Draftstars preview: Saturday NRL fixtures

• CHAMPION PODS: Reshaping your overall strategy
• CAPTAIN’S CHALLENGE: Round 10 skipper options

Draftstars is back for Round 10 of the NRL season 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 50c and win major jackpots.

In last night’s previews we went 2/2 on our betting preview with the Storm -18.5 / Over 43.5 points @ $3.25 and the Tigers -6 @ $2.

Let’s take a look into today’s fixtures.

FOLLOW THE LINK TO CHECK OUT DRAFTSTARS

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DRAGONS v BULLDOGS

OVERVIEW

For two ordinary sides there’s a surprising lack of value in the contest. Both sides have a few decent workers who are highly priced, making this a difficult game to pick, however that should result in differentials among teams. I’m a long way from convinced on the Dragons, but on form it’s hard to go against them. The Bulldogs struggle to score points as we all know, so I’ll be favouring Red V attackers.

Betting play: Bulldogs +10 @ 2.00

*PlayUp offer $2 lines an hour before kick-off

Bet here: https://bit.ly/3eBl3Ej

*PlayUp offer $2 lines an hour before kick-off

GUNS

Ben Hunt

The move to hooker has elevated Hunt to gun status as a Draftstars player. He played 80 minutes at hooker last week and made 40+ tackles and is still available at halfback. He is by some margin the best option at halfback in this contest.

Cameron McInnes

There’s some fear McInnes will get an early shower as per last week if the Dragons get out to a big lead, but there’s lots of ifs and buts in that. It’s a concern when paying over $18k for him, but I’ll be selecting regardless due to his huge work ethic, and greater carries since shifting to lock.

STARS TO AVOID

Zac Lomax

Lomax is playing some sensational footy, and his culmination of attacking stats over the past month has seen him score very well. However, the attacking stats have to drop at some point, surely? While I think the Dragons will win, I think the Dogs will put up a fight, so I’m banking on it not being a blow out as Lomax would kick a stack of goals. $12,210 is a fair chunk of cash for a centre in a typically poor side, so I’ll be going cheaper (Saab, $7,500) and using the money to spend on a premium forward.

VALUE

Raymond Faitala-Mariner

RFM is playing 80, running off a roaming Kieran Foran and is just below $13k. With his attacking upside I really like him as a Draftstars player at an affordable price.

COMBINATIONS

Matt Dufty and Mikaele Ravalawa

Dufty has hit his straps with a consolidated crack at the number one jumper. His ball-playing has impressed me immensely, so I’m tipping him to find the flying Fijian out wide for a meat pie or two (hopefully avoiding Lomax in the process).

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RABBITOHS v KNIGHTS

OVERVIEW

This is set to be a cracking clash that could easily go either way. While favourite with the bookies, I haven’t been convinced by the Rabbitohs this season, while I believe the Knights have proven themselves time and time again in 2020. As a result, I’ll narrowly be favouring Newcastle players.

Betting play: Knights 1-12 @ $3.50

Bet here: https://bit.ly/3eBl3Ej

GUNS

Damien Cook

Cook is beginning to up his running game again after shifting his focus to a more organisational role in the first half of the year. His Draftstars scoring has taken a hit, but it’s made him fairly affordable this week as he looks to jet off from dummy-half more often. Newcastle are tight around the ruck and will be hard to crack, but if you want to win this contest I think he’s cleary the hooker you need. Furthermore, the return of Connor Watson on the bench may see Andrew McCullough get a spell.

David Klemmer

With his tremendous work rate each week he is as safe a scorer as you can get. Get him in, bank those points and look for differential attacking players elsewhere. Furthermore, there’s a chance he sees more game time with front-row partner Daniel Saifiti out injured.

STARS TO AVOID

Reynolds, Pearce, Mann

All three guys offer similar Draftstars value and consistently score well, but the lethal Cody Walker is $1k-3k cheaper than the trio. Walker’s combination with his new-look left edge is coming together, so I think the attacking stats aren’t far off.

VALUE

Alex Johnston

While he doesn’t run as often as the premier fullbacks, Johnston can sniff out an attacking opportunity. Johnston is priced on his stats as a winger, but the move to fullback in Latrell Mitchell’s absence should do wonders for him. At $9k I think he’s a decent buy with upside.

Jacob Saifiti

Saifiti has rediscovered his form in 2020 after somewhat spending the last couple of years in the wilderness. He’s a big worker and now gets a starting role (and hopefully bigger minutes) with brother Daniel out injured. As a result I think he can exceed his value and score well.

COMBINATIONS

Kalyn Ponga and Lachlan Fitzgibbon

Last year these two were an absolutely booming combination. They haven’t had the same success this year just yet, but I think they are long overdue. After a few weeks of favouring his less preferred right edge, KP starting playing more to Fitzy’s left against Parramatta. KP will hop, skip, step and jink to isolate the opposing halfback and find a hard running Fitzgibbon to score.

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SEA EAGLES v EELS

OVERVIEW

All signs point to an Eels romp here, but I’m not convinced it’ll be so one-sided. I do think Parra win, and probably comfortably, but I don’t believe it’ll be the big blow out many are expecting. Injuries have plagued Manly, but I think they proved in 2019 with a very similar squad they’ve developed a resilience to fight through troubled times.

Betting play: Eels -10 @ $2

Bet here: https://bit.ly/3eBl3Ej

GUNS

Dylan Brown

Brown has elevated to another level with halves partner Mitch Moses out of action. He’s seeing more ball and will benefit with what is predicted to be a dry surface on Sunday afternoon in Brookvale.

Reed Mahoney

Mahoney is a consistent Draftstars performer, and importantly in this contest is the only 80 minute hooker, therefore making him the clear pick in the position.

STARS TO AVOID

Junior Paulo

Paulo is arguably in career-best form in 2020 and has seemingly been granted a licence to offload by Brad Arthur. Unfortunately he suffered back spasms last week and didn’t finish the game. While there’s every chance they don’t flare up, they may well do which could kill your contest (think Jai Arrow in the past). At almost $14k it’s a big risk for the price.

VALUE

Taniela Paseka

Paseka is getting back to full fitness after spending time on the sideline injured. He earns a starting spot this week in Addin Fonua-Blake’s absence and should exceed his $9k value with more minutes. Watch late mail in case of any switch to the starting team.

COMBINATIONS

Parramatta’s left edge

With Moses out, the left edge driven by Brown is getting a heap of additional ball. Furthermore, they’re attacking Moses Suli who I expect to be peppered in defence throughout the clash. I think Brown, Shaun Lane and Maika Sivo are a dynamic combo to target. Yes it can go bad when stacking an edge, but if it pays off you’ll take some serious beating!

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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

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