Sunday afternoon this late in the season appears to be the stage for the minnows of the competition, with another Sunday slate jam packed with teams who have their bags packed for end of season shenanigans.

First up, the Dragons take on a Tigers side smarting from an embarrassing 72-6 loss to the Roosters last week. If the Tigers show up with the same attitude, they could well make the Dragons look like a top 4 side. Expect points galore, and defence to be optional.

Then, in the final game of round 24, the Titans host the Knights in a game that could all but guarantee the Tigers the wooden spoon if the Titans win. And, judging by the Knights’ second half last week, the Titans should be confident of a second win in three weeks today.

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Team News

The Tigers have made several changes from their last start loss, however it’s not as though Noddy has taken the broom out, as most players are out due to injury. Winger Ken Maumalo (groin) is replaced by Junior Pauga, second rower Luke Garner (concussion) is replaced by Thomas Freebairn, and Alex Seyfarth (shoulder) is replaced on the bench by Jacob Liddle. James Tamou (suspension) is replaced in the front row by Joe Ofahengaue, with Fa’amanu Brown shifting to lock, and Jake Simpkin getting the start at hooker. Debutant Kitione Kautoga joins the bench.

The Dragons have also made several changes, with hooker Andrew McCullough (knee) out, promoting Jayden Sullivan to start at hooker and Tyrell Sloan added to the interchange. Moses Mbye and Francis Molo are both out suspended, with Jack Bird shifting to centre, Jack de Belin moving to lock, and Aaron Woods starting at prop. An entirely new bench also sees Tyrell Fuimaono, Jaiyden Hunt and Jackson Ford added.

For the Titans, Patrick Herbert (concussion) is out, replaced by Brian Kelly at centre. Jaimin Jolliffe starts at prop, with Jarrod Wallace dropped to reserves. Payne Haas’ brother Klese joins the bench in the only other change.

Finally, the Knights get back Daniel Saifiti and Tyson Frizell, with Jacob Saifiti and Matthew Croker reverting to the bench. Pasami Saulo also joins the bench, at the expense of Simi Sasagi and Oryn Keeley.


Betting Odds

Tigers $3.25 vs Dragons $1.35

Titans $1.45 vs Knights $2.75

Bet now at Ladbrokes!


Overview

The Dragons will come into their match-up with the Tigers confident of a second straight win, after running away with their clash last week with the Titans. The Tigers look to have given up on their season, and it looks to me as though the Dragons have a good chance to highlight their attacking ability against the worst defence in the competition. Look for the right side of the Dragons to score well, with the Tigers left edge defence a huge liability in general, and with a rookie winger on that side this week, it could be even more leaky than usual.

In game two, the Titans will fancy their chances at home against a Knights’ side that has been in poor form on and off the field for most of the season. Both teams’ left side attack should feature in this matchup, and both teams could easily score 20+ points. Both sides also sport quality forwards for fantasy, so stacking your side with players from this game wouldn’t be a bad idea.

 

Love It – Greg Marzhew - $13,000

Make sure if Marzhew is on your radar you wait until final team lists, as Justin Holbrook seems to change his opinion on the rampaging winger on a weekly basis. However, if he’s named to start on the wing, get him in. One of the hardest OB workers in the game, he can score you 50 without a try, a rare feat for a winger. With the prediction of a high scoring game this weekend, Marzhew surely has every chance to cross the line at least once, which puts him in the 60+ area.

 

Love It – Anthony Milford - $14,760

Not many high-end HH’s in this slate, so it’s a good spot to save some money on a high upside player. Milford is that guy, and with the added kicking in general play he has been doing lately, seems to have a decent floor without too many attacking stats. The concern is the Knights have folded and the Titans will lap them, in which case AJ Brimson or Tannah Boyd are great HH options, but if the Knights can put points on the board against a porous Titans defence, Milford could help you this week.

 

Love It – David Fifita - $24,480

The big man has hit his straps at the back end of this season, and with talk of the Titans looking to move the million-dollar man on, he’s potentially playing for his next contract. 8 straight scores over 40 and two 70+ scores in a row, Fifita is running amok against some of the poorer defences in the NRL. Against the Knights, he will fancy his chances of a try or two, and breaks tackles and offloads at will. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see another 70+ score again from the big man in this game.

 

Hate It – Jack Bird - $19,300

Bird is back at centre this week, however, is being priced based on his last few performances at lock. Whilst Bird is more than capable of scoring big at centre, you’re relying on big attacking stats for him to justify the price. Was dominant the last two weeks at lock forward but the two previous weeks he played in the centres for scores in the low 30’s. Paying far too much, and he is not a buy this week.

 

Hate It – Jack de Belin - $19,860

JDB is about as consistent as it gets, however he lacks the ability to hit those big scores that can make all the difference to your weekend. With only 1 score above 60 all year, you need to look elsewhere for that upside. There is plenty around this week in the FF position, particularly when there’s a good chance at high scoring games in both matches. I much prefer a try threat at these prices, and JDB just isn’t that.

 

Who Knows – Zac Lomax - $15,290

I like the right side of the Dragons this week, so Lomax and Moga have me intrigued. Lomax is the second most expensive OB in this slate, and despite his 61 last week, this seems expensive. Lomax has averaged 40 this season, with only four scores over 50 all year. The upside is there, but is the risk worth the outlay? A decision we will have to make, and one that could be decided by how much salary cap you have left for your final roster spot.


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