NRL $3,000+ Tigers v Bulldogs Line-Up

It will be a cracking clash between the Tigers and the Bulldogs this Sunday after it was revealed that Tigers’ captain Aaron Woods would sign with the Dogs next year. With James Tedesco also joining the Roosters and Ivan Cleary drawing a line in the sand by rejecting Mitch Moses’ request to join the Eels immediately, there will be plenty of attention on the Tigers this week and a whole lot to play for.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $3,000+ Tigers v Bulldogs competition

Front Row Forward

James Graham ($16,850)

The Bulldogs’ captain will go head-to-head with good mate and new recruit Aaron Woods and will be keen to assert his dominance. With Kieran Foran joining Woods at the Dogs next season, Graham might be looking for a new home, which adds extra incentive for him to perform strongly. In the last three weeks Graham has made 47.33 tackles per game on the defensive end, whilst contributing with metres and offloads in attack to end up with an average of 67.17 Draftstars points. He doesn’t come cheap, but he’s guaranteed to score well.

Sam Kasiano ($6,850)

With a lack of decent cheap options, Kasiano is a reasonable choice. The big unit has played well recently, averaging over 38 points in his last three outings on the back of some excellent tackling breaking runs. Big Kas is an inconsistent scorer, but will be virtually unstoppable against a terrible Tigers pack that is one of the smallest in the competition. Expect plenty of tackle breaks, metres and maybe even a try from the big man in what should be a dominant game for the Dogs pack.

Hooker

Matt McIlwrick ($5,300)

McIlwrick has looked like a new man under new coach Ivan Cleary, scoring a try in both games he’s played. Cleary has trusted the rejuvenated journeyman with more minutes, which has led to better play on the field and better Draftstars scoring off the field. His running game looks to have improved, as he looks slipperier and more threatening out of dummy half which has led to increased metres and tackle busts. Another score of over 50 might be ambitious, but McIlwrick should still be the pick of the hookers considering Michael Lichaa is $8k more expensive and he will play more minutes than Jacob Liddle.

Second Row Forward

Josh Jackson ($13,450)

Taking out his round two performance when he had to cover injuries in the backline, Jackson has averaged 52.05 points in games he has played in his favoured back-row this season. Considering the next best back-rower (Elijah Taylor) is averaging 42.20, it is clear why Jackson should be a lock in this contest. The Bulldogs have started to utilise his dangerous ball-running on the edge more often, which has led to an increase in his attacking stats to go with his enormous tackling numbers.

Elijah Taylor ($12,500)

There is a lack of good second-rowers in this contest, with no value options and poor premium options. This leaves Taylor as the best of a bad situation due to his consistent scoring. This consistency comes from his tackling, where the workhorse lock has made between 35 and 48 tackles in every game so far this season. Seeing as he is rarely used as a ball player or ball runner, his ceiling is limited, but his defensive work ethic is enough to get him selected in a weak pool of second-rowers.

Centre

Michael Chee-Kam ($5,550)

After losing his starting spot to Jamal Idris, Chee-Kam had been used as an impact player off the bench in recent weeks to great effect. His versatility was extremely handy as new coach Ivan Cleary used him in a variety of roles, but with Idris out injured, he will find himself back in the Centres this week. This will mean more minutes, but will also probably mean a decrease in his tackling numbers. Despite this, his ability to stand up in tackles and get offloads will mean that the Tigers will still use him as a ball-runner which will lead to metres, tackle busts and offloads.

Half

Mitchell Moses ($11,550)

The halves are tough in this matchup as there are concerns over Moses Mbye’s minutes, Josh Reynolds form and Jack Littlejohn’s ceiling. This leaves Mitchell Moses, who has been front and centre in the media this week due to the drama surrounding his departure to the Eels. On the field, though, he’s improved his play in the last few weeks as he’s showed the well-rounded attacking game that has him in line to receive big money at Parramatta. His kicking game has been good and with Luke Brooks out, he’s been the sole creator in attack for the Tigers which has led to line breaks, tries and try assists in the last few weeks.

Wing/Fullback

James Tedesco ($15,250)

In a massive blow to the future of the Wests Tigers, superstar fullback James Tedesco will join the Roosters next year, spurning offers from the Tigers and Bulldogs. Coincidentally, those are the two teams playing this weekend, which makes for an interesting situation for the Tigers custodian. This does add an element of risk to selecting Teddy, but it is even more of a risk not to pick him considering he is the most damaging running fullback in the league and is averaging over nine tackle breaks per game.

Brenko Lee ($9,650)

The former Raider has been phenomenal for his new club this season, providing an extra attacking weapon to complement the Morris brothers. His ability to keep the ball alive during runs as an offloading centre provides a spark that the Bulldogs were missing last season and whilst his he hasn’t been able to find the try line much this year, he is always a threat to score as well.

The Line Up

FR-F: James Graham ($16,850)

FR-F: Sam Kasiano ($6,850)

HOOK: Matt McIlwrick ($5,300)

2R-F: Josh Jackson ($13,450)

2R-F: Elijah Taylor ($12,500)

C: Michael Chee-Kam ($5,550)

HALF: Mitchell Moses ($11,550)

W/FB: James Tedesco ($15,250)

W/FB: Brenko Lee ($9,650)

Salary Remaining: $3,050