Fantasy NRL: Injury hits final round

Melbourne Storm's Cam Smith is the top pick for the final regular season round in the NRL. Photo / Getty

This is it, the final regular season round of Dream Team Fantasy NRL, a round already hugely affected by injury and suspension.

My previous two columns have outlined the importance of weeding out players from uncontending clubs before the playoffs arrive, so I hope you have paid attention and are ready for the finals period of our game.

During this period you will have 25 transfers available for your use over the course of the four weeks of finals. Those four rounds see eight teams play in week one, followed by two rounds of four before the Grand Final.

Not only will your skills in predicting which players will perform well come into play but also your results-tipping skills.

Being able to foresee which teams will progress through each round of the finals will help you immensely in making best use of your 25 available transfers.

This coming round will also test your tipping skills as ten teams are still in the hunt for the top eight playoff berths. Given that, your selection of Broncos, Eels and Warriors players will have to be made with plenty of consideration.

Injury and judiciary decisions have already made an impact on the coming round with several big fantasy names affected.

The Sea Eagles have been hit hardest with back rower Jamie Buhrer out for the season and front rower Matt Ballin in extreme doubt to play over the coming weeks, despite being named to start on Tuesday.

Another hooker and fantasy star in doubt for the finals is the Roosters' Jake Friend who underwent lung surgery earlier this week. Mitchell Aubusson ($517,000) has been named to start at hooker in his place and is expected to share duties there with backup Heath L'Estrange. Aubusson is an intriguing play as a result.

Suspension has rocked the Rabbitohs with the loss of Adam Reynolds for one match.

However, the return of John Sutton from injury will be pleasing, though he makes for a risky fantasy play against the Roosters.

The Broncos' quest for a finals berth has been dealt a major blow with back row enforcer Sam Thaiday suspended for one match while out-of-contention clubs, the Dragons and Titans, will be without Mitch Rein and Greg Bird after they were similarly disciplined.

The Dragons also lost Ben Creagh to season-ending surgery but could be a source of sneaky points as half Kyle Stanley ($110,000) has been named to start at hooker for the club.

A must-play in the front row is returning Panthers hooker James Segeyaro ($353,000) who is the elite replacement option for those hit by the Ballin and Friend injuries.

In a quick note on match ups - expect big fantasy days for the stars of the Broncos, Storm, Tigers, Knights and Bulldogs.

Top pick:

Cameron Smith, Storm

Value Pick:

Kyle Stanley, Dragons

On the bench:

Jamie Buhrer, Sea Eagles (out for season)
Matt Ballin, Sea Eagles (out indefinitely)
Sam Thaiday, Broncos (suspended one week)
Jake Friend, Roosters (out indefinitely)
Adam Reynolds, Rabbitohs (suspended one week)
Mitch Rein, Dragons (suspended one week)
Greg Bird, Titans (suspended one week)
Ben Creagh, Dragons (out for season)