$30,000+ NRL Grand Final Line-Up

The big day is finally here, and it couldn’t be a better match up. The Storm have been unbeatable all season, losing just two games when their Origin stars have been available, with the last of these losses coming in round ten. They do face the red-hot Cowboys, though, who have got all the momentum with them after coming from eighth to surge into a Grand Final. What better time to enter a Draftstars team?

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Here is a team you may consider for the $30,000+ NRL Grand Final

Front Row Forward

Jason Taumalolo ($15,350)

Taumalolo has been an unstoppable force throughout this finals series, playing a key role in North Queensland’s miracle run. His play has been so good that there has been talk of whether he’s the most dominant forward of all time. His Draftstars scoring has reflected his dominance, with the big man averaging 73.8 points for the finals series after scoring 72.9 and 76.3 in the last two rounds of the season. The Storm have a great pack, so if the Cowboys are any chance of springing an upset, Taumalolo will need to star.

Jordan McLean ($8,050)

In his last game in Storm colours, it’s fitting that McLean will come up against his new club. Although he hasn’t been a standout in recent weeks, his quality is clear. His big frame makes him tough to stop, while his tackle breaking ability gives his outside backs a chance at some potential second-phase action. With the likes of Taumalolo and Scott Bolton opposing him, the battle of the middle forwards will be crucial.

Hooker

Jake Granville ($9,900)

Granville has proven to be a phenomenal big game player, and he probably should have won the Clive Churchill Medal in 2015. He’s been asked to stand up in this finals series and has generally been up to the task, going about his work diligently in defence while providing excellent service out of dummy-half in attack. He’s averaging 33.4 points in the finals, but don’t be surprised if he improves on that in the big dance. Given his pedigree, and Cam Smith’s exorbitant price tag, Granville is a nice option.

Second Row Forward

Scott Bolton ($11,950)

While plenty of the credit has gone to the likes of Taumalolo and Michael Morgan during this incredible Cowboys’ run, Scott Bolton has been phenomenal. In the finals, he’s averaging 55.6 Draftstars points, including a borderline best on ground performance against the Roosters last week. He ended that game with a try, a line break, five tackle breaks and 157 metres gained in his best attacking game of the year. As an experienced veteran, the big stage won’t frighten him, so you can almost guarantee that he’ll continue his brilliant production.

Gavin Cooper ($9,300)

With coach Paul Green coming out and saying that Matt Scott almost certainly won’t play in the Grand Final, Gavin Cooper will be the Cowboys skipper. Cooper has been working hard to overcome a calf injury that kept him out for a couple of weeks last month, but in a Grand Final, you can guarantee he’ll push through the pain. With guys like Coen Hess, Shaun Fensom and Nelson Asofa-Solomona at a similar price, it’s tough to go wrong in the back-row. Cooper is as reliable as they come, though, so picking him is also a great option.

Centre

Will Chambers ($8,250)

Despite Kane Linnett’s brilliant form, Will Chambers is tried and tested in the big games. After starring in Origin this season, Chambers won’t be afraid of the moment, which should be music to the ears of Draftstars owners. His strong running game gives him the ability to generate a score from metres, offloads, tackle breaks, line breaks and of course, tries. This gives him a massive ceiling, but also reliability, with just five scores below 30 in his 22 games this season.

Half

Michael Morgan ($15,250)

Morgan has been Mr September this season, replicating the incredible feats of Jarryd Hayne in 2009. Some have even christened him as the best player in the game at the moment. With compliments like that getting thrown around, it’s tough not to pick him, but when you look at his scoring, it’s even tougher. He’s averaging 67.7 Draftstars points in the finals series, with an incredible array of stats. In three weeks, he’s had one try, two field goals, three try assists, three line break assists, five tackle breaks, seven offloads and plenty of running and kicking metres. He’s handling the ball far more than anyone, and his kicking game has improved out of sight. The Cowboys may be heavy underdogs, but with the form of Morgan, anything is possible.

Wing/Fullback

Cameron Munster ($12,500)

Munster has converted to the halves this season with ease, but luckily, he’s still available as a fullback in Draftstars land. Similarly to Morgan, his ability to score in multiple categories makes him an intriguing option. His dominant ball running allows him to rack up metres, tackle breaks and line breaks, which also often lead to him setting up tries for his teammates. We saw in Origin three what he can do in the big moments, so there’s no doubt he’ll stand up in the heat of a Grand Final.

Justin O’Neill ($8,500)

Playing for the chance of a third premiership, O’Neill should be used to Grand Finals by now. After a slow start to the season, O’Neill has come home strong, showing how dangerous he can be with his incredible speed and agility. In the last twelve games, he’s had just three scores under 30, with one of those scores being an injury affected 8 against the Panthers. Coming up against his former club will only add fuel to his fire, so back in O’Neill to have a big one on Sunday.

The Line Up

FR-F: Jason Taumalolo ($15,350)

FR-F: Jordan McLean ($8,050)

HOOK: Jake Granville ($9,900)

2R-F: Scott Bolton ($11,950)

2R-F: Gavin Cooper ($9,300)

C: Will Chambers ($8,250)

HALF: Michael Morgan ($15,250)

W/FB: Cameron Munster ($12,500)

W/FB: Justin O’Neill ($8,500)

Salary Remaining: $950