NRL Fantasy by the numbers: Round 19

In the absence of most of the Fantasy big guns, it was cut-price talent which rose to the top in Round 19, with WFBs once again featuring prominently at the top end of the scoring. 

Elsewhere Braydon Trindall showed he might have more in common with Nicho Hynes than simply sharing the Cronulla No.7 jumper, with a brilliant outing that could make him a key trade target going forward. 

NRL Fantasy by the numbers: Round 19

Next man up proves worthy Fantasy replacement

Those seeking a HLF replacement for the injured Nicho Hynes need not have looked too far, with his teammate Braydon Trindall starring in his new role as chief playmaker at the Sharks. 

While he won't be putting 58 on the Wests Tigers every week, there was plenty to like about Trindall's 73-point haul, including the fact that he handled goalkicking and commanded most of the opportunities in good-ball situations. 

He's on a bye in Round 20 but looks a solid pick up after that and will be available at a fairly modest $507k, with a good roadmap to being a consistent high 40s or low 50s scorer. 

Cheapies dominate 

You don't always get what you pay for in Fantasy and in Round 19 it was players under the $500k mark who stole the show. 

Led by rookie WFB Lehi Hopoate's 81, four of the top five scorers were priced in the $400k range (Braydon Trindall has now jumped to $507k following lockout), with Ronaldo Mulitalo (78) and Christian Tuipulotu (72) the other standouts. 

In the absence of plenty of elite Fantasy talent who were on a bye or out on Origin duty, you had to go all the way back to the tenth-ranked scorer last week, Keaon Koloamatangi, to find a player priced in the $700k bracket.

Fifita's time to shine 

Nathan Cleary is likely to return from injury in Round 20 and command some attention, but all eyes will be on David Fifita as a captaincy option this week thanks to his round-leading points projection of 66.

The $824k EDG averages that number when playing the Sea Eagles in his career so far and is enjoying an excellent run of scoring tries against them, with four-pointers in his past five encounters with Manly and six in eight games all up. 

This week's venue, 4 Pines Park, has been kind to him as well, with an average Fantasy score of 81 in the two games he's played there. At the time of writing almost 14 percent have already selected him to have the 'c' this week. 

Round 19 Fantasy Team of the Week

1. Lehi Hopoate (WFB) – 81 points
2. Ronaldo Mulitalo (WFB) – 78 points
3. Kotoni Staggs (CTR) – 65 points
4. Herbie Farnworth (CTR) – 64 points
5. Christian Tuipulotu (WFB) – 72 points
6. Jack Wighton (HLF, CTR) – 58 points
7. Braydon Trindall (HLF) – 73 points
8. Corey Jensen (MID) – 62 points
9. Chris Randall (HOK, MID) – 68 points
10. Jai Arrow (MID, EDG) – 63 points
11. Briton Nikora (EDG) – 73 points
12. Jaydn Su'A (EDG) – 67 points
13. Keaon Koloamatangi (MID) – 65 points
14. Jayden Campbell (WFB) – 67 points
15. Alex Johnston (WFB) – 66 points
16. Jack Bostock (WFB) – 64 points
17. David Fifita (EDG) – 62 points