Crucial Fantasy calls to make: Round 19

It's slim pickings in a couple of positions this week as Fantasy owners navigate the last of the full Origin rounds. 

• NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 19

Ahead of Round 19 we look over the best players available this week in each position and pick the standout free agent likely to be floating around in your Draft league. 

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 19

WFB: Ronaldo Mulitalo ($542k)

With 17 of the top 20 players by average in this position not playing this week, you have to think way outside the box to find a good WFB in Round 19. The pick for me is real smokie in the shape of Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo. He's playing the last-placed Wests Tigers – who had the Cowboys wingers score 66 and 70 against them last week – and historically Mulitalo done well against them, with a last three game average of 58. I'm backing him to grab a couple of tries and line breaks and run up a big score on Thursday night. 

CTR: Matthew Timoko ($512k)

Reliable rather than remarkable over the past month, with four straight scores in the 40s. But similar to Mulitalo, he's playing a team who are really struggling at the moment, and recently the Dragons' edge defence has given us plenty of reason to believe opposing players can rack up big Fantasy scores on them. 

HLF: Nicho Hynes ($989k)

Hynes being overlooked for Game Two and Three of the Origin series has been a blessing for Fantasy coaches, with the Sharks having a great bye schedule for overall players and those with head-to-head leagues that play over bye rounds. Not much thought needed for this selection, with the Cronulla No.7 the best player in Fantasy, who this week comes up against the competition's worst side. He is who you should be captaining too. 

MID: Jack de Belin ($799k)

Simply on fire this year and without a score under 60 when he plays 80 minutes, which he does more often than not. JDB has scored 111 points from tackles alone in his past two games, which has ensured he's scored well despite not going over 100 metres in yardage and not having any dynamic stats. If you don't have Hynes he is a strong captaincy option as well. 

HOK: Tanah Boyd ($649k)

If the last time they met is anything to go by, the Titans v Dolphins game could be high scoring, which is good news for Tanah Boyd who will play halfback for the Gold Coast. Has the added benefit of handling the goal kicking and has good base stats which give him a decent floor. With question marks surround Jeremy Marshall-King's fitness and the other big gun HOKs out, Boyd is our boy in Round 19. 

EDG: J'maine Hopgood ($812k)

Named to play despite being in the wider squad for the Maroons, Hopgood's presence on the team list for the Eels is a huge boost for the club and his Fantasy owners alike. Assuming there is no agreement with Queensland coach around a minute limit, Hopgood is a really safe option who has just one score under 60 in his last six games. 

Fantasy draft free agent of the week

It's Toby Sexton time! The forgotten man at the Titans after a monster 72 points in his sole game this year, next to nobody had Sexton in their Draft squad prior to this week because he was a mile down the pecking order at the Titans. But his mid-week transfer to the Bulldogs changes all that. He's been included in the side for Round 19 and is a good chance of keeping his spot for the remainder of the year. A really good Fantasy player on his day, owners should grab him ASAP.