Last week's heavy injury toll across the competition means there are some new faces to consider in Fantasy this week, while a couple of popular players are named to make their return to the field as well.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 24
Broncos v Eels, Thursday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Kurt Capewell has been named and is expected to play after rolling his ankle in round 23. Should he fail to recover in time, impressive rookie Zac Hosking ($346k), who averaged 63 points across his two games earlier this season, is on standby. Brenko Lee ($392k) is back from his hamstring injury, which means Delouise Hoeter drops out of the team.
Eels: Jake Arthur ($292k) replaces Bryce Cartwright on the interchange. Bailey Simonsson is listed among the reserves, with coach Brad Arthur set to stick with a settled line-up after last week's big win over the Bulldogs.
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Panthers v Warriors, Friday at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers: A couple of big ins for the minor premiers, with Jarome Luai ($501k) back a week earlier than expected from his knee injury and James Fisher-Harris ($640k), who has averaged 47 across his last five games, returning from a two-game suspension. Api Koroisau is named to start after scoring 50 off the bench last week.
Warriors: Daejarn Asi has been dropped in favour of Chanel Harris-Tavita ($329k), who returns from a knee injury in the No.6 jersey. Popular Fantasy CTR option Euan Aitken will miss the game for personal reasons. Ben Murdoch-Masila is a chance of making his return from an elbow injury after being included in the reserves. Viliami Vailea ($300k) keeps a spot in the centres after scoring 31 in a well beaten side last week.
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Storm v Roosters, Friday at AAMI Park
Storm: Felise Kaufusi ($580k) is back after time away on personal leave following the death of his father. Tui Kamikamica (back) and Xavier Coates (head knock) are named to play after being injured last week. Brandon Smith ($619k) starts at lock once again and has averaged 59.2 points across his last five games.
Roosters: The prospect of James Tedesco being rested last week dominated the Fantasy conversation, but the good news is the Tricolours' skipper is named to take on the Storm this week. Lindsay Collins (concussion) and Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) return from injury via the interchange. Paul Momirovski ($418k) returns after missing round 23.
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Raiders v Sea Eagles, Saturday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: After scoring 46 last week as the starting hooker, Tom Starling ($426k) is named to come off the bench with Zac Woolford starting. Joseph Tapine scored 51 points in his return from a rib injury last week, and with a break even of 77 is set to drop a bit in price after this weekend.
Sea Eagles: Tolutau Koula looks to have the No.1 jersey locked down for the final two games of Manly's season, having scored 49 there last week. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega is named to make his NRL debut on the wing and is a powerful player with tackle-break potential who scored three tries in an NRL pre-season game earlier this year.
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Sharks v Bulldogs, Saturday at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks: Lachlan Miller ($410k) keeps the No.1 jersey, with no sign of rookie Kade Dykes who missed last week through injury. Miller has been a good Fantasy player in his limited NRL opportunities this year and last week scored 48 points. Teig Wilton ($407k) returns to the interchange after missing round 23.
Bulldogs: After scoring 38 and 35 in his first two NRL games, rookie Harrison Edwards ($284k) crashed back to earth with a score of 9 last week and will come off the bench. Starting prop Max King was the only Bulldog to hit a score over 50 last week.
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Rabbitohs v Cowboys, Saturday at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs: Cheapie Izaac Thompson ($929k) is back on the wing at the expense of Jaxson Paulo, having averaged 40.5 across his two NRL games in rounds 21 and 22. Rookie Daniel Suluka-Fifita drops back out of the squad with Hame Sele ($318k) starting at prop.
Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater moves from fullback to five-eighth to replace Tom Dearden, who is recovering from surgery after rupturing his testicle in round 23. That means Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($269k) starts at fullback. Reuben Cotter ($698k) is named to start at prop, but was switched to the bench just before kick off last week.
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Wests Tigers v Dragons, Sunday at CommBank Stadium
Wests Tigers: Jake Simpkin ($396k) starts at hooker in his first NRL appearance since round 18. That sees Fa'amanu Brown move to lock, with Joe Ofahengaue at prop to replace the suspended James Tamou. Tom Freebairn, who has averaged 30 points in his three games this year, starts in the second row and is available for $290k. Cheapie Junior Pauga ($226k) replaces the injured Ken Maumalo on the wing.
Dragons: After scoring 45 last week, Jayden Sullivan ($346k) gets a start at hooker, replacing Andrew McCullough who is out with a knee injury. After appearing to have nailed down a starting spot at lock in the last couple of weeks, where he had consecutive scores of 62 and 81, Jack Bird is required back in the centres to replace Moses Mbye.
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Titans v Knights, Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: Sam McIntyre ($315k) remains the starting hooker but only scored 23 in the role last week. Brian Kelly returns in the centres after missing round 23. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (75), Beau Fermor (67) and David Fifita (71) are all good to go after recording big scores last week.
Knights: After aggravating an existing rib injury in the warm up last week and pulling out of the squad, Tyson Frizell is named to start. Daniel Saifiti also returns from COVID-19. Krystian Mapapalangi ($243k) has retained his spot at centre after scoring 39 on debut last week. Captain Jayden Brailey hit his best score of the year last week (72) and is owned by less than one percent of all Fantasy teams.
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