NRL Fantasy 2018
Jarryd Hayne's return will dominate the headlines but Parramatta had already established themselves as one of the NRL's dark horses, slipping into the top four in 2017. They've got a terrific spine, with Corey Norman, Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson all impressing last season, and an overachieving forward pack led by hard-working Fantasy gun Nathan Brown.
Fantasy gun: Nathan Brown
The barnstorming Parramatta lock was one of the best signings of 2017, with a great workrate in attack and defence earning him a tick under 52 Fantasy points a game. He improved as the season went on as well, Leaving aside a quiet start to the season and an injury-affected score in Round 11, Brown averaged 58 points a game – making him a top 10 Fantasy player.
Value buy: Kane Evans
Evans played about 26 minutes a game for the Roosters last season, scoring 22 Fantasy points a game, but he suddenly becomes relevant after joining the Eels' front-row rotation. If he grabs a starting spot his game time and scoring potential should skyrocket, making him a handy option at $323,000.
Wildcard: Mitchell Moses
Moses surpassed expectations in his first half-season at the Eels, but he remains an enigmatic option for Fantasy coaches. The five-eighth can be brilliant in attack but consistently misses tackles – even if his defence improved markedly at Parramatta – meaning his scores tend to be erratic. In his 14 regular season games for the Eels he scored 55 or better three times but scored under 20 four times. If he can cut those low scores he'd be a handy mid-range option, but it's a big "if" at this stage.
2018 NRL Fantasy player prices
Nathan Brown: 2RF, $760,000
Clinton Gutherson: WFB, HLF, $651,000
Corey Norman: HLF, $633,000
Manu Ma'u: 2RF, $606,000
Daniel Alvaro: FRF, $568,000
Kenny Edwards: 2RF, $559,000
Tepai Moeroa: 2RF, $555,000
Cameron King: HOK, $541,000
Kaysa Pritchard: HOK, $534,000
Michael Jennings: CTR, $525,000
Mitchell Moses: HLF, $514,000
Bevan French: WFB, $474,000
Beau Scott: 2RF, $467,000
Jarryd Hayne: WFB, CTR, $448,000
Tim Mannah: FRF, $444,000
Kirisome Auva'a: WFB, CTR, $404,000
Will Smith: HLF, WFB, $404,000
Suaia Matagi: FRF, $387,000
Siosaia Vave: FRF, $363,000
Tony Williams: 2RF, $362,000
David Gower: FRF, $360,000
Brad Takairangi: CTR, $337,000
Kane Evans: FRF, $323,000
Josh Hoffman: WFB, CTR, $308,000
Peni Terepo: FRF, $305,000
Nathan Davis: CTR, WFB, $246,000
George Jennings: CTR, WFB, $212,000
Dane Aukafolau: CTR, $212,000
Greg Leleisiuao: WFB,CTR, $212,000
Jaeman Salmon: HLF, $212,000
Ray Stone: 2RF, $212,000
*2018 salary cap: 9.4m. Fantasy squad size: 21
