Six missed tackles couldn't even knock Cameron Smith from his throne as fantasy king in Round 23 of Fantasy NRL.
Broncos 22 Eels 12 The star: Josh McGuire (61pts) - McGuire is averaging an elite 60 points-per-game over his past six appearances and is fast becoming a fantasy difference-maker. The dud: SamThaiday (35pts) - On the surface this doesn't look like much of a dud performance, but Thaiday has only scored 35 points or less three times this season. Against the Eels, we all expected more. Value pick: Reni Maitua (43pts) - This was his second best fantasy performance of the season. He's largely been an underwhelming fantasy commodity so most owners can afford to pass on him.
Rabbitohs 22 Sea Eagles 10 The star: Matt Ballin (51pts) - Even in a losing side, Ballin is a fantasy star courtesy of 52 tackles. The dud: Brett Stewart (3pts) - Just as he was starting to regain his try-scoring form of yester-year he faces the Rabbitohs and disappears again. He's no longer an every-week starter in fantasy. Value pick: Thomas Burgess (35pts) - When this lesser-known Burgess gets playing time he lives up to his family name. For just 126k he can add to your bench if he's selected to play.
Raiders 16 Bulldogs 28 The star: James Graham (56pts) - I pointed out his recent form in last week's column and here he is again - buy him if, like me, you believe. The dud: Krisnan Inu (14pts) - While the backs around him combined to score six tries, Inu came out with nothing in a disappointing fantasy day. Value pick: Joel Edwards (39pts) - He's one of the cheapest (161k) who scores decent points and this game was right up there with the best of his year.
Cowboys 22 Titans 10 The star: Ray Thompson/Gavin Cooper (59pts) - Thompson is on absolute fire right now while this was Cooper's best fantasy day of the year. Forget John Sutton at five eighth while Thompson is conjuring fantasy magic. The dud: Greg Bird (16pts) - Bird went missing in this fixture. He'll bounce back. Value pick: Joel Reithmuller (42pts) - Another game right on his average for the year for this high-value 119k second rower.
Dragons 18 Sharks 22 The star: Andrew Fifita (67pts) - There aren't many front rowers playing better than Fifita right now. He's elite. The dud: Bronson Harrison (13pts) - He was averaging right around 40 points for the six matches going into this fixture but went missing against the Sharks. Value pick: Luke Lewis (41pts) - He missed a month to injury but is back and playing decent minutes again. For 185k he is arguably the best value lock in the game.
Warriors 24 Panthers 28 The star: Nathan Friend (58pts) - He's scored no tries and made just one line break this season but he still averages 50 fantasy points per appearance due to his huge tackle counts. You can do much worse for your squad. The dud: James Segeyaro (23pts) - His worst fantasy day of the year - another one to simply disappear from the game this week. Value pick: Ryan Simpkins (44pts) - He's had limited chances to play decent minutes this year but when he has he's shown potential to be a decent fantasy second rower. Avoid for now though.
Knights 10 Storm 23 The star: Cameron Smith (69pts) - His best game with ball in hand this year came, luckily, when he missed a season-high six tackles. The dud: Tohu Harris (32pts) - Another whose high expectations make this otherwise strong game a dud in my mind. He's only had one worse game all season and is bound to bounce back. Value pick: Robbie Rochow (45pts) - He's a top 15 second rower and is one of the cheapest of that lot at 219k. He's in my team and I'm a satisfied owner.
Tigers 14 Roosters 56 The stars: James Maloney (48pts) - Ten successful shots at goal will make you a star on any fantasy team. Add to that 119 metres gained a line break and you have a superstar. The dud: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (26pts) - His bread and butter is tackles and the Tigers just never had the ball enough to make him work. He'll bounce back from this, his worst healthy fantasy day of the year. Value pick: Daniel Mortimer (40pts) - He's fantasy irrelevant but scored two tries in this one to thrust himself briefly into the limelight. Don't buy into this one strong performance.
