NRL $1,000+ Sharks v Sea Eagles Line-Up

The round finishes on Sunday with a blockbuster match-up between the third placed Sharks and the fifth placed Sea Eagles. The Sharks escaped with a narrow win over the Tigers last week, but welcome back their Origin stars and will be looking to record a win over a strong opposition. The Sea Eagles are 5-0 away from home this season and will be keen to extend that record this Sunday.

PLAY NOW

Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $1,000+ Sharks v Sea Eagles competition

Front Row Forward

Andrew Fifita ($17,200)

The Maroons ensured that Fifita was quietened in Origin II after his game changing performance in Origin I, but at club level, the big man is near unstoppable. His ability to make barnstorming runs through the heart of the defence is unparalleled and it makes his impact on the game dominant, both in real life and statistically. He currently sits third among all forwards in the NRL for tackle breaks and offloads, while his running metres are always huge as well. Against a Manly pack that has been impressive this season, Fifita will need to assert his dominance for the Sharks to win

Martin Taupau ($16,450)

Taupau is probably the closest thing to Andrew Fifita that there is, so it makes sense to have both guys in the line-up. His running game is phenomenal and he leads the league in offloads thanks to his massive frame which is almost impossible to get to ground. He is also fourth in tackle breaks and he has clocked over 200 metres in each of the last two weeks. There is no doubt that Taupau is one of the most dominant front-rowers in the competition and he can cost you a contest if you don’t have him.

Hooker

Jayden Brailey ($10,750)

Brailey has been a standout for the Sharks this season, with the rookie providing hard-nosed defence and generally quick service out of dummy-half. While he doesn’t provide much in attack in terms of a kicking game or a dangerous running game around the try line, there is no doubting Brailey’s spirit and character on defence as he throws around his 88kg frame to lay tackle after tackle. He will have a huge role to play against an in-form Sea Eagles’ pack and there is no doubt that he has what it take to step up to the occasion.

Second Row Forward

Curtis Sironen ($9,750)

Sironen has been free to play as an 80 minute second-rower this season after being used in a variety of roles both starting and from the bench in his time at the Tigers. This has allowed him to settle into a role as a ball runner who uses his big frame to keep the ball alive by staying strong in the tackler and getting out the offload. He has made the sixth most offloads among all forwards in the league this season, which has been great for his Draftstars scoring. Add to this his consistency as a tackler and his ability to rack up 100+ metres in any given game and it is clear that he is great value.

Frank Winterstein ($7,500)

Sironen’s partner in the second-row has stepped up to the challenge of becoming a big minutes forward in just his second season. Winterstein’s production has been hit and miss, which is to be expected from a guy who is finding his feet at the top level, but there is no doubt that he is an excellent prospect for the Eagles. In this contest, he is easily one of the best value picks thanks to his ability to make runs in attack and then back it up with plenty of tackles in defence.

Centre

Brian Kelly ($6,300)

Kelly has been a pleasant surprise this year for Manly, putting in consistently good performances in his rookie season. After proving his credentials at the under-20 level with the Titans last year, where he scored eleven tries and averaged 132 metres and 3.5 tackle breaks, Kelly has produced a similar line in the NRL albeit without the try scoring. After crossing for five tries in his first eight games, Kelly has failed to score in his last six outings, but has still provided the Eagles with some nice burst out wide. Expect him to run plenty of metres, break a few tackles and hopefully find the try line against the Sharks.

Half

Dylan Walker ($12,750)

Walker has been a focal point of the Sea Eagles attack this season as demonstrated by him leading the team in points and being second in try assists and third in tackle breaks and tries. His combination with winger Akuila Uate has been an exciting one for Manly fans and has been a focal point for their attack this season, with Walker setting up the Fijian winger for nearly all of his tries. Against a Sharks team that has a few bodies backing up from Origin, Walker’s speed and creativity will be tough to handle.

Wing/Fullback

Valentine Holmes ($10,800)

Holmes redeemed himself after an error in his first play at Origin level by finding the try line to give Queensland an early lead, albeit under controversial circumstances. Overall, his first game at Origin level was a success and his confidence will be sky-high going into Sunday’s contest against the Sea Eagles. The Sharks will need his speed to get them plenty of yardage on the kick returns and his ability to break open the defence will be crucial in a tight game.

Matthew Wright ($7,300)

After originally coming into the team to replace the injured Tom Trbojevic, Wright has kept his spot due to Jorge Taufua going down as well. This has resulted in a move from fullback to the wing, but shouldn’t impact his Draftstars scoring immensely as he will still be used as a goal kicker and he will still be able to rack up plenty of metres. His combination with Brian Kelly may be crucial to the Sea Eagles chances as they look to take advantage of the Sharks out wide.

The Line Up

FR-F: Andrew Fifita ($17,200)

FR-F: Martin Taupau ($16,450)

HOOK: Jayden Brailey ($10,750)

2R-F: Curtis Sironen ($9,750)

2R-F: Frank Winterstein ($7,500)

C: Brian Kelly ($6,300)

HALF: Dylan Walker ($12,750)

W/FB: Valentine Holmes ($10,800)

W/FB: Matthew Wright ($7,300)

Salary Remaining: $1,200