Crichton, Stewart, Gray: Which Fantasy bargains should you buy this week?
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An injury-riddled Round 5 followed by a handful of high-profile player droppings this week has really tested Fantasy coaches, but there's a silver lining now with the emergence of some quality cheapies.
From injury replacements to back-ups elevated into starting roles, there's some value prospects in the player pool who can help you make the most out of your salary cap.
This week we're running the rule over the three best value for money prospects available ahead of Round 6 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Analysing the Round 6 Fantasy bargain buys
Angus Crichton (EDG, $442k)
Scratchy form last year coupled with some smaller minute appearances off the bench to start 2024 has meant Crichton’s price has plummeted, with $59k wiped off his starting price from this year already. He’s now an EDG with the potential to hit regular 50s who is available at about $250k less than the next cheapest player who is averaging in that range this season, Jackson Ford.
The veteran’s 59 points in an 80-minute showing last week included only seven points from dynamic attacking stats (five from a try assist and two from a line break assist, with the majority of the rest coming from tackles (36), metres gained (13), tackle breaks (4) and an offload to hands (4), which are all pretty repeatable for a player in his position. There was also 10 points to lost to missed tackle demerits, which in drier weather than last week’s deluge might have been much lower.
He's got cut-price keeper written all over him if he can fend off competition from what is a stacked back-row room at the Roosters, with Sitili Tupouniua and Siua Wong also in the frame (although I take comfort from him keeping a spot with Nat Butcher back), and to me he’s the top trade prospect of the round, with his price likely to jump up to $30k this week if he scores in the 50s again.
The risk factors to consider are that he might not get 80 minutes every week – with the huge injury toll his team experienced in Round 5, along with the sending off of Dom Young meaning their rotation was totally messed up – while as mentioned earlier there are plenty of other options for Trent Robinson in the second row.
Best buys: Angus Crichton
Chevy Stewart (WFB, $230k)
With Jordan Rapana requiring surgery on a meniscus tear which will sideline him for six to eight weeks, Stewart has been given first crack at taking over the No.1 jersey and has the potential to play at least four games back there even with the Raiders having a Round 10 bye.
The NSW age-grade rep has racked up stats in reserve grade this season which would equate to an average Fantasy score of 47 per game, but despite his potential as a nice little money maker he’s lower down on my priority list due to a lack of job security, with several players lining up to take spots in the Green Machine backline right now.
Albert Hopoate (arm burns) is due back as early as next week, while veteran Nick Cotric can’t even get into the 17 right now, and if either of them comes back into the NRL selection frame it could easily see Seb Kris move to fullback and Stewart drop out. There’s also off-season recruit Kaeo Weekes, who while used as a half through the pre-season, is a recognised fullback in the lower grades as well.
In saying that, the fact that Stewart has got the nod this week ahead of Kris, and is keeping Cotric and Weekes out of the squad, is a good sign, and given they are unlikely to lose to the winless Titans this week he’s probably guaranteed to keep his spot for Round 7 too. But from there the Raiders have a more difficult run with games against the Broncos, Sharks and Sea Eagles, with Ricky Stuart a chance of opting to go for a more experienced set of hands at the back for those matchups against elite-level playmakers.
Jye Gray (HLF, $230k)
Even though South Sydney have their first bye in Round 7, Gray is a player of interest due to Latrell Mitchell’s three-match suspension and the prospect of more opportunities at fullback to come down the track during the State of Origin period.
The important first point to note here is that he isn’t a short-term prospect, so if you’re battling to put a team on the park every week or you want someone who is a good chance of playing every week, Gray isn’t the player for you.
If you are in a position to carry a player, then Gray has some potential as a money maker. He looked a handy player in his lone Pre-Season Challenge appearance this year and his stats at NSW Cup level, which has included scoring three tries in four games, equate to what would be a 55.2 point average per game. While he’s highly unlikely to reach that level in the NRL as part of a team that’s struggling, he won’t need to in order to still be a cash cow.
Provided he performs well this week, Gray should play Round 6, 8 and 9 and then be in the frame to play again in Round 14 – when Mitchell will be backing up from Origin I if he gets selected, and Round 16 and 19 when Origin players won’t be available.
