Fantasy burning questions: Wishart, Starling and Trindall
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The impending return of Cameron Munster has Tyran Wishart owners sweating this week, while a pair of potential cut-price keepers have emerged for the run home and need consideration too.
After Munster broke down with a groin injury back in Round 11, Wishart was installed as the Storm's five-eighth and instantly became a popular Fantasy pick up who didn't disappoint, with just one score under 40 since then and two 70-plus scores.
But as valuable as he's been, if Munster does end up returning this week – after being named in Melbourne's extended squad on Tuesday – then Wishart could be an immediate sell, with a move back to the bench likely to result in a small-minute role and a <30 score.
However, trading him out is a decision best left until as late as possible, with Munster's final status potentially not arriving until the team is updated an hour before kick-off at 8pm AEDT on Friday, as well as the possibility that Wishart actually retains a starting role even with Munster in there too.
Wishart at home at six
With Ryan Papenhuyzen currently dealing with heel pain that is requiring local anaesthetic in order for him to play, there's a chance coach Craig Bellamy could opt to rest his start No.1 for Round 21 and play Wishart in the backline.
It's a realistic possibility given the Storm sit two wins clear at the top of the ladder right now, and thanks to their game being the second of the round you'll also still have plenty of trade options for Wishart even if you wait until just before kick-off to get rid of him.
Moving to possible trade-in targets for this week and coaches have a handful of underpriced players to look closely at, headed up by Raiders HOK Tom Starling and Sharks HLF Braydon Trindall.
After averaging just 27.6 minutes through his first 13 games this season as an interchange player, Starling has suddenly become Ricky Stuart's starter at dummy-half and taken on a much bigger role which is being reflected in his Fantasy scores.
Despite the continued presence of a second hooker on the bench in Danny Levi, Starling has played no fewer than 68 minutes in his past three games, last week playing the full 80, and has averaged 55.3 points in Fantasy during that period.
There isn't an obvious reason for the change and Stuart is renowned for rotating players – particularly in his middle forward group – in and out of prominent roles, so I'm always worried about making a move for a Raiders player who has suddenly jumped to relevancy in Fantasy.
But for the time being Starling looks an excellent pickup at $438k who is going to produce keeper stories as long as he maintains somewhere near his current minutes.
Then there's Trindall, who caught attention with a stunning 73 in Cronulla's last game prior to their Round 20 bye.
While I wouldn't be reading too much into that score given it came against the last-placed Wests Tigers in a game in which Trindall had 18 points from goalkicking and 15 from try assists alone, at $507k he's a very cheap HLF even if his average ends up being down in the 50s.
He's Tricky
That could still be a big ask given he was a low 30s player by average prior to the Wests Tigers game, but he's also going to be the chief playmaker until at least Round 26 as Nicho Hynes recovers from injury.
The Sharks play just two top eight teams from here, meaning he should have ample opportunity to rack up some decent attacking numbers, but unless you are flush with trades or in dire need of a HLF then he's probably not worth it at this stage of the season.
