Last year we had J’Maine Hopgood and Jacob Preston. This year who stands out as NRL Fantasy’s best ‘cheapies’? We’ve run our eye over the field and picked our top 13.
The aim of the early rounds of any NRL Fantasy season is simple; buy low, sell high. Players stockpile low-cost, high-reward guys in the hope their gamble is handsomely rewarded with great points returns and even greater profits.
It’s a tricky system to navigate, especially in the NRL where almost every team feels its starting side is locked in. Especially when considering many of these cheaper Fantasy options are likely inexperienced kids fighting to steal a senior figure’s spot.
In previous years, there have been clear standouts in this category. Last year, Parramatta’s J’Maine Hopgood was the most popular cheap Fantasy star. So too was Jacob Preston. Such were the years the pair put in during the 2023 season, they are some of the most expensive options in their position this year.
In compiling our list, we’ve opted to not only go for players at the bottom end of the Fantasy price barrel, including guys who might be on the cusp of being too expensive to be classed as a Fantasy ‘cheapie’ but, relative to their position and potential output, they qualify.
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13 NRL Fantasy ‘cheapies’
Ryan Papenhuyzen
Position: FLB
Price: 495k
Club: Melbourne Storm
Melbourne’s fullback was included in our list of players your team must have for a reason. Just shy of 500k, Papenhuyzen has the potential to double his price at some point during the season due in large part to his consistent output in previous seasons, when health was on his side.
His only downside is just that, his health. Few athletes anywhere in the world have had an injury run as torrid as Papenhuyzen’s. Just how he’s recovered, more so mentally than anything, is unclear and could be the difference between Melbourne challenging for the competition or not.
Tallis Duncan
Position: MID
Price: 413k
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs
There are few young forwards as celebrated as Tallis Duncan. His talent was on show in flashes last season and he’s expected to have an increased role at South Sydney in 2024. Duncan’s development is hindered by the presence of Cameron Murray at lock but his speed and grit mean he’s capable of servicing the side off the bench, or even at back row.
In a reduced role off the bench in 2023, the young forward averaged 30 Fantasy points. His tough, efficient tackling is a major Fantasy asset, especially considering a likely minutes increase this coming season, while he showed glimpses of his pace and powerful ball-running.
Brendan Piakura
Position: EDG
Price: 399k
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Kurt Capewell’s departure has left a gaping hole on Brisbane’s left edge. It’s one likely to be filled by Brendan Piakura. Highly rated for many years now, Piakura is expected to take the starting gig and run with it, to the point Brisbane might’nt miss Capewell as much as expected.
At his price, you can’t really go wrong with selecting Piakura. Not least because the likes of Jacob Preston last year have shown the exorbitant price potential of cheaper backrowers in NRL Fantasy. Could Piakura be the next to light the league up? We’ll soon find out.
Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Position: HOK
Price: 325k
Club: Manly Sea Eagle
Lachlan Croker is arguably the NRL’s most underrated hooker. That won’t stop the emergence of Gordon Chan Kum Tong, a highly touted junior and crucially a natural hooker. Explosive and intelligent, Chan Kum Tong is likely to act as Croker’s understudy this season, featuring prominently from the bench.
In two first grade appearances in 2023, the younger hooker scored nearly a point a minute in Fantasy. In 2024, could position himself as a solid bench or reserve option this year with an increased role off the pine for the Sea Eagles.
Liam Henry
Position: MID
Price: 320k
Club: Penrith Panthers
Spencer Leniu’s departure leaves a gaping hole in Penrith’s side. Ivan Cleary has plenty of middle-forward options to choose from but can any match the energy and drive Leniu brought? Liam Henry might.
The club’s 2023 NSW Cup Player of the Year, Henry’s brand of footy is simple: Run hard, hit harder. He averaged 156 metres and 62 Fantasy points in NSW Cup last season, running for 200-plus metres five times. If he’s selected, Henry is unlikely to disappoint.
