Fantasy NRL: It's spring-cleaning time - axe the losers

By Dr Stats

NZ Herald·

24 Jul, 2014 05:00 PM3 mins to read

Curtis Sironen (right) of the Tigers has been piling on the points. Photo / Getty Images

Savvy owners will cut poor performers and reduced-value players

Dr Stats recommends team maintenance for fantasy owners before delving into the top pickups for the latest round of Dream Team Fantasy NRL.

Before getting into this weekend's recommendations I thought I'd take this chance to remind users to do some spring cleaning now and then.

There are plenty of poor-performing players in the game that are owned by far too many managers and some that have recently had their situations change within the team and have lost value. As a result, these players should be dropped from your squads.

In the highly-owned and poor-performing category sit Sonny Bill Williams, Greg Inglis and Sam Tomkins. They're all amazing real-life players but just don't cut it as fantasy stars in our game's format.

In the category of players that have had their situations recently change are two big-name front rowers - Nathan Friend and Andrew McCullough. Both have lost their titles as 80-minute players and, as a result, are no longer putting up elite numbers.

On the flipside of that equation, Tigers half Curtis Curtis Sironen ($211,000) has been playing back row for the past five rounds, averaging over 30 points per game and is a sneaky pickup for savvy owners. Act accordingly.

On to this weekend's round and we're presented with great matchups for Eels, Tigers, Panthers and Bulldogs players.

The Eels face the Titans on Saturday who are, by far, the leading conceder of fantasy points in our game. Look for big games from Jarryd Hayne ($258,000), Joseph Paulo ($180,000) and Semi Radradra ($148,000).

As well as Sironen, the Tigers offer up other great fantasy plays this weekend including Robbie Farah ($329,000) and Pat Richards ($132,000).

The Panthers lead the competition and have also been piling on plenty of fantasy points over the past six weeks. Jamal Idris ($295,000), Isaah Yeo ($153,000), Elijah Taylor ($263,000) and James Segeyaro ($341,000) are all fantastic options this weekend against the Sharks.

The Bulldogs are at home against the Cowboys on Saturday night and owners can expect fantasy points to flow. James Graham ($337,000), Josh Jackson ($307,000) and Timoteo Lafai ($241,000) are my picks for standout games in this fixture.

It's a quiet week as far as fresh injuries are concerned with Kurt Gidley the only big name missing from team sheets this weekend.