Eels Blogs

Hi all, If you are a NRL fantasy nut and crazy about SC and DT like myself then get excited.

You may be interesed to know that what was previously the official NRL "Dream Team" is this year being changed to "NRL Fantasy" and virtual sports is running now with "Dream Team" which you can already register for even if only to muck around with a team. http://nrldreamteam.virtualsports.com.au

The Offical NRL Fantasy and the Telegraph SuperCoach will most likley open towards the end of this month. Somewhere round Australia day.

This is just an early analysis of the Eels based on the prices which are in the above virtual sports site. Of course NRL fantasy and Supercoach prices will most likley differ to this when they open. I am hoping that they dont deviate too much and If they do I will just re-adjust my analysis when that time comes. 

So lets start with the early outlook -->

Guns / Proven

Jarryd Hayne (DT Price $356,500) - During an Injury riddled year in a wooden spoon season Jarryd still maintained a great fantasy footy average and when the hayne plane is at full flight he is one of the best performers in DT and SC. With some decent attacking players finally around him like Norman, Hoppa and to a lesser extent Peats Jarryd could even improve. While he has a history of slow starts to find form his recent word cup performance could be a gauge that he may start the season off well. In DT he is dual pos again so you can stick him in your halves.

Tim Mannah (DT Price $364,500) - Tim Manah, Its hard to see any valid reason to pick him up in your team at this price other than the fact that he can be relied upon to stay relativley static in price and avg score (perhaps a reliable draft pick). Though for the most part is a no go. Tim always plays off the bench therefore not a big minute player though in his favor he is hardy and is an extremley consistent performer as far as stats go.

Corey Norman (DT Price $314,500) - I can hear you already..."Norman is not a Gun nor proven player" but I tend to disagree somewhat...while not at elite level he is capable of large scores in fantasy footy and when you take into consideration that he was not happy playing fullback @ broncos he becomes even more of an enigma. He will get less runs over 8 meters etc making the switch from fullback but will still get his hands on the ball alot in the halves, even more so if he gets paired with one of our depth halves as opposed to sandow. Also a handy dual Half / Flb.

Mid Range

Lee Mossop (DT Price 273,800) - Hard to recommend him at the price (I was hoping hed be a tad cheaper). Being more of a worker in play style, Lee's fantasy perfomance will be very reliant on the minutes he plays. How soon is he going to be playiing 80 minutes? If he is playing the majority of the game minutes wise he could be ok value and set to rise but who has that magic crystal ball?

Will Hopoate (DT Price $255,200) - A somewhat risky purchase but one which alot of Eels fans will most likley make at some point in the season. Will is relativley highly priced thanks to his fantastic debut season. Expected to make a slow start so may drop a little at first but its only a matter of when he manages to hit form, he is capable of large scores in fantasy footy. If he ends up at full back at some point he scores very well there.

Cheapies

Nathan Peats (DT Price $138,700) - What a steal!  His price is based off being very limited in minutes behind Issac Luke but now that he is going to be playing big minutes as hooker (possible even 80) for the eels and paired with pretty decent base stats historically, Peats will no doubt be one of the most picked players in peoples squads to start the season. As an added bonus he may even get dual 2rf (DT does).
Brendan Santi  (DT Price $110,400) - Surprisingly one of the only genuine prospects for the Eels 2rf who is at rookie price to start the season. Statistically he has a good workrate, is more than capable of big minutes and always looks to get involved so provided he can get in the top 17 he is going to be a great pick up.

Pauli Pauli (DT Price ($110,400) - A rookie to keep your eye on during the season as he is a very promising young player and it will be time to get excited when this prop gets his call up to play first grade. Oddly DT has him positioned only in 2rf, I realise he can play there but thought he would be primarily available in the front row.

Other Noteables

While Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo and Junior Paulo most likley will see some decent game time and may still have price rises in them, they have already seen the bulk of thier rises last year and they are at awkward prices in the range of 180 - 220k. Kelepi in particular looked like he still had some improvement in him before he copped his injury.

Kenny Edwards is priced at 165k and if given game time could be an option in 2rf. As is Manu Mau, who doesnt appear to be in the player listing but sits in a similar mould, just most likley cheaper. 

So all in all we are not the most attractive club when it comes to fantasy footy with the majority of our most promising players placed at akward prices. Not only that but Parra has a bad NRL draw and a very rough start to the season.