Fantasy NRL: Stars set to shine

Sam Burgess. Photo / Getty Images

Some of the biggest names in fantasy are set to shine in this coming round of Dream Team Fantasy NRL.

The Storm, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Panthers all have great fantasy match ups over the coming five days, with their star players all worth slotting in to your side.

Perhaps the best of these options is Rabbitohs enforcer Sam Burgess who defied news reports to take the field last weekend and post the biggest fantasy score of the round.

Burgess ($454,000) is worth every penny of his lofty price tag as he takes on Broncos side tonight that tends to leak plenty of fantasy points, especially away from Suncorp Stadium.

Fellow Rabbitohs David Tyrell ($479,000), Dylan Walker ($284,000) and Alex Johnston ($201,000) are also fine plays while you can pass on picking up George Burgess as he has been suspended for two matches.

The Sea Eagles take on the Titans on Sunday evening where you can expect great nights for Jamie Lyon ($598,000), Daly Cherry-Evans ($412,000), Anthony Watmough (371,000) and Matt Ballin (439,000).

Sea Eagles back Steve Matai ($400,000) is a risky play after he suffered an inflammation of his ever-present shoulder injury against the Rabbitohs - he's in doubt to take the field against the Titans.

In Melbourne on Saturday the Storm face the Sharks, my favourite fantasy whipping boys. Their team is unchanged from last weekend and Cameron Smith ($495,000) is set to go big.

Despite posting his second lowest fantasy score of the year last weekend, the Storm captain had previously been on a roll with 50+ points totals in five of the six rounds previous to the dud. Expect Smith to once again pass 50 on Saturday.

Along with Smith, Will Chambers ($432,000) is your other go-to option in the Storm squad and will surely be a strong option for those who can afford him.

Amongst the Panthers squad there are a host of great plays this weekend with most of them coming at prices much cheaper than from the previously-listed marquis sides.

No one has been better in Fantasy than James Segeyaro ($352,000) over the past month while their backline options of Jamal Idris ($300,000), Josh Mansour ($264,000), and Isaah Yeo ($158,000) are all elite.

In other team news, Nathan Friend looks set to play a reduced role for the Warriors after being named on the bench for their game against the Knights. Thomas Leuluai will start at hooker and gets a bump in value as a result of the change.

Paul Gallen has been named to start for the Sharks again after being a late scratch last weekend due to a virus - expect big production from him.

Fellow Shark Andrew Fifita will miss the rest of the season after suffering multiple injuries against the Warriors.

In judiciary news, back rowers Tariq Sims and Joseph Paulo ... while Bulldogs half Josh Reynolds will miss three matches.

Top Pick:
James Segeyaro, Panthers

Value Pick:
Alex Johnston, Rabbitohs

On the bench:
George Burgess, Rabbitohs (suspended 2 weeks)
Andrew Fifita, Sharks (out for season)
Nathan Friend, Warriors (benched)
Tim Simona, Tigers (out indefinitely)
Junior Paulo, Eels (suspended ? weeks)
Tariq Sims, Cowboys (suspended ? weeks)
Josh Reynolds, Bulldogs (suspended 3 weeks)