A closer look at some of the key NRL Fantasy performances of the week, and what they mean for your planned trades for the upcoming round.
Napa's night out
In one of the best individual performances from a front-rower in recent memory, Dylan Napa (FRF/2RF, $423,000) took it upon himself to guide the Roosters to their first win of 2016 in Round 6, amassing some big hits and impressive numbers along the way. Called on to play the full 80 following an early injury to Sio Siua Taukeiaho, the future representative prop made 51 tackles, 141 metres, five tackle breaks and an offload, while also scoring a try and saving another to finish on 81 points. With a break even of 22 he will continue to rise in value over the next few weeks, but be wary of investing at this point – he's unlikely to play those sorts of minutes every week, particularly with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Boyd Cordner set to return in the next four to six weeks.
Is Taupau a premium keeper?
Martin Taupau (2RF, $458,000) saw plenty of investment on the back of a solid 54 in the middle in Round 1, before switching to an edge to play the full 80 for a devastating 92 against the Tigers in Round 2. Since then, he's scored 34, 42 and 27, while also missing a week through suspension in Round 4. Was his big Round 2 effort a false dawn? Let's delve into the numbers.
Taupau's Round 1 score was predominantly comprised of tackles (40) and run metres (85), as well as two tackle breaks thrown in for good measure – very much business as usual for a middle forward. He received the ball 11 times and was used as a decoy on 13 occasions.
Round 2 was a very different story, with a try, three line breaks, 32 tackles, 11 tackle breaks and 159 metres. On that night, he received the ball on 23 occasions and was used as a decoy 16 times. Against the Tigers, much of Manly's attack revolved around their new edge weapon, while his 32 tackles also suggested he would still be sound defensively despite moving out wide.
When we look at Round 6 though, it's a slightly different story. Taupau scored a try, made 19 tackles and 68 metres, received the ball on 11 occasions and was deployed as a decoy five times.
Why Manly aren't going to Taupau often in attack as they were in earlier rounds remains to be seen, but it might have something to do with the absence of halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, with halves pairing Apisai Koroisau and Dylan Walker both keen to take the line on themselves. We might just have to wait a few more weeks for when Cherry-Evans returns to see Taupau's involvement – and potentially his Fantasy scores – increase.
Top scores in Round 6
Cameron Smith (HOK, $593,000): 84
Trent Merrin (2RF, $453,000): 83
Dylan Napa (FRF/2RF, $423,000): 81
Tohu Harris (2RF, $402,000): 78
Andrew Fifita (FRF, $528,000): 76
Bottom scores in Round 6
Daniel Mortimer (HLF/HOK, $336,000): 4
James Maloney (HLF, $296,000): 4
Curtis Rona (WFB, $222,000): 4
Semi Radradra (WFB, $331,000): 6
Isaac De Gois (HOK, $295,000): 6
Top Round 6 price increases
Ashley Taylor (HLF, $284,000): +$41,000
Kerrod Holland (CTR, $188,000): +$41,000
Jackson Hastings (HLF, $343,000): +$37,000
Javid Bowen (WFB, $188,000): +$36,000
Peter Wallace (HLF/HOK, $330,000): +$34,000
Top Round 6 price decreases
Semi Radradra (WFB, $331,000): -$39,000
Damien Cook (HOK, $288,000): -$30,000
Thomas Burgess (FRF, $306,000): -$29,000
James Maloney (HLF, $296,000): -$27,000
Lewis Brown (2RF/CTR, $253,000): -$27,000
