NRL Fantasy: A Club-by-Club Preview of the 2015 Season

With the 2015 NRL season almost upon us, it is time to start thinking seriously about your fantasy team if you intend on making one. With the first team-list Tuesday of the year just days away, those of you who have made teams will want to do plenty of tinkering before Round 1, while it is also not too late to get started if you have not made one.

This is your guide to the guns, busts and cash cows (players who will make money) from each club. 

The Broncos come stacked with plenty of guns this year and should be among the league's leading teams with the return of coach Wayne Bennett. 

Andrew McCullough ($523,000) was one of last year's most reliable options, although he is perhaps a bit over-priced this year, as Cameron Smith and Robbie Farah are better options at hooker.

Expect the new rules designed to speed the game up to suit Josh McGuire ($445,000), who averaged a handy 50.3 points last year, while in the second row both Matt Gillett ($415,000) and Corey Parker ($484,000) are both reliable options.

In the backs, Ben Hunt ($511,000) scored well last year but is over-priced, and there are better options in the halves. His partner, Anthony Milford ($385,000), could be a better option and comes with dual-position status, covering wing-fullback too. He can bring inconsistency, although after an impressive rookie season in Canberra last year, expect him to only get better.

Look elsewhere for gun outside backs and centres. Justin Hodges ($234,000) is an injury waiting to happen, while Darius Boyd ($299,000) is unlikely to return from injury this year. The upside of this is that whomever is picked as fullback is a must-have and will be among the year's best cash-cows. Jordan Kahu ($165,000) looks set to take on that role.

In the forwards, Corey Oates ($164,000) is a solid cheap option, although stay away from the likes of Adam Blair ($298,000) and Sam Thaiday ($380,000), as there is better value available than both.

Another team with plenty of guns, the key feature of the Bulldogs is their massive forward pack.

James Graham ($448,000) is probably the best prop in the league, bringing toughness and a high work rate, although he will not benefit from the faster-paced game set to be played this year. His partner, Aidan Tolman ($411,000), presents a good option too, particularly for his price and usually averages a couple of points less than Graham.

The key backup for these two will be David Klemmer ($191,000), who is a great talent and if he can play his way into some bigger minutes, will be a good interchange option who will make some money.

In the second row, Josh Jackson ($382,000) will be a popular choice after an impressive second half of 2014, although there is possibly better value out there via a downgrade-upgrade exchange for him. Frank Pritchard ($144,000) is the other option here from the Bulldogs and is a steal who is bound to make money after an injury-riddled 2014.

At hooker, Michael Lichaa ($261,000) is attracting plenty of attention as a possible 80-minute player with the departure of Michael Ennis. He will be challenged by Moses Mbye ($224,000), but given the Bulldogs' strategy of picking a "big" bench, expect only one to be included in the game day 17.

In the backs, Trent Hodkinson ($382,000) is a solid option, capable of scoring through his running, distributing and kicking games. Be wary that he will likely be involved in State of Origin, though, as will his halves partner, Josh Reynolds ($361,000).

Josh Morris ($225,000) may be the Australian centre, but he is not a fantasy player. Tim Lafai ($392,000) is a better option. Although as the most expensive centre in the game, you will have to decide whether to spend so much money on the hardest-to-fill position in the game.

Brett Morris ($315,000) joins his brother at the Bulldogs this year and could yet be a good option as the likely fullback, but hold off on him to start with.

Inevitably when one thinks of the Cowboys, the first name that springs to mind is Johnathan Thurston ($484,000), arguably the league's best player. Playing in the halves, he is a reliable option who will regularly put up big scores through his strong, consistent all-round game. Be wary that he is certainty for State of Origin, though, so he will miss those weeks.

The other key gun at the Cowboys is front-rower Matt Scott ($471,000), who makes metres by the bucketful and a ton of tackles to boot. Avoid the other Cowboys props, as there is better value out there, while the second-row forwards are hardly startling options either.

Michael Morgan ($330,000) could be an OK option given his dual-position value, but it is in the returning Lachlan Coote ($137,000) where the Cowboys present real value at wing-fullback. If Coote gets a run, which he is likely to, he will make money and could yet be a keeper if he plays his way into the line-up on a consistent basis. 

