Two interesting games are on show for our penultimate Friday Night Football double header of the season. In the Friday Night appetizer, the Warriors host the improving Eels in Auckland, with a win moving the Warriors within touching distance of sewing up a top 4 spot. Then, in the main course, the Roosters head south to take on the Storm, with a win extremely important to the Roosters, who need the win to maintain their position in 8th place. Plenty on the line then this Friday.
Draftstars have several contests on offer for Friday night, including single-match contests, and combined matchups. These include:
NRL $6,000 – Warriors vs Eels
NRL $6,000 – Storm vs Roosters
NRL $5,000 – NRL Friday Night doubleheader
There are plenty of other contests that will tickle your fancy, so get involved and make the greatest game of all even more exciting. And if you're new to the Daily Fantasy scene, simply join Draftstars via this link!
NRL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round 26 Friday
NRL Friday Round 26: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Alec MacDonald ($8,000) has been named to start in the middle for the Storm, and whilst I’m not convinced he will start the game, you have to take a shot on him if he is named to start. It’s hard to know what Craig Bellamy is doing this week, so I would encourage you to check team lists an hour before kick-off before confirming MacDonald into your squads. MacDonald showed earlier in the season that when he gets starting minutes, he can put together a decent score, and for bottom dollar he is an easy selection if named to start. In games where he has played 40+ minutes this season, MacDonald has averaged a very solid 37.8 points per game. This average is pure base stats, and a solid score for bottom dollar that can save you money to spend elsewhere.
Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown ($8,000) has been named to start his second career game, as he lines up on the wing for the Storm against the Roosters. In his one start this season, Tuimalatu-Brown managed to score 24.4 points, however without scoring a try this isn’t a terrible score. He managed a solid 134 running metres, whilst also busting two tackles and popping three offloads, showing he has a decent floor with his added power base stats. Playing on the wing for the Storm always gives you a chance at a try or three, and as such at bottom dollar he is a solid selection for mine. Much like Alec MacDonald, be sure to check team lists an hour before kick-off, with Sualauvi Faalogo lurking on an extended bench who could easily come in.
NRL Friday Round 26: Our Mid-Priced Fantasy Picks
Dylan Walker ($11,070) has been a great little pick up for the Eels, and his play has resulted in remarkably consistent fantasy play for the play making forward. For the most part Walker has played from the bench for the Eels, however last week he got the start at lock forward, and duly punched out his second highest score of the season with 46. Whilst there was a slight bump in his score due to a try assist, I do like Walker starting here. The main reason to take Walker at this price though is his remarkable consistency and solid floor, with his last 15 scores being between the 32 and 49 range. A really good floor, with a decent ceiling, make Walker a play here for me.
Roger Tuivasa-Scheck ($13,220) has really hit form at the right time this season and has just the sort of ceiling you want in a player priced around the $13k-$14k mark. The base stats have been immense the past six weeks for RTS, running for over 200 metres in all but one of these games, and running for a remarkable 335 metres four weeks ago against the Dolphins. This week, he gets to take on a porous right-edge defence in the Eels, and I’d be surprised if the dual-international doesn’t conjure up at least one try. With four scores above 50 this season, I think you can pencil RTS in for a solid 40+ here, with the potential of 70 always there.
NRL Friday Round 26: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Hugo Savala ($15,310) comes back into the 7 jersey this week with the loss of Sam Walker and is at a nice price point for your Half/Hooker selection in my opinion. Savala has shown all season that he has a tremendous floor and can score these points with a minimal amount of attacking stats, with his few attacking stats being gravy for owners. In 80-minute games this season, Savala has averaged a solid 54.2, with just the two scores under 40 in those games. The most exciting part though, is the ceiling, with Savala punching out five 60+ scores in those games, with a high score of 83.6. Whilst there is the chance the Storm are able to shut Savala down and he scores in the 30’s, I feel like his upside is well and truly worth it at the price. He is cheaper than Munster, Moses, and Wishart, however his ceiling is higher than all three. A great chance for the young half to remind everyone what he has in the bag.
Trent Loiero ($16,000) has been really solid this season, particularly since the Origin period ended. If you take out his one poor score since Origin, Loiero has averaged 61.6 points per game in the five games since Origin. The concern is that one bad score (20.6) was scored against his round 26 opponent, the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters completely shut the Storm lock down, however I’ve got to believe this was more of an aberration than the norm and can see Loiero punching out another solid 55+ score here. With some big-name players out this week, Loiero will take over as the forward leader (if he wasn’t already), and plenty will be expected of their Origin lock forward. The forwards are thin in this slate, and I like Loiero at price.
Here's Our Suggested Draftstars Lineup for NRL Round 26 Friday
NRL Friday Round 26 Betting Markets
Warriors ($1.60) vs Eels ($2.35)
Line: Warriors (-4.5)
Points: 43.5
Storm ($1.70) vs Roosters ($2.15)
Line: Storm (-2.5)
Points: 44.5
Also, be sure to check out our full NRL Previews and Betting Tips for each match. Our experts break down each individual game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
