Footy is back! And as the NRL is celebrating an iconic season opener in Sin City, Las Vegas.
And like me, thousands of NRL Fantasy players are bracing for what is sure to be an enthralling season.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into round one of the NRL Fantasy season.
NRL Fantasy Round 1 preview
When does Round 1 kick off?
Sunday 3 March, 1:30 pm AEDT
Round 1 of the NRL season kicked off with the double header at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Manly facing off against the injury-riddle Rabbitohs.
Here’s what was written heading into the weekend.
Both side’s fullbacks enter 2024 with points to prove. For Tom Trbojevic (653k I 7.1%), it’s that he’s body can handle first grade football. For Latrell Mitchell (747k I 5.4%), it’s that he can be the consistent star South Sydney need him to be.
Luke Brooks (576k I 3.3%) and Jack Wighton (532k I 0.7%) need big years to reaffirm the faith both their respective clubs have shown in signing them.
Regardless of your allegiances, it’s not every day the NRL goes to Las Vegas. This mightn’t be an instant classic on the field, off it it’s sure to be an occasion to remember.
Team list Tuesday highlights
Knights v Canberra, Thursday 8:00 pm AEDT
Pretty much as expected at Newcastle, with Dylan Lucas (558k I 3.4%) getting the nod over Kai Pearce-Paul (520k I 0.2%) on the left edge. Leo Thompson (557k I 2.4%) starts in the front row. If he can match it with this Canberra pack, he’s one to watch moving deeper into the season.
No Elliot Whitehead (569k I 0.6%) for Canberra, with Fantasy favourite son Zac Hosking (584k I 1.0%) named on an edge. Jordan Rapana (487k I 2.2%) starts at fullback, sorry Chevy Stewart (230k I 16.3%) fans, while Fantasy cheapie Ethan Strange (250k I 37.9%) will start in the halves.
Warriors v Sharks, Friday 6:00 pm AEDT
Andrew Webster has named no real surprises to start the year. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s (551k I 1.2%) injury opens the door for Taine Tuaupiki (388k I 1.7%). Aside from that, there are few selection surprises from across the Tasman.
Cronulla on the other hand have named Cameron McInnes (704k I 2.0%) to start at lock, leaving Dale Finucane (514k I 0.5%) to begin the game from the bench. This is interesting from a Fantasy perspective, considering it opens the door for McInnes to play more than the 50 minutes he averaged in 2023. There’s no room for Kayal Iro (230k I 25.3%), or a bench hooker, meaning Blayke Brailey (631k I 1.7%) will likely play 80.
Storm v Panthers, Friday 8:05 pm AEDT
A massive clash, this. Trent Loeiro (601k I 0.6%) will start at lock for Melbourne, while it’s nice to see Ryan Papenhuyzen (495k I 43.3%) back in first grade. In a surprise move, Joe Chan (261k I 1.4%) has got the first crack on Melbourne’s left edge. Watch this space.
For the Premiers, Luke Sommerton starts at hooker in place of the suspended Mitch Kenny (483k I 2.6%) while exciting prop, and Fantasy cheapie, Liam Henry (320k I 2.0%), will be unleashed from the bench.
Bulldogs v Eels, Saturday 5:30 pm AEDT
Jaeman Salmon (289k I 26.0%) gets the nod over Josh Curran (501k I 27.9%) at lock, while popular cheapie Sam Hughes (250k I 37.6%) will begin the game from the bench. Curran not starting is a concern, although Terrell May’s already shown this season that starting from the bench does not correlate to a massive minutes reduction.
Stephen Crichton (620k I 7.4%) starts at centre, with a suspected calf injury playing into the decision to not play him at fullback. Fitness concerns around Bronson Xerri (450k I 12.1%) and Conor Tracey (558k I 0.2%) mean both miss round one, though they’re expected to be in the fold when their bodies allow.
For Parramatta, the main talking point is Brad Arthur running with two hookers. Both Brendan Hands (406k I 9.8%) (bench) and Joey Lussick (459k I 8.3%) (starting) have been named, despite the coach’s previous insistence on his preference for a single hooker.
Titans v Dragons, Saturday 7:35 pm AEDT
Aside from injuries, both sides are pretty much as expected. For the Titans, Keano Kini (279k I 20.1%) gets the fullback role in place of the injured Jayden Campbell (459k I 4.1%), while Klese Haas (415k I 0.8%) starts at back row while David Fifita’s (843k I 0.7%) absent.
Shane Flanagan has named Viliami Fifita (230k I 11.1%) on the bench, is he a potential early-season cash cow?
Dolphins v Cowboys, Sunday 4:05 pm AEDT
Wayne Bennett has named Ray Stone (468k I 0.6%) to start at lock in place of the injured Thomas Gilbert, while recruit Jake Averillo (447k I 5.0%) misses out.
Todd Payten’s side is pretty much as anticipated; Heilum Luki (498k I 12.9%) starts on an edge which is great for those who own him on Fantasy. Thomas Mikaele (261k I 13.3%) misses the 17 after some strong trial performances, not great for those hunting a cheap Fantasy middle.