Their other key cash cow comes in Jake Granville ($189,000), who has a good points-per-minute ratio but is not a guaranteed starter with Ray Thompson ($261,000) fighting for the position too.

There are plenty of solid mid-range players on the Dragons roster with a couple of attractive higher-end options sprinkled among them.

Trent Merrin ($450,000) is always one of the best scoring second-rowers, though, he looks set to leave the club at the conclusion of the year, so that could have an impact on his 2015 performance.

Josh Dugan ($385,000) is the other key player pulling on the red and white this year, a strong-running player who is capable of playing both fullback and centre. If you can afford him, he is one of the best options to fill the centre position. Jason Nightingale ($374,000) is another option at wing-fullback and being a New Zealander, does not have the danger of being absent during State of Origin.

Mitch Rein ($420,000) is a good option at hooker, but with Isaac Luke ($400,000), a cheaper option who is likely to score more under the new rules, you might be better to avoid Rein.

The remainder of the forwards are all solid mid-range options, although be careful how many mid-range players you include. In the backs, Gareth Widdop ($374,000) is the only other real scoring option, while Euan Aitken ($128,000) should see playing time from early on and as a dual-position player is an attractive cash cow.

There is not a great deal to get excited about here. Will Hopoate ($243,000) is a good option in the centres, as he carries dual-position status and will likely start the year at fullback. Anthony Watmough ($432,000) is a consistently high scorer, but with this being his first year at the Eels, it is unclear how he will be used and how this will affect his scoring.

Do not be sucked into buying the ever-inconsistent Chris Sandow ($347,000) or Semi Radradra ($326,000), who relied on a high try-scoring rate early last year to bolster his stocks.

The Knights boast one of the most overlooked halves in the game in Jarrod Mullen ($436,000). While reasonably pricey, he is a player who will consistently score highly given his outstanding kicking game combined with Tyrone Roberts' ($298,000) lack of a kicking game. Mullen will not be absent during the State of Origin weeks either, so he is a very good option if you are looking for a gun in the halves.

Joey Leilua ($356,000) and Dane Gagai ($319,000) are two of the better options around in the centres, though ,it is always risky buying two centres worth over $300,000. On the wing, Sione Mata'utia ($300,000) came on as a good option last year and could see 80 minutes per game in the early part of this year.

Adam Clydsdale ($231,000) is another cash-cow option at hooker, as he is set to be an 80-minute player, though, he is known for having a poor points-per-minute ratio in fantasy.

In the forwards, Kade Snowden ($329,000) is one of the better mid-range options around and is the only real attraction aside from Clydesdale.

The Panthers squad contains a handful of guns and some decent mid-rangers. James Segeyaro ($448,000) is a top-five hooker heading into the season and is far more affordable than the likes of Cameron Smith and Robbie Farah. He is joined in the forwards by the hard-working second-rower Elijah Taylor ($363,000) as a genuinely good fantasy options.

In the backs, Josh Mansour ($450,000) was one of the best players last year and enters 2015 as the most expensive wing-fullback in the game. If you can afford him though he is capable of big scores and consistently scores in the 40s and 50s. Jamal Idris ($329,000) is a strong running centre who is always a popular option, while Jamie Soward ($365,000) is a solid, although not spectacular, buy in the halves.

If Isaac John ($139,000) gets a run, he could make some money, so keep an eye out for him on the team list.

The defending NRL and World Club Challenge champions have plenty of great of options from a fantasy perspective even after the loss of star lock Sam Burgess.

Fullback Greg Inglis ($426,000) is one of the most high-profile stars in the game and had one of his best years in 2014. Big, strong and fast, he knows his way to the try-line and makes plenty of long runs both from coming into the line and on the counter.

Dylan Walker ($386,000) is an outstanding centre who possesses speed, flair and the ability to make breaks, but he comes at a fairly hefty price. In the halves, Adam Reynolds ($476,000) is one of the most overlooked guns around but is capable of consistently putting up 50-plus scores.

John Sutton ($369,000) is another option here, though, he will be used more in the second row on the field. He retains his dual-player status, making him a reasonable option and with an average of 41 last season, is a solid buy.

