NRL Fantasy Winners and Losers: Round 18

In a round of strong performances, Joey Manu and Latrell Mitchell took all the headlines with their moments of individual brilliance steering the Roosters and Rabbitohs home to much-needed wins.

The other end of the scale was unfortunately dominated by injuries, with Ryan Papenhuyzen's season-ending knee injury capping off a horror weekend for many.

Round 18 Winners

Joseph Manu was the standout performer from the round with a massive 103-point score in the Roosters' drubbing of the Dragons. Shifting from centre to five-eighth, the Kiwi international was almost untouchable at times — locking in a massive $127k price rise as a result of his stunning individual performance.

It's worth noting, however, that Coach Trent Robinson confirmed that Luke Keary would return to the halves in Round 19, meaning Manu will shift back to the centres.

Latrell Mitchell was similarly dominant in the Rabbitohs' come-from-behind victory over the Bulldogs, taking over the second half to finish with 98 points — courtesy of a try, a try-save, four goals, three try assists, three offloads and 12 tackle busts.

Backing up from his Origin heroics, Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans produced a masterclass to steer his side home against the Knights, scoring 88 points, while teammate Reuben Garrick also continued his good form, scoring 83.

Adam Doueihi marked his return to the five-eighth role with 83 points in Wests Tigers' narrow defeat to Penrith — the Panthers getting home courtesy of a late try to James Fisher-Harris (74 points) in his 150th game and another rampaging effort from Viliame Kikau (74 points). Jackson Hastings, who moved from the halves to accomodate Doueihi's return, scored well in his new role at lock with 73 points.

Broncos young gun Zac Hosking enjoyed another $40k price rise with 71 points against the Titans — which could have been even more had he not been disallowed a try — while Titans duo Erin Clark (76 points) and Toby Sexton (67 points) both performed well despite their team going down to their Queensland rivals.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona (69 points) and Cameron Munster (76 points) were also strong in a losing side; Canberra getting the job done in an upset win over Melbourne despite no player scoring more than 54 points (Adam Elliott).  

Round 18 Losers

Ryan Papenhuyzen's season is over after picking up a knee injury in the Storm's loss to Canberra — a huge blow for the 20.57 percent of coaches who own.

There were also a number of other injury concerns from the weekend; the Roosters lost Sitili Tupouniua (22 points) and Billy Smith (8 points) to serious knee injuries and Siosiua Taukeiaho (9 points) to a fractured cheekbone while Josh Addo-Carr (37 points), Moses Suli (11 points) and Edrick Lee (31 points) also picked up injuries.

Dane Gagai's tough run of club form continued in the Knights' loss to Manly with another sub 20-point score while Will Penisini (18 points), Reece Walsh (24 points), Clint Gutherson (25 points) and Nat Butcher (21 points) didn't quite hit the heights that owners would have expected from the highly-owned players.

Round 18 Team of the Week

1. Latrell Mitchell (98 points)
2. Adam Doueihi (83 points)
3. Joseph Manu (103 points)
4. Zac Lomax (67 points)
5. Reuben Garrick (79 points)
6. Cameron Munster (76 points)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (88 points)
8. Tevita Tatola (82 points)
9. Erin Clark (76 points)
10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (69 points)
11. Viliame Kikau (74 points)
12. Zac Hosking (71 points)
13. Tohu Harris (65 points)
14. Jackson Hastings (73 points)
15. Sam Walker (68 points)
16. Jason Saab (66 points)
17. Moeaki Fotuaika (65 points)