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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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