In the front row, George Burgess ($437,000) is every bit worth his price, consistently scoring high and capable of pulling out the occasional 60-plus-point game. With brother Sam gone, he may well see himself used even more regularly and could score higher than last year. The new rules should suit him too, a player who prefers a faster game and runs hard to bust through tackles and exploit tiring defences.

At hooker, Isaac Luke ($400,000) is a great option after an injury-riddled 2014. His explosive running game from the ruck will allow him to benefit as much as anyone from the faster-paced game, meaning he could average closer to 50 points this year, as opposed to 45. If you do want to splash out on a top-five hooker, Luke is probably your best bet.

Chris Grevsmuhl ($128,000) is worth a look in the second row after being touted as a great talent who is likely to play at some stage.

It is no secret that the Raiders are in a deep hole at the moment, but that does not mean that there are not a couple of good fantasy options among their squad.

Shaun Fensom ($519,000) is a top-five fantasy player who will put up 50-plus scores on a week-in, week-out basis through his machine-like high tackle count. He will not be in the State of Origin team either, so he will be available throughout this period. Josh Papalii ($396,000), on the other hand, might be an Origin player, though, he is still a solid option who will average in the mid-40s.

There is not a whole lot to be excited about in the backs, but Mitch Cornish ($164,000) is an absolute must-have and is being touted as the cash cow of the year. In the centres, Jarrod Croker ($360,000) and Jack Wighton ($310,000) are both options, though, there is probably better value if you look elsewhere.

The Roosters have a stacked team once again, and there are options right throughout. 

At hooker, Jake Friend ($477,000) is a consistently high scorer, though, he will miss the first few rounds through injury, making Matt McIlwrick ($199,000) a cash-cow option for the early rounds.

Sam Moa ($336,000) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($316,000) are both solid mid-range options in the front row, though will be high-30s scorers as opposed to 40-plus. In the second row, Aidan Guerra ($398,000) presents great value for money, while Boyd Cordner ($419,000) is a consistent high-40s scorer.

Mitchell Aubusson ($269,000) may see more minutes with the departure of Sonny Bill Williams, though, it is always risky going with him as his minutes and role can be inconsistent.

Both James Maloney ($381,000) and Mitchell Pearce ($375,000) are decent halves options, although will not put up the big scores the likes of Johnathan Thurston or Daly Cherry-Evans will.

Blake Ferguson ($288,000) returns to the league this year and could be a good option should he come off. He brings dual-position status and could provide better value than Michael Jennings ($331,000) or Shaun Kenny-Dowall ($323,000).

In the wing-fullback position, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($321,000) will move to fullback from wing and consequently should see more action and a rise in points.

There are plenty of options in this Manly squad, with a handful of guns and some decent mid-range players.

Daly Cherry-Evans ($456,000) may be headed north to the Titans, but his electric running game makes him capable of scoring big and generally averages 50-plus points. If you are looking to splash out in your halves, Cherry-Evans is as good an option as any as far as value goes.

Kieran Foran ($292,000) may also be on the move and is widely considered one of the best five-eighths in the league, but his game does not translate to fantasy, so stay away from him.

Matt Ballin ($384,000) and Jamie Buhrer ($361,000) are both solid options if you want to spend a bit on a backup hooker, though, you would probably be better going for one of the cash cows. Buhrer can fit in in the second row and is a reasonable option there.

Brenton Lawrence ($365,000) is an overlooked front-rower and could provide a point of difference, while Michael Chee-Kam ($136,000) could be a good cash cow should he finally fulfill his potential.

In the centres, Jamie Lyon ($354,000) is the most reliable player in his position due to his toughness, kicking and unavailability for the State of Origin teams. Jack Littlejohn ($343,000) may seem like a good option after averaging 45 last year, but he will likely not start, so approach him with caution.

There are two obvious key players on the Sharks team this year, those being Paul Gallen ($554,000) and Andrew Fifita ($535,000). Both front-rowers, with Gallen's having second-rower status as well, they are two of the very best players in fantasy NRL.

Despite struggling with injury in 2014, both averaged in excess of 60 points per game and are more than capable of doing the same this year. If you can afford either, you will struggle to find more reliable players outside of the hooker position.