Las Vegas
As expected, Anthony Seibold’s named Ben Trbojevic (250k I 36.7%) to start in the back row for Manly’s clash in Vegas, while Reuben Garrick (639k I 3.05%) will line up at centre. Nathan Brown (384k I 0.6%), once a 50-point NRL Fantasy player, features off the bench to add much-needed thrust and experience off the bench for Manly.
Jason Demetriou has handed Jacob Gagai (230k I 0.69%) his NRL debut in an injury-hampered back line, while highly promising young forward Tallis Duncan (413k I 4.3%) has failed to make the 17.
Despite stating earlier in the week Corey Oates (436k I 0.7%) would be given the nod in Vegas, Kevin Walters has named Deine Mariner (450k I 7.8%) on the wing. NRL Fantasy favourites Brendan Piakura (399k I 33.4%) and Xavier Willison (263k I 33.7%) have both been named in the 17, Piakura starting in the back row and Willison off the bench. Corey Jensen’s (466k I 0.76%) will be one to watch.
Siua Wong (444k I 16.9%) and Sitili Tupouniua (421k I 8.1%) have been given the nod from Trent Robinson to start in the back row, pushing Nat Butcher (74.1% I 2.0%) to the bench and Egan Butcher (580k I 0.4%) and Angus Crichton (501k I 2.2%) into the reserves. Sandon Smith (360k I 0.4%) has won the bench utility role, while Naufahu Whyte’s (411k I 0.3%) inclusion is likely a placeholder until Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (483k I 0.3%) returns from suspension.
Round 1 preview notes
Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Exciting young winger, Tyrone Munro (350k I 5.25%), is set to miss this historic season opener with a shoulder injury. While it’s not expected he’ll hold the spot for the whole season, Munro’s replacement Jacob Gagai (230k I 0.69%) is one to keep an eye on in this fixture.
Souths’ pack is bolstered by a wave of youth to be injected from the bench, notably Davvy Moale (290k I 3.05%) who’s named in the 17 for round 1. Tallis Duncan (413k I 4.3%), who many expected to feature for Jason Demetriou in Vegas, is named at 18th man.
One must wonder if this is indicative of Duncan’s fortunes for 2024 or the South’s coaching electing to begin the season with the more experienced Tom Burgess (436k I 0.3%), with Duncan to be slowly filtered into first grade as the season progresses. Either way, it doesn’t bode well for the young South’s forwards early season NRL Fantasy prospects.
For Manly, Josh Schuster’s ( 408k I 5.89%) injury paves the way for Ben Trbojevic (250k I 36.7%) to start on an edge. Alongside Brooks, Trbojevic’s strong line running could become a potent weapon for Manly. Although Keon Kolomontangi (661k I 3.08%) stands in between him and the backfield.
It will be interesting to see how Reuben Garrick (639k I 3.05%) fares in his first outing at centre. While he may not seem a strong NRL Fantasy option just yet, there is no reason this outlook can’t change in the coming weeks.
Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters
Kevin Walters will be sweating on Brendan Piakura’s (399k I 33.4%) fitness after the second rower suffered a minor PCL injury in the Pre-Season Challenge. Piakura’s travelled with the squad to Vegas and looks likely to play, much to the delight of Walters, who needs him to form combinations with the rest of Brisbane’s new look left edge immediately.
Fantasy players should also have one eye on how Walters utilises Xavier Willison (263k I 33.7%), one of the highest owned players valued under 300k. Eyes will be on how Selwyn Cobbo (568k I 3.5%) fares at centre as well on Corey Jensen’s (466k I 0.76%) performance as starting front rower.
For the Roosters, it feels as if they have enough forwards to field an entire side. How exactly they fit them all in is a headache reserved for Trent Robinson, one which many coaches may envy. Spencer Leniu (395k I 15.52%) will look to rip in as the leader of the Bondi pack. His presence is the only new one, with the Roosters entering 2024 incredibly settled.
Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders
Fresh from his Dally M Medal victory in 2023, Kalyn Ponga (757k I 17.6%) is reportedly fit and firing ahead of 2024. As far as fullbacks come, Ponga has everything Fantasy players desire. Newcastle’s hopes hinge on whether he can replicate last year’s form.
Bradman Best (589k I 4.2%) and Leo Thompson (557k I 2.7%) are also in for good years, as is Dylan Lucas (558k I 4.8%), who looks set to win the vacant left edge back row role vacated by Lachlan Fitzgibbon. In limited first grade minutes, Lucas has shown he’s a gritty, tough defender with subtle offensive upside that Ponga and co. can capitalise on.
Canberra will be without Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker for the first time in forever. Young gun Ethan Strange (250k I 31.0%) gets first chance to replace Wighton in the halves, while it will be interesting to track Jordan Rapana’s (487k I 1.1%) performance at fullback.
