There is a bargain to be had in the Broncos' back-row, while Reuben Garrick might be among the best WFB prospects for the run home.
Ahead of Round 18 we're looking at some of the burning questions facing Fantasy owners.
Broncos back-row bargains
With Jordan Riki set for a decent stint on the sidelines with a foot injury, there's a back-row opening at the Broncos which is going to be filled by a cheapie.
Brendan Piakura (EDG, $280k) is the frontrunner to keep a starting edge role and was called upon to replace Kurt Capewell (quad) in Round 17, having earlier featured in three other games this season. Demerits were a huge issue for him in his first 80 minute showing last week, with -12 points from five missed tackles and an error, contributing to a total score of just 31. If he can tidy that up, his base stats suggest that in big minutes he's a 40+ per week player, which would make him worth a trade in as a cash cow.
The other option to fill the longer-term void is Xavier Willison, who we have only a one-game sample of in which he scored 13 points in 18 minutes. At $240k he is cheaper than Piakura and covers MID as well as EDG, but he is likely viewed as being further down the pecking order once Capewell returns around Round 20.
Piakura scores his debut NRL try
I'll be backing Piakura to ditch some of the demerits and become a viable cash cow. Trade him in.
Is Reuben Garrick the real deal?
With Reece Walsh suspended and Joey Manu back in the centres, Reuben Garrick – with a guarantee from his coach that he's Manly's No.1 for the rest of the year – might just be one of the better WFB options around.
I've got Clinton Gutherson and Scott Drinkwater ahead of him for the time being, but there is an argument to be made for Garrick here.
Garrick piles on the points
While he is more likely to be a 50-point player than something like his 68 last week, the fact that he kicks goals (provided Manly don't repeat last week's attacking efforts too often) and has good base stats, shows he's not likely to let you down with a 20 like some other options.
At $671k he isn't cheap, but for those playing in head-to-head leagues he has the perfect bye schedule, with a week off in Round 19 when many leagues aren't playing, and then no more byes for the rest of the year.
Fantasy draft free agent of the week
Sailor saves it
Following confirmation on Tuesday night that Reece Walsh will be sidelined for three games through suspension, Tristan Sailor became suddenly Fantasy relevant. While his stint as the Broncos' fullback is probably too short to make him a viable trade in Classic, he's a really good WFB option for those with weaknesses in the position in Draft. In his sole appearance this year Sailor scored 42 while filling in for Walsh against the Warriors.