NRL $1,500+ Tigers v Storm Line-Up

It’s the classic David and Goliath clash on Sunday afternoon with the undefeated Melbourne Storm taking on the bottom of the table Wests Tigers. The Tigers will be raring to bounce back after a 40-point loss last week and come out fighting under interim coach Andrew Webster. This should make for a cracking game and a great Draftstars contest.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $1,500+ Tigers v Storm competition

Front Row Forward

Kenny Bromwich ($10,200)

The options in the front row are uninspiring, with Dale Finucane, Jesse Bromwich and Aaron Woods as the three premium options. Finucane is as solid as a rock and will score 40-50 every week, but doesn’t have the upside to justify the price tag whilst Jesse has lingering concerns over his broken thumb. Aaron Woods is too expensive, which leaves us with Kenny Bromwich. Kenny has made the most of his new starting role this season by lifting his average to 39.3 Draftstars points. He played 80 minutes last week and may do so again this week, making him great value for money.

Felise Kaufusi ($7,350)

After starting just three games last season, Kaufusi has been excellent for the Storm this year as a starting back rower. He has played the full 80 in all three games so far and should do so again this round. His tackling has been impressive (34.67 per game) and he is also gaining plenty of metres, at just over $7k, he’s brilliant value.

Hooker

Cameron Smith ($19,250)

There is no doubt that Smith is the superior hooker in this matchup, but the big question is whether or not he is worth the extra $14k. Will Cam Smith outscore Matt McIlwrick by a large enough amount to justify selecting him? Well, considering the value options we have in other lines that should score well (Kaufusi, Jacks and even Billy Slater), Smith is definitely worth the extra money. McIlwrick simply doesn’t play enough minutes to justify selection (although this may change with Jason Taylor gone), whereas Smith has an all-encompassing fantasy game – he’s a tackling beast and a goal kicker with the ability to fill the attacking stats. Lock him in.

Second Row Forward

Elijah Taylor ($12,300)

Taylor is the epitome of a workhorse, known as one of the best tacklers in the league and rightly so. Last year, the minimum tackles he laid in a full game was 36, which sets an excellent basement for him and better yet, he even managed to lay 60 tackles against Penrith which gives him a solid ceiling. With Jason Taylor gone, we may even see Andrew Webster give Taylor some attacking freedom to become more of a ball player, which could result in a try assist or line break assist as well.

Sauaso Sue ($10,650)

Sue suffered a head knock against the Raiders last round, which limited him to just 36 minutes of action. As such, he only scored 19.30 Draftstars points after scoring 45 and 41.70 in the two weeks prior to that. Sue has turned himself into an 80-minute back rower this season after ending last year playing almost exclusively at prop. This is excellent news for our fantasy teams, as it means he gets more time to rack up tackles, metres and offloads. He should outscore everyone in his price range and may even match the likes of Finucane and Jesse Bromwich.

Centre

Cheyse Blair ($10,400)

The key to Blair’s scoring is scoring tries and against the hapless Tigers, he should be in for a field day. Blair is consistent with his tackling and meterage, but his scores are middling when he doesn’t fill the attacking stats. Against the Tigers, he is a chance to fill tries, tackle breaks and line breaks and get a score in the 50s for your team. If you’re chasing a cheaper option, Will Chambers might be your guy if he can cash in on the predicted try frenzy.

Half

Ryley Jacks ($5,050)

While we hate to see injuries, Cameron Munster’s broken jaw could not possibly be more convenient for our fantasy teams. Jacks, who played just 48 minutes last week, will now see the full 80, which will mean a ton of opportunities to fill up the stat sheet. Jacks is an excellent tackler and last week asserted his offensive dominance by recording a try, line break and tackle break. At just over $5k, there is no better value in this contest than Jacks.

Wing/Fullback

James Tedesco ($14,950)

You know that Tedesco will give it his all in every game, no matter what the score is. His ability to break tackles is unparalleled and if anyone is going to score for the Tigers, it’s Tedesco. With Cooper Cronk, Smith and Jacks bombing the ball down to the Tigers fullback, Tedesco should be able to pick up plenty of running metres as well. He doesn’t come cheap, but in a contest with so many value options, he’s worth the price tag.

Josh Addo-Carr ($9,550)

The boom winger should be in for another big week of tackle breaks, metres and tries this week after Jordan Rapana scored two tries against the Tigers from the right wing last week. There’s no reason that Addo-Carr can’t match that output, with two scores over 40 already this season. Billy Slater is tempting, but despite his mercurial nature, he has never filled up the stat sheet like other fullbacks.

The Line Up

FR-F: Kenneath Bromwich ($10,200)

FR-F: Felise Kaufusi ($7,350)

HOOK: Cameron Smith ($19,250)

2R-F: Elijah Taylor ($12,230)

2R-F: Sauaso Sue ($10,650)

C: Cheyse Blair ($10,400)

HALF: Ryley Jacks ($5,050))

W/FB: James Tedesco ($14,950)

W/FB: Josh Addo-Carr ($9,550)

Salary Remaining: $300