NRL Fantasy 2018
It's been another big year of recruiting for the NRL's Kiwi side after another disappointing season, when a focus on safety-first footy improved completion rates but didn't translate to more wins. Usual suspects Simon Mannering and Shaun Johnson remain the best options for NRL Fantasy coaches but the new faces present several intriguing options for those hunting for a bargain.
Fantasy gun: Simon Mannering
New Zealand's ageless rock in the middle of the Warriors pack just continues to get the job done, getting through a ton of work in 2017 on the way to 59.7 NRL Fantasy points a game – making him the fourth highest scorer in Fantasy. He's as reliable as they come and a safe bet in the back row.
Value buy: Tohu Harris
While the Melbourne Storm powered towards a premiership in 2017, Tohu Harris' workrate in defence went down, and with two injury-affected games in Round 16 and Round 24 he finished with a season average of 42 – 10 points below the mark he set a year earlier. Now a prized recruit at the Warriors, Harris will be a go-to man in attack and should get through more tackles as well with his new team unlikely to dominate games like his old one.
Wildcard: Peta Hiku
Another New Zealand international who arrives at the Warriors after playing a limited role at the Panthers last season, including four games off the interchange and another four on the wing. His season average may have only been 20 but he did score 43 in his only start at centre – so if he can snag a centre spot at the Warriors he should be good value. Like the slightly more expensive Gerad Beale, Hiku is a dual-position player who could at the very least provide some handy depth on your bench with the prospect of a few price rises.
2018 NRL Fantasy player prices
Simon Mannering: 2RF, $875,000
Shaun Johnson: HLF, $835,000
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: WFB, $641,000
Tohu Harris: 2RF, $615,000
Issac Luke: HOK, $600,000
James Gavet: FRF, $525,000
Bunty Afoa: 2RF, $494,000
Adam Blair: FRF, $486,000
Leivaha Pulu: 2RF, $458,000
Sam Lisone: FRF, $451,000
Ken Maumalo: WFB, $440,000
David Fusitua: WFB, CTR, $423,000
Blake Green: HLF, $420,000
Nathaniel Roache: HOK, $412,000
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad: WFB, $402,000
Mason Lino: HLF, $399,000
Blake Ayshford: CTR, $397,000
Solomone Kata: CTR, $388,000
Agnatius Paasi: FRF, 2RF, $371,000
Jazz Tevaga: HOK, 2RF, $360,000
Gerard Beale: CTR, WFB, $322,000
Zac Santo: WFB, $310,000
Albert Vete: FRF, $305,000
Ma'afoaeata Hingano: HLF, $300,000
Peta Hiku: CTR, WFB, $283,000
Isaiah Papalii: FRF, $274,000
Ligi Sao: 2RF, $228,000
Manaia Cherrington: HOK, $212,000
John Palavi: 2RF, $212,000
Patrick Sipley: 2RF, FRF, $212,000
*2018 salary cap: 9.4m. Fantasy squad size: 21
