The Fantasy King: Bye Week Blues
By Mick 'the King' Adams
It was a brutal morning for me when I looked at my fantasy team to see how few players I had available for selection this weekend, with byes and Origin severely depleting my squad. Casting a net across the NRL to study the meagre pool of players going about their business in Round 15, and the even more truncated group available to pick up as free agents, I thought I’d share my findings with you. Here are my picks for best and worst players selected for round 15:
FULLBACK
The Stud
I had to split this award between two not particularly inspiring choices. Reece Robinson was a solid fantasy back up option in 2012, with some seriously high scores interspersed among the 20s and 30s that were his bread and butter. He has been more consistent so far in 2013, with only two scores below 30, but hasn’t really had too many bust-out performances. He is coming off consecutive 70s and is playing the lowly Tigers this week though. Canberra away from home is always a dicey proposition, but you’d have to think he’s in with a shot.
William Zillmanis wholly unremarkable, but has averaged a solid 53 this season and is taking on a severely depleted Storm side led by the unlikely duo of Brett Finch and debutante Ben Hampton.
The Dud
There have been some signs of life from Ben Barba recently, but his off-field issues seem far from resolved. Furthermore, he’s taking on the best defence in the comp with the Roosters, with his Bulldogs having one of the worst-ranked defences. This could mean a lot of tackling for the Doggies, and his attacking opportunities may be limited. I’m really hoping Barba gets back to his best, but I don’t think this is the week we’ll see it.
Free Agency Gamble (obviously free agents will differ from league to league, these picks represent MTN League free agents)
Justin Huntis filling in for Inglis at fullback for Souths, but unfortunately is only available to play at Centre/Wing. Therefore by default it has to be Ken Sio. What a sorry state of affairs that is.
CENTRE/WING
The Stud
Jamal Idrisis in rare form of late, and it would not surprise to see him giving his fantasy owners more headaches by being selected for the Blues in game three. For now though, revel in his availability. By far the best option at the position this weekend.
The Dud
It’s very hard to envision a scenario where Parramatta get up against the Bunnies on Sunday, Inglis or no Inglis. For that reason I’m going to say Cheyse Blair, who admittedly had an adequate 46 in his return to first grade against the Sharks last weekend.
Free Agency Gamble
Andrew Everinghamwas one of the cheapie buys of the year in 2012, but hasn’t really gone on with it this season. With Nathan Merritt in Blues camp however, he may get some more opportunities against the Eels. Definitely worth a gamble.
HALVES
The Stud
Gold Coast pair Albert Kelly and Aidan Sezer, both available at either half position, have provided superb returns for their owners and have a great opportunity to lead the Titans to their first victory over the Storm since 2010. Obviously the Rabbitohs have a pretty sweet pair of halves too in Sutton and Reynolds, who both have great fantasy averages. However playing at home against an understrength Melbourne is a great match up for Sezer and Kelly.
The Dud
Brett Finch. Obviously.
Free Agency Gamble
Simply because there is literally NOBODY I could in good faith recommend at either five-eighth or halfback, let’s assume that Storm debutante Ben Hampton has been groomed as the next Wally Lewis.
FRONT ROW FORWARDS
The Stud
Another category that picks itself, with Englishmen Sam Burgess and James Graham lapping the field. Since making his NRL debut last year Graham has shown that he can post massive fantasy scores from the bench, and I’m expecting that to be the case against the Roosters.
The Dud
Tigers recruit Eddy Pettybourne (although primarily a back rower he is available at front row) has been a massive fantasy bust this season. He didn’t exactly have anyone salivating over his scores as a Souths player either, but he at least chimed in with the occasional half century last year. So far in 2013 he has dished up rubbish score after rubbish score, and is deservedly languishing as a free agent in the Making The Nut league. I could not possibly endorse him as a bye cover, no matter how desperate the situation.
Free Agency Gamble
Jason Rylesisn’t going to break fantasy records, but at least you know he should be good for forty points, nothing to sneeze at in the barren wasteland that is the Origin bye period. For those willing to really take a gamble on the other hand, young Thomas Burgess is making his debut, in the process indebting himself to brother George after his antics in Queensland paved the way for his twin’s elevation to the top flight. If he is as closely matched to George in play as he is in looks, Tom Burgess will be easily the best free agent acquisition of the week.
SECOND ROW FORWARDS
The Stud
$BWis the obvious choice, but if rumours that he will be lining up as 5/8 are true his fantasy stocks are set to take a temporary hit. Sam Burgess is of course named at lock and available in the second row for fantasy players, and therefore must be considered the stud of the week at the position.
The Dud
I think I’ve bagged out Dene Halatau enough for this year, so I’ll leave him alone. Any game he is playing he will be one of the dud fantasy second rowers of the round however, so just bear that in mind. One player who has been a big fantasy disappointment this year is Aidan Guerra, who hasn’t been able to make the impact he did last season, where he finished ranked 95th. He currently sits at 286. In 19 games last season he failed to break 40 on just three occasions; this year he has a top score of 37 and an average of just 26.
Free Agency Gamble
Frank-Paul Nuuausalahas bookended a season of poor fantasy form with a 57 in round 1 and a 58 last week, and gets a chance to improve on his season average with a good showing on Saturday night.
