The Fantasy King: Round 17

By Mick Adams

Another weekend of fantasy football done and dusted. Nathan Hindmarsh continued to rage against the dying of the light with yet another massive points haul, but elsewhere the story was all about this year’s emerging crop. With this in mind, this week I’m going to ignore the centuries posted by Mateo and Taylor and turn my attention to the youngbloods of 2012, who in round 17 put their hands up to carry the hopes of a hundred thousand fantasy teams across the country. More of the same boys, more of the same.

Reece Robinson

Before you start, I’m well aware Robinson is not a rookie, having debuted as far back as 2008 with the Broncos. But 2012 is definitely the year he nailed down his place as a first grade footballer, playing nearly every game and putting in some impressive performances for the Raiders. This culminated in what I’m fairly certain was the highest fantasy score of the year in a starring performance against the Dragons. It’s the second Supercoach century he’s scored this year, although those highs have been paired with some frustrating lows too, which I guess is unavoidable if you’re a member of the Raiders backline.

Mitch Rein

Still at Canberra Stadium, and still with a player who is not technically a rookie, Rein has been on the scene for a while but really cemented his spot at the Dragons this year. He almost singlehandedly won them the game with his two try effort on Monday night before they were cruelly but inevitably denied against their bogey team. Rein looks the goods, and wasn’t far off making his Rep debut in City vs. Country. He’s been a useful acquisition in fantasy too, starting the year cheap and performing solidly throughout the season. Game time has been an enduring concern, but with Dean Young retiring and the underperforming Nathan Fien surely not far from getting a tap on the shoulder, the stage is set for Rein to take the next step. Could be a great buy for 2013.

Ben Henry

Not as consistent as you’d like, Henry has nonetheless polled well at times in his debut season, capped off with his highest score to date against the Cowboys. We’ve had some false dawns from Henry before however, following up big scores with meagre ones. Worryingly, this has happened even when he has played the full 80 minutes, as he has done since Round 4. Still, I am disgusted with myself for punting him from my team in Round 5, losing about 80 grand on the trade too. A foolish move in hindsight, especially considering the man I traded him for, Boyd Cordner, was an abject failure, and also sold for a loss. I guess the lesson is to give rookies some time to peak before offloading them, as you really have nothing to lose with a player who cost you nothing in the first place.

Andrew Everingham

After a promising start, the Souths winger tapered off in a big way. Before his Supercoach 82 on the weekend, we have to go back to Round 7 to see a score of 50+. He was a handy cover during the Origin period, but now will probably go back to being a non-playing reserve for most Everingham owners. If Souths get going that can change, but I feel that’s a big if. The talent is surely there for the Bunnies, but are they the real deal? I’m not quite convinced. Regardless, the return of Nathan Merritt to the starting line-up could positively affect Everingham’s scores, as he will be playing inside the prolific Merritt, meaning there is ample opportunity for tries and try assists. A good back up option at any rate, so there’s no way I’d be selling him.

Konrad Hurrell

Last week I erred in naming Hurrell my fantasy rookie of the year. Parramatta’s Matt Ryan, who has been nothing short of sensational, must also come into the conversation. Ryan had a bit of a dip on the weekend, and seems to have just about plateaued in price, but has possibly done enough. Hurrell though, since being reinstalled into the Warriors top grade side in Round 9, has been an absolute beast. In fact, his average over the last five games is 10 points above Ryan’s, so at this rate he may well wear the crown. Even among senior players it’s hard to find a centre/wing option that can be consistently relied upon for 50 and 60 plus scores, so Hurrell has been a goldmine.

Ken Sio and Cheyse Blair

The Parramatta pair have obviously been popular picks, and both scored well on the weekend. I didn’t buy them when they were at rookie rates however, and I don’t really regret my decision. In the games I’ve seen from them so far I haven’t been all that impressed, and their fantasy scores have been, for the most part, what you’d expect from a pair of green first graders playing in the competition’s worst team. Still, given the dearth of games played in Round 17, they would have been invaluable to team owners struggling to put together a 17, so their scores were quite timely.

Edrick Lee

A middling fantasy proposition who got a half decent score for the Raiders on the weekend. Doesn’t really belong on this list but I’m just captivated by him, he’s a massive unit. According to the Raiders website he comes in at 196cm. That’s just an inch and change shy of his Raiders teammate and man mountain Dane Tilse. Only 19, at 96kg there is still some filling out to be done there. He’s listed as a second rower as well as a winger on the website, so it will be interesting to watch his development. I don’t think there’s much use buying him now, but he could prove to be a handy dual position pick if he bulks up and moves into the forwards at some stage next season.