NRL Fantasy, NRL 2023, team lists, analysis, Fantasy cheapies, Fantasy cash cows

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 13 Jun 2023, 03:59 PM

There are positional switches for a couple of popular Fantasy players this week, as coaches scramble to field a team in the second of the three big bye rounds.

Here is all the major team news from a Fantasy perspective ahead of Round 16.

A reminder that a rule change for 2023 means that in Rounds 13, 16 and 19 only your starting 13 players score points (rather than the usual 17 players).

NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 16

Cowboys v Panthers, Friday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: With three of their four top Fantasy scorers out on Origin duty, there isn't a heap of interest around North Queensland this week. After hitting 66 in his club debut in Round 14, Semi Valemei (CTR/WFB, $372k) retains a spot on the wing, while Zac Laybutt comes in at centre. Jason Taumalolo returns from a knee injury at lock.

Panthers: Similar to their opponents this week, most of Penrith's Fantasy relevant players are out, and the replacements are too short term to have any cash cow value. Popular EDG Zac Hosking is a big in after being rested last week and will partner Scott Sorensen, who has been on fire of late and comes off a last-up 67, in the second row. $220k HLF/EDG Jaeman Salmon is the man to replace Jarome Luai in the halves.

Round 16 - Round 16 - Friday 16 Jun

Full Time

Cowboys

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Tyrone Peachey
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Semi Valemei

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Tom Jenkins
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jaeman Salmon
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jack Cogger

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess

Prop for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Heilum Luki

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Zac Hosking
Lock for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre

Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Liam Henry

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Brendan Elliot

Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Jack Cole

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:46 AM

Knights v Roosters, Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: With scores of 45 and 71 in his past two games at fullback, Kalyn Ponga is one of the best WFB prospects around right now and is still available at just $500k. Greg Marzhew, who has a past three game average of 52.3 points, is out and replaced by Enari Tuala. Marzhew was not considered for selection due to failing to meet team standards after he missed the team bus the day after the loss to the Broncos. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, the Knights' fourth best Fantasy player this year who is averaging 45.9 per game, returns to the back row.

Roosters: Joey Manu moves from the halves to fullback as replacement for James Tedesco and given his record of hitting monster scores in the position, it makes him a totally different prospect on the Fantasy front this week. Sandon Smith comes into the halves, but there is far too much uncertainty around his role beyond Round 16 to make him a buy. CTR Billy Smith, who is in over 12 percent of teams, returns after being a late out last week with a sternum problem.

Round 16 - Round 16 - Saturday 17 Jun

Full Time

Knights

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph Manu
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Corey Allan
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Billy Smith
Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Fetalaiga Pauga
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Turpin
Prop for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Nat Butcher
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan Brown
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
Interchange for Knights is number 20 Brodie Jones

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 19 Simi Sasagi

Replacement for Roosters is number 19 Zach Dockar-Clay

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Todd Smith
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:46 AM

Eels v Sea Eagles, Saturday at CommBank Stadium

Eels: After hitting 39 in his club debut, Daejarn Asi will be the chief playmaker in the absence of Mitch Moses. Asi will partner Ryan Matterson in the halves, who returns for his first game since Round 12. Those who have held onto Matterson all this time may as well do it for another week, but a move to the halves is unlikely to be good for his scores. Josh Hodgson is out again, so Brendan Hands ($260k) gets another start at hooker after scoring 35 in an 80-minute showing last week.

Sea Eagles: Kaeo Weekes gets another run at fullback, while Jake Arthur starts in the halves with Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans out. Rookie Samuela Fainu, who is now Manly's third most owned player, is named to start after reverting to the bench before kick-off last week and scoring 30.

Round 16 - Round 16 - Saturday 17 Jun

Full Time

Eels

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ryan Matterson

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Josh Schuster
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn Asi

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jake Arthur

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
Prop for Eels is number 10 Ofahiki Ogden

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Andrew Davey

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Sean Keppie

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca Moretti

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 12 Samuela Fainu
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Karl Lawton
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Aloiai
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Aaron Woods

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Haze Dunster

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 17 Ben Condon

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:46 AM

Wests Tigers v Storm, Saturday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Wests Tigers: In an intriguing move for his Fantasy prospects, Starford To'a (CTR/WFB, $619k), who has averaged 58.3 points in his last three games as a centre, has been named in the halves in place of the injured Luke Brooks. A 57 last week has given Jake Simpkin a -1 break even, but he's still available at just $220k due to previous low scores and once again has the starting hooker role. Tommy Talau, who despite his very poor form as a Fantasy player this year remains in 20 percent of all teams, is named on the bench and should not be included in your 13 if at all possible.

Storm: A big blow for the 10 percent of owners who have Eliesa Katoa, with the high-performing EDG not named after suffering an eye injury last week. Tariq Sims ($378k) starts in his place. $245k HOK/MID Bronson Garlick is the No.9 with Harry Grant in Queensland camp, while Jonah Pezet is the new five-eighth.

Round 16 - Round 16 - Saturday 17 Jun

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden

Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa

Centre for Storm is number 4 Marion Seve
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou

Winger for Storm is number 5 George Jennings
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Starford To'a

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Jonah Pezet
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brandon Wakeham

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Fonua Pole

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tom Eisenhuth
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 John Bateman

Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva

Interchange for Storm is number 12 Tariq Sims
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tommy Talau

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Aaron Pene
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Storm is number 22 Kane Bradley

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Will Smith

Replacement for Storm is number 21 Chris Lewis

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:46 AM

Sharks v Bulldogs, Sunday at PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: An ankle injury to Royce Hunt, which is set to sideline him for up to six weeks, opens up the door for Thomas Hazelton (MID, $305k) to return to the squad, while Braden Hamlin-Uele gets a start at prop. The third most owned player in the game, Nicho Hynes, is a huge inclusion after being overlooked by NSW for Origin II.

Bulldogs: On the back of his best showing of the year which ended in a score of 56, popular cash cow Karl Oloapu now has a break even of zero and is set to make some nice cash over the next few weeks. Harrison Edwards retains the starting lock role ($473k). After scoring 56 and 53 in his two prior games this year, Braidon Burns comes in on the wing in place of Josh Addo-Carr.

Round 16 - Round 16 - Sunday 18 Jun

Full Time

Sharks

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Braidon Burns
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Karl Oloapu
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 20 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Chris Patolo
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jayden Okunbor
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Lock for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis Morrin

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Khaled Rajab
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Wade Graham

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Corey Waddell
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Franklin Pele