Injuries and suspensions mean a number of high-profile players are out this week, which opens the door for a handful of cheapies who could provide a cut-price boost for Fantasy coaches.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 21
Roosters v Broncos, Thursday at Sydney Cricket Ground
Roosters: With Lindsay Collins suffering a head knock last week, Matt Lodge ($472k) starts in the front row and rookie Terrell May joins the bench. Joey Manu eased fears of his scores dropping off with his move back to the centres by scoring 69 last week.
Broncos: Selwyn Cobbo returns from concussion for his first NRL match since round 16, and is a potential point of difference CTR/WFB who has averaged 53.6 in his last four games. Kobe Hetherington $407k starts at lock in place of Patrick Carrigan. Rookie Deine Mariner has been named at centre again after scoring 26 on debut last week.
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Storm v Titans, Friday at AAMI Park
Storm: Loan player David Nofoaluma comes straight into the depleted Storm backline, but at $534k he doesn't come cheap. Brandon Smith returns from suspension via the interchange which could mean he spends some time at dummy-half at the expense of Harry Grant. With Nick Meaney out injured Tyran Wishart, who is available at basement price, is named to start at fullback.
Titans: Toby Sexton has been dropped, so AJ Brimson ($584k) moves into the halves. Erin Clark is named at lock again and has averaged 51.8 points in his last three games as a middle forward rather than a hooker. After a couple of impressive showings off the bench, Jayden Campbell ($524k) gets the start at fullback.
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Sea Eagles v Eels, Friday at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles: Most of those who stood down last week for personal reasons return, with second-rower Haumole Olakau'atu, who is valued at $744k and averages 52.3 this year, probably the biggest inclusion. Lock Jake Trbojevic had his best score of the year last week with 61 points.
Eels: No Mitchell Moses means Jakob Arthur ($295k) gets a start in the halves and he could play the rest of the regular season there as Moses recovers from a broken finger. Parra's edge forwards have been on fire lately, with Shaun Lane and Isaiah Papali'i scoring 147 between them last week.
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Rabbitohs v Warriors, Saturday at Sunshine Coast Stadium
Rabbitohs: Taane Milne ($315k) returns to the centres to take the place of the injured Jed Cartwright (hamstring). Young prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita has retained his starting spot, and thanks to his 37 points last week he now has a break even of -5 and should make a bit of cash over the next few weeks.
Warriors: Euan Aitken owners should avert their eyes, with the popular Fantasy CTR named to actually play centre this week rather than in the second row. There is a new five-eighth in Wayde Egan, which means Freddy Lussick ($290k) starts at hooker. Bayley Sironen ($351k) and Jack Murchie ($432k) are the starting back-rowers.
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Raiders v Panthers, Saturday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: Jordan Rapana returns from suspension which means Albert Hopoate drops out, but hopes of him being a money maker ended with his 10-point score last week anyway. Fantasy gun Adam Elliott has been named to start after picking up a hip injury last week.
Panthers: Jaeman Salmon ($447k) gets first shot at filling the void created by Nathan Cleary's five-game suspension, although Kurt Falls ($272k) is in the reserves and could yet come in. Stephen Crichton, who is owned by 21 percent of all Fantasy teams, returns after undergoing plastic surgery following a gruesome laceration to his ear.
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Sharks v Dragons, Saturday at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks: With Will Kennedy out for the rest of the regular season after undergoing ankle surgery, Kade Dykes is set to make his NRL debut at the back. Keep an eye on Cronulla's team closer to kick off though, with fullback Lachlan Miller ($277k), who scored a stunning 67 in his lone NRL game this year, listed as the replacement player. Cameron McInnes will start at lock again and scored 66 last week.
Dragons: Not much to see on the Fantasy front here, outside of Jake Bird being named in the centres again, which is bad news for his owners,
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Bulldogs v Cowboys, Sunday at Salter Oval
Bulldogs: Jackson Topine ($571k) is named to start in the second row once again and comes off a score of 63 in an 80-minute showing last week. Raymond Faitala-Mariner is in the reserves, but would have to prove he can play through a painful rib injury in order to be included in the final 17. Impressive rookie Harrison Edwards ($242k), who scored 38 on debut last week, has done enough to keep a spot on the bench.
Cowboys: Kyle Feldt is set to miss the next two rounds with a hamstring injury, which means it's Hammer Time on the wing, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow being elevated from the interchange. Ruben Cotter remains on the bench, but is a good chance of getting more than last week's 38 minutes.
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Wests Tigers v Knights, Sunday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Wests Tigers: A list stacked with high performing cheapies, starting with Alex Seyfarth ($384k) who starts in the second row again after clocking 71 points last week. Five-eighth Adam Doueihi continues to perform well beyond his $569k price tag, with 70 points last week. Fonua Pole ($341k) could be set for increased minutes, and with it a jump in points, after being handed first go at the lock spot left vacant by Jackson Hastings following his season-ending broken ankle. Last but not least, Jock Madden ($329k) looks to have the No.7 jersey locked down and is a decent prospect after scoring 41 last week.
Knights: Reliable Fantasy forward David Klemmer is out, which means the Saifiti brothers start together in the front row. Bradman Best ($474k) returns from injury in the centres for his first game since round 17. Jake Clifford is again the starting halfback, with Adam Clune listed among the reserves.
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