NRL $2,000+ Saturday Line-Up

There are two games on the fixture this Saturday, with the Cowboys travelling to Melbourne to face a depleted Storm team kicking it off before the Tigers take on the Sharks. With a total of 15 players missing from these four teams, there will be some fresh faces on show which will mean plenty of value in this Draftstars contest.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $2,000+ Saturday competition

Front Row Forward

Paul Gallen ($18,700)

The last time the bulk of his team was missing through Origin, Gal had a massive game, notching up 240 metres, 27 tackles, five tackle breaks and a line break in the Sharks’ victory. The 35-year old still leads the league in metres run and against a weak Tigers’ pack that is missing Aaron Woods, Gallen should be dominant through the middle. With Wade Graham and Andrew Fifita out, Gallen will be relied upon even more heavily than usual to provide safe defence and thrust in attack.

Jason Taumalolo ($17,300)

Speaking of metre eaters, the reigning Dally M Medallist is averaging an incredible 198.3 metres gained per game this season, which puts him right up there with the best forwards ever in terms of running. He’s almost impossible to stop once he gets going and he also sits 3rd among all forwards in tackle breaks. Add to this an ability to get off an offload and his improved tackling and it is clear that he should dominate a Melbourne front-row that is missing Tim Glasby, Cameron Smith and Jordan McLean.

Hooker

Slade Griffin ($7,050)

Griffin started against the Knights in the absence of Cameron Smith and performed admirably, making 27/27 tackles on defence. Whilst he only played half a game – Kiwi Brandon Smith played the other half – his defensive effort means that he will provide good value at just over $7k. Considering he was preferred to Brandon Smith to play a role off the bench last week, there is a chance that he will see an increase in minutes as well.

Second Row Forward

Jayson Bukuya ($11,950)

Bukuya has been excellent in a bench role for the Sharks this season, with his positional versatility allowing him to fill any role that the Sharks need. The no-frills forward is a hard runner and a consistent tackler and whilst he doesn’t have the attacking arsenal of a guy like Wade Graham, his reliability is unquestionable. He averages 0.83 Draftstars points per minute and given that he will likely be asked to play considerable minutes in the absence of Fifita and Graham, he should end up scoring around the 50 mark.

Kenneath Bromwich ($10,000)

After a great start to the season, Kenny B had been quiet for the last few weeks until he put in a massive 35 tackle performance in just 37 minutes against the Sharks last round. Since sliding to the bench when Tohu Harris returned, Bromwich has seen his minutes drop to just 35.5 per game compared to a whopping 64.4 when he was starting. With the mass changes to the side this week, Harris has moved into the centres which has given Kenny another chance in the starting line-up and should see him play significantly more minutes. Expect him to provide plenty of value at just $10k.

Centre

Curtis Scott ($5,000)

After playing in two games last season, the former Junior Kangaroo gets his first crack at first-grade for the season this round. A broken fibula saw him miss time early last season and unfortunately saw him slide in the backline pecking order at the Storm, but with Will Chambers out and Cheyse Blair injured for a month, Scott has the chance to prove himself this week. Centre is his best position and he’s been playing well for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in reserve-grade, so there is every chance the highly rated youngster has a great game against the Cowboys this Saturday.

Half

Ryley Jacks ($7,700)

When playing the full 80 minutes, Jacks has averaged 32.6 Draftstars points per game. A four-minute cameo against the Warriors has resulted in a significant discount for the mature age recruit that dominated the Intrust Super Cup last year, making him a great option this week. With Cam Smith and Cooper Cronk out, Jacks will be the primary kicking option for the Storm which will boost his score even further. Jacks is also an excellent tackler in the halves and has averaged 29.5 tackles with just 1.25 missed tackles per game this season. Expect him to guide the Storm around the park and score well against an inexperienced Cowboys halves pairing.

Wing/Fullback

David Nofoaluma ($11,150)

Nofo is one of the best running backs in the competition and he consistently gives the Tigers huge metres as they build their attack. The explosive winger sits fifth in the league for metres gained and fourth for tackle breaks which demonstrates how damaging he is in attack. With the other two most prolific metre-eaters in the Tigers team missing due to Origin, Nofo will only be used more to thrust his team forward in attack. Don’t be surprised if he clocks over 200 metres and ends up with multiple broken tackles.

Young Tonumaipea ($10,250)

Tonumaipea is probably the best backline player in the competition that is not in his team’s best 17. Whether he’s being used as an explosive finisher on the wing or as a tackle breaking ball runner through the middle, Tonumaipea has been influential in his three games this season. This week he lines up at fullback, where he will be able to gain plenty of momentum on kick returns which will lead to metres and tackle breaks. The Cowboys will be vulnerable on the edge without two back-rowers and Tonumaipea will be looking to attack any holes that open up in that defence.

The Line Up

FR-F: Paul Gallen ($18,700)

FR-F: Jason Taumalolo ($17,300)

HOOK: Slade Griffin ($7,050)

2R-F: Jayson Bukuya ($11,950)

2R-F: Kenneath Bromwich ($10,000)

C: Curtis Scott ($5,000)

HALF: Ryley Jacks ($7,700)

W/FB: David Nofoaluma ($11,150)

W/FB: Young Tonumaipea ($10,250)

Salary Remaining: $900

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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

By NRL