Fantasy NRL: Gallen, SBW leave large holes to fill

The Dragons' Gareth Widdop was a solid fantasy pick-up last weekend and will again be playmaker and kicker against the Warriors. Picture / Getty Images

It has taken just one round of NRL action for Fantasy drama to unfold as injury and suspension have sent owners scrambling for replacement players for their lost stars.

Paul Gallen, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Fifita, Brett Stewart and Darius Boyd are all sidelined this weekend due to either injury or suspension but never fear, there are plenty of great replacement options out there.

With Gallen and Williams two of the best back-rowers in Fantasy it's a major blow to most sides but, with no byes on the schedule until round 11, there is a full register of replacements to be had.

Top of that list is Shaun Fensom ($323,000). In 2013 he was our game's best back-rower until injury prematurely halted his campaign. But Fensom is back healthy this year and posted a 54-point haul in round one that indicates he's already back to his best.

Anthony Watmough ($353,000) is your elite option in the position, while Jason Taumalolo ($198,000) played 80 minutes for the Cowboys in round one and is a great, cheap pick-up for your squad.

In the front row, Andrew Fifita owners can look far and wide for his replacement - tackle machine Andrew McCullough ($363,000) topped round one's front-row scorers while Corey Parker ($317,000) and Robbie Farah ($302,000) are still undervalued options for you there.

In the backline, it's always wise to look at match-ups before deciding who to transfer in as your injury or bye replacements.

This weekend the leaky Warriors defence faces the Dragons, who scored 44 points in round one, while the Titans face the Tigers in what could prove to be a good hunting ground for cheap points.

Gareth Widdop ($212,000) was a solid fantasy pick-up last weekend and will again be playmaker and kicker against the Warriors while Jason Nightingale ($276,000) was great despite not scoring a try - both are solid pick-ups.

In the Titans squad, I'm predicting a big game from former Storm back Maurice Blair ($301,000) while David Mead ($281,000) also has potential for a break-out performance.

I'm also picking the Roosters to fire up against the Eels tomorrow night with Michael Jennings ($451,000) and Mitch Aubusson ($500,000) both expensive but valuable backline options.

Finally, there were a number of undervalued options who had big weeks to kick off 2014.

From this bunch I'd be targeting Travis Waddell ($152,000) who is listed as a back-rower but will probably play 80 minutes at hooker this weekend for the Knights.

Also solid buys are Aaron Woods ($182,000) in the front row and Storm half Ben Hampton ($162,000).

Brisbane centre Dale Copley ($138,000) looked the goods in round one while Eels hooker Nathan Peats ($148,000) will be a great option from round three after he sees off a one-game club suspension.