The departure of two veteran halves and the addition of a superstar fullback means there are a few potential NRL Fantasy bargains at the Broncos this season, but the proven performers will once again be found in that star-studded forward pack.
Fantasy Guns
Corey Parker ($477,600) will go down as a NRL Fantasy great – the new Broncos co-captain does a ton of defensive work, frequently gets his hands on the ball, breaks tackles, provides offloads, and kicks goals as well for good measure. With Scott Prince gone Parker is likely to resume his former role as Brisbane's chief goal-kicker, and his new leadership role is only likely to give the workhorse more incentive to lead from the front. A great buy, even at his lofty price.
Elsewhere, Matt Gillett ($363,400) made the step up from potential star to consistent fantasy scorer last season and should hit about 50 points a week, while Josh McGuire ($338,700) should get more minutes in the front row this season and is an excellent points-per-minute Fantasy player, and Sam Thaiday (338,400) should put in some improved performances in 2014 after being freed up from the captaincy role.
Value Buys
Star signing Ben Barba ($283,500) is hardly a bargain but after a disappointing campaign for the Bulldogs last season you can expect to see some improvement at his new club. Barba was electric in his Dally M-winning 2012 season and with fullbacks earning points for try-saving tackles and kicks defused this season he'll definitely rise in value if he can get back to that 2012 form.
No-nonsense hooker Andrew McCullough ($362,800) is already a solid scorer but with occasional bench hooker Peter Wallace gone and Ben Hunt now a certainty for the halfback spot McCullough has the chance to become a regular 80-minute dummy-half.
Cash Cows
With Hunt the only recognised No.7 at the club, the Broncos' halves combination remains somewhat of a mystery heading into 2014. Barba could slot in at five-eighth with Josh Hoffman at fullback, but the new signing is more likely to begin in his preferred position at the back. That could open up a spot for young gun Ashley Taylor ($107,000) alongside Hunt, which would make Taylor one of NRL Fantasy's most sought-after rookies. Fellow cheapie Dale Copley ($107,000) could also get some game time in the centres with Justin Hodges likely to miss the first part of the season.
Anthony Griffin's decision to hand the captaincy to Parker and Hodges shows he's happy to shake things up this year, so don't be surprised to see some other youngsters get their chance in the backs if they impress in the trials. In other words, keep a close eye on the Broncos' Round 1 team list before locking in your Fantasy squad.
Broncos 2014 NRL Fantasy prices
Corey Parker (2RF) $477,600
Matt Gillett (2RF) $363,400
Andrew McCullough (HOK) $362,800
Ben Hannant (FRF) $344,500
Josh McGuire (FRF) $338,700
Sam Thaiday (2RF, FRF) $338,400
Justin Hodges (CTR) $297,300
Josh Hoffman (WFB) $287,300
Alex Glenn (2RF, CTR) $287,100
Ben Barba (WFB) $283,500
Todd Lowrie (2RF) $260,400
Martin Kennedy (FRF) $257,800
Corey Oates (WFB, 2RF) $245,800
Daniel Vidot (WFB) $212,000
Mitchell Dodds (FRF) $193,200
Jack Reed (CTR) $191,900
David Stagg (2RF) $188,200
Jordan Kahu (WFB, HLF) $172,900
Ben Hunt (HLF) $166,500
Jon Green (FRF) $140,200
David Hala (FRF) $129,400
Jordan Drew (CTR) $123,900
Lachlan Maranta (WFB) $119,600
Jharal Yow Yeh (WFB) $108,500
Brendon Gibb (2RF) $107,000
Dale Copley (WFB) $107,000
Aaron Whitchurch (CTR, WFB) $107,000
Stewart Mills (WFB) $107,000
Marmin Barba (WFB) $107,000
Jake Granville (WFB, HOK) $107,000
Jarrod Wallace (FRF) $107,000
Zac Strasser (HLF) $107,000
Ashley Taylor (HLF) $107,000
