NRL $10,000 Rabbitohs v Roosters Line-Up

Another blockbuster awaits NRL fans on a Thursday night, with old rivals South Sydney facing the Roosters at ANZ Stadium. With so many stars to pick, who makes your Draftstars team?

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Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $10,000+ Thursday competition

Front Row Forward

Sam Burgess ($15,850)

Burgess recaptured his form from last season against the Knights last Saturday by running 196 metres and laying 39 tackles. This tackling presence is the form we need to see from Burgess for him to be an ultra-premium option, as he was towards the end of last year. The fact that he is a lock that is available as a front-rower means that we are already getting him at a discount because he’ll play more minutes than the front-rowers.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($10,600)

The big Kiwi enforcer has started the 2017 season with a bang after a tumultuous 2016 season which saw him deal with injury and a plethora of off-field issues. This has had little impact this season, with Waerea-Hargreaves fit and firing after a full pre-season. To have a prop laying 29, 34 and 37 tackles in the first three rounds is an absolute luxury and has bumped the Kiwi’s average up to 44 points for the season. At $2k cheaper than the likes of Aidan Guerra and Dylan Napa, he’s a great selection.

Hooker

Jake Friend ($16,350)

With the choice coming down to Friend and Robbie Farah, Friend is slightly more appealing. Whilst the naming of utility Ryan Matterson and halfback/hooker Connor Watson on the bench is concerning with regards to Friend’s minutes, there are even greater concerns around Farah. Friend has played a minimum 68 minutes in the first three rounds, while Farah hasn’t even seen 60 minutes due to Damien Cook giving him relief from the bench. As such, Friend should outscore Farah and if he plays the full 80, could be a game changing selection.

Second Row Forward

Mitch Aubusson ($11,400)

Picking Aubusson is basically the cardinal sin of fantasy NRL, however he has sprung into calculations this season with scores of 36.40, 74.40 and 48.50. His average of 37.3 tackles per game has laid the foundation for his good scoring, but it is in the offensive categories that Aubusson has improved this season. The Roosters love to use the ball runners on the edges, which has led to solid metres, tackle breaks and a try for Aubusson this season. Expect this to continue, making Aubusson a solid pick this week, even if it does feel dirty.

Angus Crichton ($6,100)

Crichton being named in the second row is a dream for fantasy coaches, who will be able to cash in on his value at either centre or second row in Draftstars. Considering the Roosters love to get the ball in the hands of their back-rowers, Crichton will be able to get his tackle numbers up to build his score. If he can break a couple of tackles – as he’s done in the last two weeks – he’ll be a bargain at just over $6k. Watch for him to potentially chip in with a try as well, as he often scored in the NYC last year.

Centre

Siosifa Talakai ($5,000)

Coming off a score of 46.4 and at just $5,000, Talakai is too good to ignore. With Talakai playing alongside Robert Jennings, the Bunnies have just 14 combined first-grade games in their centres, which could lead to the Roosters attempting to attack this area of the field. As such, there is potential for Talakai to lay a few tackles, which hopefully he can combine with some line breaks or tackle breaks to build a solid score for us at a low price.

Half

Mitchell Pearce ($15,300)

Pearce has been awesome to start this season, putting up incredible kicking numbers to build huge fantasy scores. After starting the season with 218 kick metres, he’s upped the ante to 383 and 478 metres respectively in the last two weeks. Add to this his ability to fill the other offensive categories, such as try assists, line break assists and tackle breaks and you have a standout option in the halves for this game.

Wing/Fullback

Latrell Mitchell ($9,550)

Considering the Roosters will likely be attacking the inexperienced Bunnies’ centres, there is every chance that Mitchell will cash in with tackle breaks and tries. He’s already scored four tries in the first three rounds and we saw last year that he has the ability to bust through tackles. Michael Gordon is another good option here, but Mitchell’s matchup against Robert Jennings in the centres gives him the slight edge.

Alex Johnston ($8,400)

Picking wingers in fantasy is inherently risky and no one proves this more than Alex Johnston. After scoring just 7.40 in the first round, he has scored 46.20 and 55.40 in the last two rounds – talk about a high ceiling and low floor! With the form he’s in, it’s worth backing in Johnston to go big again by dominating tackle breaks and scoring a try or two. This is not a selection for the faint of heart.

The Line Up

FR-F: Sam Burgess ($15,850)

FR-F: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($10,600)

HOOK: Jake Friend ($16,350)

2R-F: Mitchell Aubusson ($11,400)

2R-F: Angus Crichton ($6,100)

C: Siosifa Talakai ($5,000)

HALF: Mitchell Pearce ($15,300)

W/FB: Latrell Mitchell ($9,550)

W/FB: Alex Johnston ($8,400)

Salary Remaining: $1,450