NRL $3,000+ Saturday Line-Up
Saturday’s action kicks off with the struggling Warriors taking on Newcastle, who were last start winners against the Dragons. The Warriors have won just one game away from Auckland all season and the Knights will be looking to keep it that way. The Titans will go into the twilight game against the Broncos as heavy underdogs due to Brisbane’s great record against them, while the Raiders will try to keep their finals hopes alive against the Sharks in the late game.
Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $3,000+ Saturday competition
Front Row Forward
Andrew Fifita ($17,400)
Even though he hasn’t been at his absolute best in recent weeks, Fifita is undoubtedly one of the most dominant front-rowers in the competition. The biggest key to Fifita’s game is his ability to run at the defensive line and create second phase action from his offloads. Coming up against the Raiders, who have struggled to defend through the middle, Fifita is every chance to rack up huge metre numbers, break multiple tackles and get off plenty of offloads. This should result in a massive Draftstars score and makes him an elite option in this contest.
Josh King ($8,200)
Since becoming a starting front-rower in round sixteen, King has gradually grown more confident in his football. His defence has been solid all year, but recently he’s been trusted to take more hit-ups which has seen his metre totals improve drastically. He’s run over 110 metres in the last two games and is averaging 24.2 tackles per game since moving into the starting line-up. As a local junior in just his second season, King is crucial to the Knights’ long term plans and should continue to see plenty of playing time for the rest of the season
Hooker
Kodi Nikorima ($7,350)
With Andrew McCullough out for the season, Brisbane have decided to move Ben Hunt to nine and bring Nikorima back at halfback. The Broncos were undefeated in the seven games Nikorima started at halfback, with the versatile Kiwi proving to Wayne Bennett that he is the right man to don the number seven when Hunt leaves at season’s end. Although he doesn’t come with the safety of the other hookers due to his low tackling numbers, Nikorima’s upside makes him an absolute steal at just over $7k.
Second Row Forward
Ryan James ($14,500)
After guiding his side to the finals last season, James has struggled to impact the game with dominant, try-scoring performances this season. Over the last fortnight, however, he’s been incredible for the Titans, making 44 and 47 tackles respectively and providing them with plenty of carries in attack. When these two sides met in round seven, James finished the game with a try, 33 tackles, 5 tackle breaks and a season-best 70.30 Draftstars points. The Titans lost by two points that day and if they’re any chance of winning on Saturday, they’ll need a similar performance from their skipper.
Isaiah Papalii ($6,400)
Since making his debut off the bench in round one, Papalii hasn’t been sighted at first-grade level. However, with the Warriors season effectively being over and with Bodene Thompson getting injured, coach Stephen Kearney has decided to blood one of the club’s brightest young prospects. After a stellar junior career that included representing the Junior Kiwis, Papalii will get his first start in the NRL this week, coincidentally against the same team he faced in his only other match. Picking him is risky, but the Warriors should be giving their younger players plenty of playing time which should result in a solid score from Papalii
Centre
James Roberts ($13,850)
Roberts has been in scintillating form for the Broncos recently, scoring four tries in the last three weeks. He’s also broken 19 tackles, made 6 line breaks and run an average of 165 metres in this time, showing exactly why the Broncos decided to sign him for another four years. He comes up against his former club this week and if his performance in their last matchup is anything to go by, he should be in for a massive game. That night he ended up with three tries, a try assist, eleven tackle breaks and 182 metres in one of the most dominant attacking performances of the season.
Half
Mason Lino ($6,400)
Lino has been solid since filling in for Shaun Johnson and could be in for a big day against the Knights. Given the shaky defence of both sides, it should be a high scoring contest which will give Lino plenty of opportunities to create attack. Despite setting up a try last week, his game still had plenty of errors. With two weeks under his belt now to adjust, Lino should be getting more comfortable with his teammates and this should see him give you a decent score given his very reasonable price.
Wing/Fullback
Jordan Rapana ($12,700)
After an incredible start to the season, Rapana has been quiet in his last few games and hasn’t scored a try since round 14. Against the Storm in round 20, Rapana copped a one match suspension for a shoulder charge which meant he didn’t play last week. A rested Rapana is a dangerous concept for opposition teams given his incredible speed and power out wide. He still leads the Raiders in tries, line breaks, tackle breaks and offloads, and a good performance from Rapana will be crucial in keeping Canberra’s finals hopes alive.
Dane Gagai ($11,750)
No matter the result, Gagai has been the heart and soul of the Knights for the last few years. His ability to run the ball and create attacking opportunities out of nothing has kept the Knights’ attack alive at times and has certainly made him their most valuable player. This week he comes up against the Warriors, who have conceded at least 22 points in each of their last four games. This gives Gagai a perfect opportunity to have a field day in attack, racking up plenty of attacking stats and Draftstars points in the process.
The Line Up
FR-F: Andrew Fifita ($17,400)
FR-F: Josh King ($8,200)
HOOK: Kodi Nikorima ($7,350)
2R-F: Ryan James ($14,500)
2R-F: Isaiah Papalii ($6,400)
C: James Roberts ($13,850)
HALF: Mason Lino ($6,400)
W/FB: Jordan Rapana ($12,700)
W/FB: Dane Gagai ($11,750)
Salary Remaining: $250
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