NRL Fantasy Match Report: Knights vs Dolphins (Round 2)

Knights Take Charge, Dolphins Struggle to Fire

Newcastle flexed their attacking muscle with a dominant performance over the Dolphins, putting their key playmakers in prime fantasy scoring positions. Kalyn Ponga was electric, Bradman Best tore through the defensive line, and Dylan Lucas quietly put together a massive effort on the edge. Meanwhile, the Dolphins looked out of sync, with key players underperforming and some major fantasy concerns emerging.

Let’s break down the biggest fantasy winners, key value plays, and the players who left coaches worried.

🏆 The Big Fantasy Winners

Kalyn Ponga – 78 Points (34.55% owned, $736k WFB)

Ponga was back to his best, producing a complete fantasy performance with three line break assists, a try assist, and five tackle busts, while also slotting three goals. His 202 run metres showed his dominance with the ball in hand, and his involvement in key attacking plays continues to make him a top-tier option at WFB. If Newcastle keeps rolling, Ponga could be a must-have sooner rather than later.

Bradman Best – 77 Points (5.59% owned, $573k CTR)

Best delivered a huge attacking game, scoring a try and racking up two line breaks, 19 tackles, and seven tackle busts. His 211 running metres highlighted how much work he was getting through. He remains a volatile option, but when Newcastle is on the front foot, he’s a serious fantasy weapon.

Dylan Lucas – 69 Points (19.93% owned, $677k EDG/CTR)

The quiet achiever of Newcastle’s pack, Lucas scored a try, made 47 tackles, and chipped in with a line break assist to rack up another impressive score. His defensive workload makes him a solid fantasy pick even when he’s not getting attacking stats. If you already own him, there’s no reason to move him on yet.

Fletcher Sharpe – 68 Points (3.87% owned, $562k WFB/HLF)

Sharpe put together a well-rounded fantasy game, finishing with a try assist, a line break assist, five tackle busts, and 20 tackles. He also had 126 run metres and 36 kick metres, showing that he can contribute across multiple stat categories. While he isn’t a must-buy, he’s proving to be a great mid-range option in both WFB and HLF.

 

 

💰 Value Watch – Buy Low or Be Cautious?

Greg Marzhew – 69 Points (6.00% owned, $497k WFB)

Marzhew is doing what he does best—tackle busting and racking up metres. He finished with 209 run metres, three tackle busts, and six offloads, but his lack of attacking stats (no tries, assists, or line breaks) is a concern. His base is insane, and the offloads - well you love to see it! But we need to see this attack feeding Marzhew a few easy tries if he’s going to push keeper status in 2025.

Oryn Keeley – 31 Points (0.22% owned, $347k EDG)

Keeley’s low score and job security issues make him a sell candidate. He only managed 35 tackles with no attacking upside, and with other forwards returning from injury, his minutes could be in danger.

Kurt Donoghoe – 23 Points (2.56% owned, $271k HLF)

Played just 30 minutes off the bench, making 13 tackles and two missed tackles. Not the worst cash-out option, but without more minutes, there’s little fantasy upside here.

 

 

📈 High-Interest Players – What Should You Do?

Isaiya Katoa – 74 Points (2.73% owned, $559k HLF)

Katoa put up a strong fantasy performance, finishing with a try, a try assist, a line break, and 31 tackles. His 469 kick metres gave him a great scoring floor, and if he keeps handling a large portion of the Dolphins’ kicking, he’ll remain a viable fantasy option.

Herbie Farnworth – 55 Points (5.79% owned, $734k CTR)

Farnworth had a mixed game, tallying 20 tackles, four tackle busts, and two offloads, but failed to register any attacking stats. His 158 run metres were solid, but without tries or line breaks, his scoring is limited. He’s still a strong CTR option, but fantasy owners would have hoped for more. Saying that, we’re just waiting for that classic boom game. 

Tom Gilbert – 43 Points (31.25% owned, $529k MID/EDG)

Gilbert remains a solid but unspectacular fantasy option, making 38 tackles with no attacking stats. His lack of metres and low attacking involvement keeps his ceiling limited, making him more of a safe depth piece rather than a must-have. Minutes were concerning in this one.

 

 

🚨 Fantasy Concerns – Should You Be Worried?

Max Plath – 36 Points (6.35% owned, $704k MID/EDG)

Plath played the full 80 minutes but delivered just 27 tackles and 111 run metres, with no attacking stats. At his price, that’s not enough output, and fantasy owners will be looking for more impact in future rounds.

Kai Pearce-Paul – 44 Points (1.50% owned, $601k EDG)

Pearce-Paul’s sin-bin and on-report incident could lead to a suspension, which would be a major blow to his fantasy owners. He still made 43 tackles and one line break assist, but five missed tackles and a costly penalty hurt his score. His minutes and role in the team are stable, but the judiciary will determine if he’s worth holding onto.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 38 Points (12.17% owned, $599k WFB)

Hamiso struggled in a Dolphins side that couldn’t generate much attack, managing just 122 run metres, seven tackles, and four tackle busts. With the Dolphins looking out of sorts, it’s becoming harder to trust him as a fantasy WFB option.

 

 

🔥 Final Takeaways

• Ponga and Best are in elite fantasy form. If you don’t own Ponga, consider a plan to bring him in.

• Dylan Lucas continues to perform & looks like the number one centre.

• Greg Marzhew’s base stats remain solid, but attacking upside would be golden.

• Katoa and Farnworth had solid performances, but Farnworth’s lack of attacking output is a concern.

• Kai Pearce-Paul’s sin-bin could cause selection headaches.

• Hamiso and Plath are looking like potential sells if they don’t improve soon.

The Knights are looking strong, but the Dolphins have some issues to fix—both for real-life footy and for fantasy coaches!