Draftstars + punting preview: Saturday NRL fixtures

• FINAL WORD: Round 11 trade tactics and advice
• CAPTAIN’S CHALLENGE: Round 11 skipper options

Draftstars is back for Round 11 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 weekend’s previews we went 5/7 on our punting plays including:

• Storm -18.5 / Over 43.5 points @ $3.25 WIN
• Tigers -6 @ $2 WIN
• Bulldogs +10 @ 2.00 WIN
• Knights 1-12 @ $3.50 WIN
• Eels -10 @ $2 LOSS
• Cronulla Sharks – margin 19+ @ $4.40 WIN
• Panthers – margin 30+ @ 3.40 LOSS

We’re 2/2 to begin Round 11 with last night’s winner including:

• Manly -4 line @$2 WIN
• Melbourne margin +30 @$3.60 WIN

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

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WARRIORS v ROOSTERS

Overview

It’s hard to see this being anything other than a riot for the poor old Warriors. Worse yet, the Roosters are coming off two losses in their past three game, so there shouldn’t be any complacency. There is rain forecast which may be the Kiwi’s only saviour, however, it’s looking pretty dry thus far Regardless, the Roosters could put up a huge margin.

Punting play: Sydney Roosters margin 41+ @$4.50

Bet here: https://bit.ly/3eBl3Ej

GUNS

James Tedesco

I’ve got no need to elaborate on this, being the freak he is Teddy almost seems to thrive in the wet.

STARS TO AVOID

Tohu Harris

Harris has been a shining light in a dark year for the Warriors. His work ethic on field has translated to serious Draftstars scores.

However, the return of Jazz Tevaga has seen Tohu shift from lock to the edge back-row where his work rate has taken a big hit. For the first time in many weeks I’m happy to bypass him at $16k.

Jake Friend

Friend is back to big minutes, although not 80, with Sam Verrills injured. He’s been scoring well and could easily have a hand in tries here, but Jazz Tevaga looks set for a return to big minutes with match fitness under his belt and he could notch a stack of tackles which are well rewarded in Draftstars.

VALUE

Matt Ikuvalu and Josh Morris

Both of these guys are very nicely priced at under $10k for the match up that has been presented. Basically, I expect the entire backline to get in on the scoring action be it a try or assist, so I’m happy to lock these two in at value over the more expensive Brett Morris.

COMBINATION

Tedesco and Ikuvalu

Look no further than two weeks back where Teddy laid on several tries for young Ikuvalu. I expect 2+ try-assists from Teddy directly to either B.Moz on the right or Ikuvalu on the left, so let’s hope it’s Ikuvalu at a far cheaper price.

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SHARKS v DRAGONS

Overview

The Southern derby packs plenty of promise with both sides in form of late. Both are scoring quite freely, but predicted wet weather will likely play a part in the attacking output. If it were a dry track I’d back the Sharks attacking prowess to get them home, but the wet weather should bring the Red V right into this clash. I’ll be spending big in the forwards based on the forecast of rain likely limiting attacking football.

Punting play: Sharks 1-12 @$3.40

Bet here: https://bit.ly/3eBl3Ej

GUNS

Cameron McInnes

The move to lock has stifled McInnes’ work load a little, but not substantially. He’s back to 80 minutes and will be busy again here. He’s expensive at over $17k, but he’s such a reliable scorer in Draftstars that I’m happy to empty the wallet.

Ben Hunt

Hunt is still available at halfback in Draftstars which is exactly where I’ll be picking him. He’s playing 80 in the middle and making a stack of tackles, while the attacking upside is obvious. He looks a great pick up every week he continues to be available at halfback.

STARS TO AVOID

Shaun Johnson

No knock on Johnson as he’s in superb form, but any rain will be very detrimental to his game. Furthermore, Hunt looks the far safer pick at halfback so I’ll be leaning that way.

VALUE

Wade Graham

Graham is very cheap at under $10k for an 80 minute edge back-rower with his attacking upside. He doesn’t have the workrate of other back-rowers, but at the price I’m happy to lock him in. The wet track may see him utilised more in attack as both sides look to play a little tighter.

Sione Katoa

Tackle buster, running outside SJ, leading try-scorer heading into Round 11, basement price at $7k, bargain! A dry track would obviously be very beneficial though.

COMBINATION

Ben Hunt and Paul Vaughan

I’ll go a little left field here and say Hunt to pick up a steaming Paul Vaughan who crosses the line with a bit of nifty footwork. As mentioned above, I think much of the attack will be through the middle if it’s wet, so it could open up this combination to a greater degree.

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RAIDERS v RABBITOHS

OVERVIEW

The Raiders are deserving favourites and I think they may narrowly be good enough to sneak home, but that win over the Roosters would have taken a heap out of their tank.

Furthermore, they’re decimated by injury so South Sydney have a great opportunity to knock off the grand finalists. Although, it is meant to be -1 in the nation’s capital on Saturday night. I like South Sydney at the line as a punting play.

Punting play: Rabbitohs +5.5 @$2

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

Bet here: https://bit.ly/3eBl3Ej

GUNS

Josh Papalii

I’ve picked Papalii week-in week-out since the forward pack fell piece by piece. Big Papa has upped his game time to 60+ minutes in recent weeks and his form has surged through the roof. Get him in!

Damien Cook

Cooky is running more than he has all season and is benefitting enormously with attacking stats. Siliva Havili almost has an even share of the hooking role for the Raiders with Tom Starling, so Cook is the extremely obvious pick.

STARS TO AVOID

Joseph Tapine

While not exactly a star, Tapine has found form in recent weeks after a below par opening to the year by his standards. The move back to lock has served him well, but his minutes have dropped significantly. He also has a host of attacking stats in recent weeks so I see him as being overpriced.

VALUE

Cody Walker

If South Sydney are to compete come finals time it’ll be off the back of Cook and Walker. Walker is coming along slowly in 2020 and doesn’t look far off his explosive best.

Canberra’s middle defence is extremely tight, while their edges have been in tatters this year, so I expect the Bunnies to do their damage out wide. Hopefully Walker is the beneficiary for that reason and the reasons below.

COMBINATION

South Sydney’s left edge

I expect Nick Cotric to shift to centre come game time to allow Jordan Rapana to shift to the wing. Walker will be licking his lips at the match up and could do some serious damage. This brings him, Graham and youngster Paulo right into contention.

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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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