Davvy Moale
Position: MID
Price: 290k
Club: South Sydney
Davvy Moale’s name has been known in rugby league circles for many years. A promising middle forward whose short stints in first grade have been underwhelming to this point. Many expect Moale’s minutes to increase this year, especially given George Burgess’ increasing age.
At 290k, Moale could prove to be a worthwhile reserve option for Fantasy with the potential to make quick cash over the early part of the season.
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Xavier Willison
Position: MID
Price: 263k
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Another promising forward is likely to receive increased minutes at Brisbane in light of Kurt Capewell’s departure. With Piakura moving to the start side and opening a spot on the bench, Willison is primed to improve on his seven appearances in 2023, with more minutes likely with both Capewell and Thomas Flegler absent.
In a very good Brisbane Broncos squad, Willison is the third cheapest Fantasy player and could not only improve on his 19 point average from 2023 but also make plenty of money early on.
Justin Matamua
Position: MID
Price: 250k
Club: West Tigers
Many great rugby league minds believe Justin Matamua is the future lock of the West Tigers. Fonua Pole secured the jersey last season and hasn’t done anything drastic to lose it. In Matamua however, Benji Marshall has a lock built from a modern blueprint; physically imposing and skilful.
In NSW Cup last year, Matamua averaged just shy of 40 points and made 93% of his tackles. 2024 could be the year he announces himself to the NRL.
Ethan Strange
Position: CTR
Price: 250k
Club: Canberra Raiders
Ethan Strange is both a centre and a five-eighth. Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker’s simultaneous departures from Canberra leave a gaping cultural hole at the club that, on-field at least, could be filled by Ethan Strange.
A highly touted junior footballer, with representative football to his name already, Strange is a physically imposing figure who has all the hallmarks of a fantastic first-grader. 2024 could be a tough year in Canberra, but at least they have one of the game’s brightest talents to soften the blow.
Samuel Hughes
Position: MID
Price: 250k
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Gus Gould believes he will be Canterbury’s breakout player in 2024 and Jacob Kiraz believes he’s the fittest at the club heading into the new season. They’re two big wraps for young Bulldogs front rower, Samuel Hughes.
Prop is the position the dogs are lightest at, with no clear candidate to partner Max King consistently in the front row. A path to consistent first-grade minutes in 2024 appears unblocked for Sam Hughes. At his price point, is it really a gamble to throw him in your reserves? Not really.
Ben Trbojevic
Position: EDG I CTR
Price: 250k
Club: Manly Sea Eagles
An injury to Josh Schuster means Ben Trbojevic has first crack on Manly’s left edge this season. Manly’s ceiling is higher with Schuster’s ball-playing in the side, but in Trbojevic they boast a different profile of edge forward, one capable of running strong lines for recruit, Luke Brooks.
Trbojevic’s handful of first grade starts at back row don’t give any indication of the type of Fantasy player he will be. However, he is a more than capable footballer playing outside some exciting ball players, notably his brother Tom and Daly Cherry-Evans.
Kayal Iro
Position: CTR
Price: 230k
Club: Cronulla Sharks
Craig Fitzgibbon has been seemingly hesitant to use the 2022 NSW Cup Player of the Year up to this point. Whether this resistance continues in 2024 remains to be seen, but Sifa Talakai dropping out of favour and Conor Tracey’s move to the Bulldogs open the door for Iro’s talents to shine in first grade.
A destructive ball carrier, Iro averaged nearly 70 post-contact metres and 6 tackle breaks per game in last season’s NSW Cup, where he also crossed for 10 tries. Undoubtedly a talented prospect, the only thing holding Iro back is minutes.
Lachlan Galvin
Position: HLF
Price: 230k
Team: Wests Tigers
Whether he partners Aidan Sezer in the halves or comes off the bench, there is little doubt 2024 is the year Lachlan Galvin will get his first taste of first grade football. A promising junior footy half, Galvin is adept in the forwards and impressed there in his first taste of rugby league in a pre-season trial against the Dragons.
John Bateman and Isaiah Papali’i have Benji’s edge forward roles locked up but all roads indicate Galvin’s performances in training and pre-season warrant a role in the Tigers NRL squad, whatever that looks like.
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