NRL $3,000+ Saturday Line-Up
It’s a tough contest this Saturday due to a dearth of cheap options, but with plenty of superstar talent on display there should be some massive scores. Four of the top eight teams play each other, while the Dragons will be looking to force their way back into the finals with a win over the struggling Titans.
Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $3,000+ Saturday competition
Front Row Forward
Aidan Guerra ($12,300)
This week, Guerra has been named to start in the back-row for just the sixth time this season. In the five games he’s started on the edge, Guerra is averaging 53.3 Draftstars points thanks to his ability to play 80 minutes and contribute in both attack and defence. His tackling numbers are always great, he’s a metre eater, he breaks tackles and he can find the try line. There’s no doubt that he presents value in this contest, so jump on board.
Isaac Liu ($11,600)
Who better to partner Guerra in this side than the man who took his place as the Roosters’ starting lock in round 18. In four games, Liu has been phenomenal, averaging 56.2 Draftstars points. This has largely been due to his running game, which has been a handful for opposition defences and has seen him make a line break in each of the last three weeks. His defence has been good as well and there is no reason that this purple patch won’t continue against the Storm this week.
Hooker
Peter Wallace ($12,400)
Since returning from injury in round 20, Wallace has provided the calmness and consistency out of dummy-half that had him pegged as the favourite to be the New South Wales hooker. Not only have the Panthers won every game since his return, Wallace has been a crucial figure in the last couple of wins. He scored a try against the Bulldogs in a game the Panthers won by just eight points and has averaged 48 tackles a game in the last two outings. His kicking game and ability to read the play will be crucial if the Panthers are to defeat the Cowboys at home.
Second Row Forward
Coen Hess ($12,350)
Hess was forced to play out of position in the centres last week to cover the injured Antonio Winterstein and the big man was exploited, conceding two tries on his edge. Despite his troubles in defence, he still managed to run 143 metres, break three tackles and make an offload in a solid running performance. Hess is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous attacking players in the competition and his twelve tries are the most of any Cowboy. Moving back into the starting second-row for the first the since round nine should see Hess have a big impact and end up with a big Draftstars score
Joe Stimson ($7,150)
Stimson has been playing big minutes since moving into the starting line-up and he should do so once again with Tohu Harris still not returning. For a first-year player, he has handled himself well, making over 20 tackles and 80 metres in each of his starts. He showed his ability to impact the contest a fortnight ago when he broke five tackles and scored a try against the Sea Eagles, ending with 62.4 Draftstars points. With a dearth of value options, Stimson is a risk worth taking at just over $7k.
Centre
Latrell Mitchell ($12,050)
Mitchell should be full of confidence based on his recent performances and with Mal Meninga coming out and labelling him a smoky for the World Cup at the end of the season, there seems to be nothing Mitchell can’t do. His footwork is already superb considering his age and when you combine it with his athleticism, it is clear to see why he is one of the most damaging attacking players in the league. Last week he ended up with a try, a line break, three line break assists and five tackle breaks in a performance that had the Roosters flying at half time. With the Roosters looking to reignite their finals push with a win over Melbourne, Mitchell will be pivotal in giving them attacking spark.
Half
Tyrone May ($9,150)
The rookie playmaker has been wonderful in his first three games and was especially good last round against the Tigers. In attack, he scored a try, assisted on a line break, broke seven tackles and gained 111 metres, while in defence he made a solid 21/25 tackles. Captain Matt Moylan has been named on the extended bench, but it’d be tough to drop May after such a wonderful performance. However, still ensure he has been named in the final thirteen before finalising your team.
Wing/Fullback
Nene Macdonald ($11,050)
Macdonald has proven to be a great acquisition for the Dragons this season, giving them plenty of firepower out wide with his finishing and through the middle with his ball carrying. Macdonald has assisted on four tries in as many weeks, but it is his running metres and tackle breaking from which he has built his Draftstars average of 56.6 in this time. In the last four weeks, he’s averaging nearly eight tackle breaks, over two offloads and 178.3 metres per game. The Dragons go into Saturday’s match with the Titans as heavy favourites, so there is every chance Macdonald has another big day in attack.
Matthew Dufty ($9,600)
Dufty had one of the more memorable debuts in recent times, with his twinkle toes allowing him to cut through Manly’s defence. Dufty is a throwback player who has been succeeding despite his small frame thanks to great ball skills and brilliant footwork. In his three games, he’s already broken 22 tackles, made four line breaks and assisted two tries. Given the Titans defensive struggles this season, he may well find himself exploiting some errors and scoring a try or two.
The Line Up
FR-F: Aidan Guerra ($12,300)
FR-F: Isaac Liu ($11,600)
HOOK: Peter Wallace ($12,400)
2R-F: Coen Hess ($12,350)
2R-F: Joe Stimson ($7,150)
C: Latrell Mitchell ($12,050)
HALF: Tyrone May ($9,150)
W/FB: Nene Macdonald ($11,050)
W/FB: Matthew Dufty ($9,600)
Salary Remaining: $2,350
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