A round decimated by Origin selections and injuries means most coaches will be battling to field a scoring 13 this week, but it isn't all bad news.
Temporary positional switches and enhanced roles mean there are plenty of solid streaming options this week, while finding a good captaincy option could be the difference in a week in which most go to Terrell May.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 18
Bulldogs v Broncos, Friday at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs: Well-owned DPP back Jacob Kiraz is out of action due to being in Origin camp, as is their third-best scorer, Max King. Jacob Preston carries a 61.3 point L3 average into Round 18 after a try helped him to 61 in the loss to the Panthers last up.
Broncos: With four of their top six scorers out of action due to Origin selection, it's slim pickings when it comes to Brisbane this week, although they still have Kotoni Staggs and Adam Reynolds who are averaging in the 50s. DPP back Jesse Arthars has averaged just 10.6 points per game over the last weeks and yet still sits in over 12 percent of teams.
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Raiders v Dragons, Saturday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: Josh Papalii's Origin selection means Corey Horsburgh (MID, $645k) moves from lock to prop and Morgan Smithies starts at lock. Joseph Tapine is second only to Terrell May in terms of highest scoring MIDs who are available this week. Zac Hosking comes off a season-best 71 in Round 17.
Dragons: A last-up 43 sets Lyhkan King-Togia up to keep making money this week, with a break even of 11 that he should easily reach. MID Jack de Belin has a last three game average of 56 and sits in under two percent of teams.
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Cowboys v Storm, Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: $611k EDG John Bateman is averaging 51 across his last three games, while Harrison Edwards, who has a L3 average of 45.7, starts at hooker this week in the absence of Reece Robson (Origin duty). After hitting 52 in Round 17, HLF Jake Clifford shapes as a decent pick up in Draft leagues if he's available.
Storm: It hasn't been a great Fantasy season to date for Jahrome Hughes, he's hit scores of 80 or above in two of his last three games and is available for $641k this week. Eliesa Katoa is the fourth best EDG available this week on form, with a L3 average of 59.3.
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Roosters v Wests Tigers, Sunday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: James Tedesco is Fantasy's form WFB and has four-straight games with scores of 50+. HLF Hugo Savala is in great form himself and should get a healthy price rise after this week too, thanks to a break even of 12. MID/EDG Naufahu Whyte starts up front, while Benaiah Ioelu (HOK, $301k) will run on at dummy-half.
Wests Tigers: A 35 for Latu Fainu last week sets him up to keep making money. He is joined in the halves by Adam Doueihi in Round 18 after he scored 58 last week. Sunia Turuva moves to fullback in the absence of the suspended Heath Mason and should be considered as a streaming option in Draft leagues. Terrell May will dominate the captaincy charts this week in the absence of Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas.
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Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs, Sunday at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles: Ben Trbojevic (EDG/CTR, $523k) went big last week with a 62, but still has a lowly L3 average of 39.3. At $416k Tom Trbojevic remains a good cash down option this week, especially on the back of a 49 achieved in his first game back in the centres in Round 17. Corey Waddell (MID/EDG) retains a starting second-row role after scoring a last-up 50.
Rabbitohs: Keaon Koloamatangi played only 60 minutes last week and registered a poor score of 36, but owners need not panic and should keep him in their scoring 13s for Round 18. DPP forward Tallis Duncan comes off a mammoth score of 96, which was helped by scoring two tries. HOK Peter Mamouzelos still sits in over seven percent of teams, despite his scoring falling right off to now sit at 38 over his last three games.
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