Another Friday night football two-game slate, another Roosters game. This time though, it’s the old rivalry against the Rabbitohs. This game should be fireworks, and with Latrell Mitchell back for the Bunnies, it takes on a whole new level of importance. Before this though, the Panthers and Cowboys kick off Friday Night Football in Parramatta, with the Panthers desperately needing a win to keep their dream of a fifth-straight Premiership alive. Two very interesting games, and four squads with loads of fantasy talent to choose from.
Draftstars have several contests on offer for Friday night, including single-match contests, and combined matchups. These include:
NRL $8,000 – Panthers v Cowboys
NRL $8,000 – Rabbitohs 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
Panthers ($1.23) vs Cowboys ($4.20)
Line: Panthers (-13.5)
Points: 50.5
Rabbitohs ($1.74) vs Roosters ($2.10)
Line: Rabbitohs (-1.5)
Points: 48.5
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
Lindsay Collins ($10,030) was solid, if not spectacular last week for the Roosters in his first game back from injury. His price has bumped up a little, but there’s a great chance Collins’ minutes go up again this week, and at the price is a solid investment for your team. Without a try his ceiling is probably capped at around 45, but his floor is 30 and points in the bank.
Luke Garner ($10,200) has been named on the bench again for the Panthers, but don’t be surprised if Ivan Cleary promotes Garner to the starting side in place of Isaiah Papali’i, who could shift to the middle, or to the bench. If Garner takes over Sorenson’s role and minutes, he will punch out 45+ in base stats, and is every chance at attacking stats on the edge. Check team lists an hour out though, as if Garner does not start, he is not a play.
MID PRICE
Daine Laurie (11,040) was horrible last week at the back, there’s no other way to put it. But he has shown in the recent past that he can dominate at the back for the Panthers, and with Nathan Cleary back, I really like Laurie at this price point at fullback this week. Despite his horrific game last week, Laurie still managed to score over 30. He can do it all with his elusiveness and ball playing, and against a poor Cowboys team, Laurie could go large here.
Lachlan Hubner ($12,630) makes a comeback from a two-week suspension and should come right back into the role he occupied for the first two weeks of the season. Averaging 55 minutes in the middle, whilst making 34.5 tackles and running for 110 metres per game, Hubner should punch out 40 at a minimum this week and has shown the upside to score 50 in base stats. At this price point, he’s an easy purchase.
PREMIUM
Angus Crichton ($17,640) had a slow start to the season, managing a score of just 37 in round 1, but he has gradually been building into the season with scores of 57, 55, and 70 in the past three weeks. Whilst he is priced as an elite option, he is one so is worth the money. He has not scored a try yet this season, however, is breaking tackles for fun, offloading, making tackles, and contributing in attack running the football. Against the Rabbitohs, his former team, you know Crichton is going to be fired up, so put him in your team with confidence. Last time they met, Crichton had 177 running metres, made 25 tackles, broke the line once, busted 4 tackles, threw 3 offloads, and provided a try / line-break assist combo.
Connor Watson ($17,790) is back after a week off with concussion, and he is my pick as a point of difference to Nathan Cleary in this slate. Watson started the season with a bang, managing scores of 62 and 92 in the first two rounds, before again looking like he was heading for a 60+ score in round 3, when he was rubbed out of the game due to concussion. Currently averaging over 50 tackles per 80 minutes, whilst also looking extremely dangerous in attack, Watson has the best upside at Half Hooker in this slate besides Cleary for mine. If you’re not taking Cleary due to funds, or you simply want to fade the Panthers, consider Watson for your elite HH.
Suggested Draftstars Team
