Fantasy NRL: Players return but pick wisely

Wade Graham is a decent option for your Fantasy team this week. Photo / Getty Images

With just two teams on a bye and Origin stars back in action, there are plenty of players to choose from in Dream Team Fantasy NRL this weekend but make sure you still plan wisely for the next round.

An almost full compliment of players is available for your selections this weekend with just the Bulldogs and Titans taking a breather this round.

After a tough and low-scoring round last weekend, this round presents itself as welcome relief. However, you still need to play your cards wisely as Origin and byes threaten to wreak havoc again in Round 17.

With that in mind, fantasy and non-Origin stars from the Sea Eagles, Dragons, Cowboys, Roosters, Sharks, Tigers, Panthers and Rabbitohs are your best pickups this weekend.
Of those teams the Dragons, Sharks and Rabbitohs have the best matchups over the coming days.

For the Dragons, Trent Merrin is under an injury cloud and is a risky play, despite his fantasy credentials so the best pickups from their squad look like Josh Dugan ($225,000), Gareth Widdop ($217,000), Ben Creagh ($235,000) and Mitch Rein ($243,000).

The Sharks, despite being held scoreless their past three games have still managed to produce a fair amount of fantasy points. While I'd stay away from their outside backs, Wade Graham ($245,000) is currently our game's top half option and is a must-play against the Broncos. Paul Gallen ($254,000) will be out next week but if you have him already selected he will be an elite option for you in the back row.

The Rabbitohs and Sam Burgess ($438,000) are back in action after a bye with the English prop a must-have for the rest of the season. Outside of Burgess the stocks of worthwhile pickups are surprisingly thin - John Sutton has been in poor fantasy form, Issac Luke has yet to get back to full fitness while their Origin stars have questionable value given their schedule.

A couple of one-week options for you, if you have that luxury, are Cameron Smith ($480,000) and Ryan Hichcliffe ($324,000) who have a great fantasy matchup with the Dragons on Monday night.

In team news, the Broncos will still be without Corey Parker, Andrew McCullough and Matt Gillett. Brent Tate will miss the rest of the season with yet another serious knee injury, Will Hopoate will miss 2-3 weeks with a shoulder injury while Michael Jennings looks likely to miss over a month of play.

Top pick:
Wade Graham, Sharks

Value pick:
Josh Dugan Dragons

One the bench:
Trent Merrin, Dragons (questionable to play)
Matt Gillett, Broncos (out 1-2 weeks)
Brent Tate, Cowboys (out for season)
Michael Witt, Dragons (out for season)
Will Hopoate, Eels (out 2-3 weeks)
Michael Jennings, Roosters (out 4-5 weeks)