Top 6 Payne Haas Replacements - NRL Fantasy

 Article by Monty

As Round 22 wraps up, the business end of the NRL Fantasy season is here. Amid the great scores this week, Payne Haas owners are now facing a significant dilemma with 46% of coaches needing to make a tough call.

With Haas sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a Lisfranc injury, his owners now have around $770K to find a suitable replacement for the final five rounds. Here are my top MID options to consider, including a few PODs for those feeling adventurous.

Patrick Carrigan | $689k | 12% owned (top 5000)

Patrick Carrigan stands out as a prime option in the absence of Haas. Without Haas, Carrigan sees a notable increase of 10.2 NRL Fantasy points on his average when playing at lock. In this Broncos forward pack, Carrigan takes on an even greater workload, averaging an extra 50 meters and 10 tackles per game.

With a favorable run home against the Cowboys, Eels, Dolphins, and Storm, Carrigan is a solid target. However, their Round 24 bye could pose some issues, and there’s a chance Kevin Walters might manage Carrigan’s minutes given the Broncos' season trajectory. Despite this, his fantasy pedigree makes him a strong contender for a Haas replacement.

Isaah Yeo | $775k | 51% owned (top 5000)

Isaah Yeo is a quintessential NRL Fantasy MID—a proven, consistent keeper, and a gun for the run home. Yeo has a high floor, averaging 55 points when playing at lock in 2024. With the Panthers chasing another title, Yeo remains a set-and-forget option, nearly guaranteeing 55+ points each week.

Yeo's reliability, combined with his strong average of 61.7 for the year, makes him a perfect swap for Haas. However, be mindful that coach Ivan Cleary may rest his stars in Round 27, as he has done in previous seasons. Regardless, Yeo is a safe captaincy option for those without Nathan Cleary.

Keaon Koloamatangi | $804k | 64% owned (top 5000)

Keaon Koloamatangi has emerged as one of the most improved NRL Fantasy scorers this season, boasting an impressive average of 65.9 points when playing at lock. Over his last five games, he has averaged 64.2 points, making him a premium MID option. However, his hefty price tag of $804k comes with some concerns.

With Cameron Murray back from injury and suspension, Koloamatangi's job security is in question. He played his lowest minutes of the season (55 minutes) against Cronulla last weekend, still managing to score 55 points. The Rabbitohs are now out of finals contention, and with a tough run home against the Storm, Panthers, and Roosters, there’s a possibility we could see Murray reinstalled at lock, reducing Koloamatangi’s minutes and impact.

Joseph Tapine | $744k | 21% owned (top 5000)

Joseph Tapine is another excellent replacement option, especially as the Raiders sit in 10th place and have a strong chance of making the finals. Tapine is similar to Carrigan in terms of workload, but he has a slightly lower floor, though he can deliver boom games thanks to his offloading ability. Tapine averages one offload to hand per game, with multiple games where he’s managed three or more.

With Ricky Stuart’s recent hooker rotations, the Raiders' bench now seems to favor Tapine, who has averaged 56 minutes in his last four games. With upcoming games against Manly, Cowboys, Panthers, Roosters, and Dragons—and no more byes—Tapine could average in the mid to high 50s for the rest of the season.

Trent Loiero | $590k | <1% owned (top 5000)

Trent Loiero is a spicy POD option, especially if you’re looking to cash down from Haas and invest the difference elsewhere. Loiero has been a mid-40s scorer for most of the season, but his recent performances at lock have been promising, with scores of 45, 52, and 55, including an 80-minute effort against the Dragons.

With no byes remaining, Loiero could be a valuable 17th man to loop in week to week. The Storm are pushing for the minor premiership, with matches against the Rabbitohs, Panthers, Dolphins, Cowboys, and Broncos to come. These games will likely be contested in the middle of the field, providing plenty of opportunities for Loiero to rack up tackles and run meters. It’s a risky play, but if he logs 80 minutes this week, he’s worth a closer look.

Reuben Porter | $425k | 1.7% owned (top 5000)

Reuben Porter is a solid cash-down option, especially with Isaiah Papali’i at lock and John Bateman’s departure opening up a second-row spot at the Tigers. Porter has started the last two games, playing 80 minutes and scoring 44 and 51 points, respectively.

Porter passed the eye test in his performance against the Cowboys last Thursday, showcasing a solid base for his price. However, with the Tigers' Round 26 bye, he might be better suited as an 18th or 19th man. The Tigers’ upcoming games against the Knights, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, and Eels provide potential for more attacking stats, making him a fun play if you don’t mind watching the Tigers each week.

Conclusion

Finding the right replacement for Payne Haas is crucial as we head into the final stretch of the NRL Fantasy season. Each of these options offers something unique, from set-and-forget consistency to spicy POD potential. Depending on your team’s needs and remaining trades, any of these players could help you finish the season strong.