The level of disruption at the Raiders throughout 2021 wasn't ideal for the club's on-field prospects nor for Fantasy coaches, with popular players losing minutes or their spot with frustrating regularity.
They're not shaping up to be a significantly more enticing hunting ground for Fantasy coaches to start 2022 either with only a small handful of likely candidates.
Big Guns
Utility Forwards Hudson Young ($686k) and Corey Harawira-Naera ($640k) plus new half Jamal Fogarty ($655k) are the three priciest players at the Raiders and it's tough to recommend any of the three. Both forwards would be compelling options at the price if guaranteed 80 minutes per week but the risk of being demoted to the bench again is too great. Fogarty could be handy if he finds his feet in an attacking sense and if injury prevents Jarrod Croker from goal-kicking duties but there are better options at other clubs.
Rule changes: Kick metres scoring change
Bargain Hunter
Between Canberra's attacking woes and his own injuries limiting him to an average of 63 minutes played across his eight games, fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ($437k) is good value if you back him to reclaim something like his best form. Put Tom Starling ($426k) on the watchlist; he's one to avoid for now while Josh Hodgson is starting but will be compelling if Hodgson's 2023 move to the Eels puts him out of favour at any point.
Cheapies
Nick Cotric ($369k) had a season to forget at the Bulldogs last year but will make plenty of coin if he returns to his best attacking form while youngster Xavier Savage ($350k) played just two-and-a-bit games in 2021 and has plenty of upside if he nails down a starting spot.
Rule changes: Offloads and tackle breaks
Be Wary
Raiders forwards have been a risky proposition in recent years with coach Ricky Stuart's preference to shuffle his pack both in terms of starting positions versus the bench as well as moving players in and out of first grade. That makes the above-mentioned CHN and Young less than ideal pickups along with the likes of recruit Adam Elliott ($598k) and a slightly cheaper Corey Horsburgh ($492k).
Raiders 2022 NRL Fantasy prices
Hudson Young: EDG, $686,000
Jamal Fogarty: HLF, $655,000
Corey Harawira-Naera: EDG, $640,000
Josh Papali'i: MID, $635,000
Josh Hodgson: HOK, $627,000
Adam Elliott: MID/EDG, $598,000
Joseph Tapine: MID, $579,000
Jordan Rapana: CTR/WFB, $571,000
Jack Wighton: HLF, $569,000
Ryan Sutton: MID, $558,000
Elliott Whitehead: EDG, $551,000
Corey Horsburgh: MID, $492,000
Emre Guler: MID, $477,000
Matthew Timoko: CTR, $445,000
Sam Williams: HLF, $437,000
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad: WFB, $437,000
Tom Starling: HOK, $426,000
Harley Smith-Shields: CTR, $420,000
Sebastian Kris: CTR, $396,000
Nick Cotric: WFB/CTR, $369,000
Matt Frawley: HLF, $350,000
Xavier Savage: WFB, $350,000
Jarrod Croker: CTR, $292,000
Semi Valemei: WFB, $280,000
Brad Schneider: HLF, $240,000
Peter Hola: MID, $240,000
Albert Hopoate: WFB, $240,000
Trey Mooney: MID, $220,000
Harry Rushton: EDG, $220,000
