The NRL action continues on Friday with a double-header for Round 17. The two game slate kicks off at 1800 AEST on Friday with the Knights hosting the Sharks in Newcastle. Followed by a peach of a matchup with the Rabbitohs at home taking on the Storm.


Draftstars is the home of NRL Daily Fantasy and provides multiple contests including the feature $8,000 contest between the Rabbitohs and the Storm. A $3,000 contest is available for the 2-game slate and a further $8,000 contest is available for the Knights and the Sharks. If you are playing the double-header remember to utilise the “player-swap” feature if we receive a surprise omission when the final 17’s are released. 

 

Market Odds

Knights (1.71) v Sharks (2.15)

Spread - 2.0

Total - 42.5

 

Rabbitohs (2.50) v Storm (1.54)

Spread - 4.5

Total Over/Under - 40.5

 

Fantasy Plays

Here we go! All four teams are in the 8 with the 7th placed Knights and 8th placed Sharks doing battle to keep their spots for the finals. The Storm are looking to keep their top 2 hopes alive but the Rabbitohs are looking to push for a top 4 spot. Should be good making fantasy teams here! 

In fantasy relevant team news, the Knights only made minor changes to the bench but the Sharks have lost Sione Katoa and Andrew Fifita. Bryson Goodwin is on the wing and Chad Townsend returns at half-back.

For the Rabbitohs, with Latrell Mitchell gone for the season, Alex Johnson returns to the side at full-back. Dane Gagai was ruled out on Thursday. Brenko Lee is back at Centre for the Storm along with Chris Lewis who comes in the 2nd row. 

 

WFB: A bounce back game from Kalyn Ponga is on the cards after a low 21 fantasy points last round. I have more confidence to reach 50+ than any other option here but at $14K it does take a significant amount of your salary. Not sure Alex Johnston can repeat his 30 fantasy points in 15 minutes but will rack up the run meters playing at Full back. If you are looking for a cheap play, Starford To’a who has 40+ fantasy point upside is looking to bounce back after a quiet round 16.            

 

CTR: Campbell Graham has been on an absolute tear averaging 61 fantasy points in his last 3 matches. However I am not that enthuse on this match-up against the Storm. I’ll be looking elsewhere and praying he doesn’t pop. Jesse Raimen is the one I am looking to target at his sub-10k price tag. Off early with an eye injury in Round 16, the price is just too good for his upside. Brenko Lee has showed great consistency with his fantasy scoring and is another strong option.      

 

HALF: Cameron Munster 2nd up after injury and a low fantasy score last week, let me at him! That discount plus upside is too good to pass up. But if you were to pass that up, then his halves partner Jahrome Hughes is a great pivot. Poor scoring last week but you will get him at low ownership in a 2-game slate. Chad Townsend had a season high fantasy score against the Dragons back in July before injury. He is ok if you need to pay down in this position, as he will take the majority of the in-field kicking from Braydon Trindall. Adam Reynolds is too much against the Storm.       

 

2RF: Target the Storm value options here. Chris Lewis, Felise Kaufusi and Tino Faasuamaleuai are all in great spots with the injuries to the Storm. Currently running two backs on the bench, these three will get all the opportunity to score fantasy points. Newcastle forwards in Mitchell Barnett, David Klemmer and Lachlan Fitzgibbon are premium plays and if you have the salary, try and reach out to these options. Bailey Sironen is another one that you can target but I am wary of his high ownership.   

 

HOK: Tough decision here. Two fantasy stalwarts in Damien Cook and Cameron Smith. A tackling and tackle breaking machine in Kurt Mann and the cheaper option in Blayke Brailey. Mann has gone back to back to back 60 fantasy point games but having Phoenix Crossland lurking may limit his 80 minute upside. The cheaper Cook is tempting but will be the most popular, so Smith for me. 

 

FRF: As I mentioned, the Storm only have Albert Vete (no good) and Darryn Schonig (he is ok) riding the pine so look for Jesse Bromwich and Christain Welch to receive a bump in minutes. Tevita Tatola is very solid in his fantasy output and is the safest scorer in this position. Fellow front rower in Tom Burgess is another solid option. Sharks options are hard to choose at their inflated salaries.  

 

Final Word: After the whitewashes in Round 16 it is nice to actually construct lineups with all 4 teams in play. Look for the value in each position and only small pivots could mean the difference! Good luck!     

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