NRL $1000+ Warriors v Storm Line-Up

Friday night offers two NRL blockbusters, and the first clash between Warriors and Melbourne is attracting our attention here.

PLAY NOW

Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $1000+ Friday night competition

Front Row Forward

Kenneath Bromwich ($10,300)

Kenny B will be looking to shoulder the responsibility of the Melbourne forward pack and will be playing many minutes in this game. Considering Bromwich averaged 43 minutes last year and could be looking at 60 minutes this game – he has to be a value fantasy option. He will be working with the halves by rotating between playing more in the middle of the field and lurking on the edge. Will be motivated, which should spell points for Kenneth.

Bunty Afoa ($10,100)

Afoa played pretty well in his four appearances last season and in his two starts; he scored 67 and 42 fantasy points including a two-try effort. His ability to cover front and second row makes him more useful. After averaging close to 50 points this season – in the one game he’s played he will continue to fly under the radar perhaps because of Mannering’s presence in the Warriors’ back row, but he remains arguably the most reliable point-of-difference buy in the game.

Hooker

Cameron Smith ($18,500)

The best of the best. When picking your starting squad, there’s nothing wrong with making the Storm skipper your first man picked. Smith scored more than 66 points per game last season, scoring better than 50 points 22 times in 24 games during the regular season – more than any other player. He scores points in just about every fantasy category and is as durable and reliable as they get. He had a bad week last week but to put this under some perspective a bad week for Cam Smith is 48 points.

Second Row Forward

Felise Kaufusi ($7,300)

Each week Melbourne Storm ask him to come off the bench and barge into the game throwing his body into tackles and hit-ups to give the side a boost of energy after the initial surge of the opening minutes. Given the recent departures and injuries of big-name Melbourne forwards, the 24-year-old has fulfilled that role with aplomb. He is a little cheaper than the top-priced props and could be worth a shot as a cut-price keeper.

Simon Mannering ($15,950)

Simon Mannering is a fantasy god and is one of the best locks in the game. He has made more tackles than any other player has and prides himself on being the defensive linchpin for the Warriors. Yes, he is coming off a neck injury but make no mistake, Simon was one of the best forwards last season and led the statistics with big tackle counts on a regular basis. He will be looking to make the most against a somewhat depleted Melbourne pack and has to be picked on previous form.

Centre

David Fusitu’a ($11,400)

Fusitu’a has played six different roles in the last three years but the Warriors will be looking to use that versatility to their advantage here. He will continue scoring tries and look for the warriors to keep throwing the ball his way seeing that he is defending Melbourne’s weaker side. He will score tries and break tackles.

Half

Ryley Jacks ($5,850)

The Canadian international had a great start to his NRL career and seeing that Billy Slater is out – he will continue getting game time. Has a good wet weather game which will see him score points.

Wing/Fullback

Josh Addo-Carr ($9,800)

Addo-Carr was pretty good as a try scoring rookie himself, and looking at last year, JAC would score tries in his first three games and would finish the year with six in nine games. He has got the requisite tackle breaking ability and he will score a try here. More importantly, Melbourne like using their outside backs in the middle of the field – which means more points.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($9,900)

We’re talking about an absolute freak of a player that averaged 57 points per game in 2015 who can be picked up for a mid-range price. He played well in the Warriors’ first and although it is never worth paying top dollar for an outside back but at this price, Roger is an undervalued fantasy keeper. He will continue flying and scoring more points. His partnership with Shaun Johnson will continue flourishing. A must-have.

The Line Up

FR-F: Kenneath Bromwich ($10,300)

FR-F: Bunty Afoa ($10,100)

HOOK: Cameron Smith ($18,500)

2R-F: Felise Kaufusi ($7,300)

2R-F: Simon Mannering ($15,950)

C: David Fusitu’a ($11,400)

HALF: Ryley Jacks ($5,850)

W/FB: Josh Addo-Carr ($9,800)

W/FB: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($9,900)

Salary Remaining: $1,550