Draftstars + punting preview: Friday NRL fixtures

• STAT ANALYSIS: Vital numbers to beat the best
• CHAMPION PODS: Unique players to find an edge

Draftstars is back for Round 12 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 Round 10, we went 5/7 in our punting plays with plenty of value included

In last weekend’s previews we went 3/5 on our punting plays including:

• Manly -4 line @$2 WIN
• Melbourne margin +30 @$3.60 WIN
• Sydney Roosters margin 41+ @$4.50 LOSS
• Sharks 1-12 @$3.40 WIN
• Rabbitohs +5.5 @$2 LOSS

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

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TIGERS v WARRIORS

OVERVIEW

The Warriors were extremely gritty last week against the Roosters, and you could argue they were the better side. However, more disruptions to the side with players flying home will be hard to overcome.

That fixture will have taken plenty out of them. I’m not convinced on the Tigers this season, but they are scoring very freely against weaker opposition, so I expect this to continue. I’ll be favouring Tigers attacking players in this contest.

Punting play: Wests Tigers 19+ @$2.30

Bet here: https://bit.ly/3eBl3Ej

GUNS

Harry Grant

I’ll be locking the star young rake into my side and I can see him going big. If the Tigers do pile on the points, he’ll be a focal point in plenty of the raids. Jazz Tevaga is an interesting alternative at hooker, but I want to see him playing bigger minutes before jumping on.

Luciano Leilua

I shouldn’t say Luciano has turned a corner recently as he’s been good all year, but he has been particularly impressive over the past month. He’s evolving into a hard running back-rower, rather than the flashy one we’ve seen in the past. Hopefully he can continue his scoring streak on Friday night.

David Nofoaluma

I don’t like spending big on outside backs, but there aren’t too many high priced players in this contest so I think there’s room for Nofa. He’s a dream Draftstars selection with his high workrate and tackle busting numbers, along with his obvious knack for crossing the line.

STARS TO AVOID

Alex Twal

Twal is a Draftstars gun, but plays his first game in a while following a good stint on the sidelines. At almost $16k he’s been priced as though he hasn’t missed a week, so I’m happy to avoid with the expectation his minutes and therefore numbers are down on what we’ve come to expect in 2020.

VALUE

Eliesa Katoa

Katoa is back to playing 80 minutes following a stint on the sidelines. He crashed over for a try against the Roosters last weekend and can do the same against the Tigers. At under $11k he is an absolute bargain!

Billy Walters

Walters is substantially cheaper than the key halves options in this fixture. The hooking genetics ensure he never avoids any additional work, which is a good base for a halfback option. He’s also gifted enough with ball in hand, so if the Tigers rack up some points he should have a hand in a try or two.

COMBINATION

Walters and Leilua

Leilua is developing that key back-rower hard unders line with every game he plays. I’m liking Grant to hold up defenders off a quick play-the-ball, find Walters with plenty of time and space, then hitting a steaming Leilua short to score.

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BRONCOS v SHARKS

OVERVIEW

My gut feel says Brisbane can fire up at home against a reasonably unpredictable Cronulla outfit. However, I’ve had this feeling on numerous occasions this season only to shake my head in disbelief 20 minutes into the game. Not with confidence, but on what we’ve seen there’s absolutely no reason why the Sharks can’t continue on their attacking ways and rack up some points again and bag a victory. I’ll be loading up on Sharks outside backs, along with a few of the workhorses in the Brisbane side.

Punting play: ‘Richard Kennar v Si Katoa try match up’ – KATOA @$2.31

Bet here: https://bit.ly/3eBl3Ej

GUNS

Shaun Johnson

Dare I say it, we’re witnessing vintage SJ at the moment. It’s funny what a full bill of health can do for a natural ball runner. He was exceptional last week and is floating around both sides of the ruck with enormous confidence.

Payne Haas

It’s a little tough fitting Haas in with SJ, but there’s enough value in the contest that it’s achievable without completely pulling your side apart. Haas has played back-to-back games with 80 minutes, and provided he does that again I think he’s well under-valued at $17,270.

STARS TO AVOID

Tevita Pangai Jnr

TPJ is made for Draftstars with his playing style that boasts substantial offloads and tackle busts. However it looks as though his regular minutes are around the 50 mark when no injuries occur. He’s also in some doubt for the clash, and as a player with a prolific injury history I’m happy to avoid the concern at $14,810.

VALUE

Kotoni Staggs

Staggs has a game under his belt having returned after a lengthy injury lay-off. He’s kicking goals in Jamayne Isaako’s absence and has a very friendly Draftstars scoring game. Brisbane’s attack is putrid, so expect him to see plenty of early, clean ball in the opposition red zone. At just under $11k I think he’s a very nice pick up.

Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa

The Cronulla wing pairing have been in exceptional form this season. Chad Townsend’s absence may hurt Mulitalo, however he’s shown he’s more than happy to get involved coming out of his own end to great effect.

COMBINATION

SJ and Katoa

No need to elaborate here, the combination this pair have formed in 2020 has been stunning. You’re beginning to expect at least one try-assist from SJ hitting Katoa with a cut out every single week.

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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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