RiseForAlex Round bought out the best in the rugby league community, and it seemed to inspire a number of the game’s great players to monumental performances, which in turn translated to huge scores across the board in Holden NRL Fantasy.
It’s time to break down each game from Round 19.
It was a big night for North Queensland last Friday, winning away from Townsville for the first time in 2014. Glenn Hall (62) was an unlikely top scorer, after he went nuts in his limited time on the park. Johnathan Thurston produced some of his best work (including this sneaky try) on his way to 60, while Tariq Sims (51) had a good all-round game. For the Sharks, Andrew Fifita (60) made 46 tackles and will be ripe for the picking after he experienced another price drop, while Wade Graham (55) continued his consistent run, averaging just over 54 from his last three outings. Jacob Gagan owners would’ve been alarmed to see their WFB finish on -2.
Scoring two tries, Sam Burgess topped the scoring with another score of 87 (he also had 87 against the Titans in Round 17). Two line breaks, 32 tackles, five tackle breaks and 205 run metres against the Eels showed why he’s in the frame for the Dally M medal. Next best was Dylan Walker (69), whose lowest score since Round 9 has been 49. Issac Luke (60) is well below $300,000 these days, but showed he can still smash out a handy total. Rookie winger Alex Johnston (53) continues to deliver, even outscoring his superstar teammate Greg Inglis (50). Jarryd Hayne (59) had another busy night, as did Isaac de Gois (50), who made 52 tackles on his way to his best score of the season.
Star forwards scoring doubles seemed to be a trend in Round 19, with Boyd Cordner getting in on the action to take his tally to 80. Jake Friend kicked one of the most ridiculous 40/20’s you’ll see on the way to 70 points, while his opposing number James Segeyaro (76) had another industrious outing. Playing five-eighth, rookie Bryce Cartwright (70) showed his versatility, and Sam Moa grabbed a season-high 59.
Storm skipper (and possibly your Fantasy captain as well) Cameron Smith (80) always seems to produce a good score against the Raiders, and didn’t disappoint with his best return since Round 8. Playing in his 100th NRL game, Fantasy superstar Shaun Fensom (63) made a tidy 44 tackles and 124 run metres. Mahe Fonua (56) scored well above his average, and Billy Slater (54) continues to loom as a great point of difference as a premium WFB. Both Anthony Milford (24) and Jarrod Croker (34) couldn’t back up their Round 18 heroics.
The Fantasy king returns to form! Corey Parker has been in sublime touch since Origin III, with 89 to go along with 78 from the previous round. If you’re without the Broncos forward, you might want to snap him up now – he won’t get any cheaper than this. Two tries and seven tackle breaks saw Ben Henry to an outstanding 87, while Dale Copley (67) was at the heart of his side’s comeback. Ben Hunt (70) was at his consistent best, while Ben Hannant (also 69) grabbed his highest total of the season. Speaking of consistent, Simon Mannering continued his stunning run of form, collecting another try on his way to 68.
Few gave the Titans much chance of taking the two competition points on Sunday, and even fewer could’ve predicted that Mark Minichiello (74) would be the top scorer in this game. The Titans second-rower has hit a real purple patch, averaging 62 from his last five starts. Playing in the centres, Dave Taylor smashed out an impressive 60, and Jarrod Mullen kicked his way to 55. Popular cash cow Daniel Mortimer (49) is due for another price rise.
Wests Tigers 46 def. Bulldogs 18
Five try assists in one game. Handy, no? That’s what young fullback Mitch Moses served up against the Bulldogs, on his way to 62. While he didn’t get the highest Fantasy score in this game, Keith Lulia (57) scored four tries, and Robbie Farah (69) is now more affordable. Props Aaron Woods (53) and James Graham (43) were sound, and Tim Lafai (60) was the best for the Bulldogs.
There were no real standouts from a Fantasy perspective in Monday night football. Daly Cherry-Evans (46) experienced another price drop, with Ben Creagh (47) putting in an honest effort. Players across the board were below their Fantasy best – popular picks Jamie Lyon (39) and Josh Dugan (39) didn’t produce anything to write home about. Tyson Andrews and Nathan Green also didn’t bring much to the table, with both finishing on 5.
