Draftstars preview: Friday NRL fixtures

• FINAL WORD: Key trade advice + tactics for Round 4
• WAL’S WAGERS: Round 4 NRL punting preview

Draftstars is back for Round 4 of the NRL and with it comes the chance to back your fantasy knowledge to win some cash.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, you can enter competitions for each game for as little as $2.

You pick a squad for that game and watch the points roll in, as per an NRL SuperCoach clash.

It’s important to note however that the scoring system does differ from SuperCoach, we’ve attached the points system at the bottom of the page.

The main differences to note are that there’s a greater emphasis on players with a high workrate, while attacking players aren’t rewarded as significantly.

Tacklebreaks are worth three points, while missed tackles are worth negative two. Kick metres are also included, so targeting dominant long-range kickers in sides is often a strong move.

On that note, let’s look into today’s fixtures.

FOLLOW THE LINK TO CHECK OUT DRAFTSTARS

Embed from Getty Images

PANTHERS v WARRIORS

OVERVIEW

It’s a tough clash to gauge, with Penrith coming off a gut-busting golden point clash with Newcastle, and the Warriors belting a mediocre Dragons outfit with a 45/47 completion rate.

I feel both sides are overpriced as a result of the enormous amount of ball in play, so finding value looks difficult. I’m backing Penrith to prove too classy, so will be going predominantly with their players.

GUNS

Api Koroisau

At $18k you’re paying serious money for Api, but the other hooking options aren’t overly appetising. If Penrith do rack up a few points, you can’t afford not to have Api who will be at the forefront of their attacking raids.

Isaah Yeo

Yeo is pricey at $16,200, but he’s pretty well secured maximum minutes at lock. His workrate is significantly higher than when playing on the edge, and he’s capable of finding attacking stats.

Embed from Getty Images

STARS TO AVOID

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

There’s no harm in going with RTS, but he’ll be an extremely popular option. He’s looking to savour some energy for attacking positions, so he’s not doing quite the same legwork out of his own half, and his scores will reduce as a result. If you’re of the opinion the Warriors will win well, RTS would be your man.

VALUE

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

JTB looks the value in a pretty weak front-row at $10,640. Fisher-Harris is the obvious option, but with a stacked forward pack at Penrith his game time may continue to drop in 2020.

Caleb Aekins

At just $7,130 Aekins is a steal. He has a stack of runs and hopefully this is the week he finds his way to a few extra attacking stats.

COMBINATIONS

Viliame Kikau and Jarome Luai

It worked in last week’s preview and it can work again. Luai can isolate the opposing halfback (likely Nikorima, but may be swapped), and Kikau can barrel over the top to score.

Embed from Getty Images

STORM v RABBITOHS

OVERVIEW

Most are tipping Melbourne to bounce back after being embarrassed by Canberra last weekend.

I’m with the crowd to a certain extent, but I don’t believe it’ll be the walkover people are predicting.

South Sydney can hit back after being made to look second rate by a freakish Roosters outfit.

GUNS

Damien Cook

It’s Smith v Cook at hooker and you can’t go too far wrong at similar prices. Look for Cook to really thrive under the new rules with a quicker ruck. It should see him look to revitalise his running game which should bolster his stats significantly.

Cam Munster

Munster is a huge beneficiary of the new rules. He’ll bust an enormous amount of tackles which is gold in Draftstars scoring.

Embed from Getty Images

STARS TO AVOID

Cameron Murray

Murray moves back to lock in a bonus for his scoring. There’s no knock on Murray, only that he’ll be very popular so it could be an edge to bypass him. There’s not a lot of value picks in this game, except at 2RF, so it’s a good position to save some money while maintaining respectable scores.

VALUE

Ethan Lowe

Murray’s shift to lock means Lowe starts on the edge. At $8,700 he looks a nice price for a player that looks set for big minutes.

COMBINATIONS

Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen

Papenhuyzen is ready to go big in 2020 after coming extremely close in the opening three rounds. Munster will terrorise off the back of quick play-the-balls. If he can bust the line, Little Papy will be burning up on his inside and can find the line.

FOLLOW THE LINK TO CHECK OUT DRAFTSTARS

Stat	Points value
Try	8
Try-assist	5
Field goal	5
Linebreak	4
Tackle break	3
Goal	2
Linebreak assist	2
Offload	2
Tackle	1
Run metre gained	0.1
Kick metre gained	0.05
Error	-2
Missed tackle	0.05

Gamble responsibly.

You must be aged 18 years or older to open a betting account. You use SC Playbook’s services to place a bet at your own risk. See our terms and conditions for further information.