Fantasy NRL: Bye and Origin cause havoc again

David Tyrell of the Rabbitohs. Photo / Getty Images

After a full round of fixtures last weekend, we're back to having our options limited for the Dream Team Fantasy NRL round ahead.

Six key teams are on the bye and State of Origin representatives will be out of action so I'm hoping you took my words of caution last week and planned accordingly.

With the Eels, Broncos, Warriors, Storm, Knights and Raiders all out, we lose the likes of Jarrod Croker, Dane Gagai, Nathan Friend, Cameron Smith, Andrew McCullough, Shaun Fensom, Simon Mannering, Joseph Paulo, Ryan Hichcliffe, Ben Hunt and Shaun Johnson. All are top-five fantasy players in their position in our game and a lot will need to be dropped to field a competitive squad this weekend.

Outside of these obvious players, others out of action due to injury or other otherwise include Todd Carney, James Tedesco, Tim Simona, Isaah Yeo and George Burgess.

So who's left for us to cherry pick a decent squad for this coming weekend?

On paper, the best fantasy matchup of the round is the Dragons v Cowboys game on Saturday evening.

The Dragons are giving away the most fantasy points of any team per game while also scoring the fifth-most while the Cowboys are fourth on the list of points conceded and third in points scored.

Given these statistics there are a number of players set for solid performances. They include: Gareth Widdop ($218,000), Jason Nightingale ($285,000), Ben Creagh ($235,000), Mitch Rein ($244,000), Kane Linnett ($395,000) and Tariq Sims ($218,000).
If you have cash to burn, both the Roosters and Rabbitohs and their expensive rosters have great matchups.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall ($364,000), Roger Tuivasa-Scheck ($310,000), James Maloney ($412,000), Sonny Bill Williams ($366,000), John Sutton ($411,000) and David Tyrell ($475,000) all look likely to perform above their average score this round.

Be aware that all four of these recommended teams have the bye next week, so don't load up too heavy. For those conscious of this fact, go for someone like Tinirau Arona ($271,000) who is likely to see big minutes for the Sharks or Jamal Idris ($291,000) who's back to starting for the Panthers.

In players to avoid this round I've included two who will be playing out of position for the Bulldogs against the fantasy score-sucking Sea Eagles. Both Michael Ennis and Josh Jackson are usually solid plays in the forwards but will be appearing as their team's new halves combination, so avoid them like Todd Carney and a bathroom.

Other teams outside of the Bulldogs with tough matchups are the Sharks and Titans. Halves star Albert Kelly is likely to return for the Gold Coast side but their schedule over the coming weeks is tough so he could be someone to watch, rather than add immediately.

Top pick:
David Tyrell, Rabbitohs

Value pick:
Tariq Sims, Cowboys

On the bench:
Todd Carney (off contract)
James Tedesco, Tigers (likely out for season)
Tim Simona, Tigers (out indefinitely)
George Burgess, Rabbitohs (out 2 weeks)
Isaah Yeo, Panthers (dropped)