NRL $3,000+ Sunday Line-Up
There is plenty of action in the NRL this Sunday, with three brilliant games to choose a Draftstars team from. It kicks off with the Knights and Panthers, with both teams desperately needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive. This is followed by the match of the day, as top eight teams Sydney and Canterbury face off before the Storm travel to Sydney to meet the Bunnies.
Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $3,000+ Sunday competition
Front Row Forward
Sam Stone ($9,850)
Forger Stone’s average, as it includes a bunch of limited minute performances from the bench. When he’s given free rein to start and play big minutes, the young gun has been a phenomenal scorer. He missed last week after playing for the Junior Kangaroos in the representative weekend, but in the two weeks prior to that, he averaged 50.75 Draftstars points as a starting second-rower. Considering he’s been given the start again, there is every chance Stone scores similarly and provides great value.
Jordan McLean ($9,300)
McLean is now the Storm’s best option through the middle of the park as injuries and suspension have crippled Melbourne’s pack. This means that McLean will be utilised more heavily in attack, where his running game will be used to full effect. This should result in extra running metres, tackle breaks and, if he plays a few extra minutes, he will get more tackles defensively too. Expect the big man to be one of the more dominant forwards on the park against the Bunnies, which should lead to a score of 45 or more.
Hooker
Peter Wallace ($11,300)
In a pool dominated by Cameron Smith, Wallace stands out as an excellent value option if you can’t afford to fork out nearly $20k for the Australian skipper. It’s been rumoured this week that Wallace is the frontrunner for the New South Wales number nine jersey, and rightfully so after his stellar start to the year. Not only is he a workhorse defensively, averaging 39 tackles per game, but his smart kicking game and skills around the ruck ensure that he’s always involved in attack as well. Especially against the Knights, Wallace will be looking to create attack at every opportunity.
Second Row Forward
Trent Merrin ($14,800)
After a slow start to the year, Merrin has picked up his form in the past two weeks with scores of 81.20 and 54.60 respectively. Not only has he upped his defensive work rate, but his effort in attack has been impressive too, leading to increases in both his tackling and running metres. Knowing that he has the ability to stand up in tackles and get away an offload or break the tackle entirely means that Merrin has a handy upside which justifies his hefty price tag. Newcastle have one of the worst packs in the league, so Merrin will be able to pick up those extra attacking numbers.
Boyd Cordner ($14,800)
There is plenty of talk about this man potentially captaining New South Wales this year and rightfully so, with the damaging edge runner enjoying another excellent season. Cordner has currently gained the fifth most metres of any forward in the competition this season and his running game often results in him bursting through the defensive line. Even though the Dogs edge defence is good, Cordner is good enough to impose himself in a big game.
Centre
Will Chambers ($11,900)
Chambers has been the form centre of the competition this year, proving his worth in both attack and defence. His consistency is unparalleled and he finds a way to involve himself in attack every match, whether it be with his damaging speed which leads to line breaks, or his ability to be used as a ball runner and metre eater. The Rabbits have struggled all season defending the centres and there is no one better to exploit that than Chambers.
Half
Matt Frawley ($6,950)
Frawley has been excellent in games in which he’s started this year and given he’s been named at five-eighth, he’s a no-brainer at under $7k. Frawley has shown his attacking prowess this year, as he’s managed to record a try, try assist, line break and line break assist. Add to this a nice kicking game which saw him end up with 463 kicking metres in round five and there is no doubt Frawley is an absolute bargain.
Wing/Fullback
Josh Addo-Carr ($11,000)
Addo-Carr is arguably the quickest player in the competition and his burst has seen him score seven tries already this year. After having an absolute nightmare last week against the Titans, JAC will be looking to redeem himself with a big game against the Rabbitohs. As previously stated, the Bunnies have struggled to defend out wide this year, which plays right into the speedster’s hands. Expect tries, line breaks, tackle breaks and big metres from the electric winger, but don’t be surprised if he burns you with a low score. He’s high risk, but also high reward.
Waqa Blake ($9,850)
Blake has been phenomenal in the past few weeks and capped off his purple patch with a brilliant try against the Warriors last week. His attacking game has been brilliant for the Panthers, with his sublime tackle breaking ability a highlight. Against a Knights line up that has struggled defensively all season, Blake will be looking to use his big frame and burst of speed to break through the inevitable holes in the Knight s defence.
The Line Up
FR-F: Sam Stone ($9,850)
FR-F: Jordan McLean ($9,300)
HOOK: Peter Wallace ($11,300)
2R-F: Trent Merrin ($14,800)
2R-F: Boyd Cordner ($14,800)
C: Will Chambers ($11,900)
HALF: Matt Frawley ($6,950)
W/FB: Josh Addo-Carr ($11,000)
W/FB: Waqa Blake ($9,850)
Salary Remaining: $250
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