Reece Robson led the way in Round 23 with 1 try and 57 tackles on his way to 84 points in the loss to the Roosters. Meanwhile, Fifita showed shades of 2021 with 8 tackle busts and 5 offloads to hand netting him 83 points. Yet looking to Round 23, crucial H2H preliminary finals are at bay, can you play it safe, or do you need to expend those last trades, if you have any at all, to guarantee a win?
BUY, BUY, BUY
With H2H finals nearing their conclusion, here are some great options to give you the edge.
Cameron Munster (HLF) - 14% Ownership - $849K
His roaming role between fullback and five-eighth has sent Munster’s stocks through the roof and he is a player who arguably could have the highest average of any player in the back end of the season. In must-have territory, and if you haven’t already got him, this will be the week to do so as his price could soar into the 900s by next week.
Reuben Cotter (HOK/MID) - 6.4% Ownership - $707K
For me, this is arguably the trade of the round. A couple of games to ease him back with lower minutes has put a dent in Cotter’s price. However, his strong 64 points against the Roosters without an attacking stat has reminded coaches why he was such a force in the first half of the season. In games where he has played at least 50 minutes in 2022, Cotter averages 56 points a game. Crucially, he also provides valuable hooker cover to a large number of teams. An injury to Aaron Booth only magnifies the issue. BUY!
Luke Garner (EDG/CTR) - 0.6% Ownership - $542K
Luke Garner is genuinely a premier centre in 2022, particularly with him holding down the 2nd Row spot. In the 8 games, he has played 80 minutes in the second row, he averages 46.3 points. Yet remarkably his price has gradually kept up and nobody has picked him up. At only 0.6% ownership, he offers a genuine pod in the centre position at an affordable price and can be a decent replacement for some of the sells further down.
Kade Dykes (WFB) - 3.4% Ownership - $232K
At only 232K, he provides a valuable cash-out option for some of the sells further down in the list as he looks to have secured the fullback spot for the rest of the regular season and could be a valuable substitute with injuries later in the season.
ONES TO WATCH
Some guns have concerns but hold your trades unless you are buying them.
Latrell Mitchell (WFB) - 20.8% Ownership - $762K
An outstanding run of form has seen him average close to 70 points over his last 5 games. However, an injury to the groin during training on Monday, means he may miss this week’s clash. As he plays in the first game of the round, watch, and wait before deciding on a course of action. Don’t sell unless you have a must-win h2h and a lack of suitable replacements.
Daly Cherry-Evans (HLF) - 5.4% Ownership - $632K
DCE has seen a remarkable fall in the past 3 weeks, most spectacularly in Round 22 with a 27-point outing seeing his price fall by 62K. This also looks set for further price drops, but he is still a gun. With a relatively easy last 2 rounds, he could be a shrewd buy for non-owners in either Round 24 or 25.
DROP!
Taylan May (WFB/CTR) - 18.4% Ownership - $501K
An injury is set to sideline him for a further week, as the Panthers play the first game of the round, you can reverse the sell, otherwise only hold if you are okay with at least another week out but it could potentially be more.
Siosifa Talakai (EDG/CTR) - 13.1% Ownership - $500K
In a similar mould to Taylan May, Talakai is also set to miss another round with his shoulder injury. In a similar vein to May, only hold if you are confident you don’t require him to win a h2h final.
Jason Saab (WFB) - 9.3% Ownership - $412K
If you have the trades, Saab offers the potential to be one of your last genuine cash downs as an ACL injury is set to sideline him for the rest of the season. Sell.