NRL Fantasy 2018
Arguably the most entertaining team in the Telstra Premiership, the Canberra Raiders missed out on finals footy in 2017 and have been hit with an early blow leading into next season with Josh Hodgson injured on World Cup duty for England. But it's hard to deny the talent at Ricky Stuart's disposal. With brilliant outside backs and a monster forward pack the Green Machine could once again become one of the most popular clubs for NRL Fantasy coaches is they can recapture their 2016 form.
Fantasy gun: Jordan Rapana
It's always a bit risky to consider a winger a "gun" in NRL Fantasy, because they rely so heavily on big attacking plays to score well, but it's becoming increasingly clear Rapana is not your usual winger. The Kiwi speedster scored 23 tries in a breakout season alongside Joey Leilua in 2016 and still managed 21 tries in an otherwise disappointing 2017. He's ranked in the top five for tries, line breaks and tackle breaks and will probably match that haul again in 2018, making him that rare winger who can average 50 Fantasy points a game over an entire season.
Value buy: Craig Garvey
An ACL injury to star England hooker Josh Hodgson during the Rugby League World Cup was just the news Canberra Raiders fans didn't want to hear, but it does present an opportunity for an unsung rake in the starting role for the first chunk of the season. With Kurt Baptiste out the exit door for the Super League, new signing Garvey is likely to get first shot at the No.9 jersey ahead of ex-Dragons rake Siliva Havili. At $228,000, Garvey is very cheap for a starting hooker in NRL Fantasy – even if he doesn't play the full 80 minutes.
Wildcards: Joey Leilua and Jarrod Croker
The Raiders centres were genuine Fantasy keepers in 2016 as Canberra stunned the NRL to finish second in the league, but both dropped back to the pack last season. The more consistent Croker makes fewer errors and kicks goals so remained a solid performer with about 38 points a game in 2017, but the erratic Leilua had a season to forget with a 33-point average. You want 40 points a game from your centres in Fantasy, but if the Green Machine gets its groove back these two could become undervalued gems once again.
2018 NRL Fantasy player prices
Jordan Rapana: WFB, $726,000
Josh Papalii: 2RF, FRF, $726,000
Josh Hodgson: HOK, $635,000
Elliott Whitehead: 2RF, $604,000
Junior Paulo: FRF, $602,000
Nick Cotric: CTR, WFB, $560,000
Jarrod Croker: CTR, $553,000
Joseph Tapine: 2RF, $551,000
Blake Austin: HLF, $541,000
Sia Soliola: 2RF, $533,000
Jack Wighton: WFB, $521,000
Joseph Leilua: CTR, $486,000
Shannon Boyd: FRF, $435,000
Luke Bateman: 2RF, $420,000
Aidan Sezer: HLF, $397,000
Charlie Gubb: FRF, $327,000
Sam Williams: HLF, $298,000
Sitiveni Moceidreke: WFB, $289,000
Michael Oldfield: WFB, $284,000
Brad Abbey: WFB, $237,000
Craig Garvey: HOK, $228,000
Royce Hunt: FRF, 2RF, $228,000
Liam Knight: 2RF, $228,000
Siliva Havili: HOK, $228,000
Dunamis Lui: FRF, $217,000
Brent Naden: CTR, $212,000
Makahesi Makatoa: 2RF, FRF, $212,000
Bill Cullen: 2RF,FRF, $212,000
*2018 salary cap: 9.4m. Fantasy squad size: 21
