An extra time draw between the Knights and Broncos provided some huge fantasy totals in Round 21 of NZ Herald Fantasy NRL.
Knights 18 Broncos 18
The star: Corey Parker (78pts) - Parker put up his usual monster tackle count and metres-gained numbers but added his first try of the season
to cap off a huge round.
The dud: Josh Hoffman (20pts) - Extra time in this game meant that duds were hard to find. Hoffman, on the scale of this game, is the choice here though it was right around his season average.
Value pick: David Stagg (40pts) - I mentioned Stagg here last week as a great play while Alex Glenn is injured. He's responded to the increased minutes by posting three-straight 40+ fantasy scores. He's got at least another two weeks of worth, so grab him for just 97k while you can.
Panthers 6 Roosters 42
The star: James Maloney (69pts) - Maloney was an offensive force in this game with 124 metres-gained, three line breaks, a try and seven shots at goal. A season best from a great half back option.
The dud: Lewis Brown (13pts) - Brown was barely involved in this one and came away with his second worst fantasy total of the season.
Value pick: James Segeyaro (41pts) - Segeyaro's had the odd huge game this season but he's hard to predict, which makes owning him difficult. However, well done to those who took that risk this week.
Warriors 14 Sharks 18
The star: Andrew Fifita (62pts) - Four-straight big performances have vaulted Fifita into the top-five top-scoring front rowers.
The dud: Jayson Bukaya (19pts) - Facing his future club, Bukaya failed to make an impact in the Sharks' win. The Warriors will be hoping this, and the shadow of the ASADA investigation, aren't bad signs for 2014.
Value pick: Sam Tagataese (35pts) - Tagataese racked up the tackles against the Warriors in his best fantasy performance of the season. He's not much of an option though, despite his 132k price tag.
Eels 6 Sea Eagles 40
The star: Justin Horo/Daly Cherry-Evans (43pts) - This fixture was remarkably low scoring in fantasy terms, though six Manly players topped forty points. Both Horo and Cherry-Evans have been on try-scoring tears lately and could be great plays against the Warriors' questionable defence this coming weekend.
The dud: Matt Ballin (40pts) - Though 40 points can sometimes be enough to be a fantasy star, this was Ballin's worst fantasy score of the season and reflects the fact that the Eels just didn't force many tackles out of the Manly players. Keep this in mind when playing tackle-dependant players against weak offenses.
Value pick: Matt Keating (37pts) - The diamond amongst the thick rough of the Eels squad, Keating costs just 160k and can be a decent bench front rower for you.