Round 7 of the NRL continues the Anzac Day theme on Friday night with a double header of games. The Titans (3-3) welcome the Rabbitohs (5-1) who will be missing Latrell Mitchell and would fancy themselves for a big scalp at home. Then we head to the Far North in Darwin where the Eels (5-1) host the Broncos (1-5) in what will be a spectacle for the locals at TIO stadium. 

 

On Draftstars, a $12,000 contest for the Eels and the Broncos is a big pool considering we are up against the AFL, along with a $10,000 pool for the Titans and the Rabbitohs to kick off Friday. 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

 

Titans $2.75 v Rabbitohs $1.45

Line - 6.5

Total - 42.5

 

Eels $1.25 vs Broncos $4.00

Line - 12.5

Total - 41.5


 

Weather

 

Penrith - Sunny Day, cool evening.

 

Darwin - Sunny Day, Warm evening.


 

Team News

 

After being flogged 36-0 last week, the Titans lose Tino Fa'asuamaleaui due to suspension which brings Moeaki Fotuaika back into the starting side. Anthony Don is back on the wing after his hip injury. Just keep an eye out on final teams as the Titans are keen to get Philip Sami back into the side from the reserves. 

 

The Rabbitohs took Latrell Mitchell to the judiciary and lost his downgrading of his suspension. So the shuffle in the back line includes Alex Johnston at fullback, Jaxson Paulo on one wing and Dane Gagai on the other wing replacing Josh Mansour who has a hamstring injury. Keaon Koloamatangi has been named to start in the second row, his first match since Round 4. 

 

For the Eels, Dylan Brown is back after suspension pushing Will Smith back to the bench. Still no Ryan Matterson after his head knock a couple of weeks back. 

 

The Broncos who played exceptionally well against the Panthers last week welcomed back Herbie Farnworth back in the centres and signed Hooker Danny Levi. Levi is straight onto the bench and will serve back-up to Jake Turpin. 


 

Fantasy Plays

 

W/FB: The reshuffle of the Souths backline is one you may need to pay attention to. Dane Gagai fantasy scores on the wing last year included a 14, 47, 71 and a 54 point performance but that $12k price tag is a risk. Alex Johnston played three games at Fullback for fantasy scores of 33, 6 and 11. While it is a small sample size, Johnston’s try scoring ability all but evaporates when playing from the back. Eels stacks are going to be popular and while the ball hasn’t really seen Maika Sivo’s side, a friendly price tag and a soft matchup will see Sivo as the most popular choice. Corey Oates showed something in his first game of the year and at the minimum looks to be a good salary saver if he can run for 150+ metres. His teammate Jamayne Issako will also be popular as he is by far the best Broncos back for fantasy with a 40FP average in his past two matches. 

 

CTR: Titans options have all remained stagnant after their thrashing last week and one who has gone under the radar is Patrick Herbert. Scored two tries in Round 5 and in his past three matches has accumulated 17 tackle breaks. Tough matchup against the Rabbits but could provide some salary relief here. Tyrone Peachey still has CTR status and like his teammates also had a rough week. Expecting a bounce back and want to pay up in this spot. If you were playing Eels stacks then Tom Opacic is in a revenge game narrative against his old side in the Broncos. Being very consistent this season scoring between 34 to 40 but could pop for much more in Darwin. 

 

HALF: Not going to lie, there is temptation to play cheap Broncs halves in Brodie Croft and Tom Dearden. Croft nearly kicked for over 600 metres against the Panthers so I can’t see that happening here. The Eels are a very tough matchup so I would rather concentrate on Mitchell Moses instead. Clearly benefited from Brown’s absence last week with his highest fantasy score for the season and now gets a brittle Brisbane line to exploit. If the Eels can rack up a score then his goal kicking will be a bonus. Taking away his concussion score of 14, Moses is averaging 60FP for the season. If you are playing the early game, Jamal Fogarty is always under owned with his 60+ upside and slightly more expensive salary over Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds. However there are more duds than bombs so far from Jamal. Don’t play Ashley Taylor. 

 

2RF: Tevita Pangai Jnr played pretty well against the Panthers in Round 6 for a 48FP score. Couple of things here - played 80 minutes for the first time this season, scored a try but did not score from offloads. So I am pretty unsure what will happen this week. Does he back up with another 80 minutes? At $12K he is certainly in play but I am lukewarm here. For a more consistent player then Nathan Brown who is $180 cheaper will be a popular pick. Back to back 50FP efforts and has played up to 70 minutes for the Eels. Not many are at value in this spot but Keaon Koloamatangi returns for the Rabbits. Likely to share minutes with Jai Arrow but could reach 35/40FP here. 

 

HOK: First of all, Danny Levi has been classed as a 2RF and not a HOK. So don’t be sucked in that Jake Turpin will get the full 80 minutes. So yes, you need to save money elsewhere to either get up to Reed Mahoney and Damien Cook. These are the two you should concentrate on getting into your team first and build from there. Mahoney was super against the Raiders scoring a try on his way to 90FP while Cook has been serviceable at his salary. Ownership is going to Mahoney and I do prefer him against the Broncos. However Cook has a crazy upside and could make the difference at a lower ownership. 

 

FRF: Junior Paulo had a huge start of the season with the Eels, but his price has fallen off a cliff after scoring 32 and 29 fantasy points in his last two matches. If he can return to form with a 45+ performance then he should hit value. Payne Haas and Moeaki Fotuaika are great fantasy prop forwards but really tough to squeeze in here with the lack of value on the slate. If you can get to them then you are going to be very unique. But for the value seekers, Matthew Lodge and Jarrod Wallace will provide some salary relief. Wallace should bounce back like his Titans teammates after his 15 fantasy point effort against Manly. 

 

Draftstars Suggested Team

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