A transcendent performance from James Tedesco lit up round five while a couple of hookers went massive and everyone's new favourite back-row centre option became the latest big Fantasy injury headache.
Winners
James Tedesco filled his boots in a dominant win over Canterbury on Monday night, finishing with a massive 111 points. It included a hat-trick, 231 run metres, 10 tackle busts, two try assists and a scarcely believable five line-break assists.
Cameron McInnes (89) started a little slowly in his side's first win of the season but with Ben Hunt coming on at hooker, the move to lock almost seemed to lift his tempo and a second-half try propelled him to his third consecutive 80-plus score.
Cam Smith (84) proved you can teach an old dog new tricks as he relished the new rules, Payne Haas (83) did what he always does, Angus Crichton (82) was twice given free passage to the try-line by Tedesco and the Dogs' defence while Matt Dufty (77) proved what an attacking threat he can be.
Ryan Matterson (75) enjoyed arguably his best game for his new club, Jason Taumalolo (74) shook off the previous week's bone bruising worries, Latrell Mitchell's (74) price is well and truly headed north again and the soon-to-be DPP Alex Twal is putting up serious keeper numbers.
Shaun Johnson (72), Jack Wighton and Josh McGuire (both 71) rounded out the 70+ scores from the weekend. There were also welcome scores from popular Fantasy buys such as Eliesa Katoa (66), Harry Grant (59), Pat Carrigan (62), Mitch Moses (67), and Isaah Yeo (66), while there was another big price bump for Bradman Best (46).
Losers
The worst news out of the weekend was a long term injury for Panthers back-rower and gun Fantasy centre Kurt Capewell. He'll miss 10 or so weeks and is a sell. The worst part for the many coaches who picked him up over the past fortnight was it happened at the start of the game and he scored just three points.
Speaking of back-rowers available at centre in Fantasy, an elevation to the starting side did nothing for Tyrell Fuimaono's scores. He scored just 25 points in 58 minutes and lost eight of those through demerits for a concerning 17 and probably can't be trusted in your 17 even if named to start again this week.
Injury also hit Manly prop Martin Taupau (10), though he's a hold with a dislocated thumb unlikely to keep him out long, while Val Holmes (20) is set to miss a game or two. As a non-keeper with a high break-even, it's probably time to move him on.
Another Cowboy, Scott Drinkwater (22), is no longer making money after a bright start and could be one to move on soon. Panther Jarome Luai (26) looms as a sell now that he is losing minutes (and possibly his spot) to teammate Matt Burton while senior half Nathan Cleary (35) missed eight tackles in his first game back.
Cory Paix (35) is still making money but has to contend with the signing of Issac Luke.
Lastly, and he's not in too many teams, but Esan Marsters owners had to contend with one of the lowest 80-minute scores in memory as the centre racked up seven missed tackles, two errors, two penalties and a sin bin on full-time for a final return of -5.
Get Caught Up: Round 5
Round 5 team of the week
- James Tedesco (111)
- Matt Dufty (77)
- Latrell Mitchell (74)
- Dane Gagai (68)
- Brett Morris (69)
- Jack Wighton (71)
- Shaun Johnson (72)
- Payne Haas (83)
- Cameron McInnes (89)
- Alex Twal (73)
- Angus Crichton (82)
- Ryan Matterson (75)
- Jason Taumalolo (74)
- Cameron Smith (84)
- Josh McGuire (71)
- Andrew McCullough (68)
- Kyle Flanagan (68)