Round 22: What to Know and Where to Go

Article by Josh S

As Round 22 unfolds, fantasy rankings are bound to shift dramatically. Many popular keepers struggled to hit the 50-point mark, and starting hookers played a pivotal role in team performances. Harry Grant (86) and Damien Cook (95) separated themselves from Reed Mahoney (37), who is currently struggling with a disappointing 3-round average of just 38.

With key injuries piling up and some clubs falling out of finals contention, many fantasy coaches will soon find themselves running out of trades or forced to bring in less commonly owned players to fill the gaps. This could lead to even more dramatic shifts in the fantasy ranks over the final few weeks.

Key Takeaways from Round 22

The biggest takeaway from Round 22 is the significant injury impact:

• Payne Haas (17): The Broncos powerhouse has likely sustained a season-ending foot injury, affecting 33% of fantasy teams.
• Braydon Trindall (42): The Sharks' halfback pulled up with a hamstring issue mid-game, causing headaches for owners and those considering him as a POD (Point of Difference).
• Dom Young (31): The Roosters' exciting winger also suffered a hamstring injury, complicating plans for potential owners.
• Scott Sorensen (21): The Penrith edge forward appeared to pick up a knee injury early in the first half, which limited his minutes.
• Jamayne Isaako (33): The Dolphins winger suffered a leg injury late in the game and did not return. His rookie teammate, Jack Bostock (32), is emerging, but Isaako hasn’t been the high-scoring winger many coaches hoped for this season.
• Zac Hosking: Any hopes of Raiders' Zac Hosking becoming fantasy relevant again this year have been dashed by a re-injury to his troublesome shoulder.

Managing Your Final Trades

With just five rounds remaining and likely very few trades left, it’s crucial to be strategic:

• Hold Underperformers: If a player simply had an underwhelming week, it’s too late to consider moving them. Trust that they can bounce back and focus your final trades on injuries or players who are consistently underperforming.
• Trade-Out Candidates:
  • Tyran Wishart (18): Despite doing an excellent job filling in at the halves, he’s not getting enough minutes off the bench now that Cam Munster is back. Use his $600K+ price tag to your advantage and move him on.
  • Adam Elliott (33) and Stefano Utoikamanu (39): Both players are capable of good scores, but their last 5-round averages in the low 30s make it hard to see improvement. Utoikamanu, in particular, may be more focused on his move to the Storm, with the Tigers likely destined for another wooden spoon.

Targeting the Final PODs

As Round 27 approaches, your team should be nearly complete, pending injury-forced tweaks and possibly bringing in one or two final impact players. If you think a POD might be the answer for your squad, this is the perfect time to find one. Teams like the Dragons (8th), Dolphins (9th), or Raiders (10th) are all fighting to secure a spot in the Top 8, and players from these teams could provide the edge you need.

Potential PODs to Consider:

• Hudson Young (35) – Canberra Raiders

  • Ownership: 2%
  • Price: $768,000
  • Young has shown flashes of being fantasy-relevant, with solid base stats and the ability to be a focal point in Canberra’s attack. He could deliver multiple 65+ point games on the run home, but the question is whether the 40-point games in between will be worth it.

• Isaiya Katoa (34) – Dolphins

  • Ownership: 5.4%
  • Price: $593,000
  • Katoa has shown maturity beyond his years, and with the Dolphins performing above expectations, he could be a valuable POD. If Jamayne Isaako is sidelined, Katoa might even take on goal-kicking duties, though Kodi Nikorima is also in the conversation.

• Ben Hunt (62) and Jaydn Su’A – St. George Illawarra Dragons

  • Hunt Ownership: 3%, Price: $690,000
  • Su’A Ownership: 1.5%, Price: $644,000
  • The Dragons are fighting to maintain their spot in the Top 8, and both Hunt and Su’A are capable of stringing together big performances. If you believe in the Dragons’ fight, these two could be great PODs.

• Jacob Liddle (36) – St. George Illawarra Dragons

  • Ownership: 2.5%
  • Price: $687,000
  • Liddle has been surprisingly consistent, with a 5-round average of 52.4 points. He’s busy in defense and has scored four tries this season. With 80 minutes seemingly secure, he could be a solid POD option.

Safer Alternatives

For those looking for a safer bet, consider a like-for-like replacement for Haas or another reliable keeper:

• Isaah Yeo (58) – Panthers
• Patrick Carrigan (66) – Broncos
  • Carrigan is expected to play 80 minutes in Haas's absence and has proven he can score 60+ points when doing so. The concern is the Broncos' bye in Round 24 and the possibility of Carrigan being rested if they fall out of Top 8 contention.

Final Thoughts

Whatever choice you make, remember that fantasy is meant to be fun. Play the game, take some risks, and enjoy the ride. Good luck!