The Scout Report - Rd 16
This week, we cover our key players to buy, watch, hold & sell + recapping how our teams went in Round 15.
Buys/Ones to Watch/Holds/Sells
Buys
Jahrome Hughes - HLF ($576k)
Hughes has had a very underwhelming season compared to last year, dropping nearly 300k in value. However, his round 14 performance against the Cowboys could be the spark he needs to find his form again. Jumping on him right now while he’s still very heavily discounted presents the perfect opportunity. With a low break even, a couple of high scoring games will quickly see his price climb back toward where it was at the start of the year. Add to the fact that he has no more byes for the rest of season, he is the buy of the week.
Tallis Duncan - MID/EDG ($507k)
Duncan was a buy last week and still remains a good option this week. This is likely the last chance to get him at an affordable price, as another strong performance will see his value climb towards 600k.
Jayden Campbell - HLF/WFB ($731k)
Even though Campbell does not play in round 18, he still shapes as a clear buy this week. With his final bye out of the way after round 18 and an impressive average of 60ppg, Campbell is a must have keeper for the run home.
Herbie Farnworth - CTR ($814k)
Despite sitting at 20% ownership and having been a buy at the beginning of the season, Farnworth remains a must have in everyone's fantasy team. He’s averaging 63ppg, has unbelievable base and with favourable fixtures over the next 2 rounds, he is an ideal option. The only downside is his byes in round 18 and 21, but if you have cover during those weeks and can afford to bring him in without throwing your team off balance, he is a must have.
Eliesa Katoa - EDG ($697k)
Analysis available only in The Scout Report - Rd 16 (Premium) version.
James Fisher-Harris - MID ($571k)
Analysis available only in The Scout Report - Rd 16 (Premium) version.
Ones to Watch
Jed Stuart - WFB ($230k)
Stuart has been named to replace Tamale, who is out for a significant period. If he impresses early and cements that starting wing role, he could emerge as a solid cheapie option for the remainder of the season. Wait and see on his scoring profile, as his Cup numbers aren't great.
Latu Fainu - HLF ($269k)
Latu was expected to take over the starting 5/8 role since Galvin’s departure from the club however, he’s once again been named on the bench. Benji today (19/6) confirmed the reason being for his delayed start is due to match fitness and it’s expected that Latu will move into the starting side over the next few weeks. For now, hold off until he secures that starting role.
Holds
Keaon Koloamatangi - EDG/MID ($832k)
It was initially feared Keaon would be out for a while due to a facial injury, but he has been cleared and does not require surgery. Could be back as soon as this week - definite hold.
Scott Drinkwater - WFB ($595k)
Drinkwater, along with the Cowboys were terrible last week. He/they will bounce back however, still remains a really solid option.
Sells
Mawene Hiroti - WFB/CTR ($392k)
After being on our Buys list last week, Hiroti unfortunately now finds himself on the Sells list after picking up a calf injury which will see him miss 4-6 weeks.
Hamish Stewart - MID ($509k)
Stewart has been ruined by Shane Flanagan unfortunately, relegating him from his starting lock role to a small min bench role. Is on a bye this week so no urgency, but from next week will have to sell before he loses all his profits.
Jazz Tevaga - MID/HOK ($569k)
Analysis available only in The Scout Report - Rd 16 (Premium) version.
Haumole Olakau’atu - EDG ($654k)
Haumole injured his shoulder, and is set to be out for 4-6 weeks.
Team Recaps
Alessandro
Rd 15 Score - 706
Overall Rank - 19613
Thoughts:
Pretty average week once again, gaining a small green arrow. Really struggling to garner any sort of momentum, been stuck around this rank for ages. The buy of JMK was slightly underwhelming but not disastrous, if he got just 5 extra mins as we projected he would've done exactly as we needed. Absolute stinkers from Stewart and Drinky was frustrating, other than that everyone scored pretty well comparatively. My plans this week are to buy a MID incase Keaon doesn't play - am leaning towards JFH over Duncan. Hughes also will be coming in. Stewart and Nanai the 2 likely making way.
Serhan
Rd 15 Score: 695
Overall Rank: 17822
Thoughts:
Captain Koloamatangi delivered a nice and safe score, despite the early exit from the game. The Chookies boys delivered with Wong scoring 76, Savala scoring 63, and Tedesco scoring 53 points. AFB also smashed it out of the park with an 84 score. An awful showing from Hiroti after sustaining a calf injury, which he will be out for 4-6 weeks out for - really bad trade in from me. But easier to say in hindsight. Poor showing from Drinkwater as well, honestly all over the place with this week’s scoring with Stewart scoring poorly too. Sharpe as a late out wasn’t helpful. With 3 Dragons players on a bye, fielding a 13 player team for me came in at a good time. Will look to trade in a centre for Hiroti, and that should be my only trade this week. Will look into options later on.
ConDog
Rd 15 Score - 627
Overall Rank - 33317
Thoughts:
Despite Nat Butcher being a late out and making my Rd 15 squad without a full 13, I still managed to make up 1000 ranks. Yes, the OR still sucks but progress is progress! Fortunately, I could reverse my Hosko trade and get rid of Nat Butcher instead, who somehow becomes my squad’s biggest disappointment as he never played a game. Unfortunately, I’m down to very few transfers due to quite a bit of inactivity coming up over the next few weeks, but the injuries didn’t stop piling up this. Now with Kolo likely out and Hamish having a stinker, they may need to go before they do more harm than good. I don’t know yet where/if Kolo is going to go, but I’m quite keen on going from Hamish to Jarome Hughes, as I believe Hughes has returned to his best from last year and he’s priced just under 600k. It’ll be a bit slow from this point onwards as the wifi in some places is coming from a mountain, but hopefully I end up in the top 10k in a month or so 😂💀.
Art Pap
Rd 15 Score - 572
Overall Rank - 25535
Thoughts:
A very very very poor week, the first game pretty much set up how my week was going to play out and I am surprised I didn’t drop to 30k overall rank. The only good thing is that I have a lot of money to work with and fix my team. There are a number of players who need to be traded out, I am planning on trading out Hiroti and King-Togia and want to bring in Farnworth and Hughes but I know the Farnworth investment will take a hit on other trades that I was planning on making. Kolo I will be holding for now unless I make some sort of rash decision and same with Drinky, next week the aim is Stewart and Kautoga but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.