All of the relevant team news from a NRL Fantasy perspective for Round 18 of the 2023 Telstra Premiership season.

NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 18

Sharks v Dragons, Thursday at PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: Nicho Hynes shapes as a good captaincy option this week against a Dragons side who have leaked 78 points in their last two games. Outside of their star HLF, there aren't many Fantasy-relevant players in the Cronulla outfit right now, with EDG Briton Nikora their next best and averaging 55.8 points per game. 

Dragons: Moses Suli (head knock) is out, as is popular CTR option Jack Bird. Bird is a definite sell now for the 7 percent who still have him, with his recent injury troubles and now a Round 18 no-show making him a liability for owners. Tautau Moga gets a go in the centres after averaging 59 across his prior two games this year, in which he scored five tries. Ben Murdoch-Masila could be set for another price rise after earning a starting back-row spot again. 

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Warriors v Rabbitohs, Friday at Go Media Stadium

Warriors: Just one change from the squad who beat the Dragons last week, with Marata Niukore gone through suspension and Mitch Barnett returning from suspension. Shaun Johnson has been Fantasy's top player over the past few weeks, with a commanding 80-point average through his last three games. Josh Curran moves into a starting edge role in the absence of Niukore. 

Rabbitohs: With Jacob Host out suspended, Michael Chee-Kam (EDG, $442k) gets another start in the second row. News that Latrell Mitchell isn't expected back until Round 21 means the fullback spot is Blake Taafe's for the immediate future and he has cash to make still, despite him hardly setting the world on fire from a Fantasy perspective, with an average of 21.7 per game.  

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Storm v Panthers, Friday at Marvel Stadium 

Storm: Cameron Munster returns after being rested last week, but there's still no sign of popular EDG Eliesa Katoa (eye), and if you moved off him after his injury a few weeks back then you definitely made the right call. For those who still have him, you may as well hold him until after next week's bye now. Tui Kamikamica (MID, $518k) returns from a calf injury on the bench and averages 44 in his last three appearances. 

Panthers: If you haven't already sold Zac Hosking then it's time to this week, with the EDG no longer part of the first-choice pack at the Panthers and listed as 18th man. Jack Cogger ($537k) is on fire in the halves and has consecutive scores of 74 and 70, but unless you are only after a very short-term fix it's probably too late for him to be a valuable trade. The return of Stephen Crichton means there is no room for Tyrone Peachey, who had been in good Fantasy form of late. 

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Raiders v Titans, Saturday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Corey Horsburgh reached new heights in his dazzling 2023 season with a 86-point performance last week, achieved in just 69 minutes on the field. At $794k he's still underpriced too. With Josh Papali'i set to miss a couple of weeks after suffering a minor hamstring strain in Round 17, Pasami Saulo could be set for an elevated role and is named to start this week. 

Titans: MID Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, who has an impressive 72.7-point average over his past three games, returns after being rested last week. The money making prospects of Klese Haas are on hold for the time being, with the youngster having slipped down the pecking order, but he's well worth holding with a -7 break even and cash still to be made at some stage. 

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Cowboys v Wests Tigers, Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo is listed as 18th man for the time being as he works back from a hamstring complaint. Scott Drinkwater is in great form and among the best WFBs around right now. Coach Todd Payten hinted at the prospect of reduced minutes for his Origin players in coming weeks. 

Wests Tigers: Daine Laurie is the new five-eighth and there could be valuable in him in coming weeks, with his break even at 56 and his price likely to drop into the 400k area. Tallyn Da Silva keeps a bench spot after scoring 23 on debut in Round 16. John Bateman comes off his lowest score since Round 11 (a 53), but remains a really consistent EDG option who plays middle for his club. 

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Broncos v Dolphins, Saturday at The Gabba

Broncos: Reece Walsh's suspension has some big ramifications for owners. Tristan Sailor is included in the reserves and would be the logical replacement at the back if needed. With Jordan Riki facing a stint on the sidelines through injury, Brendan Piakura (EDG, $280k) and Xavier Willison (MID/EDG, $240k) start in the back row, with one of them shaping as a good buy given they'll likely keep that role for a number of weeks, even when Kurt Capewell returns from injury. 

Dolphins: Both of the potential cash cows who debuted last week, Brayden McGrady and Harrison Graham, have dropped out of the squad, with Tesi Niu and Jeremy Marshall-King back. Sean O'Sullivan's return to the No.7 jersey means Kodi Nikorima goes back to the bench. The mid-season resurgence of Ray Stone continues, with the MID named to start at lock again and a good chance of jumping into the $500k bracket after Round 18. 

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Bulldogs v Knights, Sunday at Accor Stadium

Bulldogs: After enduring a tough game in Round 16, cash cow Karl Oloapu is gone, with Khaled Rajab the new five-eighth. Rajab, who is available at $220k and is listed as a HLF/WFB, has been nothing flash from a Fantasy point of view in limited minute appearances so far, but is one to watch. Rookie Harrison Edwards, who averages 40.2 points per game, is back from concussion on the bench.  

Knights: The return of Lachlan Fitzgibbon bumps Dylan Lucas out of the squad, after he went on a nice little three-game run which saw him climb $132k in value. Kalyn Ponga ruined what could have been a decent score last week with eight missed tackles (amounting to -16 in demerits) but is a definite hold. 

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Sea Eagles v Roosters, Sunday at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: Having been assured of having the No.1 jersey for the rest of the year, and with the added bonus of handling the goalkicking for Manly, Reuben Garrick is a great WFB prospect. With a break even of 38 and priced at $671k he's probably someone you need to move on this week if you're going to. Jake Trbojevic returns at lock and prior to his recent injury had averaged 49.6 per game, putting him right on the cusp of keeper territory for a MID. 

Roosters: Cash cow Sandon Smith ($272k) keeps the job at halfback and following his 50 last week has a break even of -10. The Roosters' other big money maker, HOK Jake Turpin, is set to shake off a rib injury which ended his game last week and is named to start. Nathan Brown (MID, $437k) gets a start at lock and Victor Radley shifts out to the edge alongside Naufahu Whyte, with Angus Crichton out with a knee injury. Egan Butcher won't play after failing a HIA last week and being diagnosed with concussion. 

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