The 2013 NYC Graduates
Last year’s Holden Cup fantasy bolters was one of our more popular articles, so it’s back again!
The following is a list of players you should keep an eye on, not just in round 1, but as injuries hit and during the Origin period.
FULLBACKS:
Zac Santo would surely have a decent shot coming into 2014, provided he has a great pre-season he should see some trial games and then the rest is up to him. Watching Santo play you get the sense he is all heart and a player that coaches like to coach, I wouldn’t expect him to set the fantasy world on fire but he could very well be a handy little squad player if he gets his chance.
Clinton Gutherson is the young Manly fullback is behind a Manly legend who is aging and has had considerable injuries for a few years now. Brett Stewart could easily be in 2014 State of Origin or the injury ward. Gutherson will be the backup and the likely heir to the full back jersey when Stewart retires.
Kieron Moss (Panthers, pictured below) was my Holden Cup fullback of the year. He is likely to spend the year in reserve grade but Moss is a fullback in the Billy Slater type mould, in that he always pops up in the exact right position at the exact right time. Moss’ intuition and positioning is great to watch and he will finish of tries in the NRL if he gets the chance.
WINGERS & CENTRES:
At the Bulldogs, John Sila (pictured below) scored 23 tries in 11 games. I don’t need to go on do I? Well just in case… This guy is big! Really, really big! He will have the Tuiaki effect on the bulldogs when he gets his shot.
Charli Runciman has already seen some NRL game time like a few Holden Cup stars. He didn’t turn too many heads in his first couple of games but this kid has the skills to be a very fine NRL player. Runciman doesn’t get lazy and just use his size advantage in the Holden Cup like many players. He has the skill to put his winger away for plenty of tries. He will be a centre of mine in season 2014.
FIVE-EIGHTHS:
Samsioni Langi starred in the Roosters side that made it far deeper into the finals than I had predicted, obviously he is behind some great halves, but if Origin selectors stay true to form he should see some game time during the representative period.
Another Bulldog, Moses Mbye is a skillful talent who starred for the Queensland 20’s origin side last year. He can put a player away and should get plenty of fantasy points. A nice step with some impressive speed, if Mbye gets his chance he will put some points of the board for you. I’m not sure where he fits in at the Bulldogs.
HALF BACKS:
Do I need to write anything more about the Tigers’ Luke Brooks (picture below)? People have heaped too much praise on this kid already. Tigers fans could turn on him the second he strings two bad performances together in the NRL but he is a class and a half above the Holden Cup. He does have the talent to see the whole season out and I would expect to see some pick and stick, he is the Tigers future.
Canberra always have a strong Holden Cup side and to be perfectly honest a host of players could step up into the NRL side. I can’t remember the last time the Raiders had a stand out half, so Mitch Cornish could definitely have a crack at the position. He’ll get some game time, but one to keep an eye on him for 2015 perhaps.
Speaking gap year Holden Cup stars, last year I recommended keeping an eye on Luke Keary. The Souths half could find himself being brought on slowly in 2014, do not dismiss!
HOOKERS:
Michael Lichaa (pictured below) is the heir to the throne of the number 9 jersey at Cronulla, although he started last year slowly after an injury, Lichaa has a stack of rep honors and will look to make the Hooker spot his own this year. He will probably be in a two man hooker squad sadly, so minutes will be halved.
Keep another eye on the name Craig Garvey, he will be a handy investment. Probably second on the pecking order at the Dragons however their hooking role hasn’t exactly been nailed down. Garvey is a good all round player, however I could see him being used in a two hooker system, which again, hurts points.
FRONT ROWERS:
Matty Johns announced his love for Jake Trbojevic (pictured below) after his NRL debut with Manly, and I’ve been loving this young prop all year.
Hardcore Manly fans were keeping very quiet about him! He should see close to 24 NRL games this year. He will get better and better! If you are in a keeper league, I’d put him down as a keeper. Trbojevic is my one tip to people this year.
The best thing about putting a Storm player in this list is that they are so well coached, so if Matthew Lodge does get a crack he won’t let you down! When was the last storm player to be a massive flop?
The big front rower had a storming Origin game, the biggest stage of the year for an unlucky Storm side.
Surely he will see some bench time in 2014 at the least.
BACK ROWERS:
Bryce Cartwright (picture below) was the Holden Cup player of the year. Unlucky to miss out on 20’s Origin, Cartwright at times seemed bored with running through, around and over the top of his opponents.
He also has great hands and looks made for NRL already. I suspect the Panthers are taking it slow with him however. Trust in Gus! Look out for his name and when he pops up on the team sheet grab him.
Brendan Santi was my favourite Tigers player, a heart and soul leader and also now and Italian international. Santi has moved to Parramatta for an NRL contract. He has the talent for a bench spot early on in the season but we will need to watch his trial form.
Corey Oates has already seen NRL like a few of this year list. Oates is likely to be a consistent scorer fantasy wise. He is a Maroons player at Holden Cup level and a class above most back rowers at that level. Oates was a part of a dynamic back row in the Holden Cup last year, his partner Timu (originally made this list) who has gone on a Mormon mission will be missed. Oates is a mature young player and should he do a fine job.
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