Who to grab as replacements for Trell and Nicho?

Confirmation this week of long-term injury layoffs for both Fantasy's fourth most-owned player and fourth best player by form means a majority of coaches are facing must-make trades ahead of Round 19.

Nicho Hynes' ankle injury picked up at training will likely end his regular season involvement and will impact over 71,000 coaches all up, while Latrell Mitchell's foot injury, which will sideline him for 4-6 weeks, comes as a huge blow given his current form which had him averaging 76 points across his last three games. 

For Hynes owners it forces a move many will have been pondering anyway this week, with last year's overall top scorer struggling in recent times and without a score over 60 in his past four appearances.

Mitchell is a different story though, with the $841k WFB on fire and having become a genuine captaincy option.

This week we're looking over the best HLF and WFB options to replace either or both of the wounded duo, with the options split into two categories which depend on whether you are playing for overall points or are in head-to-head leagues with a bye this week.

Best options who play in Round 19

Jayden Campbell (WFB, $632k)

Right now he's only a direct replacement for Mitchell, but provided he keeps being named at five-eighth he's a chance of gaining DPP status as a HLF as well after Round 23.

In the three games Campbell got between injuries (Round 14-16) he was exceptional, averaging 69 points and racking up a stack of attacking metrics. Granted a 66-6 thrashing of the Warriors was included in that and has artificially lifted his average, but even on a normal day Campbell is good for a score in the 50s, especially if he keeps the goalkicking duties.

All of this depends on Campbell keeping a starting role, which looks likely after he was named in the halves this week with AJ Brimson left to be 18th man for Saturday's clash with the Eels.

Max Plath (HLF/MID, $673k)

It's almost always good news when you have a HLF-eligible player that actually plays big minutes as a middle forward, and Plath has an excellent 2024 Fantasy record.

The workaholic Dolphin has a last five game average of 55.4 and has scored under 50 just once in that period. He's also achieved it almost completely from base stats, with a try and line break (both in Round 15) the only dynamic metrics he has during that period. 

The Dolphins have had all their byes now so Plath should play every game from here, which leaves his move from lock to hooker this week as the only possible downside. But he's likely to play the same type of minutes and have a similar defensive output in that role anyway, with the drop off in running metres likely to be canceled out by more try assists.

Greg Marzhew (WFB, $515k)

An option from way out of left field. Marzhew is a huge gamble, but one probably worth taking for those who are either short on cash or want to replace Mitchell and store up some money for a future trade.

At $515k Marzhew is the cheapest player by far on this list and if you look only at his season average then you'll quickly be put off. But after failing to score over 50 prior to Round 17, he's scored 55 and 65 the past two weeks and now has his edge's key attacking weapon, Kalyn Ponga back playing.

He's easily the riskiest player listed and there's a decent chance a move for him flops, but if it doesn't, you've saved over $100k in cash and got yourself a 50-point WFB for the run home. 

Best options who don't play in Round 19

Nathan Cleary (HLF, $860k)

Set to return in Round 20 from a long layoff with a hamstring injury, Cleary will likely become an immediate elite HLF option once again after averaging 58.5 across his four 80-minute games this year.

From here the Panthers play just two current top eight sides (Dolphins and Storm) and are well positioned to win most of their remaining games and potentially rack up some scores along the way, which bodes well for Cleary as their primary playmaker and goalkicker.

Cleary's high floor makes him a better option than someone like Mitchell Moses, who is playing in a struggling team and has three scores under 40 in eight appearances this year. 

James Tedesco (WFB, $823k)

One of the two WFBs who is actually outperforming Mitchell on recent form. While the Roosters continue to be one of the form teams in the competition it's almost a given that Tedesco will continue to rack up line breaks, try assists and four-pointers of his own.

With a 78.7 L3 average, Tedesco is the second-best player in Fantasy right now and a leading captaincy option who can be relied on thanks to a large portion of his points coming from metres gained and tackle breaks, while he was a fairly low demerit count too.

The Tricolours' skipper is an excellent option and the best high-ceiling WFB now Mitchell is gone. But if you're bringing him you'll need to allow for the fact that the Roosters have a bye to come in Round 23 and have three games coming up against top eight sides where attacking stats will probably drop off a bit. 

Jahrome Hughes (HLF, $788k)

The form HLF in Fantasy right now in what is a career-best season for the Kiwi international, whose headgear seems to be in the frame whenever the Storm do something good in attack.

He's setting tries up at a consistently high rate and getting a bunch of handy add-on stats thanks to his running game and ability to shake out of tackles. 

While the return of Cameron Munster in Round 22 is a concern and will see Hughes lose some stats, Melbourne are flying right now and won't want to tinker too much with a winning formula, so Hughes is unlikely to go wanting when it comes to opportunities on the ball.