NRL $3,000+ Panthers v Dragons Line-Up

Round 25 ends with a blockbuster match between two finals contenders, the Panthers and the Dragons. Penrith have won their last seven games on the trot and are in the box seat to secure a place in the eight, but they’ll be without skipper Matt Moylan this Sunday which is a massive loss. The Dragons need a win to keep their season alive, so there will undoubtedly be plenty of fireworks at Pepper Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $3,000+ Panthers v Dragons competition

Front Row Forward

Leeson Ah Mau ($12,400)

After five weeks in the starting line-up, Ah Mau has been used in a bench role in the last two games. Despite this, his minutes have remained relatively similar which means that he is still a handy Draftstars option. Ah Mau may not have the offloading capacity or ball skills of his fellow forwards, he always does the hard work and puts up solid production. Last week he ran 149 metres with five tackle breaks and made 20 tackles in defence. Given the hefty price tags attached to most of the front-row options, Ah Mau is reasonably priced and should be able to approximate the scoring of more expensive guys.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard ($11,200)

Campbell-Gillard is as reliable as they come and is playing a very similar role for Penrith to Leeson Ah Mau at the Dragons. His job description would read along the lines of run and tackle all day and don’t worry about the fancy stuff; play your role. Last week he made one of the most impressive chase down tackles ever seen from a front-rower, when he miraculously stopped a runaway Raiders try that would’ve cost Penrith the game, and possibly their spot in the finals. His reliability will be crucial against a dangerous Dragons’ pack, so don’t be surprised if he sees a few extra minutes this week.

Hooker

Peter Wallace ($12,950)

Wallace returns from a hand injury this week to provide much needed experience to a Panthers spine that now has rookies at fullback, five-eighth and halfback. The consistent hooker will skipper his side this week and will be looking to replicate the form that had him as a shoe-in for representative football this season before injuries struck. Defensively, he’s tireless and he rarely misses a tackle. In attack, he’s one of the cleanest passers in the game and he has a handy kicking game that the Panthers could utilise more frequently. Given Cameron McInnes’s astronomical price tag, Wallace is a great choice.

Second Row Forward

Isaah Yeo ($12,500)

Yeo has really cemented himself as an NRL player this season, missing just one game for Penrith and playing 80 minutes in 19 of the 21 he did play. His playing time is attributable to the solidarity he provides, whether it be in defence or attack. He’s averaging 106.4 metres from 11.3 runs per game, while also making 27.9 tackles in defence. He runs good lines and even found himself scoring a double earlier this season, so his attacking game isn’t limited to solid runs. Pick him if you’re after a reliable option.

Tariq Sims ($11,750)

Sims has started the last two games in the front-row, but has been used in the back-row and at lock at stages. This versatility has allowed him to play the full game in each of the last two weeks which has led to an increase in his production. Last week he ran 140 metres from 15 runs and executed 30/32 tackles in a nicely rounded performance. While he’s not an offloader, Sims has the ability to bust tackles and run all day which allows him to score well when given enough playing time.

Centre

Waqa Blake ($10,250)

Blake has been in superb touch recently and was awarded man of the match last week on the back of his one try, one assist, two line breaks and six tackle breaks. He looks to have plenty of confidence in his running game and it seems that when Blake plays well, the Panthers generally win. He has cut down the errors in his game and looks to be running better lines and reading the play better, which should be music to the ears of Draftstars players. Given he is both the cheapest and most in-form of the centre options, Blake is a great option.

Half

Gareth Widdop ($12,750)

Widdop has been passing more often and getting his teammates into the action in recent weeks which has seen him running the ball less. With the Dragons’ finals hopes hanging by a thread, there is every chance Widdop takes matters into his own hands and starts running the ball himself more often. This is the hope for his owners in Draftstars at least, as it opens up line breaks, tackle breaks, tries and of course metres.

Wing/Fullback

Tyrone May ($9,150)

May returns to the halves at the expense of his skipper Matt Moylan who is once again struggling with a hamstring injury. In his five games, May has been really impressive, scoring three tries and showing a general aptitude for top level football. His running game is dangerous thanks to his agility and footwork, and his passing is good too. He has no kicking game at the moment, but next to a guy like Nathan Cleary, he barely needs one. The Dragons have struggled to defend running halves in recent weeks, so May is a good chance of scoring well.

Matthew Dufty ($6,900)

Dufty has given Dragons fans an insight into life after Josh Dugan since his marvellous debut in round twenty. His positioning is great and it allows him to collect offloads from his forwards and use his advanced footwork to scoot past defenders. Although he hasn’t reached the sterling heights of his debut, Dufty has shown flashes of brilliance that make him an enticing option at under $7k in a contest without many cheap alternatives.

The Line Up

FR-F: Leeson Ah Mau ($12,400)

FR-F: Reagan Campbell-Gillard ($11,200)

HOOK: Peter Wallace ($12,950)

2R-F: Isaah Yeo ($12,500)

2R-F: Tariq Sims ($11,750)

C: Waqa Blake ($10,250)

HALF: Gareth Widdop ($12,750)

W/FB: Tyrone May ($9,150)

W/FB: Matthew Dufty ($6,900)

Salary Remaining: $150