NRL $3,000+ Saturday Line-Up
Saturday’s action will be crucial in deciding the top eight, with the match of the day coming between two top-four contenders, the Roosters and the Cowboys. The red-hot Dragons will be looking to get a big win over the Knights to cement their spot in the finals, while the Raiders need to beat the Rabbitohs to keep their slim hopes alive.
Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $3,000+ Saturday competition
Front Row Forward
Leeson Ah Mau ($13,600)
Ah Mau has been giving the Dragons solid production from the bench all season, but when Paul Vaughan went down with injury against the Knights, Ah Mau saw an increase in his minutes and hasn’t looked back since. He has started in the front row in the last three weeks and has been dominant, averaging 148.7 metres, 33.7 tackles and four tackle breaks per game. His good form has forced Russell Packer to the bench which means Ah Mau should see his usual minute load and produce another massive score.
Paul Vaughan ($12,900)
Vaughan’s return to the Dragons line-up has been crucial in the last couple of weeks, with an especially good performance in their drubbing of the Sea Eagles last round. Vaughan not only provided the Dragons with a try, but his running game resulted in 150 metres and his two offloads allowed for plenty of second-phase action. Coming up against the Knights, the St. George Illawarra pack will be looking to dominate through the middle and create space for guys like Gareth Widdop to make plays. Vaughan will be crucial to this and should have plenty of statistical production once again.
Hooker
Victor Radley ($8,400)
Radley had a debut to remember, with about 100 of his mates coming to watch and his brother storming onto the field to congratulate him after the game. During the game itself, Radley was solid for the tri-colours, giving his teammates quick service out of dummy-half and providing solidarity on defence. He ended up playing 67 minutes and made 38/40 tackles and given his stellar junior representative career, he should be able to have a similar impact in his second game.
Second Row Forward
Joseph Tapine ($12,050)
Tapine has seen an increase in his playing time in the last couple of weeks and it has resulted in an increase in his Draftstars scoring. In the last three rounds he’s averaging 53.5 Draftstars points thanks to some solid running metres and tackling numbers. With Sia Soliola joining Josh Papalii on the sidelines, Tapine is every chance to see even more playing time which will only increase his scoring capacity.
Isaac Liu ($10,350)
Liu had a 100th game to remember last week against the Knights, as he crossed over for a cracking try under the posts. Liu has been inserted back into the starting line-up for the last two games and hasn’t disappointed, providing solid defence and running strong lines in attack. His statistical production has been good as well and it has resulted in an average of 54.4 Draftstars points in this time. Given he’s again been named to start this week, he is a good option at a relatively cheap price.
Centre
Joe Wardle ($7,400)
Wardle has been used all over the park this season, starting games in the centres, in the back-row and even on the wing. He’s been named to start in the back-row again this week, and it is here where he has his best statistical production. Last week he played 68 minutes, made 31 tackles and ended up with 33.5 Draftstars points. If he has similar production this week he will be great value at just over $7k and given that he plays in the back-row, he is more likely to score well than his outside back counterparts that are also available in this contest.
Half
Gareth Widdop ($12,850)
Widdop was simply phenomenal last week, ending up with five try involvements, 8/9 conversions and an incredible kicking performance. Whether it was long kicks such as a brilliant 40/20 or short kicks to set up tries, Widdop was on point and he looks to have returned to the form that had him as one of the hottest players in the league earlier this year. He has rocketed into Dally M favouritism and should be in for another massive performance as the Dragons attempt to pile on the points on the lowly Knights.
Wing/Fullback
Nick Cotric ($12,000)
Cotric has been phenomenal for the Raiders in his debut season, crossing over for twelve tries and breaking the third most tackles in the competition. He’s scored at least one try in each of the last five weeks and with Canberra’s other star winger, Jordan Rapan, out this week, Cotric might even see more ball on Saturday. His finishing ability is so impressive and against a new Rabbitohs defensive combination on the flank, he could be in for a massive day.
Nene Macdonald ($10,450)
Despite not finding the try line in the last four games, Macdonald has been hugely impactful for the Dragons thanks to his powerful running game. Despite being a winger, the Dragons often use him to run the ball through the middle where he can use his size to bust through tackles and eat plenty of metres. Coming up against the Knights, he should continue his strong running performances and may also find himself on the end of a try or two given their defensive struggles this season.
The Line Up
FR-F: Leeson Ah Mau ($13,600)
FR-F: Paul Vaughan ($12,900)
HOOK: Victor Radley ($8,400)
2R-F: Joseph Tapine ($12,050)
2R-F: Isaac Liu ($10,350)
C: Joe Wardle ($7,400)
HALF: Gareth Widdop ($12,850)
W/FB: Nick Cotric ($12,000)
W/FB: Nene Macdonald ($10,450)
Salary Remaining: $0
NRL SCORING SYSTEM
Try Scored = 8 points
Goal = 2 points
Field Goal = 5 points
Try Assist = 5 points
Line Break = 4 points
Line Break Assist = 2 points
Tackle = 1 point
Tackle Break = 3 points
Missed Tackles = -2 points
Offload = 2 points
Run Metres Gained = 0.1 points
Kick Metres Gained = 0.05 points
Error = -2 points
NRL