Wade Graham ($419,000) averaged 47 in the second row last year and flew well under the radar, while Tinirau Arona ($341,000) scored 40-plus regularly off the bench.

In the backs, Ben Barba ($269,000) seems well priced and given he is expected to play in the halves this year, could be a good, if somewhat risky, selection.

In Cameron Smith ($582,000), the Storm possess the most reliable player in the game, averaging 65 last year and regularly topping 70 points. His high tackle count, goal-kicking and toughness ensure he will be consistent in what he does, although he does come at a high price.

Jesse Bromwich ($444,000) just kept getting better last year and is one of the best front-rowers in the game. As he is a New Zealander and will be available through the State of Origin period, which makes him one of the most attractive front-rowers, alongside fellow James Graham and George Burgess.

His brother, Kenny Bromwich ($232,000), looks to be getting better too and could be worth a gamble if you think he will play his way into more playing time.

In the second row, Tohu Harris ($301,000) presents solid value, while Kevin Proctor ($340,000) continues to improve and could emerge as a player with a 40-plus point average this year.

Cooper Cronk ($426,000) is a high-scoring halves option and comes at a reasonable price, although given he will be in the Queensland Origin team, you may be better to look elsewhere.

Mahe Fonua ($257,000) is a good mid-range option in the centres, while out wide Billy Slater ($388,000) will generally score 40-plus, although there are better options available.

Robbie Farah ($588,000) does not come cheap, but in him, the Tigers boast the most expensive player in this year's fantasy pre-season. Along with Cameron Smith, he is a top-two player in fantasy, and if you can afford either, you will have a very good option when choosing a captain.

Aaron Woods ($426,000) will score well, but you would be better off spending a little more to get Jesse Bromwich, James Graham or George Burgess, all of whom do not have the drawback of missing games due to Origin.

In the second row, Dene Halatau ($184,000) could come back strong this year after struggling with injury and would be a solid option as an interchange player.

Avoid going after Mitchell Moses ($169,000) in the backs, as his points-per-minute ratio is very low, and he could end up losing money. The only back who looks truly attractive is James Tedesco ($342,000), a high-scorer but also very injury-prone. 

The Gold Coast Titans have been shaken by a drug scandal, making them the hardest team for which to make predictions. With players being stood down, there will likely be a handful of cash cows emerging from this club, so keep your eyes peeled come team-list Tuesday.

Ryan James ($192,000) has been talked up as a big money-maker this year and has proven very popular. It would be risky using him as a starter, though, as there are so many high-scoring front-rowers already around. If you are going to choose him, pick him as an interchange player.

Nate Myles ($328,000) is a State of Origin player, but there are better options around as far as fantasy goes in the second row.

Aidan Sezer ($338,000) provides reasonable value in the halves, although he could be joined by Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans.

William Zillman ($189,000) was a popular player last year and while not a high scorer, is affordable.

There are few players more exciting than the Warriors' Shaun Johnson ($485,000), and after an outstanding end to last year, many are picking him in the halves in their fantasy teams this year. Be warned he can be inconsistent—while he can cut an opponent to shreds, he can also be error-prone. 

Nathan Friend ($396,000) is a consistent hooker who will score around 40 each week thanks to his phenomenal defensive work rate. In a similar manner, Simon Mannering ($393,000) will be a consistent scorer in the second row, while Bodene Thompson ($359,000) could yet make an impact in his first year at the club.

Ben Henry ($331,000) is a good player, although with the additions of Thompson and Ryan Hoffman ($295,000), he may lose minutes. 

Stay away from the Warriors front-rowers; none of whom offer true value for money. They have a handful of promising second-rowers who will likely play bits and pieces rather than consistent minutes.

In the halves, Tuimoala Lolohea ($142,000) is a great prospect and is a near must-have should he get a selection at any stage this year. He is behind Chad Townsend ($318,000) and Thomas Leuluai ($199,000), although he may get a look-in somewhere else in the backs.

Konrad Hurrell ($354,000) is a strong running centre who will score well but is error-prone, while Sam Tompkins ($383,000) has gotten better as the season went on last year and is a good option at the back.

Note that this is based off the official NRL Fantasy game at nrl.com.