Crucial Fantasy calls to make: Round 16

The second of the three big bye rounds brings a new challenge for owners this week, but there are some excellent trade ins available this week at reduced prices. 

• NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 16

We're looking over the best green dots by position this week and highlighting a draft free agent who you should be looking to snap up ahead of his injury return. 

A reminder that a rule change for 2023 means that in Rounds 13, 16 and 19 only your starting 13 players score points (rather than the usual 17 players). 

Best cover options by position

If you've got a Fantasy gun on a bye this week and need to make a trade, these are the best options by position who play in Round 16. 

WFB: Kalyn Ponga ($500k)

Heavily involved in the attack last week on his way to a score of 71 and should be again this week against a Roosters side who will present plenty of chances for line breaks, tries and try assists. There more options that are probably safer, but Ponga has the highest ceiling. 

CTR: Joey Manu ($586k)

His move to fullback this week makes him one of Round 16's top prospects and a genuine captaincy option too. In his last four games in the position he's averaged 67.7 points.

HLF: Nicho Hynes ($963k)

Expect a player eager to make a statement after being left out of the NSW squad for Origin II. Even last week when his team was thrashed, Hynes managed a 62 and he's hit under 60 just once this year. A safe as houses pick. 

MID: J'maine Hopgood ($776k)

Had his first score under 60 in a month last week, but that came with a drop in minutes which shouldn't happen this week in the absence of Junior Paulo and with Ryan Matterson in the halves. Has been hitting big scores from mostly base stats and has a high ceiling if he can get the offloads going.  

HOK: Jake Turpin ($433k)

Fielding a HOK this week is a nightmare, with the six top players by average in that position out of action. Having scored 64 purely off tackles last week, there is no reason to think Turpin can’t score in the 50s this week, even if he does lose some minutes to Drew Hutchison. He is also very cheap and stands to make some good cash in coming weeks. 

EDG: John Bateman ($768k)

Has a brilliant last three game average of 71.7 points as an edge player and this week moves to the middle where he could have even more involvement. Should play 80 minutes again and plenty of play will go through him with the Wests Tigers missing two key spine members.

Fantasy draft free agent of the week

Sean O'Sullivan could return as soon as next week from a long layoff with a pectoral injury and he's a HLF with plenty to offer in draft. Outside of the game he was injured in, the Dolphins playmaker didn't have a score under 40 this year.

Even if he doesn't return until Round 18 or 19, he's worth picking up this week before someone else does.