New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla Sharks
This is a good old fashioned battle of the halfbacks. Shaun Johnson (872k I 11.7%) was the people’ Dally M Medallist in 2023, while Nicho Hynes (1m I 15.2%) won the award in 2022. Both will want to start their season well.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (619k I 11.66%) will likely line up at centre and likely hit the ground running. Jackson Ford (605k I 1.1%) and Kurt Capewell (580k I 3.2%) mightn’t strike fear into opposition like other NRL edge back rowers but good luck getting past them.
Cameron McInnes (704k I 2.0%) has beaten Dale Finucane (514k I 0.5%) to the starting berth at lock. How his likely increased minutes impact his Fantasy output, which was exceptional in 50 minutes last season, will be one to watch. Starting with McInnes isn’t a bad shout either.
Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers
An absolutely heavyweight battle to open the season. A knee injury sustained by Sunia Turuva (518k I 1.1%) in Penrith’s World Club Challenge loss won’t cause a reshuffle, which was once suspected.
In Leniu’s absence, Liam Henry (320k I 1.8%) appears the most like-for-like replacement as Ivan Cleary’s bench wrecking ball. An absolute machine, he may need time to find his feet in first grade but good luck stopping him when he does.
Craig Bellamy has named Joe Chan (261k I 1.4%) in the back row, meaning recruit Shawn Blore (518k I 4.0%) misses out. As expected, Trent Loeiro (601k I 0.6%) will lock the Melbourne scrum in 2024.
Parramatta Eels v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Parramatta needs a massive year to prove 2022 wasn’t an anomaly after a worrying 2023 season. Dylan Brown (759k I 2.2%) and Shaun Lane (558k I 10.3%) will reignite their dynamic combination on their left edge, while J’Maine Hopgood (837k I 13.2%) is one of the best middles in the NRL.
Brad Arthur’s thrown out his publicly stated for a single 80-minute hooker by naming Joey Lussick (459k I 8.3%) to start and Brendan Hands (406k I 9.8%) off the bench. It will be interesting to see how Arthur utilises the pair.
For Canterbury, both young prop Sam Hughes (250k I 37.6%) and the dual-position Josh Curran (501k I 27.9%) will come off the bench. As we’ve seen in previous seasons, this doesn’t necessarily mean a massive minutes reduction for either, and both could make their way into the starting line up. It is a concern.
Jaeman Salmon (289k I 26.0%) and Poasa Faamausili (300k I 0.5%) start instead.
Stephen Crichton (620k I 7.4%) starts at centre, with a suspected calf injury playing into the decision to not play him at fullback. Fitness concerns around Bronson Xerri (450k I 12.1%) and Conor Tracey (558k I 0.2%) mean both miss round one, though they’re expected to be in the fold when their bodies allow.
A calf injury is reportedly keeping Stephen Crichton (620k I 7.4%) from playing centre in the early rounds of the season. Blake Taaffe (330k I 10.7%) starts at the back in round one, with Conor Tracey (558k I 0.2%) not fit enough yet. How Taaffe fares with such stiff competition will be an interesting watch.
Gold Coast Titans v St George Illawarra Dragons
Jayden Campbell (459k I 4.1%) and David Fifita (843k I 0.7%) will miss the opening rounds of Des Hasler’s Gold Coast coaching tenure. Campbell’s absence notably opens the door for impressive youngser Keano Kini (279k I 20.1%) to show what he’s capable. At his price, the young fullback could be a fantastic early-season cash cow.
Much has been made of the St George Dragons this off-season and their prospects remain up in the air. Jacob Liddle (536k I 0.8%) has impressed in pre-season and could be in for big minutes in 2024. Viliami Fifita (230k I 11.1%) will come off the bench in round one, but how safe is his place once Luciano Leilua’s (608k I 0.5%) returns?
The Dolphins v North Queensland Cowboys
Unfortunately for Wayne Bennett, Tom Gilbert (653k I 0.7%) will miss the entirety of the season with an ACL. Bennett’s opted to replace his inspirational lock with Ray Stone (468k I 0.6%), not a noted Fantasy performer, though he’s had limited opportunities to impress throughout his career.
Much like Parramatta, North Queensland need a big year to prove they’re contenders, not pretenders. Peta Hiku will be replaced by Zac Laybutt (509k I 0.6%), who’s both an NRL Fantasy unknown and a little pricey to start the season but could be one to watch after a few rounds.
Heilum Luki (498k I 12.9%) replaces Leilua in the back row. Luki’s a frightening prospect for any opposing defenders; offering the perfect blend of speed and power. He and Jeremiah Nanai (549k I 4.6%) have the potential to be the best back row pair in the NRL.
Scott Drinkwater (715k I 3.8%) is also shaping up for a massive 2024, his form should be heavily watched by NRL Fantasy players who don’t start with him.
BYE – Wests Tigers
NRL Fantasy ones to watch
Ben Trbojevic (250k I 36.7%) – EDG I CTR
Keano Kini (279k I 20.1%) – WFB
Jaeman Salmon (289k I 26.0%) – EDG
Samuel Hughes (250k I 37.6%) – MID
Heilum Luki (498k I 12.9%) – EDG
Joe Chan (261k I 1.4%) – EDG
