The NRL action continues on Friday with a double-header for Round 18. The two game slate kicks off at 1800 AEST on Friday with the Sea Eagles hosting the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Followed by the top 4 matchup with the Panthers at home taking on the Eels.

 

Draftstars is the home of NRL Daily Fantasy and provides multiple contests including the feature $8,000 contest between the Panthers and the Eels. A $3,000 contest is available for the 2-game slate and a further $8,000 contest is available for the Bulldogs and the Sea Eagles. If you are playing the double-header remember to utilise the “player-swap” feature if we receive a surprise omission when the final 17’s are released.  


Market Odds

Bulldogs (2.70) v Sea Eagles (1.47)

Spread - 6.0

Total - 42.5

 

Panthers (1.33) v Eels (3.40)

Spread - 8.5

Total Over/Under - 36.5

 

Fantasy Plays

Manly lost a heartbreaker last week and the Dogs should be up for this one! However, the Panthers and the Eels should be a cracker despite the Panthers being the best team in the NRL by far! 

In fantasy relevant team news, the Dogs have lost Luke Thompson and Ofahiki Odgen to a face fracture in training this week. Cade Cust and Abbas Miski are in for the Sea Eagles who continue to get the rough end of the pineapple on the injury front. 

For the Panthers, Isaah Yeo is back from a head knock, pushing James Fisher-Harris to the front row and Moses Leota to his customary bench role. News from the Eels camp though isn’t good with Reed Mahoney out with a shoulder which brings in inexperienced Ray Stone at dummy half. 


 

WFB: Tough spot to get a gauge here as every week we are waiting for something of substance from Eels wingers in Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson. The media has caught wind of this and given the Eels a “lack of attack” vibe for this week's game. I can’t see this Eels attack improving against the Panthers and happy to leave those cheap prices. Manly are favourites but their options are not great. Tevita Funa struggled at Full Back last week but should be better this week. Albert Hopoate and Abbas Miski are relatively unknown in the fantasy space and happy to leave these as well. This leaves pretty much Panthers options in Josh Mansour, Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards. Chalk play but I have the most confidence in these three.        

     

 

CTR: Ripping game from Morgan Harper last week, 56 fantasy points including 2 tries and you just don’t know if that continues. At $8,510 you can take another chance on him. Jake Averillo gets the start at five-eighth and is a good option in the CTR spot. Don’t worry about the form, Averillo has only come onto the field from the bench late. Look towards his scores when he played 80 minutes for guidance. Apart from that, this is not a great position. I am sure one of these players will pop and well done if you get one! 

 

HALF: I was going to mention we have three good options here but I have convinced myself that Lachlan Lewis makes it four. Will be the ultimate pivot off Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary who clearly are high floor, extreme ceiling plays but Lewis is in play, especially for the opening single slate. 84FP last round and has 50+ upside. If you need to spend down then Jarome Luai at $11,100 is worthy as his confidence grows in every match. However seeing Nathan Cleary cheaper than Daly Cherry-Evans is a bit of a no brainer and watch the masses pile in.           

 

2RF: You should probably play Ray Stone (2RF/HOK) in the Hooker spot as you want to spend up in this position. Isaah Yeo returning at $14,180 is tempting considering he has been around $16K the majority of the season. James Fisher-Harris returning to the Front Row will see him more involved in defence and attack and has a tasty price tag of $12,560. There are alot of Viliame Kikau fans in NRL Fantasy and under $10K will drag a few into him. With Luke Thompson out then you can help yourself to Matt Doorey at the min price. Not sure he will play the full 80 with Chris Smith and Dean Britt on the bench but if you want to pay down then you can take a shot on Doorey.

 

HOK: Yep it’s Ray Stone here. By far the best value on the slate and even he only plays 50 minutes then you take his 40 fantasy points. Apisai Koroisau at $14K is another strong play and could be considered if you place Stone in the 2nd Row. 

 

FRF: The Eels front row pairing of Reagan Campbell Gillard and Junior Paulo are the ones I am targeting at their salaries. Both players have great floors and can reach 50+ if the Panthers control possession. If you need salary relief, Renouf To’omaga at the min price is ok and should get enough to be satisfied.   


Final Word: With the lack of stars from the Dogs and Sea Eagles, many will pile into Panthers on Friday. It is just a shame that Eels backs have been pretty poor and I cannot see that turning around on Friday.    

 

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