It's looking like a good week for Fantasy owners with a couple of key injury returns and mostly good news on players involved in Origin, for the time being at least.
Take a look over all of the Fantasy-relevant news from a packed Team List Tuesday.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 17
Dragons v Warriors, Friday at WIN Stadium
Dragons: Popular MID Jack de Belin is back after suffering a head knock in Round 15, while there is good news for those who held onto Jack Bird as the EDG/CTR returns to action following a few weeks of being rested. Money makers Jacob Liddle and Jayden Sullivan keep their roles at hooker and five-eighth respectively.
Warriors: Luke Metcalf's spot in the halves is safe for at least another week, with no sign of Te Maire Martin yet as he works his way back from a broken leg. CTR Ali Leiataua isn't a cash cow for the time being, with a hamstring injury making him unavailable and Rocco Berry, who returns from concussion, taking his spot at centre. Dylan Walker is back on the bench for the first time since Round 11 after overcoming a toe injury.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Dolphins v Eels, Saturday at Sunshine Coast Stadium
Dolphins: There is good and bad news relating to CTR prospects, with Valynce Te Whare, who is owned by 18 percent of teams, getting a start in place of the injured Brenko Lee, while the equally popular Connelly Lemuelu drops out of the starting side to the bench. New winger Brayden McGrady will be added to Fantasy ahead of his NRL debut, and is an intriguing player who has 10 tries in 11 games this year in reserve grade. But there is little job security for him while Tesi Niu and Robert Jennings are in the frame. Sean O'Sullivan is in the reserves and could come into the side at the expense of Isaiya Katoa or Kodi Nikorima.
Eels: Still no sign of Josh Hodgson, which is great news for owners of Brendan Hands, with the $308k HOK set to make some good money in coming weeks, and he is producing scores which make him playable in your 17 in the meantime. Ryan Matterson goes back to being a bench forward after hitting 44 as a five-eighth last week. Parra's top Fantasy player, Mitch Moses, is named to back up from Origin II and has a brilliant last three game average of 75.7.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Panthers v Knights, Saturday at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers: The Zac Hosking train was being gradually vacated in recent weeks anyway and now it's derailed completely, with the $629k EDG out of the 17 and listed as 18th man. The player who has taken his job, Liam Martin, could be decent value at $504k, while those who took a punt on Scott Sorensen will be delighted to see him keep a starting edge job. Jack Cogger went off last week with a 74 and is now set to make some good money, but expect his scoring to drop off with the return of Jarome Luai.
Knights: High-performing WFB Greg Marzhew is back after being stood down last week for failing to meet team standards. Despite Tyson Frizell returning, cheapie Dylan Lucas (CTR, $303k) retains his starting back row spot after hitting 60 last week, with Lachlan Fitzgibbon (concussion) out. On the back of consecutive scores of 71, Kalyn Ponga has now shot up to be owned by 22 percent of all teams.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Storm v Sea Eagles, Saturday at AAMI Park
Storm: Melbourne's most popular Fantasy player, Harry Grant, is named to back up, but owners should be wary after he managed only 39 on the back of Origin I (albeit in a thrashing at the hands of the Cowboys). Fellow Maroons Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates are also named, while Justin Olam returns in the centres. Bad news if you made the decision to hold Eliesa Katoa following his eye injury in Round 15, with the EDG not named again this week.
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic being named in the reserves doesn't bode well for his chances of backing up, considering Daly Cherry-Evans has been named to play despite his involvement in Origin. Reuben Garrick's move to the centres looks likely to be a negative from a Fantasy point of view, but he's worth holding for another week given his side were well beaten last up. That positional move has made Christian Tuipulotu a possible pick up though, with the winger scoring 54 last week. Samuela Fainu's short stint as a cash cow might be over after he was left out of the 17.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Broncos v Titans, Sunday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Brendan Piakura (EDG, $255k) has been handed the starting back-row role made vacant by Kurt Capewell's quad injury, and with the veteran not due back until Round 20 he should he a couple of games there before the club's Round 19 bye. With a four day turnaround after Origin II, and their game also being played in Brisbane, all four of the Broncos Origin players will be a good chance of backing up.
Titans: David Fifita is named to return provided he gets through Origin II, which is good news for the nine percent who own him and bad news for those who have Klese Haas, with the rookie dropping back to the bench after hitting 58 in Round 15. The return of Kieran Foran means Jayden Campbell's scores will likely drop off with his move back to being the bench utility. At this stage all of the Origin contingent will play.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Rabbitohs v Cowboys, Sunday at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs: Cody Walker returns to the halves after missing Round 15 with a quad strain, but there is still no sign of Latrell Mitchell as he continues to battle the calf injury which has seen him sidelined since Round 12. That means another game at fullback for Blake Taafe, who should make some cash this week with his break even at -3. Jed Cartwright (EDG/CTR, $221k) could get some attention this week after being named to start in the back row.
Cowboys: The big talking point is possible cash cow Kulikefu Finefeuiaki's promotion to the starting side after he scored 45 off the interchange last week. But before you go and grab him it's worth remembering that if Jeremiah Nanai emerges unscathed from Origin the rookie he may make a late switch to the bench. Speaking of the Origin group, Reece Robson is probably the safest bet to back up and play big minutes given he'll share the dummy-half role with Damien Cook for the Blues.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Roosters v Raiders, Sunday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: It's potentially bad news for the nearly 20 percent of teams who have Joey Manu, with the Kiwi moving back to the centres after a long stretch of strong scoring as a five-eighth and last week's monster 99 at fullback. But he's a definite hold while we see if/how much his scoring will be negatively impacted. The Roosters' next most popular player, James Tedesco, is named to back up, while CTR Billy Smith has kept his spot. Rookie HLF Sandon Smith ($223k) now has some serious cash cow potential after retaining the No.7 jersey on the back of a 41 last week.
Raiders: Hudson Young is named to back up from NSW duty, but his scores have dropped off since Round 12 which will be a concern for his owners. Corey Horsburgh ($759k) remains among the best MID prospects available right now.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com