Fantasy NRL: How to avoid an Origin hangover

Fantasy point-scoring leader Andrew McCullough. Photo / Getty Images

Following a brutal State of Origin encounter on Wednesday and four more clubs on the bye this week, it makes for another interesting round in Dream Team Fantasy NRL.

The Bulldogs, Sharks, Tigers and Titans all have the bye this week which takes out some big names including Sharks front rower Tinirau Arona who was the top scorer last week with 67 points.

Also missing action this week will be topscoring half Wade Graham (406 points) of the Sharks and leading back Pat Richards (334) of the Tigers. The bye also takes Bulldogs front-rowers James Graham (509) and Aiden Tolman (481) out of action.

Also sitting out, for a longer stint, is the Storm's Cooper Cronk who broke his arm in Origin I and faces five weeks on the sidelines while teammate Cameron Smith could be in doubt following an ankle injury on Wednesday. Josh Reynolds also faces a two-week suspension after a dangerous throw on Brent Tate.

So who does that leave? Fantasy point-scoring leader Andrew McCullough ($393,000) will start against the Sea Eagles after producing a 63-point effort against the Tigers last week. Sam Burgess ($430,000) also scored big last week with 59 points against the Bulldogs. His Rabbitohs face the Dragons on Monday night - a side who has lost three straight and dumped their coach mid-week.

Other Rabbitohs players who could cash-in on the Dragons fixture are George Burgess (444 points at $394,000), halves John Sutton (363 points at $411,000) and Adam Reynolds (329 points at $375,000) and backs David Tyrrell (294 points at $471,000) and Dylan Walker (267 points at $268,000).

On the other side of the ledger despite the Dragons' poor run Trent Merrin has still been a steady scorer and remains a top five option for front rowers.

In tonight's clashes, Jarryd Hayne (278 points $250,000) will look to back-up from a superb Origin opener two later against the Panthers. It may be too much to expect him to have a big one. The same goes for the Roosters Michael Jennings (266 points at $458,000) who also played for NSW on Wednesday.

Raiders back-rower Shaun Fensom faces a big ask (570 points at $354,000) against the Roosters but it would be recommended to hold him since he has been producing well above any other back-rower in the competition.

Based on last week's results it would seem the Cowboys could be facing a hiding against the Storm tomorrow night but with Johnathan Thurston, Brent Tate, James Tamou and Matt Scott returning from Origin duty and the Storm missing Cronk and possibly Smith, it could be a much closer encounter.

The Warriors face the Knights on their return to Mt Smart Stadium. Shaun Johnson had 40 points against the Titans last week but has been an injury concern throughout the week.
It may be a gamble to start him. Captain Simon Mannering (449 points at $278,000) scored 52 last week and should be expected to produce another big game as he runs out for his 200th match and 100th as Warriors skipper. He'll certainly be up for a big one.

Top pick
Sam Burgess
Value pick
Shaun Fensom
On the bench
Cooper Cronk (broken arm)
Ben Henry (knee injury)
David Williams (dropped)
Beau Ryan (out infinitely)
Todd Carney (out infinitely)

Gavin Cooper (out infinitely)