There are a couple of big inclusions on the Fantasy front for Round 3, while a handful of rookies present the opportunity to pick up a cash cow or two.
From John Bateman's (likely) much anticipated first run for the Wests Tigers, to Josh Schuster's return in the halves and the loss of a couple of popular HOK options, here is what you need to know from Tuesday's team list announcements.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 3
Sea Eagles v Eels, Thursday at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles: Josh Schuster, who was set to be a popular Fantasy player before a calf injury kept him out of Round 1, returns in the halves and at $469k, and with the ability to play EDG and HLF, could be a popular trade in this week. Daly Cherry-Evans ($889k) made a booming start to the year with an opening-round score of 93, and shapes as a good replacement for those wanting to get rid of Nathan Cleary while he is on the bye.
Eels: Forward pack money makers Bryce Cartwright, Matt Doorey and J'maine Hopgood all keep their starting spots, with Hopgood a strong captaincy option this week after back-to-back scores above 80. Those who punted on Josh Hodgson at HOK are yet to see a positive result and should be thinking about moving on from him in the next week or so, with his break even at 39 and season average 37.
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Knights v Dolphins, Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: No Kalyn Ponga (head knock) as expected, so Tyson Gamble gets another go at five-eighth after scoring 33 last week. Phoenix Crossland ($291k) gets a start at hooker with Jayden Brailey out due to a head knock. With Jacob Saifiti out suspended for five matches, $336k MID Jack Hetherington gets a start at prop, while there a couple of potential money makers among the new faces named.
Dolphins: Kodi Nikorima ($250k) has been handed the No.9 jersey following Jeremy Marshall-King's two-game suspension. While he hasn't been a good Fantasy player in recent times, that's been mostly as a half or bench player, and he's an interesting prospect at No.9 given how cheap he is. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who is available at CTR and WFB, will be a popular buy after averaging 52.5 over the first two rounds, while interchange forward Mark Nicholls is still a value get at $533k, averaging 61.5.
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Roosters v Rabbitohs, Friday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: The return of Victor Radley and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from injury are huge news for the Roosters, but not particularly relevant for Fantasy players, with neither being well owned or traditionally high scorers. WFB/CTR Joseph Suaali'i comes off a 60 last week, while captain James Tedesco ($707k) had 43 last up and had a couple of try-scoring chances go begging, meaning it easily could have been a score in the 60s.
Rabbitohs: After a head knock inside the opening minute which ended in a failed HIA, Tevita Tatola returns and his $575k price will likely drop after this week, with a break even of 71. After a brilliant 73 to start the year, HLF Lachlan Ilias crashed back to earth with a 26 last week. With Jai Arrow (hamstring) still out, Michael Chee-Kam, who costs just $338k, has a starting second row spot with a season average of 45.5.
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Titans v Storm, Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: Jojo Fifita is out and replaced by Brian Kelly ($450k), who starts at centre and moves Phillip Sami to the wing. Sam Verrills' shoulder is no good after he picked up a knock last week, so new signing Chris Randall comes in to start at hooker. Randall has been a Fantasy gun in the past when starting for the Knights, but at $618k is too expensive to consider given it's likely only his job for a week or two. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, the younger brother of captain Tino, is set to debut off the bench, while basement-priced forward Joseph Vuna is named on the interchange too.
Storm: CTR Justin Olam ($497k) returns from injury for his first appearance of the year. Eli Katoa, who is averaging 51 points per game, keeps his starting spot in the second row and should make plenty of cash this week with a break even of nine. $527k EDG Tariq Sims is named to make his club debut off the bench.
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Cowboys v Warriors, Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: A three-match suspension for Scott Drinkwater has opened the door for Tom Chester to get a run at fullback. He is priced at $230k and last year averaged what would have been 31.5 Fantasy points in Queensland's Hostplus Cup. Gehamat Shibasaki $319k replaces Peta Hiku at centre.
Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jackson Ford have both been left out after failing head injury assessments last weekend, which means Taine Tuaupiki will make his NRL debut at fullback. A try in each of the opening two rounds has helped Wayde Egan to be the third best HOK through the first fortnight, and at $652k he's still the seventh cheapest in the position.
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Broncos v Dragons, Saturday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: WFB Reece Walsh ($545) is the Fantasy player on everyone's mind in this team right now, after an impressive club debut last week saw him rack up 54 points. Elite MID Patrick Carrigan, who is averaging 64 this year, is named despite sickness keeping him from training at the start of the week.
Dragons: An unchanged lineup for the Red V after last week's win against the Titans. No Jack de Belin, who missed Round 2 with a calf complaint, means Toby Couchman is set for another run off the bench following a promising NRL debut which saw him score 20 Fantasy points in a 33-minute stint. HOK Jacob Liddle ($598k) was super impressive last week with a score of 66, which included scoring a try.
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Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground
Bulldogs: Interest in rookie EDG Jacob Preston after his score of 62 last week will only increase after he was named to start for the second week in a row. He has a break even of -12 and is set for a big price jump after Round 3. Jacob Kiraz had the highest score of Round 2, with a try-scoring double helping him to 90, and as it stands he's owned by just 1.5 percent of teams.
Wests Tigers: Plenty to get through here, with Daine Laurie (knee) gone and Charlie Staines at fullback, where he is likely to be more Fantasy relevant. But the big news from that move is Junior Tupou coming in on the wing. Tupou hit a 59 during the Pre-season Challenge, is listed as a CTR and costs just $319k. Tommy Talau is out after failing a HIA last weekend, so Starford To'a ($381k, CTR/WFB) starts in the centres. There's potential value in Asu Kepaoa ($440k) who starts in the second rower after scoring 48 last week and is listed as a CTR/WFB.
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Raiders v Sharks, Sunday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: The absence of Josh Papalii (calf) is good news for Pasami Saulo owners, with the $316k MID set for another start and a price rise, with a break even of zero. Popular CTR Harley Smith-Shields had 29 last week and should make some money over the next couple of weeks if he keeps his spot.
Sharks: A third week with no Nicho Hynes is good news for Braydon Trindall owners, with the HLF sitting on a -9 break even and set for another decent price hike this week. EDG Briton Nikora has started the year well and had 73 last week.
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