Draftstars + punting preview: NRL Round 1

Draftstars is back for the 2021 NRL season and with it comes the chance to back your fantasy knowledge to win some cash.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, you can enter competitions for each game for as little as 50c and win major jackpots.

Throughout the season, we’ll also be providing our Punting Plays via TopSport across the weekend.

Let’s take a look into the weekend’s fixtures.

GET ONBOARD WITH TOPSPORT! Back your knowledge, and follow our NRL market previews throughout the season. Use the code SCPLAYBOOK when signing up. Check them out here ahead of season kick off.

PUNTING PLAYS

Roosters v Sea Eagles: Roosters -10 line @$1.90

Panthers v Cowboys: Panthers win 13+ @$2.30

Raiders v Tigers: Raiders -8.5 line @$2.00

Multi = $8.74

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DRAFTSTARS PLAYS

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Scroll down to see the Draftstars point scoring system

KNIGHTS v SEA EAGLES

GUN

Mitch Barnett ($14,950)

Barnett is tipped to play 80 minutes on the edge for the Knights and will goal-kick.

He’s got a big work ethic and can jag plenty of attacking stats, particularly if the Knights can get away from the Dogs at all.

Add in the goal-kicking duties and you’re onto a winner.

VALUE

Will Hopoate ($8,220)

Hoppa starts very cheap, and despite his move from fullback to centre this season he can still score well.

He gets through plenty of work for an outside back and will be a focal point in the Dogs backline raids.

AVOID

Kyle Flanagan ($15,150)

Flanagan is the second most expensive player in the game. He’s priced on last year’s scoring where he kicked goals for the ruthless Roosters outfit.

While he’ll take more responsibility in a less experienced Dogs backline, the attacking potential appears significantly reduced.

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EELS v BRONCOS

GUN

Ryan Matterson ($15,870)

The man is just made for fantasy scoring, under any system.

I think he’s undervalued at $16k, and if the Broncos don’t pick up significantly on last season he could have a field day off Mitch Moses.

VALUE

Clint Gutherson ($10,720)

King Gutho starts at a very generous price for this contest.

The dry, fast surface of Suncorp Stadium lends itself to plenty of points, even with a few showers predicted.

If the Eels fire, Gutho will rack up the points.

Junior Paulo also looks like stunning value at $12,030 in the expectation he plays big minutes due to the bench named by Brad Arthur.

AVOID

Matt Lodge ($11,080)

Lodge is coming back from a lengthy injury lay off, and at the time of writing the Broncos have named a four forward bench.

It’s hard to see him getting huge minutes, even if Tom Dearden is a late inclusion on the bench.

Lodge is priced less than $1k below Paulo which is ridiculous.

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Stat	Points value
Try	8
Try-assist	5
Field goal	5
Linebreak	4
Tackle break	3
Goal	2
Linebreak assist	2
Offload	2
Tackle	1
Run metre gained	0.1
Kick metre gained	0.05
Error	-2
Missed tackle	0.05

Gamble responsibly.

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