Fantasy Form: Morgan to spank Milf

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COWBOYS V BRONCOS

Game Info: 7:55pm (AEST) Friday September 16, 1300SMILES Stadium

FANTASY FOOTY SHORTS

The first of two scintillating fantasy semi-finals kicks off in Townsville in Friday with coaches (and league-lovers in general) getting gifted a replay of the 2016 granny.

Cows home ground advantage is huge but it is somewhat tempered by the fact Parker is playing his last game – expect absolutely everything out of both sides here which means coaches can bank on work rate being high across the board.

Spine will largely be dictated by how you think the game will go / who will win so no real need to delve too deeply as these selections are often very subjective.

Will say that in the fantasy nuff nuff battle royale at the back Coote looks quite appealing on price especially given Boyd is unlikely to get any TA points here. Less so Granville if you think it will be low-scoring as Maca could rack up 50 tackles here.

No Roberts should mean Kahu shifts to right centre. Opacic has been named but is in doubt still (shoulder) so don’t be surprised to see Glenn start at left centre (appeals as an Interchange option pre-reshuffle).

Either way, the more Cows you can fit into your backline the better!

Taumalolo v Parker looms as a cracker and one that will be a real 50/50 split for coaches so getting that right could prove crucial.

Lolo on his home deck v Parker in his last game – expect a few dark spirits will need to be imbibed close to lockout in order to settle on this one.

Gillett still a bargain despite a horrible run of recent form – has now resigned with the Broncos so expect that to really show in his work rate – no Linnett will have Cooper creeping slightly wider to cover for Bowen so Gillett on a crash line appeals for offensive points as much as any Bronco.

Lowe will stretch your budget but on recent form he has to be considered strongly.
Take workrate from your big men here, both sides have very solid middle third defence so don’t expect any crash-overs or rampaging 30m breaks out of your front row or bench.

The Titans aren’t a blindingly attacking side but still put 24pts on the Broncos in a game where literally nothing went right for them – yes, I am saying Cows by plenty in an emphatic ‘can’t believe I didn’t get on them when they were dropped down to the third line of Premiership betting’ fashion.

Weather
Hot, dry and perfect for fantasy footy – expect a sharp lift in output from the Cowboys players who were all limited by the Melbourne bog last Saturday.

Stats View

PLAYER FOCUS

Michael Morgan (Cowboys – 5/8 – $423,000)

Sure if the Broncos are dominant Milford will score well but I just can’t see either happening here. Taking the 123k saving and leaving Milf at selection in favour of Morgan. His speed and size will be too much for Milford let alone ol bung-shoulder Opacic. Can see him cracking 35pts in a BOG effort whereas Milf (given the Cows defence) should return 20-25pts at best.

RAIDERS V PANTHERS

Game Info: 7:45pm (AEST) Saturday September 17, GIO Stadium

FANTASY FOOTY SHORTS

Coaches face one of the hardest Challenges of season 2016 in the nation’s capital on Saturday with two in-form and offensively brilliant sides stretching the salary cap further than ever before.

If you embrace the fact that as many as five downgrades need to be made then selection should not cause as many headaches as it might have.

Assisting you in these downgrades are key pieces of info that only you can provide – what type of game will it be and which side (if any) will be dominant (and where)?
The answers to these questions will shape your selection.

Teams news coaches will be sweating on news of Josh Hodgson right up until kick off – don’t be surprised if Austin starts at hooker for Hodgson with Williams being recalled either.

Blake is the other question mark with that shoulder forcing him from the field against the Dogs – expect he will be fine which is great news for coaches given he is the only sub-500k option in the three quarter line.

Whether you opt to pick a horrible bench and hope injuries get them game time, a second-rate backline and hope the ball falls their way or whether you make several calculated downgrades across your whole 17, take comfort knowing that everyone will be facing the same problems.

Both these sides are capable of brilliance but expect their defence to be first class here so I’d be leaning towards forward (and bench) work rate over a plethora of outside backs going bananas.

Weather
11 degrees on kick off. Chance of showers but looks pretty clear especially around kick off but check weather closer to start time as it will VASTLY re-shape selection strategies if there is even slight drizzle.

Stats View

PLAYER FOCUS

Trent Merrin (Panthers – LOC – $665,000)

Ok so he may be almost 300k dearer than his direct opponent but Merrin is the real deal when it comes to fantasy safety. 186 run metres and 49 tackles last week on his way to a massive 47.6pts. No tries, no try assists. Just work rate. Soliola’s 18.8pts included 29 tackles which looks his limit given the reduced game time. Merrin can also get dangerous close to the try line especially if it’s a close game. With all the downgrade options available to coaches in this game, Merrin is my first picked and one I definitely won’t be ‘saving’ on by leaving out.