Double-Header action in the NRL continues on Friday with all 4 teams within the top 9. The Cowboys are back at home in Townsville as they host an ever improving Sharks side. Then in the late match, we are back in the foot of the mountains with the Panthers welcoming back their Origin stars. The wounded Roosters will travel West and look to upset one of the premierships leading contenders. Shaping up as an interesting slate, so let’s see who we can target.  

 

On Draftstars, we have a pair of $10,000 contests for both single games. We also have a 2-game contest for $3,000 which you can use the “Player Swap” feature on Draftstars. There are also High Roller and Micro contests available for the late game. 

 

 

Markets

 

Cowboys $1.70 v Sharks $2.15

Line - 2.5

Total - 52.5

 

Panthers $1.25 v Roosters $4.00

Line - 12.5

Total - 46.5


 

Weather

 

Townsville - Beautiful warm Winter’s day into a clear night. No problems here.

 

Penrith - Cool conditions in the evening in Penrith, slight chance of showers. 

 

Team News

 

The Cowboys welcome back Kyle Feldt and Mitch Dunn in Townsville, pushing Coen Hess back into the Front Row (*sigh*) and Tom Gilbert to the bench. 

 

Wade Graham is out once again with concussion, the Sharks are being very cautious with Graham but we may see him after the league bye. Siosifa Talakai will take his place in the 2nd row and Teig Wilton will be on the bench.

 

Multiple changes for the Panthers with Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Kurt Capewell and Brian To’o all back. Liam Martin will replace Viliame Kikau who is out with a hamstring injury. Scott Sorensen and Matthew Eisenhuth are back on the pine.

 

Despite hurting his shoulder on the Gold Coast, Sam Walker has been named to start. James Tedesco was a late out but is on track to play at fullback. Ben Marschke is suspended but Sam Verrills is named on the bench after a nasty injury. 

 

Try Location through 14 rounds

 

  • Cowboys have scored 25 out of their 47 tries (53%) on their left edge (Tualagi / Tabuai-Fidow / Drinkwater)
  • Roosters have scored 34 out of their 70 tries (49%) on their right edge (Ikuvalu / Manu / Walker)
  • Sharks have scored 19 out of their 42 tries (45%) on their left edge (Mulitalo / Chambers / Moylan)
  • Panthers have scored 29 out of their 71 tries (41%) on their left edge (To’o / Burton / Luai)

 

As you can tell with the try locations of the teams, the Panthers and Roosters have been high powered attacks with over 70 tries each this season. And with the Panthers a 2-try favourite at home, I’ll be looking to get pieces of the Panthers attack after missing the past two rounds. Whether you can get to Nathan Cleary is going to be the query on this slate.  

 

Value Selections

 

Jarome Luai ($9,280 HALF)

 

If you are going to fade on Nathan Cleary or simply could not stretch your salary then a considerably cheap Jarome Luai could be the solution. Well yes, his fantasy form has fallen off a cliff in the past month as Cleary has simply dominated in the Panthers side. But a freshen up after Origin 9 days ago and still operating on the more successful left edge has me still considering his upside at his salary. Can sink you if Cleary goes off but that is a $10k difference you can use elsewhere. 

 

Siosifa Talakai ($9,770 2RF)

 

Talakai gets the start on the edge for the Sharks this week and we can certainly exploit his rather cheap salary. Talakai did get 58 minutes off the bench last week and churned out over 130 meters. Either through suspension or injury, Talakai has had limited opportunity in 2021 but I am looking at his potential in this clash. In the back end of 2020, Talakai scored 66, 43, 76 and 60 fantasy points for the Sharks. 

 

Mid Priced Selections

 

Isaah Yeo ($12,010 2RF)

 

Yeo returns from Origin duty and likely to be his lowest Draftstars salary in quite some time. A pair of sub-par 45 fantasy point performances in the past 3 matches has put some doubt in his ability to go large for the Panthers. 7 games under 50 fantasy points out of 12 has created some doubt in a ceiling GPP score but Yeo is going to be ideal for cash. The projections will like him here and many of the field will do too. 

 

Matt Ikuvalu ($10,080 W/FB/CTR)

 

The Roosters right side attack with Manu, Walker and Ikuvalu is hot right now with Ikuvalu scoring a triple last week against the Titans. With an incredible 49% of the Roosters tries going through Ikuvalu’s side then on paper it could be a very low owned play. Why? The Panthers have only conceded 23 tries all season and only 7 tries on the Panthers left side. If the Panthers are off or Sam Walker can work the right side then Ikuvalu certainly has a big ceiling. 

 

Premium Selections

 

James Tedesco ($13,630 W/FB)

 

With injury related scores still circulating through his price, Tedesco represents the logical spot for pay-up premium options on this slate. I wouldn’t worry about the rough matchup with the premiership favourites as Tedesco has a great floor from his run meters and tackle breaks. Projected to be the highest W/FB by far on the slate, you can run with the chalk here. 

 

Draftstars Suggested Team

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