Friday Night Football kicks off with two teams who looked vastly improved from round 1, as the Warriors host the Roosters. Both teams were hammered in round 1, but both managed to bounce back with huge double digit wins as underdogs in round 2. Who really has the form? Next up, the Queensland Derby will play out at Suncorp Stadium, as the Broncos host the hapless Cowboys. Can the Cowboys show some fight, or will the Broncos all but end their season after three weeks?
Draftstars have several contests on offer for Friday night, including single-match contests, and combined matchups. These include:
NRL $8,000 – Broncos v Cowboys
NRL $6,000 – Warriors v Roosters
NRL $3,000 – Friday Night doubleheader
There are plenty of other contests that will tickle your fancy, so get involved and make the greatest game of all even more exciting.
Betting Markets
Warriors ($1.90) vs Roosters ($1.90)
Line: Warriors (-1.5)
Points: 49.5
Broncos ($1.15) vs Cowboys ($5.50)
Line: Broncos (-17.5)
Points: 51.5
If you’re looking to bet on the NRL this season, then you can bet with PlayUp by using the same account that you have at Draftstars. PlayUp are Australian owned and offer a strong range of NRL betting markets and offers, including Same Game Multis.
Top Fantasy Plays
VALUE
Blake Steep ($9,030) has looked great in two games off the bench to start the season. Whilst his minutes aren’t massive off the bench, his production is tremendous, averaging 33 tackles in 42 minutes. There is a slight concern Steep’s minutes drop this week with the return of Collins and Leniu, but if he can manage around the 40 minutes, he will score well enough in pure base to justify the $9k outlay. He also has the ability to break tackles, and whilst he is not a noted try scorer, don’t be surprised if the kid gets over the line against the Warriors.
Spencer Leniu ($10,100) is back after being suspended for the opening rounds of the competition, and with a matchup against former teammate James Fisher-Harris on deck, Leniu should be full of running on Friday night. Leniu isn’t a base stat monster, so there is a chance with no attacking stats or power base stats that Leniu could be a bust, however at the price his upside is worth a crack. With the lack of experience in the Roosters forward pack, Leniu should punch out two decent sized stints despite his lack of match fitness.
MID PRICE
James Fisher-Harris (15,360) has quickly established himself as the forward leader for the Warriors, with two huge performances in the middle for the Wahs in the opening weeks of the competition. His minutes exploded last week (58) compared to just 45 in round 1. I’d expect barring another injury to a Warriors forward during the game, that 45-50 minutes to be the range for JFH this week. It won’t matter though, as the former Panther will continue to lead from the front and punch out a solid 50+ score for his owners, without attacking stats. The meat and potatoes play of the week.
Siua Wong ($11,040) played the full 80 minutes last week against the Panthers and looked great doing it. 39 tackles, to go along with 121 running metres, 5 tackle breaks, and 2 offloads, Wong showed that he can do everything you need from an edge backrower in fantasy last week and did so against one of the premier teams in the NRL. I’m slightly concerned with the makeup of the Roosters bench that Wong won’t continue to play 80, but if he does, he can easily punch out 50+ in base and power base stats. Add in some attacking stats, and you’ve got a match winner for $11k.
PREMIUM
Payne Haas ($22,100) has been dominant over the opening fortnight this season, and there’s absolutely no reason not to select him in your squad for this slate. Haas is averaging a massive 78 points per game, with his only attacking stat coming from a line-break assist / try assist combo in round 1. Elsewhere, he has thrown 11 offloads, broken 13 tackles, averaged 163 running metres, and 29 tackles in just 52.5 minutes per game. There’s no concern his minutes will drop, and if anything, they will increase with a close game. Just pick him and feel good about it.
Connor Watson ($20,300) has been tremendous to start the season, so much so that the Roosters have deemed Brandon Smith surplus to requirements. Watson scored a double last week, but is also averaging 49 tackles per game, 67 running metres per game, and 4.5 tackle breaks per game. Whilst you will need some sort of attacking stat to justify this price tag, it’s hard to believe Watson won’t be terrorizing the Warriors defence as fatigue kicks in. The only elite option I would consider over Haas this week.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
