This week we look over the best point of difference options available for the run home, who to captain in Round 22 and what to do with Reuben Garrick.
It's do-or-die time for many in head-to-head leagues, with finals just around the corner, while overall players are looking for that extra edge that can propel them up the standings.
Should I sell Garrick?
For some players a move out to the wing from centre can be the making of them as a Fantasy prospect, but sadly for Reuben Garrick owners the opposite is true for the Manly back.
The switch hasn't been kind for Garrick, whose 48.8-point season average as a centre has dropped to a 39.5 average in his four games on the flank.
Garrick grabs two
He's losing out on a bunch of defensive work which is costing him around 15 points per game alone, while the quality touches on the ball that can lead to things like tackle busts just haven't been there either.
It's surprising to see Garrick is still the most owned WFB and CTR in Fantasy, but this should be the week that changes.
There are lots of good options to upgrade to, or cheaper options to cash down to.
Who is the best captain this week?
I have a clear favourite in my mind if you want to go against the crowd and establish a point of difference, but it really depends on how you are positioned elsewhere in your squad.
If you have a good team that you are backing to get a good score anyway, then you might want to go with a very safe option in Terrell May.
The Wests Tigers MID has scored over 60 points in 13 of his last 14 appearances this year, with a last five game average of 70.8 and last three game average of 68.3.
Barring something well out of the ordinary, you're getting at least 120+ points from him as skipper, but he's almost certain to be the most captained player for the round too.
An option with more risk (albeit not much more) is Dolphins CTR Herbie Farnworth.
A last five game average of 74.5 tells you everything you need to know about his consistently excellent form of late, and while the CTR position is by default a more risky position to rely on good scores coming from than MID, it's important to factor in who Farnworth will be coming up against in Round 22.
Herbie fully loaded
The Warriors' left edge Farnworth is set to oppose has been torn to shreds over the past fortnight, leaking two tries against the Knights and then a further two last week against the Titans.
It's not hard to see Herbie having a huge game in Auckland, so I'll be captaining him.
Who is a good POD to grab for the run home?
To define a point of difference player, I am only considering those who currently sit in under 10 percent of teams. With that in mind, here are the options I like in order of best to not-so-best:
- Blayke Brailey (HOK, $758) - Very consistent through the first part of the season and a top-tier scoring option through the second part. In his last six games Brailey has averaged 68, with three scores over 70 in that period. A really good option in a tricky position. He just meets the threshold at 9.8 percent ownership right now.
Brilliance from Brailey
- Cameron Munster (HLF, $616k) - A glut of owners jumped off Munster in recent weeks due to his Origin involvement and time off for personal reasons. But he remains a HLF who should average in the 50s from here, with potential to hit high points in the 70s if he scores a try. There are so many good players available in this position right now, but Munster has some potential as a nice POD.
- Patrick Carrigan (MID, $677k) - Like with Munster at HLF, the list of quality options in this position is long. But Carrigan could enjoy an uptick in minutes and points from here as the Broncos ponder nursing Payne Haas and his niggles through the remainder of the regular season. Prior to Origin period Carrigan was a regular 60+ scorer, and there's a path there to his minutes allowing for something similar in the final rounds.