daily fantasy sports articles

Another tough test looms for the Tigers, as they host the Sharks at CommBank Stadium. With these teams heading in opposite directions, we could be in for another cricket score this Thursday night.

Draftstars has a $10,000 guaranteed contest for the Tigers and Sharks, with several other contests available, there’s something for everyone, so get involved and make this game even more exciting!

Team News

The Tigers have made a couple of changes, following their 74-0 thrashing at the hands of the Cowboys last week. David Nofoaluma and Brent Naden are both out with shoulder injuries, replaced by Asu Kepaoa and Starford To’a. There’s also been a reshuffle in the pack, with Shawn Blore pushed to the bench, John Bateman shifting back to an edge, and Fonua Pole starting at lock. Young lock Aitasi James will make his debut from the bench, with Alex Twal (suspension) out.

The Sharks welcome back inspirational prop Toby Rudolph, however, lose Braden Hamlin-Uele. Dale Finucane (suspension) is out again due to ill-discipline, replaced by Cam McInnes at lock, and Jesse Colquhoun on the bench.

Betting Markets

Wests Tigers ($10.25) vs Cronulla Sharks ($1.05)

Points total: 48.5 points

Overview

Sharks by how many, that’s the only discussion to have here. At the moment, this line (18.5) is the equal second biggest line all season. By the time this game kicks off, I have no doubt this will be the biggest line of the season. As for the total, there’s every chance the Sharks can get there on their own in this one. The Tigers will surely show some pride here in defence, but with the Sharks potent attack, it would be a brave man betting against the Sharks putting up another huge score here.

Love It – William Kennedy - $13,750

I can make a case for all five Sharks outside backs in this game, however I’ll stick with Kennedy here as my favourite pick. Kennedy has upped his floor throughout the season, and is now consistently getting involved in try scoring plays. His ceiling in this particular game is as high as anyone in the backline, aside from Talakai, and I fully expect him to be involved in 2+ tries. The Tigers are generally one of the better teams in the competition in limiting kick return metres, however with no Brooks this week, Kennedy should eat those metres up.

Love It – Jake Simpkin - $13,960

Simpkin has turned into a real worker in the middle of the Tigers’ pack since the loss of Api Koroisau, with a 3-round average of 51. He’s doing this mainly in defence, averaging 40 tackles in those 3 weeks. He should get plenty of work through the middle against the big Sharks forward pack, and is tremendous value at $14,000. The obvious choice here is Nicho Hynes, however I’ll opt for a left field selection here at HH.

Love It – Briton Nikora - $19,080

We get a little bit of Hynes’ value here, with Nikora being one of the main beneficiaries from Hynes’ tremendous ball playing on the right edge this season. Nikora had two tries last week in the Sharks’ 58-point performance, and I fully expect him to cross the line at least once against the terrible Tigers’ left edge defence. In my opinion, unless you somehow fit Hynes into your squad, one of the Sharks’ edge back rowers has to be in your squad.

Hate It – Jahream Bula - $14,620

The Young Tiger fullback has had a rapid rise in his first season, becoming one of the only shining lights for the Tigers this season. However, in his last effort against the Cowboys, he showed that he may be getting to that point in a rookie season where he starts to struggle to keep up physically. Bula has been asked to do a lot of work for the Tigers, and with the losses piling up, it might all be getting a little bit too much for the talented fullback. I can’t have him as the most expensive OB in a game I expect the Tigers to get lapped in.

Hate It – Toby Rudolf - $17,860

Rudolf was looking like a very solid option in DFS prior to hist injury, however with his first game back in 3 months, I can’t pay premium dollars on him here. There is some optimism, given the bench for the Sharks lacks middle forwards who can play big minutes, but if the Sharks get up big here early, surely, they aren’t asking Rudolf to play his usual 40-50 minutes.

Who Knows – John Bateman - $19,110

Bateman started at lock last week, and his DFS output was horrific compared to what he had been producing on an edge. Whilst he has been named to start on an edge again this week, there’s always a chance that Tim Sheens makes a late change and puts Bateman back in the middle. If you can pick your team late, and you can confirm Bateman is starting on an edge, he could be a great pickup here. However, this far out, I can’t be certain.

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