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Fantasy

NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 16

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pan66.com
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There are positional switches for a couple of popular Fantasy players this week, as coaches scramble to field a team in the second of the three big bye rounds. 

Here is all the major team news from a Fantasy perspective ahead of Round 16. 

A reminder that a rule change for 2023 means that in Rounds 13, 16 and 19 only your starting 13 players score points (rather than the usual 17 players). 

NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 16

Cowboys v Panthers, Friday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: With three of their four top Fantasy scorers out on Origin duty, there isn't a heap of interest around North Queensland this week. After hitting 66 in his club debut in Round 14, Semi Valemei (CTR/WFB, $372k) retains a spot on the wing, while Zac Laybutt comes in at centre. Jason Taumalolo returns from a knee injury at lock. 

Panthers: Similar to their opponents this week, most of Penrith's Fantasy relevant players are out, and the replacements are too short term to have any cash cow value. Popular EDG Zac Hosking is a big in after being rested last week and will partner Scott Sorensen, who has been on fire of late and comes off a last-up 67, in the second row. $220k HLF/EDG Jaeman Salmon is the man to replace Jarome Luai in the halves. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Tyrone Peachey
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Semi Valemei
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Thomas Jenkins
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jaeman Salmon
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jack Cogger

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 James  Fisher-Harris 
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
    Prop for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Heilum Luki
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Zac Hosking
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
    Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
    Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
    Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Liam Henry

Reserves

  • Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Brendan Elliot
    Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Jack Cole

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Knights v Roosters, Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium 

Knights: With scores of 45 and 71 in his past two games at fullback, Kalyn Ponga is one of the best WFB prospects around right now and is still available at just $500k. Greg Marzhew, who has a past three game average of 52.3 points, is out and replaced by Enari Tuala. Marzhew was not considered for selection due to failing to meet team standards after he missed the team bus the day after the loss to the Broncos. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, the Knights' fourth best Fantasy player this year who is averaging 45.9 per game, returns to the back row. 

Roosters: Joey Manu moves from the halves to fullback as replacement for James Tedesco and given his record of hitting monster scores in the position, it makes him a totally different prospect on the Fantasy front this week. Sandon Smith comes into the halves, but there is far too much uncertainty around his role beyond Round 16 to make him a buy. CTR Billy Smith, who is in over 12 percent of teams, returns after being a late out last week with a sternum problem. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph Manu
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Corey Allan
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Billy Smith
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Fetalaiga Pauga
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared  Waerea-Hargreaves
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Turpin
  • Prop for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Nat Butcher
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan Brown
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
  • Interchange for Knights is number 20 Brodie Jones
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 19 Simi Sasagi
    Replacement for Roosters is number 19 Zach Dockar-Clay

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Eels v Sea Eagles, Saturday at CommBank Stadium

Eels: After hitting 39 in his club debut, Daejarn Asi will be the chief playmaker in the absence of Mitch Moses. Asi will partner Ryan Matterson in the halves, who returns for his first game since Round 12. Those who have held onto Matterson all this time may as well do it for another week, but a move to the halves is unlikely to be good for his scores. Josh Hodgson is out again, so Brendan Hands ($260k) gets another start at hooker after scoring 35 in an 80-minute showing last week. 

Sea Eagles: Kaeo Weekes gets another run at fullback, while Jake Arthur starts in the halves with Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans out. Rookie Samuela Fainu, who is now Manly's third most owned player, is named to start after reverting to the bench before kick-off last week and scoring 30. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ryan Matterson
    Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joshua Schuster
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn Asi
    Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jake Arthur

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
    Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Ofahiki Ogden
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Andrew Davey
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
    Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Sean Keppie

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca Moretti
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 12 Samuela Fainu
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Joe Ofahengaue
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Karl Lawton
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Aloiai
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Aaron Woods

Reserves

  • Replacement for Eels is number 18 Haze Dunster
    Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 17 Ben Condon

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Wests Tigers v Storm, Saturday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Wests Tigers: In an intriguing move for his Fantasy prospects, Starford To'a (CTR/WFB, $619k), who has averaged 58.3 points in his last three games as a centre, has been named in the halves in place of the injured Luke Brooks.  A 57 last week has given Jake Simpkin a -1 break even, but he's still available at just $220k due to previous low scores and once again has the starting hooker role. Tommy Talau, who despite his very poor form as a Fantasy player this year remains in 20 percent of all teams, is named on the bench and should not be included in your 13 if at all possible. 

Storm: A big blow for the 10 percent of owners who have Eliesa Katoa, with the high-performing EDG not named after suffering an eye injury last week. Tariq Sims ($378k) starts in his place. $245k HOK/MID Bronson Garlick is the No.9 with Harry Grant in Queensland camp, while Jonah Pezet is the new five-eighth. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
    Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
    Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden
    Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
    Centre for Storm is number 4 Marion Seve
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
    Winger for Storm is number 5 George Jennings
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Starford To'a
    Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Jonah Pezet
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brandon Wakeham
    Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Fonua Pole
    Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin
    Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
    Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson  Asofa-Solomona
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
    2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shawn Blore
    2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tom Eisenhuth
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 John Bateman
    Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
    Interchange for Storm is number 12 Tariq Sims
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tommy Talau
    Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
    Interchange for Storm is number 17 Aaron Pene
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
    Interchange for Storm is number 22 Kane Bradley

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Will Smith
    Replacement for Storm is number 21 Chris Lewis

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Touch Judge: Darian Furner
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Sharks v Bulldogs, Sunday at PointsBet Stadium 

Sharks: An ankle injury to Royce Hunt, which is set to sideline him for up to six weeks, opens up the door for Thomas Hazelton (MID, $305k) to return to the squad, while Braden Hamlin-Uele gets a start at prop. The third most owned player in the game, Nicho Hynes, is a huge inclusion after being overlooked by NSW for Origin II. 

Bulldogs: On the back of his best showing of the year which ended in a score of 56, popular cash cow Karl Oloapu now has a break even of zero and is set to make some nice cash over the next few weeks. Harrison Edwards retains the starting lock role ($473k). After scoring 56 and 53 in his two prior games this year, Braidon Burns comes in on the wing in place of Josh Addo-Carr. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
  • Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
  • Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Braidon Burns
  • Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Karl Oloapu
  • Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 20 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

  • Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Chris Patolo
  • Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior 
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jayden Okunbor
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
  • Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis Morrin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Khaled Rajab
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Wade Graham
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Corey Waddell
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Franklin Pele

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Connor Tracey
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Jeral Skelton

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

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