NRL Fantasy Scout, Wicky & Kyle Bedford will be bringing you the most important news every week to help you with your NRL Fantasy teams!

This week, we cover our key players to buy, hold & sell + recapping how our teams went in Round 16 & key notes from the 14 teams playing in Round 17.

Buys/Ones to Watch/Holds/Sells

Buys

Will Penisini (CTR, $598K)

• It really is astonishing just how much of an impact Mitchell Moses has on Penisini’s scoring.
• Penisini’s avg in 2024 with Moses is 51.2, without Moses it’s only 34.9.
• With Moses fit and firing, Penisini looks like an undervalued keeper for the run home.

Ryan Matterson (MID/EDG, $536k)

• With Hopgood out for the season, Tuilagi out for 5 weeks and Eels switching back to a 2 hooker rotation, there is A LOT of minutes available in the Eels forward pack – and we believe Matterson will pick up the bulk of them.
• Based on the Eels current lineup, we are projecting a 55-60 min role for Matterson.
• With Lane back on the edge and Doorey on the bench, it would appear that Matto is set for exclusively middle minutes, which is great for his PPM.
• Matterson is someone who always has high fantasy potential, just needing the minutes in order to fulfill it. Now looks like a perfect opportunity. Don’t be surprised if he starts at lock as well.

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Ones to Watch

Will Pryce (HLF/WFB, $400k)

• Pryce is an interesting option, getting a start in the 6 jersey for the Knights this week.
• He’s a bit of an unknown so well worth waiting here, but there’s a chance he could score well in this role and potentially pick up goal kicking as well (as he’s been doing in NSW cup).
• At $400k and available in R19 with the DPP, keep your eyes on him this week.

Jack Howarth (EDG, $249k)

• Howarth played centre last week despite being named on the wing, where he scored 45 (nearly all in base stats).
• If he has a centre spot locked down he looks great, but his main issue is his job security.
• Reimis Smith is lurking in the reserves, and Meaney is out for just a week or two most likely.
• As a result, it’s probably too risky to go for Howarth right now, but if we get any indication he’s first choice then he could be a really solid cash out. 

Holds

Kai Pearce-Paul (EDG, $626K)

• KPP is back from injury this week, and is named on the bench currently.
• Despite this, we are fairly confident he’ll be starting sooner rather than later, so would look to hold for now. 

Jayden Campbell (WFB, $632K)

• Campbell has been killing it since returning from injury and is a big reason why Gold Coast have found some form.
• With scores of 57, 61, 89 in his last 3 games, he looks an easy hold and a probable keeper at WFB.
• He’s on the bye this week and will likely miss R18 with a hand injury before returning in R19 which is perfect timing for the major bye round.
• He looks to be a gun with plenty of value so keep a hold of him.

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Sells

Shaun Johnson (HLF, $658K)

• SJ has been disappointing since returning from injury, dropping in cash big time.
• Add to this the fact he’s set to miss at least 4 weeks with another injury and he’s an easy sell. 

Jaeman Salmon (EDG/MID, $479K)

• Salmon has played a handy role for fantasy coaches this season, rising almost $200k and providing handy bye cover.
• It looks like it’s time to part ways however before he begins to lose cash.
• With Kikau returning and Preston likely back next week, look to move Salmon on in the couple weeks

Josh Curran (MID/EDG, $566K)

• Curran has been a fairly reliable scorer this season up until recently, scoring 24 and 34 in the last 2 weeks.
• This has caused his BE to go up massively, and then in turn cause his price to go down.
• With Bulldogs getting Mann and Preston back next week, his minutes look far from assured, so we would look to sell before he drops even more.

J’maine Hopgood (MID/EDG, $746K)

• Out for the season with a back injury

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Team Recaps

Kyle – Baby Face Leota

RD 16 Score – 722

Overall Rank – 297

General Thoughts

Just the 1 trade for me last week, with Iro to Tedesco. Unfortunately I forgot to change my captain so lost a few Pts there. Played 1 man short, opting to not burn a trade on a CTR, so fairly content with my rank. Will try to plan for R19 now whilst also trying no to waste the few trades I have left.

Trade Thoughts

I need to bring in a CTR this week to field a full side and that will most likely be Penisini. I’m thinking of trading out Weekes to fund this move as I personally think his price has peaked and scoring may drop off a little, especially if the rumoured move to Fullback is true. This leaves me with only 2 trades remaining until R20, which should be enough as I’m fairly well prepared for the R19 bye.

Alessandro – NRL Fantasy Scout

RD 16 Score – 801

Overall Rank – 2335

General Thoughts

Great round last week, scoring 801, and finishing with a weekly rank of 1002. Everyone performed fairly well, no real complaints.

Trade Thoughts

In order to field a full side this week, I’m going to have to sell Koula and/or Twal. Would prefer to sell Koula but don’t have much money in the bank and not a fan of many of the options around his price point. Probably going to have to sell Twal, with Matterson being the guy I’m likely bringing in.

I always post my team and trades to my story before the round starts, so if you want to see what I do every week check out my page – @NRL Fantasy Scout on Instagram.

 

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