NRL Fantasy 2018
One of the NRL's powerhouse clubs, the Brisbane Broncos remain a popular team for NRL Fantasy coaches with tackling machines Andrew McCullough and Josh McGuire in the pack and some genuine attacking weapons in the back line. Ben Hunt's exit will have some big ramifications for the playmaking roles in 2018, while new recruit Jack Bird adds even more strike power and utility value to Wayne Bennett's side.
Fantasy gun: Andrew McCullough
Brisbane's defensive rock in the middle of the park was missed by the Broncos during the finals, having ranked second in the league for tackles per game before suffering a season-ending injury. McCullough's an underrated attacking player as well, and his 57.7 points a game last season made him a top-10 player in NRL Fantasy last year.
Value buy: Matthew Lodge
Last seen in the NRL playing eight games with the Wests Tigers in 2015, Lodge is set to return with the Broncos as a replacement for New Zealand Warriors recruit Adam Blair. Lodge only averaged 31 minutes at the Tigers and would probably need to increase that game time if he is to become truly NRL Fantasy-relevant, but if he gets anywhere near the 45-55 minutes a week played by Blair last season he should be good value.
Wildcard: Anthony Milford
One of the most gifted playmakers in the Telstra Premiership, he is capable of producing a monster NRL Fantasy score on his day but has never been consistent due to his reliance on big attacking plays. That could change in 2018 after the exit of his old halves partner Ben Hunt, with Milford now the senior half at Brisbane alongside Kodi Nikorima. Hunt also won’t be taking the bulk of the kick metres on offer. In the final five games of the season with Hunt playing at hooker and Nikorima at halfback, Milford's average score jumped from 43 to 51, so if you're willing to take the gamble that he can continue that form he looks a value option.
2018 NRL Fantasy player prices*
Andrew McCullough: HOK, $844,000
Matt Gillett: 2RF, $716,000
Josh McGuire: 2RF, FRF, $679,000
Anthony Milford: HLF, $666,000
James Roberts: CTR, $630,000
Alex Glenn: 2RF, $545,000
Kodi Nikorima: HLF, HOK, $545,000
Corey Oates: WFB, $522,000
Jo Ofahengaue: FRF, $493,000
Korbin Sims: FRF, $490,000
Jack Bird: CTR, $480,000
Darius Boyd: WFB, $474,000
Sam Thaiday: 2RF, FRF, $452,000
Jordan Kahu: WFB, CTR, $403,000
Tevita Pangai Junior: 2RF, $402,000
Matt Lodge: FRF, $365,000
George Fai: 2RF, FRF, $321,000
Sam Tagataese: FRF, $257,000
Jaydn Su'a: 2RF, $255,000
Jonus Pearson: WFB, $245,000
Patrick Mago: 2RF, $228,000
Jamayne Isaako: CTR, WFB, $228,000
Tom Opacic: CTR, $228,000
Mosese Pangai: CTR, $228,000
Todd Murphy: HLF, $212,000
Gehamat Shibasaki: CTR, $212,000
Andre Savelio: 2RF, $212,000
Troy Dargan: HLF, $212,000
*2018 salary cap: 9.4m. Fantasy squad size: 21