NRL $3,000+ Saturday Line-Up
Saturday could play a key role in determining the end of season ladder, with all four teams attempting to break into the top eight playing. Either the Panthers or the Titans will see their season end with a loss in the early game, while the Raiders and Warriors will be looking to cause upsets against the Storm and Cowboys to ignite their push towards the finals. With plenty at stake, it should be a fantastic Draftstars contest.
Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $3,000+ Saturday competition
Front Row Forward
Jason Taumalolo ($16,600)
Taumalolo was good once again for the Cowboys last week, making two line breaks and scoring an important try. One of his line breaks was particularly awe inspiring, as he stepped Cody Walker and took a couple of Rabbitohs defenders with him on his run before he was eventually taken to the ground. He is undoubtedly the most dominant forward in the league and is the best player in the league according to some thanks to his incredible running game. He leads the league in metres gained and is second among forwards in tackle busts, and against a Warriors team that has struggled defensively in recent weeks, he is every chance to have another massive performance on Saturday.
Moses Leota ($6,400)
Trent Merrin’s knee injury is a crushing blow to the Panthers, with the Kangaroos representative set to miss up to eight weeks. However, with injury comes opportunity and that is exactly what has been handed to Moses Leota who has been named to start at lock this round. Leota has been in incredible form in the NSW Cup recently, racking up massive metre totals in the last couple of weeks. How he handles his first start for the season and the step-up in competition will be interesting, but given his recent form and his cheap price, he’s worth taking a risk on.
Hooker
Peter Wallace ($10,300)
In his return to the NRL, Wallace receives a bit of a discount due to a groin tear which has kept him out of first-grade since round eleven. This makes him an excellent option in this contest given that he was averaging 43.2 Draftstars points per game prior to the injury. His massive tackling numbers, handy kicking game and ability to penetrate with the occasional run out of dummy-half make him one of the best hookers in the game and also make him a fantastic option in this contest.
Second Row Forward
Scott Bolton ($11,350)
Bolton’s incredible consistency was showcased once again last week against the Rabbitohs as he made a game high 166 metres from 19 runs with six tackle breaks and 26 tackles on defence. This has been the story for Bolton all season, as he has continually provided the Cowboys with workmanlike runs through the middle and solid defence on the other end. The battle of the forwards will be a key factor in deciding this result and Bolton will be ready to stand up and have another big game for North Queensland.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona ($10,250)
Asofa-Solomona looks to finally be turning his potential into production after two brilliant performances in the last two games. Running over 100 metres in each contest, the man mountain has been a tackle breaking machine and has caused plenty of issues for opposing defences thanks to his sheer size. This week he comes up against a Canberra pack that has struggled to stay focussed defensively this season and there is no doubt that Asofa-Solomona will be almost impossible to stop.
Centre
Will Chambers ($8,550)
Chambers has cemented himself as the premier centre in the game after a dominant Origin series which saw him rack up massive metre totals and play a key role in Queensland’s game two victory. In recent times he’s struggled to transfer this impact to club level but with Origin out of the way, Chambers will be primed to finish the season strongly. Coming up against the combination of Jarrod Croker and Nick Cotric, which has struggled at times out wide, Chambers will be looking to use his running game to create plenty of scoring chances for the Storm.
Half
Ash Taylor ($13,400)
Taylor played one of the best games of his young career against the Sharks last round in what can only be described as atrocious conditions. He ended up with two pivotal tries, two try assists and two line breaks in a perfect halfback’s performance. This week his opposite number is another in-form future star of the game, Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, and Taylor will be keen to guide his team to a crucial win. Given his current form, both with his passing and kicking, Taylor is a great option to slice through an inconsistent Penrith defence.
Wing/Fullback
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($11,500)
The Warriors’ skipper has been in some good form despite his clubs’ struggles in recent weeks. Prior to last round he had scored a try in each of the previous five games, while he has also assisted on a try in three of the last four weeks. His running game has been typically strong as well and there is no doubt he is one of the best kick returners in the game. Against the Cowboys in Townsville this week, Tuivasa-Sheck will be looking to stand up and lead from the front in what is a must-win clash for his side.
Josh Addo-Carr ($11,050)
Addo-Carr has been phenomenal for the Storm this season, providing them with another incredible weapon in attack. He leads the club in metres gained, line breaks and tackle breaks and has scored the fourth most tries in the entire league. This week he comes up against the Raiders, who will have Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana defending him – one of the worst defensive combinations in the league this season. JAC’s speed and finishing ability combined with poor defence is not a good combination for the Raiders and it should result in a huge Draftstars score for the Storm flyer.
The Line Up
FR-F: Jason Taumalolo ($16,600)
FR-F: Moses Leota ($6,400)
HOOK: Peter Wallace ($10,300)
2R-F: Scott Bolton ($11,350)
2R-F: Nelson Asofa-Solomona ($10,250)
C: Will Chambers ($8,550)
HALF: Ash Taylor ($13,400)
W/FB: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($11,500)
W/FB: Josh Addo-Carr ($11,050)
Salary Remaining: $600
NRL SCORING SYSTEM
Try Scored = 8 points
Goal = 2 points
Field Goal = 5 points
Try Assist = 5 points
Line Break = 4 points
Line Break Assist = 2 points
Tackle = 1 point
Tackle Break = 3 points
Missed Tackles = -2 points
Offload = 2 points
Run Metres Gained = 0.1 points
Kick Metres Gained = 0.05 points
Error = -2 points
NRL