With over $50,000 in Draftstars prize pools across the day, Sunday’s NRL double header is going to cap off a huge weekend of Daily Fantasy NRL. First up is the Canberra Raiders hosting the Wests Tigers followed by the early evening match between the St George Illawarra Dragons hosting the Cronulla Sharks. 

 

Draftstars is the home of NRL Daily Fantasy and provides multiple contests including a $10,000 contest for the Raiders and the Tigers. The evening game is a $15,000 contest between the Dragons and the Sharks. But the highlight here is the $20,000 contest that is available for the 2-game slate. 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

 

Raiders $1.37 v Tigers $3.10

Line - 8.5

Total - 43.5

 

Dragons $2.15 v Sharks $1.70

Line - 2.5

Total - 41.5

 

Team News

 

The Raiders start Sebastain Kris at centre for the injured Jarrod Croker along with recruit Ryan James on the bench. Otherwise this is a settled Raiders outfit. The Tigers have made a large amount of changes in the off-season with Benji Marshall gone but they have recruited James Roberts and James Tamou. Adam Doueihi is suspended for this match so Daine Laurie gets the start at fullback.

 

The Dragons have lost Cameron McInness for the season with an ACL but a suitable replacement in Andrew McCullogh will line up at Hooker. Tyrell Fuimaono will get a start at lock for St George. The Sharks have recruit Aiden Tolman coming off the bench to start the year, but nothing new for Tolman. Otherwise this is another settled side without Shaun Johnson who is recovering from a torn achilles.

 

Weather

 

Sydney - Very high (90%) chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm. 

 

Canberra - Cloudy. Very high (95%) chance of rain, becoming less likely in the afternoon or evening.

 

Well looks like wet weather footy on Sunday. Keep an eye on the total lines as the game approaches, if they shrink, then chances for high scoring diminishes. We may need to invest in forwards for these matches. 

 

 

Fantasy Preview

 

W/FB: It will be tempting to roster cheap options due to the weather but all of these options are underdogs with the markets. Fullbacks Daine Laurie and Matthew Dufty are in consideration in the right conditions but I am less keen if it's wet. If however, Laurie can get to a 35+ fantasy point score, then he is exceptional value for the Tigers first up. David Nofoaluma is an exceptional fantasy point scorer and also has a very consistent floor in 2020. Lowest score all season was 36 and passed 70+ on three occasions. The 14K price tag will mean not many will stump the cash for Nofo. Bailey Simonsson at the min salary is a risk but could be a perfect salary saver in a Raiders side that are 8.5 point favourites. Problem you will face is that Simonsson also scored 1, 5, 12 & 18 fantasy points in matches from last season. Sione Katoa on the wing for the Sharks finished the season off well averaging 38 fantasy points in his last three matches and gets a plum matchup against a leaky Dragons side.

 

CTR: Moses Mbye is selected to play five-eight and is CTR eligible. I think he is perfectly fine play in this roster spot as he will be more involved in the general play. Mbye spent the majority of the ‘20 season at CTR. It is Jack Bird’s first game in a very long time and that $7,800 salary is very tempting. If you need to save salary then no issues giving Bird a go. Jesse Raimen and Josh Dugan won’t be popular in data projections so getting either of these may guarantee some low ownership.

 

HALF: Canberra halves thank you. Do not overthink this one. 8.5 point favourites at home and both have exceptional running games. Jack Wighton is at that premium price tag so expect a few to select George Williams instead. But with Wighton having 75+ upside he can really excel against the Tigers. If you are off the Raiders then Luke Brooks will want to have a better season with the Tigers. 7 out of the last 9 games he has scored under 40 fantasy points. Maybe he shines with Mbye at five-eight and Benji Marshall at the Rabbits. If you are playing the standalone Sharks game, Chad Townsend should get to high 30’s here against Clune and Hunt. Ben Hunt is too expensive here. 

 

2RF: Rather like the FRF options than these options but as I noted earlier, you want to invest in premium forwards in wet conditions. Raiders options of Joseph Tapine and Hudson Young are quality young edge forwards. Prefer Young as he should get through 80 minutes of work. If you need to come down a rung, Joe Ofahengaue will look to impress for his new side as is 2RF eligible. Tyrell Fuimaono starts at lock and should get 55-60 minutes at a cheap salary. Just like their backs counterparts, Sharks forwards may go under owned and could smash in this spot. Briton Nikora and Wade Graham may be more expensive but have slate winning potential.

 

HOK: Jacob Liddle is the most likely option here, cheap price tag, big off-season and no apparent bench cover. Andrew McCullough will play a workman like game and make those 50+ tackles. Super floor he has but as we found out with Damien Cook on Thursday night, not a guaranteed 50 fantasy burger. Blayke Brailey and Josh Hodgson have bench cover and are unlikely to play the full 80 minutes. 

 

FRF: James Tamou for his new club at $11,470 is a steal and could match his more expensive team mate in Alex Twal. If you want big Joe O then you can also roster here. Also in a bit of trend, bench forwards at $7,000 have been hitting value with Stefano Utoikamanu and Ryan James ($7,900) worth a flyer.    

 

Draftstars Suggested Team

 

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