Key Fantasy Storylines of the Season and Lessons for 2025
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Article by Lachie
As we reflect on this year's Fantasy NRL season, it's essential to analyze some key storylines and see if there are any lessons to be learned for next season or players to add to the watchlist for 2025.
The Year of the Backup Half
In a strange recurring pattern, several backup halves emerged as massive cash earners this season. Some of the standout performers include:
- Tyran Wishart ($360,000 gained in a starting role)
- Kaeo Weekes ($355,000 gained as halfback)
- Jack Cole ($244,000 gained in a starting role)
- Jack Wighton ($240,000 gained after moving from centre)
- Chanel Harris-Tavita ($238,000 gained)
- Jayden Sullivan ($233,000 gained at halfback)
- Daniel Atkinson ($219,000 gained in his first stint at halfback)
- Jarome Luai ($213,000 gained while playing halfback – not a backup, but became dominant)
- Te Maire Martin ($189,000 gained while Shaun Johnson was initially injured)
- Brad Schneider ($148,000 gained while Nathan Cleary was injured)
So, is there anything to be learned from this? Well, maybe. Dominant half cash cows are absolutely gold. The recurring lesson of picking the half when Nathan Cleary is injured or out for a lengthy period has come to the fore once again. This has been proven for four years straight with players like Matt Burton, Sean O’Sullivan, Adam Cogger, and the three halves mentioned above. Yet, I’ve owned none of them at the time.
Looking ahead to 2025, Te Maire Martin and Jarome Luai should be dominant halves and could prove to be excellent value.
The Early Bird Doesn’t Get the Worm, But Patience Wins the War
Some very bad luck struck early adopters of Gold Coast Titans players, with 2024’s greatest troll, Keano Kini, starting the opening three games with two sub-20 scores and a bye before being dropped, only to go on and make over $400,000 after his return. Jayden Campbell also started the season in Round 4 and didn’t live up to the preseason hype before excelling during Origin to make $230,000 in gains.
Lessons to be drawn here include the importance of not getting tunnel vision on players you’ve had a bad experience owning, and the significance of taking preseason team form into account to some extent. It also reinforces the importance of avoiding byes early on for cash cows, as it destroys any hope of quick cash generation at the start of the season.
On the other hand, patience heavily rewarded owners of Terrell May pre-Origin and Max Plath in the late season. Sometimes, it’s better to just take a green dot and run, saving trades for when they are truly needed.
The Origin Period Mid-Rangers
The Origin period trades are the most critical part of the season, particularly when identifying underpriced mid-rangers who can elevate while their Origin teammates are missing. Players who benefited from absences included:
- Karl Lawton ($258,000 gained since Round 10)
- Liam Henry ($227,000 gained)
- Keaon Koloamatangi ($210,000 gained)
- Chris Randall ($146,000 gained)
- Corey Jensen ($138,000 gained)
It’s clear that forwards who gain an increased role during Origin have the opportunity for quick gains, and this is something to keep an eye on for next year.