Youโve probably got it pretty clear in your mind who you want to draft in the first few rounds. The guns are pretty clear and pretty consistent.
But what about the later rounds? That's where a Fantasy Premiership can be won! Picking a player after the first 13-15 picks that ends up becoming a top 100 scorer is tough to pick and often needs a bit of luck coupled with gut instinct.
Smokeyโs last year would have included Curtis Rona, Michael Lichaa, Ethan Lowe andย Iosia Soliola. No one can put hand on heart and say they predicted them to finish 2nd, 7th, 25th, 48th on the point scoring rankings at the end of the season. A few people might have had a gut instinct though and for that they were rewarded.
Agnatius Paasi
Looked fit and full of confidence in the Auckland Nines, making the team of the tournament. Could be a shining light at the Titans this year with opportunity he wouldn't find at most NRL clubs. Last year he averaged nine runs and 18 tackles per game for 27 involvements in 49 minutes of game time. I don't expect his minutes to increase too much but based on his willingness to run and the reduced interchange he will increase his points substantially.
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Api Koroisau
Has underrated guile. Could end up being one of the craftiest hookers in the game this year. Plus, he hasn't started a season in the top 13 - so for rookie fantasy merchants they might not know he's the (most likely) starter. More game time and responsibility at Manly could do great things to his game. He just has to fend off the competition from fitness freak Matt Parcell.
Damien Cook
This guys was the hero of many draft fantasy seasons at the end of last year. He scored hundreds of points in three weeks and if you had him in your team during the finals you were flying! Sure, he can't sustain those numbers all year, but if he keeps Cam McInnes off the bench and gets the 80 minutes to himself then he is a guaranteed winner every week.
Jarrod Mullen
He's an injury risk. He plays for a terrible team. And this year he has to share the play making duties with the club's "marquee" recruit. Talk about an ultimate smokey! It's enough for any fantasy pundit to leave him well alone but the arrival of Hodkinson could be a real shot in the arm for Mullen and could see him return to 2013 form where he finished 4th among five-eighths.
Joel Edwards
I want to tell you that Joel Edwards is going to be a smokey this year, but when you have the all-seeing, all-knowing Crystal Steedenโข itโs not so much a prediction as it is just stating a fact.
I foresee the Tigers reshuffling their team each week in an attempt to find a winning combination, trialling various forwards in the starting pack. By round 8, Big Red will find himself consistently in the starting 13, and with the new interchange rules, looking to score forward tries each and every week.
Edwards was always threatening to crack the starting team in Canberra and Newcastle, but there always seemed to be some slightly better talent just ahead of him. Now he is at the talentless Tigers, the fans will hail him as the second coming of Big Keefy.
Kirisome Auva'a
Had a shocking time last year being suspended for nine months and managing very low points in the four games he did play. With the loss of Dylan Walker and contract talks surrounding Bryson Goodwin, Kirisome looks to retain his centre spot with ease. 2014 saw his average meters increase substantially for solid returns. With a full pre seaon under his belt and nothing looming over his head look for him to be the stand out centre for Souths this year. Knows how to break the defence and find the line.
Michael Chee Kam
The one time Raiders backrow prodigy has slid into rugby league obscurity over the last few years after leaving Canberra for the Tigers via Manly. After playing Australian schoolboys in 2010, and making the NYC Team of the Year in 2012, Michael had the world at his feet. But the transition from NYC to NRL did not come easy for Michael.
Why should I pick a bloke who has played five NRL games over the past three seasons I hear you ask? Michael is playing for arguably the worst, most dysfunctional club in history. The Tigers backrow is as light on as an anorexic in space. Curtis Sironen is overrated and will miss three quarters of the season. Chris Lawrenceโฆ enough said. Dene Halatau only plays because no one of any decent quality has stepped up.
Will Michael Chee Kam start? No. Should you draft Michael Chee Kam? No. In all seriousness, if the Tigers have an injury or two in the backrow, which is likely given their starting back row, Chee Kam will be a good pickup from the spud pool post draft. He is a hard runner, but doesnโt shirk defensive responsibilities. And given the Tigers will be playing for nothing this year, and MCK only has a one year contract, he will be looking to impress.
Robbie Rochow
It wonโt be hard for the Knights second rower to improve on last years fantasy scoring effort and with the departure of Beau Scott, he is a real smokey for 2016. Still only 25 years old, the best footy is definitely in front of him, add to that the suspension of Tariq Sims for the first six games โ expect a big start to the 2016 season from Rochow. Hopefully Rochow stays fit and plays the full season, while in the process helping the Knights off the bottom of the ladder. Pick him up late.
Russell Packer
Following the departure of Trent Merrin, the retirement of Dan Hunt, the season ending injury to Mose Masoe and the failed experiment of starting Ben Creagh at prop, the engine room at St George Illawarra looks as underwhelming as ever. The Dragons fought hard (and failed) to get permission for Packer to play NRL last year so now that they have it, you know heโs going to get picked. The fact heโs been โtraining the house downโ should be reason enough to get him but itโs also worth noting that in 2011 he scored very well with his base stats. Sure heโs a convicted head stomper who once mistook the footy field for a urinal trough, but picking Packer will allow you and your fantasy team to experience what rugby league is really all aboutโฆ second chances.
Zeb Taia
Has signed with an awful Titans side after a sabbatical in the UK. His next signing should be a late round pick in your fantasy squad. Nobody remembers who he is and no one is looking that deeply at the Titans squad to give him a chance. He is aging at 31 years old, but should have the legs to get minutes in a side likely to be devoid of defense. In his last full season in the NRL (2012) Taia scored very well with tackle heavy stats. He averaged 40.9 involvements that season in a Knights side that had more talent than this Titans squad. He is a prime sleeper candidate.
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