Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 16
Robbie Farah is back at the Tigers, Aaron Woods has joined a stacked Sharks forward pack and NRL Fantasy coaches are searching for the final pieces in their ultimate 17-man line-ups for the run home.
Here are my answers to some of the big round 16 questions.
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Do you think Farah will be an 80-minute hooker/player once Benji is back?
From JT Redman
Probably. Farah's been a Fantasy superstar in the past – he outscored Cameron Smith for at least one season – and he played the full 80 in both his Rabbitohs appearances this season, scoring 64 and 61 when filling in for Damien Cook. He's also priced at $570,000 which would make him a steal if he can manage more than 50 points a game at the Tigers.
So the potential is definitely there. The risk is that he spends some time on the bench, like all of the Tigers' starting hookers have this season. Pita Godinet, Jacob Liddle, Elijah Taylor and Matt McIlwrick have worn the No.9 at the club in 2018 and only Taylor has averaged more than 50 minutes a game, and when Benji Marshall is fit again in round 18 there's every chance Josh Reynolds moves back to a bench hooker/utility role. For Farah to play 80 minutes when the Tigers are full strength it would require Ivan Cleary to either leave Benji (or Reynolds) out of the 17 altogether or play both of them on the field at the same time along with Luke Brooks and Farah, plus a playmaking fullback in Moses Mbye. That's a lot of playmakers in the same 13, but for a Tigers team that could do with more points having too much creativity available wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
Is Farah worth the gamble if I'm low on trades and cash? Would need to be for Su'A or Matterson if I do grab him.
From Trevor Maggs
Farah's not a must-have by any means, and while he's a good chance of out-scoring Jaydn Su'A he probably wouldn't outscore a fit Ryan Matterson. If trades are low or if you'd prefer to take a safer scorer there's no harm in at least waiting to see just how well Farah performs at his old club this week.
From Iain Stanmore
Not a fan of this trade, even though Andrew Fifita's game time will almost certainly drop a little with Aaron Woods in the rotation at Cronulla. Fifita's scored almost 58 points a game this year so even if he drops five points a game he'd still be an elite FRF, so trading to Arrow (a 54-point player) looks sideways at best. If there are signs Fifita's minutes will drop dramatically – to the extent that his scores will go down to the 40s – you could trade him then, but I wouldn't do it earlier than that.
Fifita to McInnes now Woods is at the Sharks?
From Michael Surplice
Like Arrow, McInnes is a great buy (especially for overall points considering he'll play in round 17) but ideally, you'd find another way of bringing him into your squad rather than trading a keeper like Fifita. If you're convinced Fifita will be a bust from here on then go for it, but keep in mind it's a low percentage play unless you've got trades to burn.
Even though he's named to play, would Manly rush back Taupau? He'll get in on Thursday at the latest and I'm assuming he'll only have the one day to train on the Friday before Saturday's game.
From Cam O'Dwyer
The Sea Eagles may not be a genuine finals contender but they are desperate for some good news and to snap a four-game losing streak – a streak that could get lot longer considering they face a brutal run of games coming up against the Panthers, Storm, Roosters, Panthers again and Sharks. Coach Trent Barrett was always keen to play Tom and Jake Trbojevic against the Warriors in New Zealand three days after State of Origin I so he'll be keen to play Taupau a week after the Denver Test, even after his delayed flight home. Taupau's minutes might be down compared to usual on Saturday but I expect him to play.
Update: Taupau landed in Australia on Thursday morning and suggests he'll play against the Panthers.
Who are the best cash-out options in WFB position? I need someone in as cover in emergency bench to cash out Fonua.
From Dylan Mitchell
This week's genuine cash-outs are Bulldogs five-eighth Lachlan Lewis and Manly hooker Manase Fainu, who are both $212k with the potential (but no guarantees) to play out the rest of the season. The options at winger/fullback who have some job security are Bulldogs centre Kerrod Holland ($255k) who could kick goals after Moses Mbye's exit; Sharks winger Sione Katoa ($277k), who is a good chance of edging out Newcastle-bound Edrick Lee to hold a wing spot when Josh Dugan returns to the backline; and Kurt Mann ($294k), who is keeping Jason Nightingale out of wing spot at the Dragons and scored 45 last week.
Is TPJ a keeper now he's starting second row?
From Taine Hamon
Tevita Pangai jnr appears to have jumped Alex Glenn in the pecking order at Brisbane, but either he or Jaydn Su'A – who has started every game in the second row since round eight – will make way when Matt Gillett eventually returns to the Brisbane side. My guess would be that Pangai jnr goes back to the interchange in that case based on the fact he's been moved around between lock, the edge and the bench this year (albeit just one game on the bench in his past seven). So he's a definite hold, but a slightly risky buy.
Do we get four trades next week?
From Todd Allan
Yep. The final bye round of the season means it's another big trading week ahead of round 17.
