NRL $1,000+ Panthers v Tigers Line-Up

The Panthers have won each of their last four matches in their charge towards the finals and will be looking to continue that momentum against the lowly Tigers. A win this Sunday will take them to eighth on the ladder and will put them in the box seat, while a loss will have them reeling with a tough schedule to come. The Tigers won’t be easy beats, though, and were very impressive in their 26-4 drubbing of the Titans last week.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $1,000+ Panthers v Tigers competition

Front Row Forward

Alex Twal ($10,850)

Since debuting for the Tigers in round 17, the former Eels junior has been giving them great minutes off the bench. His defensive game has been a standout, with the soon to be Lebanese international making 117 out of 118 tackles in his short career. His big frame makes him tough to stop as a ball runner as well, with Twal averaging nearly 100 metres per game and a handful of tackle breaks. With Penrith depleted through the middle, he should be a great value option in this contest.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard ($10,800)

Despite being used off the bench in recent weeks, Campbell-Gillard has proven to be one of the in-form props in the game. His no-nonsense running game, where he simply runs directly towards the line and cops the hit-up, makes him a valuable commodity for the Panthers. He’s averaging 165.7 metres gained in the last three games and there is no reason that he won’t be able to match that production once again this week. His ceiling is limited because he isn’t an offloading forward and the Panthers rarely use him close to the line, but he rarely puts in a bad performance.

Hooker

Matt McIlwrick ($8,700)

McIlwrick has effectively been given the green light to be the Tigers’ hooker for the rest of the season thanks to the injury to Jacob Liddle. Last week he played 77 minutes and ended up with 42/44 tackles in a solid defensive effort that saw him finish with 43 Draftstars points. Apart from service out of dummy-half, he doesn’t offer much in attack due to his rarely used running game and complete lack of a kicking game. Despite this, given his price, his recent minute totals and his tackling, he should be a good option at hooker in this contest if you’re looking to save a bit of cash.

Second Row Forward

Matthew Eisenhuth ($10,750)

After years of plying his trade in reserve grade, the 24-year old forward has enjoyed a solid start to his NRL career. After playing mostly in the back-row early on, Eisenhuth started last round at lock and put in a solid performance that showed he has had plenty of experience playing through the middle at lower levels. His big frame makes him a powerful ball-carrier, but his ball playing ability is just as damaging through the middle of the park. The Tigers love having the ball in his hands and he should end up with another good score this weekend.

Bryce Cartwright ($8,850)

After establishing himself as one of the best five-eighths in the competition last season, Cartwright has struggled mightily with injuries this year. Prior to last week he had played just six matches all season and hadn’t been sighted since round eleven due to injury. He returned via the bench and played 33 minutes against the Bulldogs in which he racked up 23 tackles and made 77 metres from seven runs. With a match under his belt, Cartwright should see an increase in his minutes this week and likely an increase in his scoring as well.

Centre

Waqa Blake ($10,300)

Blake has certainly played his part in Penrith’s recent good form, with his powerful frame and explosive running game making him a key to their offense. He scored two crucial tries a fortnight ago against the Titans, in a game that the Panthers only won by eight points, and carried on that good form with a try assist last week. Blake is at his best when he’s running the ball and hitting holes in the defensive line, and given the Tigers have the third worst defence in the league this season, he will have every chance to do so this week.

Half

Tuimoala Lolohea ($12,300)

Lolohea has been brilliant at stuffing the stat sheet since moving to the Tigers, even though his actual impact on the game is questionable given his errors. Last week was one of his better performances, though, with the former Warrior ending up with a try assist, five tackle breaks, two offloads and 125 metres gained. His playmaking ability gets better with each game and is beginning to compliment his strong running game nicely. Crucially to Draftstars, Lolohea always finds a way to impact the stat sheet regardless of the result.

Wing/Fullback

James Tedesco ($15,150)

It took him a couple of weeks after Origin to find his best form at club level, but Tedesco is back to being one of the most dominant players in the competition. His try last week was unbelievable, as he dropped a pass straight onto his boot to create a kick and chase that had the defence stunned. His tackle breaking ability is second to none, while his running game has been rounded out nicely with some handy offloads in recent weeks.

David Nofoaluma ($12,200)

Nofoaluma has turned himself into one of the most damaging ball runners in the competition this season. For reference, he leads the Tigers in metres gained, line breaks and offloads and is second only to Tedesco in tackle breaks. Despite only scoring five tries for the year, there is no doubt that Nofoaluma is one of the Tigers most valuable players and the club will be stoked given he has agreed to a four year deal.

The Line Up

FR-F: Alex Twal ($10,850)

FR-F: Reagan Campbell-Gillard ($10,800)

HOOK: Matt McIlwrick ($8,700)

2R-F: Matthew Eisenhuth ($10,750)

2R-F: Bryce Cartwright ($8,850)

C: Waqa Blake ($10,300)

HALF: Tuimoala Lolohea ($12,300)

W/FB: James Tedesco ($15,150)

W/FB: David Nofoaluma ($12,200)

Salary Remaining: $100