MoneyBall preview: Saturday fixtures

Troops – G’day. If you haven’t checked out MoneyBall, it is a site that allows you to deposit real money and play daily fantasy sports.

You can pick a team from a single game or multiple games on that day.

Check it out, it’s great fun and you can win some good coin if you win any of the daily comps and each finishing position down to a certain rank will pay out a portion of the pot.

Among 812 entries, I was lucky enough to take out the $2 comp in the season opener between the Bulldogs and Eels on Thursday night and picked up $400 – thank you Reed Mahoney late!!

Below I’ve taken a look at some players to target and players to avoid from each of the Friday/Saturday matches.

I’m not going to go through everyone as we know who the gun players are. Instead, I’ve identified my specialty selections from each matchup to hopefully help you win some cash.

FOLLOW THE LINK TO CHECK OUT MONEYBALL

Embed from Getty Images

RAIDERS v TITANS

Forwards – I like Corey Horsburgh and Joe Tapine as they are valued at last year’s lower minutes and should see major increases with Bateman out.

The same could be said for Josh Papalli who is expensive, but may be a difference maker and finished the season in serious form.

For the Titans, Jai Arrow could be anything if given big minutes from the new coach.

Halves – George Williams is cheap having not yet played in the NRL, so it’s hard to go past him to free up money, but Jack Wighton may be a good point of difference if he can crash over for a try.

Backs – Personally I like the Jarrod Croker-Bailey Simonsson combination if Wighton can attract defenders and provide them with early ball in space.

It is noted that try-assists in MoneyBall go to the last passer (rather than major contributor in SuperCoach), so a centre – wing combination can be vital if you can nail them!

BRONCOS v COWBOYS

Hookers – Don’t spend too much money on this position!

Forwards – There’s plenty of options including the studs Payne Haas and Jason Taumalolo, but I like David Fifita as a game-breaker, while also locking in Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler at cheap prices.

Coen Hess for the Cowboys could provide value if you like him.

Halves – No stand outs, so take your pick!

Backs – Scotty Drinkwater may provide value if he can get creative playing 5/8.

Avoid – Valentine Holmes is very expensive for his first game back. You can take the punt if you like, and honesty he could go off, but for me he is an avoid for this one unless you have the cash to spare.

PLAY MONEYBALL TO WIN CASH HERE

Embed from Getty Images

KNIGHTS v WARRIORS

Hooker – Don’t overspend. It has to be Wayde Egan.

Forwards – I’m looking towards the lock Isaiah Papali’i who could do plenty of work in the middle. The youngsters Eliesa Katoa and Jamayne Tonua-Brown appear excellent value, especially Katoa if starting as it appears he will.

Halves – For me it’s hard to go past Chanel Harris-Tavita now that he is starting and goal-kicking, while also cheap, but if you think the Knights start strong then Mitch Pearce could be worth the punt.

Backs – Kalyn Ponga. I’ll be on him and hoping he tears up! Value picks are Enari Tuala who I’m a big fan of as a real life NRL player (still to confirm if this will translate to fantasy sports) and Gehamat Shibasaki if cap space is needed.

Avoid – Connor Watson and Jayden Brailey are no-go options because we simply don’t know their minutes.

Embed from Getty Images

RABBITOHS v SHARKS

Hooker – Damien Cook and Blayke Brailey are both options depending how you want to spread your cash. Looking at the below positions, there is lots of value so Cook looks nice to me.

Forwards – Liam Knight and Jack Williams are my must-haves at their price. Jaydn Su’A is very cheap and I like him, while Aaron Woods may be in for a big year pending how Cronulla run their forward rotation.

Halves – Cody Walker v SJ! Take your pick. I’m on Cody for this one.

Backs – I don’t mind Braidon Burns and Jesse Ramien. Ronaldo Mulitalo I’m a big fan of and outside of SJ he should see clean ball and potentially plenty of tries throughout the year, while Will Kennedy saves you a heap of money to load up elsewhere.

Embed from Getty Images

PANTHERS v ROOSTERS

Hooker – It has to be Api Koroisau given the question marks in the Chook’s hooker rotation.

Forwards – I’ll be on my man Sio Siua Taukeiaho and hope he gets the kicking duties. Sitili Tupouniua is a must at that price and starting.

Halves – Luke Keary or Kyle Flanagan for me! Though Jarome Luai is cheap, so if you need the money elsewhere put him in.

Backs – There’s genuinely no major standouts from a value perspective. James Tedesco of course is a gun, while I’m a big fan of Brian To’o, but it may be harder this week for him. Brent Naden seems decent value, but it’s a bit of a lottery here to be honest.

Avoid – Nathan Cleary seems to expensive considering it’s the defending premiers he faces this week.

PLAY MONEYBALL TO WIN CASH HERE

Enjoy everyone and fire away with any questions on social media.