NRL $1,500+ Warriors v Eels Line-Up
Both the Eels and the Warriors come into this game with a 2-3 record and both need the win to remain on the cusp of the finals. After starting the year with wins over Manly and St George, the Eels have fallen off a cliff with losses to the Titans, Sharks and Raiders. The Warriors wins came against two of the bottom three sides and they will be desperate for a victory on Sunday.
Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $1,500+ Warriors v Eels competition
Front Row Forward
Simon Mannering ($16,550)
The evergreen forward has been good again this season, racking up massive tackling numbers once again. Mannering hasn’t quite reached the minute load he was playing last season, in fact, he’s only seen the full 80 minutes once all season – against the Bulldogs in round three. After playing 73 minutes last round, it appears as if Mannering is playing himself into match fitness and is ready to become a full game player, which will make a positive impact on his Draftstars scoring.
Sam Lisone ($7,150)
Lisone has provided a spark off the bench for the Warriors this year, constantly making runs and providing hit-ups. His running game results in metres and tackle breaks, which makes him excellent value at just over $7k. Add to this his work rate on the defensive end, where he is never afraid to make a tackle, and it is clear that Lisone is one of the best options available in this contest.
Hooker
Kaysa Pritchard ($6,600)
Pritchard has been a nice surprise in his new starting role for the Eels this season. He’s turned himself into a big minute player after being used as a sparkplug from the bench last season and the results speak for themselves. Apart from round three, where he left the game early due to an ankle injury, Pritchard has averaged a massive 41.25 tackles per game. Whilst he hasn’t shown much of an attacking game, he lays enough tackles to be the obvious selection at hooker.
Second Row Forward
Manu Ma’u ($13,050))
With concerns over Bodene Thompson’s health, Manu Ma’u is easily the best option left in the second row. After spending time in prison, Ma’u and teammate Suaia Matagi have turned their lives around and become two of the most important players for the Eels. In terms of Draftstars, Ma’u plays the full game, lays tackles, gains metres and gets offloads, what more could you ask?
Ryan Hoffman ($10,350)
The 33-year-old has had a good start to this season and with concerns over Bodene Thompson’s health, he is the best of a bad bunch of second-rowers this week. Hoffman will always get points from tackles and metres, but will need to provide tackle breaks and possibly a try to boost his scoring. Against the Eels, who are somewhat weak on the edges, there is every chance that Hoffman will be able to get enough tackle breaks to provide a reasonable score. Frank Pritchard is a cheaper alternative that should score well if you are low on funds.
Centre
Michael Jennings ($9,300)
Jennings is the best centre available, but it is more due to the inadequacy of the other options than his production. Jennings has had an inconsistent start to the season, but his Draftstars production has been solid, with a season average of 35.90. His ability to fill up the attacking stats will come in handy against a poor Warriors’ defence, so don’t be surprised if Jennings manages to record plenty of tackle breaks and maybe even a try.
Half
Semi Radradra ($11,150)
The big winger had a nightmare against the Raiders last week, missing four tackles and making three errors. However, wingers don’t usually perform well in losses and considering the Eels play the 13th-placed Warriors this week, there is every chance Radradra redeems himself. In the two wins he’s played in this year, Radradra has recorded his two best Draftstars scores, so if Parra manage to bounce back this week, don’t miss out on a huge score from Semi.
Wing/Fullback
Jordan Rapana ($13,950)
Rapana is practically a must-have this round due to his incredible scoring spree so far this year. His ability to fill up the attacking stats is second-to-none in this matchup, with Rapana having found the try line four times this year whilst also picking up three assists. His role as a ball runner has seen him gain impressive metres and he remains one of the best in the league at busting tackles. Against the lowly Titans, there is every chance that he is the highest scoring player in this contest.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($9,000)
Tuivasa-Sheck seems to have fully recovered from his concussion in round two after putting in a monster performance last week. Similarly to Radradra, Tuivasa-Sheck performs well in high scoring matches and with two of the six worst defences going head to head, there is every chance this match will be high scoring. Tuivasa-Sheck’s ability to break tackles on kick returns gives a solid baseline for his scoring, whilst his ceiling comes from his ability to fill the other attacking stats.
The Line Up
FR-F: Simon Mannering ($16,550)
FR-F: Sam Lisone ($7,150)
HOOK: Kaysa Pritchard ($6,600)
2R-F: Manu Ma’u ($13,050)
2R-F: Ryan Hoffman ($10,350)
C: Michael Jennings ($9,300)
HALF: Corey Norman ($14,550)
W/FB: Semi Radradra ($11,150)
W/FB: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($9,000)
Salary Remaining: $2,300
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