After two rounds the selection axe has fallen at a couple of clubs, creating both issues and opportunities for Fantasy coaches ahead of week three.
Here's everything you need to know about the Round 3 NRL Telstra Premiership team lists from a Fantasy point of view.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 3
Panthers v Broncos, Thursday at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers: With James Fisher-Harris sidelined, $341k MID Liam Henry could take on a bigger role this week and he looks a safe bet to crush his break even of 19. Izack Tago comes off a dream outing for Fantasy owners in which he earned a ridiculous 42 Fantasy points from line breaks and tackle breaks alone. Nathan Cleary has been underwhelming so far with two scores in the 50s, but he's projected to reach 80 this week against a Broncos side he historically registers good scores against.
Broncos: Payne Haas is named to start despite battling an injury concern, but those who own him would be wise to keep an eye on NRL.com Late Mail closer to Thursday night. If Haas doesn't play it will likely mean a first run of the season for MID/EDG Xavier Willison who sits in a whopping 32 percent of all Fantasy teams. Jock Madden gets a run in the halves in the absence of Adam Reynolds (knee),
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Warriors v Raiders, Friday at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Warriors: it's a big week for Shaun Johnson owners, following a second-straight week with no try assists, line break assists or line breaks for the veteran, which saw him score just 26. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck showed signs of Fantasy improvement with a more active attacking game and 49 points, but without the huge metres he gets at fullback he's not the same prospect. Wayde Egan will attempt to go again after withdrawing due to an elbow injury last week.
Raiders: The Zac Hosking dream is over, well kind of. The return of Elliott Whitehead from injury bumps the EDG back to the bench after consecutive scores of 69 and 93. He's a definite hold if you have him, with a couple of price rises still to come after he jumped $81k in value through the first fortnight. A 44 last week has given Ethan Strange a break even of 2, while HOK Danny Levi has more money to make and has retained the No.9 jersey.
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Roosters v Rabbitohs, Friday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: A blow for the 29 percent who own Siua Wong, with the EDG dropped from the squad completely. Nat Butcher comes into the starting side, but with so much competition for back-row spots at the Roosters he's probably a stay away, despite a great track record in Fantasy. Angus Crichton returns on the bench for what will be his first NRL game of 2024. Sandon Smith (HLF, $332k) starts in the absence of Luke Keary (concussion). There's still time to jump on the Terrell May ($574k) train, with the powerhouse prop playing big minutes and hitting elite MID scores.
Rabbitohs: Having now served his suspension, Jack Wighton (HLF, $532k) will have his first outing in Rabbitohs colours and he bumps Richie Kennar out of the team. The naming of Jacob Host in the second row should mean Cameron Murray goes back to playing as a middle this week after he was required on the edge and scored 52 in Round 2. Dean Hawkins replaces Lachlan Ilias at halfback.
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Bulldogs v Titans, Saturday at Belmore Sports Ground
Bulldogs: Liam Knight comes in to replace cheapie MID Poasa Faamausili who is out with concussion. Kurt Mann (MID, $497k) is scoring well in excess of his price tag to start the year, with a per round average of 51 points. Money makers Jaeman Salmon and Sam Hughes should keep going in the right direction this week thanks to manageable break evens.
Titans: Images of Fantasy favourites Jayden Campbell and David Fifita taking part in training last week ignited hopes the pair could return in Round 3, but they've been left out again which means another run in the starting side for cheapies Keano Kini (WFB, $277k) and Kleese Haas (EDG, $440k). The return of Kieran Foran sees Tom Weaver drop back out of the squad.
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Dragons v Cowboys, Saturday at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons: Basement-price HLF Jesse Marschke gets a run at hooker with Jacob Liddle out, but there's not much of a roadmap to him getting game time moving forward. A one-match ban for Francis Molo signals great news for Tom Eisenhuth owners, with the $488k EDG back at lock to cover for Jack de Belin, who will start at prop. Luciano Leilua starts in the second row after hitting 38 in a 50-minute stint last week and at $603k could be a value pick up if he becomes an 80-minute player in coming weeks.
Cowboys: Happy days for owners of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki with the dynamic back-rower named to start in place of Heilum Luki. On the back of a 38 last week in 55 minutes, he looks a definite cash cow now at $293k, with the potential to string together plenty of games in a row now that Luki is laid up with an ankle injury. Scott Drinkwater has so far failed to live up to his 2023 form and with a break even of 58 this week he is a good chance of dropping in price again after Round 3.
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Wests Tigers v Sharks, Saturday at Leichhardt Oval
Wests Tigers: Cash cow HLF Lachlan Galvin keeps his place at five-eighth and is pretty much a must have in terms of likely money makes, with the only real concern this week being the presence of Aidan Sezer in the run-on side and how many, if any, points that might take away from the rookie. A try last week has set Samuela Fainu (MID/EDG, $379k) up with a break even of six and his numbers from last week, minus his dynamic stats, suggest he could be a high 30s-low 40s scorer going forward. The absence of Star To'a (ankle) means rookie CTR Solomona Faataape retains his spot after registering a modest 15 on debut.
Sharks: The return of Braden Hamlin-Uele and Royce Hunt from illness gives the Sharks a huge injection of experience in the middle of the park, which could have an impact on the minutes and score for Cameron McInnes. Nicho Hynes bounced back in style last week, with his improved defence contributing to a score of 77.
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Eels v Sea Eagles, Sunday at CommBank Stadium
Eels: Joey Lussick's prospects as a cut-price keeper at HOK just got even better, with Brendan Hands left off the bench in favour of Luca Moretti, which means $514k-Lussick is likely to play the full 80 minutes. If you haven't got Mitch Moses yet then hold off for a couple more weeks, with his price set to drop further due to a break even of 71.
Sea Eagles: The likely loss of another winger, with Tommy Talau hurt last week but included in the reserves, means $342k WFB Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega gets a chance. Haumole Olakau'atu continues to be among the highest-ceiling EDG prospects in the game and last week he could have easily had two tries to his name to add to an already decent score of 54. Josh Schuster has not been included in the 22-man squad after making his return to action in the NSW Cup last week.
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Knights v Storm, Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: There's a new halfback in town with Jack Cogger taking over from Jackson Hastings, who has been dropped to the wider reserves. Cogger had some good Fantasy performances when he started last year, but at $571k he's awkwardly priced. Jayden Brailey is named to make his return from a hamstring injury on the bench, which means he's unlikely to reach his break even of 41 and should get cheaper in coming weeks. Greg Marzhew misses Round 3 due to a wrist issue.
Storm: With Cameron Munster still injured and Jahrome Hughes suspended, it'll be left to Jonah Pezet and Tyran Wishart to guide the team around the park. In theory that should mean even more involvement for Ryan Papenhuyzen (WFB, $420k), but it might not be good news for Storm outside backs in Fantasy. A 35 last week means Joe Chan continues to make steady cash and has a break even of 7 this week.
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