The return of a superstar HLF is huge news for Fantasy coaches this week, but the unavailability of a handful of highly-owned prospects means there's still plenty of headache material in the Round 17 team lists.
There's also a positional move for a possible underpriced back and calls to be made on a couple of cash cows who look like they might have just about peaked in value.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 17
Panthers v Bulldogs, Thursday at CommBank Stadium
Panthers: Fantasy's third-most selected player, Nathan Cleary, is named to start despite playing through, but being restricted by, a groin injury suffered the day before Origin II. He's joined back in the side by the rest of Penrith's Origin contingent, with star MID Isaah Yeo the most Fantasy relevant of the others. Blaize Talagi (WFB/HLF, $420k) comes off a 47-point haul which was his second best of the season.
Bulldogs: Expect Jacob Preston to be a big target as coaches who had a head-to-head bye last week seek to move on from Haumole Olakau'atu, or simply seek to upgrade at the EDG position. Jacob Kiraz (CTR/WFB, $722k) is on the wing this week, while Toby Sexton, who has averaged 45.7 over his past three games, retains a starting role, with mid-season recruit Lachlan Galvin on the bench.
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Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers, Friday at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic's move to the centres takes away a chunk of the appeal he had as a cash down, with his Fantasy scores likely to take a further hit in that position. Still, at $398k, and with the chance he could earn DPP status as both a WFB and CTR by Round 21, there might still be enough there for some to bring him in this week. The new No.1, Lehi Hopoate, is now an interesting prospect who enjoyed a 60.6 point average across a three game run between Rounds 11-13. It's worth noting he has plenty of <20 potential in him too. Corey Waddell (MID/EDG, $437k) starts in place of Haumole Olakau'atu, who isn't expected back from a shoulder injury until at least Round 21.
Wests Tigers: Terrell May drops back down below the million dollar mark this week after registering a 65 in Round 16, and with a break even of 88 there's a good chance he gets a bit cheaper after this weekend as well. With Jahream Bula set to be sidelined for a month by a hamstring injury, Heath Mason (WFB, $318k) moves to fullback. That's good news for those who grabbed him a couple of weeks back, with his scoring ceiling probably higher at the back than it is in the halves, where he really struggles as a defender in the front line. It also means there's potential value in Latu Fainu (HLF, $298k) who becomes the new halfback.
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Knights v Raiders, Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: A gruesome injury suffered last week means Fletcher Sharpe is ruled out indefinitely and becomes an immediate trade out. That's set to play a huge role across Fantasy this week given he sits in almost 20 percent of teams. Kalyn Ponga is now (kind of) back, with a last-up 50 taking his L3 average to 46.7, which is acceptable for a WFB. Bradman Best (CTR, $604k) went big last week with a 70.
Raiders: The game's best performing EDG is out this week, with Hudson Young rested by coach Ricky Stuart. It leaves owners with a tricky decision, with Young now expected to miss the next two weeks (Round 18 on Origin duty and Round 19 on a bye). He's a player you'll want in your final 17, but a three-game absence is a huge blow to absorb. Joseph Tapine continued to perform for the 17 percent who own him, with a 69-point haul leaving him as a mid-50s player by average.
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Broncos v Warriors, Saturday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: A massive post-Origin effort from Payne Haas saw him dominate the charts last week and as a result you can expect him to be the most popular captaincy choice for Round 17. Reece Walsh looks like he has shaken off an awful start to the season from a Fantasy point of view, and with a L3 average of 46.3 there's value in him at $497k. Josiah Karapani has scored a double in both of his games this season, but worryingly for his owners he hasn't managed to go over 50 points on either occasion.
Warriors: The return of Kurt Capewell means EDG Leka Halasima goes back to the bench. With a break even of 40 this week, it might be time to move on from the dynamic EDG. Erin Clark remains a certified gun and the best HOK-eligible player in the game, with a season average of 58.1 and a L3 average of 64.3. HLF Luke Metcalf is named to go despite carrying a niggle through last week's loss to the Panthers. Young EDG Jacob Laban retains a starting role after hitting a season-best 63 in Round 16.
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Dragons v Eels, Saturday at WIN Stadium
Dragons: Toby Couchman is again named on an edge rather than in the middle, which lowers his ceiling as a Fantasy player. It's OK if he remains in your scoring 17 this week, but he's likely to be a high 40s, low 50s guy while he's out there, as opposed to his 60+ potential when playing in the engine room. Lyhkan King-Togia (HLF, $344k) should continue to make money this week, but it's a good idea to leave him out of your 17 if you can.
Eels: With Mitchell Moses still sidelined, Dean Hawkins gets another run in the halves on the back of a 64 in Round 16. With Parramatta having a bye in Round 18, and Moses expected back in Round 20, there probably isn't enough runway left for Hawkins to be a money-maker, but he's a solid pickup in Draft leagues this week. Kitione Kautoga continues to be a really solid CTR option and has a L3 average of 42. Cash cow Ryley Smith will miss the next two weeks due to suspension.
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Dolphins v Rabbitohs, Saturday at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins: CTR Herbie Farnworth continued his devastating run of form with a 70 last week which puts him right on the edge of having an 80-point L3 average. The $839k Englishman is now almost 20 points clear of the next best CTR on form and is also the best player in Fantasy by last three game average. The loss of winger Jack Bostock to a season-ending knee injury opens up a spot for Junior Tupou on the flank, but at $341k he's awkwardly priced. HLF/HOK eligible Kurt Donoghoe starts at lock after racking up 59 in Round 16.
Rabbitohs: Not only did he manage to make a miraculous recovery from what initially appeared to be a serious facial injury in Round 16, but DPP forward Keaon Koloamatangi delivered for owners too with a 62. Latrell Mitchell, who still sits in less than six percent of teams, was massive on his way to 75, while previously underpriced forward Tallis Duncan continued his nice run of form with a 51.
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Storm v Sharks, Sunday at AAMI Park
Storm: Harry Grant was excellent on the back of his role in Origin II, racking up a season-high 68 after playing every minute of Melbourne's golden point win over the Rabbitohs. The Storm's most-popular player, Ryan Papenhuyzen (23.5 percent ownership), isn't setting the world on fire and is back below a 50-point average for the season, but most coaches will have far bigger issues to address this week.
Sharks: Blayke Brailey is in great form right now and comes off a 68-point effort in a loss to the Broncos. EDG Briton Nikora has point of difference potential, with just 4.08 percent ownership and a L3 average of 58. A try helped Siosifa Talakai to a 42 last week and at $322k, with DPP status as both a EDG and CTR, some might opt to move to him as a cash down ahead of Round 17.
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Titans v Cowboys, Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: A head injury ruined Jayden Campbell's Round 16 and has him sidelined. What is also means is the high-performing DPP might be available for a bit of a bargain in coming weeks, with an 81 break even likely to be tough to meet when he does return to action. The Titans were a POD dream last week, with their three best scorers all sitting in under two percent of teams.
Cowboys: Jaxon Purdue moves back out to the centres, which might be good news for his Fantasy scores. Purdue, $488k, struggled to get going as a Fantasy prospect in the halves and comes off a three-run game in which he failed to score over 40. Braidon Burns, who ran up a cool 69 points last week, is the man to make way. Scott Drinkwater has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, with a 31 in Round 16 dropping his L3 average to 33.3.
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