in Round 15. With two key forwards out on Origin duty, there'll be an inflated role for Klese Haas (MID/EDG, $418k), while basement-priced HOK Sean Mullany is a chance of losing his starting role as Sam Verrills looms in the extended reserves.
Sea Eagles: Haumole Olakau'atu is in a purple patch right now and shapes as a handy Origin-period pickup on the back of a 95 last week, while Jazz Tevaga (MID/HOK, $573k) scored 50+ for the fourth game in a row, despite the return of some bodies in the Manly pack. The return of Tom Trbojevic is likely good news for anyone who owns a Sea Eagles backline player, with the star No.1 adding more potency to their attack. For the first time in a very long time Daly Cherry-Evans is available during a major bye round, but with a season average of 50.5 he's not doing well enough to be considered a trade target, sadly.
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Knights v Roosters, Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Following on from an 86-point showing in the halves last week, Fletcher Sharpe is back at fullback, the position he scored 98 in during the last major bye round. Kai Pearce-Paul was excellent last week on his way to an 80 and with under five percent ownership he presents as a possible point of difference for EDG-needy teams. Jackson Hastings comes in for his first game of the season, but is a good chance of dropping straight back out once Kalyn Ponga returns.
Roosters: The big news on the Fantasy front isn't Sam Walker's return from a long layoff with an ACL injury, but rather who's partnering him in the halves this week. Cheapie HLF Hugo Savala (who sits in 26 percent of all teams) has kept a spot ahead of early-season money-maker Sandon Smith, who instead reverts to the bench and probably becomes a sell for those who still have him. As for Walker, there's potential he turns into a gun HLF for the run home, but for the time being, with his break even set at 45, you can afford to wait and watch how he returns to action. Popular DPP back Mark Nawaqanitawase moves to the centres to cover for Maroons back Robert Toia. MID/EDG Naufahu Whyte returns from a knee injury and will start.
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Cowboys v Dolphins, Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: WFB Scott Drinkwater bounced back from a poor run of form to hit a team-high 56 in Round 14, but North Queensland's next four best scorers from last week – John Bateman, Viliami Vailea, Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter – are all out of action, either due to Origin selection or suspension. Jaxon Purdue only scored 36 last week and doesn't look like kicking on to be a consistent Fantasy option while he's playing in the halves.
Dolphins: You now have to go all the way back to Round 8 to find a game in which HLF Isaiya Katoa has failed to score over 50 in Fantasy, with the youngster well and truly cementing himself as an elite option in the position. Jake Averillo comes off a 50 last week and could be set for another big score as he gets a run at fullback in place of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Origin duty). DPP forward Max Plath is again out injured.
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Rabbitohs v Bulldogs, Sunday at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs: With a commanding last three game average of 84, Keaon Koloamatangi is Fantasy's form player this week in the absence of Terrell May. The $800k MID/EDG is a brilliant option to replace a red cross or black dot in your pack and can be considered for captaincy as well. Another Bunny in great form is Euan Aitken, who following a 60 in Round 14 now boasts a L3 average of 62.7 and is available for $675k. A break even of 24 should mean Lachlan Hubner makes some money again this week.
Bulldogs: Gun EDG Jacob Preston (60.1 season average) returns from suspension and can be traded in immediately if you have a need in that position this week. CTR/WFB Jacob Kiraz still sits in less than five percent of teams and is a POD option who has a L3 average of 55. Lachlan Galvin had a modest 23 last week, but starts in the halves in place of Matt Burton, who is in camp with the Blues.
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