NRL $5,000+ Broncos v Roosters Line-Up
This Thursday night gives us a blockbuster matchup between the Broncos and the Roosters at Suncorp. It’s a huge game for the Broncos, who are at risk of falling to 2-4 if they lose to the red-hot Roosters, whilst Sydney will be looking to stamp their authority on the competition after losing to the Sea Eagles last week.
Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $5,000+ Broncos v Roosters competitionFront Row Forward
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($10,650)
Waerea-Hargreaves has bounced back beautifully this season after a tumultuous year last year. The Roosters’ enforcer has been a tackling machine, laying 33 tackles per game in just 52.20 minutes of playing time. Along with this, his ability to offload the ball has been invaluable for the Roosters in attack. Josh McGuire is the cream of the front-row crop, but Waerea-Hargreaves is likely to go close to him in scoring whilst also saving you nearly $4k.
Herman Ese’ese ($5,000)
Ese’ese may only play 30 minutes a night, but his impact is great enough in those short bursts that he is a viable selection in Draftstars due to his points per minute. Ese’ese is averaging 31.20 Draftstars points on the back of his tackling and running numbers. Against a team like the Roosters, who love to run the ball on the edge, he may struggle to get his tackling numbers up, but at $5k with a lowest score of 27.90 in the last four rounds, Ese’ese is too cheap to pass on.
Hooker
Andrew McCullough ($14,250)
McCullough has produced phenomenal numbers this year, turning himself from consistent role player into a tackling machine we have rarely seen. McCullough is incredibly averaging over 10 more tackles per game than the next best in the competition, Cameron McIness. His defensive work rate is clearly unparalleled and with the Broncos giving him a bit more kicking leeway in the last couple of weeks, it is unlikely McCullough’s scoring will drop.
Second Row Forward
Matt Gillett ($13,850)
Gillett has averaged 52.32 in games he’s played the full 80 minutes this season, dropping his production in Round 2 due to concussion. Gillett will be able to lay plenty of tackles against the Roosters due to the amount they love to run the edges. After laying 52 tackles against Canberra last week, the Broncos stalwart will be looking to impose himself on a big game once again and get his team over the line.
Isaac Liu ($8,500)
With Dylan Napa out, Liu will get his first start for the tri-colours this season and it should lead to some excellent scoring. Liu has averaged just 35 minutes per game this season, yet he has averaged 31.60 Draftstars points. In the two games he started at prop last season, Liu saw 55 and 46 minutes respectively, so don’t be surprised if there is an uptick in his minute load and his scoring. Expect a score of 40+ from Liu, which makes him a lock for this contest.
Centre
James Roberts ($11,900)
Roberts could be slightly hampered by a hamstring injury after lacking his usual spark against the Bulldogs last week. This of course makes picking him a risky manoeuvre, however the Broncos’ best chance to beat the Roosters’ will probably be having the ball in Roberts’ hands and letting him attack the centre of the park. If he can produce one of his dominant, tackle-busting and try scoring displays, it will give the Broncos their best possible chance at victory.
Half
Mitchell Pearce ($15,550)
Pearce is absolutely killing it this season as he continues to fill up every aspect of the stat sheet. Pearce has been pivotal in Sydney’s success this year and is currently the favourite to win the halfback jersey for New South Wales this season. Pearce’s composure has been outstanding, with his ball running ability, kicking game and combination with Luke Keary being the focal point of the Sydney game plane. Expect another big performance on both sides of the ball as Pearce looks to prove his many detractors wrong.
Wing/Fullback
Michael Gordon ($10,300)
The veteran has had a brilliant start to his first season with the Roosters after what was somewhat of a down year at Parramatta last year. Playing at fullback, Gordon has proven himself to be a kick-returning machine, racking up metres and tackle breaks during these plays. His goal kicking will always add a boost to his score and his ability to find the try line has been first-class this season after scoring just five tries with the Eels last year.
Latrell Mitchell ($9,700)
Mitchell has avoided second-year blues by picking up from where he left off last season. After scoring 14 tries in his debut year from fullback and wing, a move to the centres hasn’t slowed him down at all, recording five tries in the first five games. His ability to break tackles consistently boosts his scoring and his massive upside comes from the games where he scores, gets line breaks or gets assists. Considering he has the potential to go over 60, which cannot be said about any of the other options, Mitchell could cost you the game if he has a day out.
The Line Up
FR-F: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($10,650)
FR-F: Herman Ese’ese ($5,000)
HOOK: Andrew McCullough ($14,250)
2R-F: Matt Gillett ($13,850)
2R-F: Isaac Liu ($8,500)
C: James Roberts ($12,000)
HALF: Mitchell Pearce ($15,550)
W/FB: Michael Gordon ($10,300)
W/FB: Latrell Mitchell ($9,700)
Salary Remaining: $300
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