Jarrod Mullen will be a player in demand in Holden NRL Fantasy this season, but will Kurt Gidley finally put his injury dramas behind him?
Fantasy Guns
One key to Newcastle's on-field success last season was the rise of five-eighth Jarrod Mullen ($391,400), who became a leader for the club in the absence of injury-prone skipper Kurt Gidley. Mullen also become one of the game's best fantasy halves – particularly in the late part of the season – thanks primarily to his dominant kicking game. No other player notched more kick metres than the Knights No.6 last season, and with an improved attacking game he looms as one of the best halves options in NRL Fantasy this season.
Newcastle's forward pack tends to share the load but two of their hardest workers are back-row pair Chris Houston ($300,100) and Robbie Rochow ($302,200). Houston plays big minutes every week and has been a solid fantasy player for some time, while former Storm player Rochow burst onto the scene last year as a genuine workhorse in his second season at the club. They're not among the elite Fantasy forwards but they both can be relied on to hit scores in the 40s more often than not.
Value Buys
Can Kurt Gidley ($282,500) be trusted? As a player the Knights skipper can just about do it all, but it's hard to be confident that he can stay injury-free for an entire season. Gidley's value should grow this season as Newcastle's first-choice hooker following the retirement of Danny Buderus, but although he plays at full throttle every week his injury record will scare off most cautious Fantasy coaches.
Cash Cows
Young dummy-half Adam Clydsdale ($107,000) has been described as a young Cameron Smith clone – big raps indeed – and could get his chance as a bench hooker this season, with the possibility of forcing his way into the starting lineup if Gidley spends some time on the sidelines. Prop Korbin Sims ($134,100) is another player with a lot of potential, having earned selection in Queensland's Emerging Origin squad this year, while halfback Michael Dobson ($110,700) has arrived from Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers and starts the year with a very generous price tag.
Knights player prices
Jarrod Mullen (HLF) $391,400
Kade Snowden (FRF) $317,700
Robbie Rochow (2RF) $302,200
Adam Cuthbertson (2RF) $302,000
Chris Houston (2RF) $300,100
Kurt Gidley (HOK (HLF) $282,500
Darius Boyd (WFB) $281,300
Jeremy Smith (2RF) $272,600
Joseph Leilua (CTR) $271,200
Akuila Uate (WFB) $264,400
James McManus (WFB) $250,400
Tyrone Roberts (HLF) $247,500
Beau Scott (2RF) $236,700
Alex McKinnon (2RF) $234,600
David Fa'alogo (2RF) $220,600
Josh Mantellato (WFB) $199,300
Dane Gagai (CTR) $196,700
Willie Mason (FRF) $193,000
Clint Newton (2RF) $189,300
Travis Waddell (HOK) $182,300
Timana Tahu (CTR) $181,900
Zane Tetevano (FRF, 2RF) $165,600
Anthony Quinn (WFB (2RF) $149,800
Matt Hilder (2RF, HOK) $149,600
Korbin Sims (FRF) $134,100
Adam Clydsdale (HOK) $117,800
Michael Dobson (HLF) $110,700
Chris Adams (HOK) $107,000
Mitchell Frei (2RF, FRF) $107,000
Toka Likiliki (FRF) $107,000
Matt Minto (HLF) $107,000
Play Holden NRL Fantasy now or get more tips from the Lone Scout.
