Fantasy Q&A: Round 9

This week we're discussing the best point of difference captaincy choices for Magic Round, players to start considering for the post-Origin period, a player to move on and another to snooze on. 

• NRL Late Mail: Round 9
• NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 9

NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 9

Is Erin Clark a long-term keeper?

Given his dual position status as both a HOK and MID, yes.

With those who actually play dummy-half on the field being fairly unreliable this year in a Fantasy sense, it's very handy if you can get your hands on a player with HOK designation who actually plays as a middle forward, as is the case with Clark.

A pectoral injury to James Fisher-Harris in Round 6 has led to Clark taking on an elevated role in the Warriors pack over the past fortnight, with his minutes shooting up to over an hour per game. 

That will likely drop off a bit once 'JFH' is back around Round 11, but not enough that Clark won't still have a path to be a consistent 50+ scorer. 

In the context of other MIDs, that is nothing to write home about, but when it comes to HOKs, only three players (one of whom is Clark) are averaging above 50 across the season so far. 

Is Robert Derby the next big cash cow?

I'm not convinced.

While Derby is going to make some money over coming weeks thanks to a 73 in Round 8 which has left him with a -9 break even, he's probably not going to do it at the same rate of others who are, and will become, available.

Prior to Round 8 it's important to note that Derby failed to score over 30 in his four games for the year. 

He's not a power-based WFB like a Savelio Tamale or Greg Marzhew, and therefore relies heavily on scoring tries and making linebreaks. He's really good at those things, but they're harder to do, so by default his floor is lower.

Short of another game like he had last week – where he scored three tries and made four linebreaks – it's hard to see him making enough money to put him ahead of other cash cow options.

I'd be saving that trade for a better money-making prospect. 

Which MIDs should I be targeting for over Origin?

As a Kiwi who won't feature in state football, Canberra big man Joseph Tapine looks a really nice option for this period. 

He plays in two of the three 'big' bye rounds (playing Round 12 and 18, but sitting out Round 15) when Origin players are unavailable for club duty and when only five games are being played instead of the usual eight. 

Assuming Terrell May, Payne Haas and Issah Yeo are in the Origin frame, Tapine is the second-highest averaging MID (behind Toby Couchman) who is going to be available during this period. 

The other one to consider is Addin Fonua-Blake, who plays in the first two 'big' bye rounds (Round 12 and Round 15) as well as playing in two of the three rounds that directly follow Origin games, when a number of representative players are likely to be in doubt. 

Best POD captaincy pick for this week?

If we're removing Payne Haas, Terrell May and Nathan Cleary from the conversation, then my next pick to give the 'c' to this week would probably be either Jacob Preston (EDG, $775k) or Addin Fonua-Blake (MID, $733k).

Preston is the only player other than the aforementioned excluded trio who is projected to score in the 60s or above this weekend, and he could have some favourable match-ups against a struggling Titans side on Sunday.

He has played 80 minutes in every game he's appeared in this year too. 

Fonua-Blake meanwhile is taking on a Parramatta team who have been a Fantasy gift to opposing MIDs for much of 2025.

Going backwards from Round 7 (the Eels had the bye last week), Terrell May (86 points), Joseph Tapine (67 points) and Toby Couchman (69 points) have all had a field day against the blue and gold in recent times.

Fonua-Blake had 70 last week and is capable of doing it again if he can command close to an hour on the park.