Fantasy NRL: Burgess tops fantasy lottery

Trent Hodkinson of the Bulldogs. Photo / Getty Images

Semifinals a lottery in terms of which teams will progress

We've reached the penultimate round of Dream Team Fantasy NRL and it's now anyone's guess as to which players are the best to invest in ahead of the Grand Final.

Hopefully you took my advice last week and invested heavily in Roosters and Bulldogs players who have been the MVPs of the playoffs so far due to their busy schedule.

This weekend's semi finals are a lottery in terms of which teams will progress to the Grand Final but if you can successfully predict the results you'll be ahead of the pack next weekend.

At this stage of the season it's important to remember that you can only select a maximum of six players per club in your fantasy squad - that rule includes the final week.

So, if you can, load up your forwards with players you think will make the Grand Final as they will be more valuable than others. In an ideal world you'll then be left with five gaps in your squad next weekend, all in the least valuable position - Back.

This week I'm going to suggest a top five for each position on the field - these rankings do not take into account whether their team will progress to another week as I'll leave that prediction down to you.

Front Rowers
1) Sam Burgess, Rabbitohs, $465,000
2) James Graham, Bulldogs, $358,000
3) James Segeyaro, Panthers, $358,000
4) Jake Friend, Roosters, $410,000
5) Aiden Tolman, Bulldogs, $350,000

Sam Burgess has been the MVP of the Dream Team Fantasy NRL season and is a must-play this weekend. Not much separates the next three on my list with form determining much of their ranking. Tolman is a risk/reward play while Issac Luke could easily step up with a big game despite his lacklustre fantasy form of late.

Back Rowers
1) Boyd Cordner, Roosters, $342,000
2) Josh Jackson, Bulldogs, $324,000
3) Aidan Guerra, Roosters $310,000
4) Sonny Bill Williams, Roosters, $372,000
5) Jared Waerea-Hargeaves, Roosters, $364,000

Roosters dominate this list with the Panthers and Rabbitohs offering very few back row options. Cordner and Jackson are a tier above the others who are more of a lottery in terms of a big performance.

Halves
1) Adam Reynolds, Rabbitohs, $392,000
2) Mitchell Pearce, Roosters, 372,000
3) James Maloney, Roosters, $424,000
4) John Sutton, Rabbitohs, $409,000
5) Trent Hodkinson, Bulldogs, $206,000

I've ranked these halves on fantasy form as very little separates each of them. The best way to decide between them would be to back players who you think will be on winning teams.

Backs
1) Greg Inglis, Rabbitohs, $537,000
2) Chris McQueen, Rabbitohs, $518,000
3) Josh Mansour, Panthers, $270,000
4) Tim Lafai, Bulldogs, $253,000
5) Dylan Walker, Rabbitohs, $290,000

Greg Inglis has been in incredible fantasy form over the past month as he attempts to lead his side to their first crown since 1971. Josh Mansour has the best match up of those mentioned while Tim Lafai provides the best value amongst some pricey options.
Best of luck this weekend with your selections and remember to always check the last-minute team news before setting your squad.

Top pick:
Sam Burgess, Rabbitohs

Value pick:
Tim Lafai, Bulldogs

On the bench:
No notable team omissions