Draftstars + punting preview: Saturday NRL fixtures

Draftstars is back for Round 13 of the 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.



After weeks of big profits, last round saw a reduction in winners, so here&#8217;s hoping we get back on track in Round 13.



Note that our punting plays utilise <a href="https://bit.ly/33CAA49" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="BetEasy's three leg promotion offer of money back if one leg fails. (opens in a new tab)">BetEasy&#8217;s three leg promotion offer of money back if one leg fails.</a>



This gives us a far better crack at a return should we miss the mark in a certain area.



Let’s take a look into today’s fixtures.



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://record.affiliates.playup.com/_P4wVQS0n-iz6PBA04iUMN2Nd7ZgqdRLk/1/" target="_blank">FOLLOW THE LINK TO CHECK OUT DRAFTSTARS</a>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">STORM v BULLDOGS</h2>



OVERVIEW



With Cam Smith and Ryan Papenhuyzen out of action this game takes on a whole new feel. The dry conditions are key as I think Melbourne will have far too much fire power for the Dogs who would be right in this game if on a bog track in Sydney. 



I think the Storm will win well, but they’re missing key spine members which will heavily impact their fluency. I’ll be loading up on Melbourne attackers.



PUNTING PLAY



Same game multi



<ul><li>Melbourne win 13+ @$1.85</li><li>Addo-Carr 2+ tries @4</li><li>Vunivalu 1+ tries @$1.57</li></ul>



Multi = $7.66



<a href="https://beteasy.com.au/sports-betting/rugby-league/nrl/nrl-matches/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="*Using BetEasy offer (opens in a new tab)">*Using BetEasy offer</a> of money back if one leg fails.



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GUNS



Cam Munster



I won’t elaborate much. Smith/Papy out, it’s Munster’s show
to run, and I expect him to kick goals, get him in.



STARS TO AVOID



Raymond Faitala-Mariner



RFM is in exceptional form, but his scores (and therefore price) have been inflated by four tries in his past five games. He is by no means a bad buy at all, I just believe he’s overpriced at almost $15k as a result of his attacking form. Melbourne are the masters at slowing the ruck and the entire output of Draftstars players, particularly forwards.



Aiden Tolman



Tolman would near be my first picked due to his work load
and minutes, but as it stands he’s playing off the bench. Watch for final teams
as I’ll be bringing in if named to start.



VALUE



Nicho Hynes



The rookie fullback impressed last week and will slot into the place of Papenhuyzen. I don’t particularly like the look of any Bulldogs outside backs, so Hynes can slot in at an affordable $8,500.



Kenny Bromwich



While Cam Munster often plays both sides of the ruck, he is stationed on the left edge. With all the extra ball I expect him to get, this brings Bromwich right into consideration with attacking stats very possible.



Brandon Smith



No Cam Smith finally gives the Kiwi number 9 big minutes at
hooker. We all know what he’s capable of, he’ll relish the added responsibility
and I expect him to score very well. He’s also available at HOK and FRF which
provides flexibility.



COMBINATIONS



Munster and Bromwich



I’m backing Munster to attract defenders which will open space for a hard running Bromwich to crash over for a try.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TIGERS v KNIGHTS</h2>



OVERVIEW



We have two sides that are both heavily impacted by injuries, with the loss of both hookers sure to influence the sides significantly. I haven’t been convinced by the Tigers all year, now they face an impressive Knights outfit without two of their best players in Harry Grant and Alex Twal. 



Hopefully it’s not too wet as there’s plenty of points on offer in what should be a gripping clash. I’ll be favouring Knights players.



PUNTING PLAY



Same game multi



<ul><li>Knights to win @$1.58</li><li>Ponga to score a try @2.50</li><li>Talau to score a try @$2.75</li></ul>



Multi = $8.08



*<a href="https://beteasy.com.au/sports-betting/rugby-league/nrl/nrl-matches/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Using BetEasy offer (opens in a new tab)">Using BetEasy offer</a> of money back if one leg fails.



GUNS



Kalyn Ponga



KP is building towards something special in the run home.
While void of a few attacking stats lately by his lofty standards, I think he’s
ready to explode. I think Blake Green’s arrival on the left edge (pushing Kurt
Mann to hooker), will see Ponga spend far more time on his preferred left edge…
Look out.



Mitch Pearce



I really like what I’m seeing from the Knights despite a few
recent losses to their name. I like their side and think they can make a decent
run come finals time. Like Ponga, I think Pearce is set for a strong end to the
season and I believe he’s the clear pick of the halves in this contest.



STARS TO AVOID



Benji Marshall



Benji is the most expensive half in this contest. The return
of Luke Brooks to the starting side will see Benji receive far less ball, and
as a result it is likely to see his scores reduce.



VALUE



Sam McIntyre



McIntyre starts for Luke Garner and should play big minutes.
$8,900 for a starting back-rower with plenty of promise is a savvy pick up.



Mitch Barnett



Barnett is always an injury risk, but is a club favourite and is highly regarded when fit. He’s strung three games together since his last injury and is looking good. He really impressed last week against Melbourne and was a handful against a dominant defensive outfit. He’s back to 70+ minutes and looks a serious recruit at just $11,570.



COMBINATIONS



Adam Doueihi and David Nofaluma



I’ve given plenty of love to Newcastle players, and I think they will win, but in reality the Tigers are definitely capable of emerging as victors. If you want to favour Tigers players, look no further than Doueihi who can find a flying Nofoaluma out wide who is on a try-scoring tear.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PANTHERS v RAIDERS</h2>



OVERVIEW



This will be a cracker, please let the rain stay away! John
Bateman is such a tremendous addition to this Raiders side as we saw last week
on return. I’m backing an absolute slug fest through the middle of the park if
it is wet as predicted. On form, and with Canberra’s huge injury toll, you have
to go with the ladder leading Panthers. But I think it’ll be very tight, the
Green Machine will be up for the challenge.



PUNTING PLAY



Same game multi



<ul><li>Panthers margin 1-12 @$2.90</li><li>Total points under 35.5 @$1.88</li><li>Crichton to score a try @$2.35</li></ul>



Multi = $9.84



*<a href="https://beteasy.com.au/sports-betting/rugby-league/nrl/nrl-matches/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Using BetEasy offer (opens in a new tab)">Using BetEasy offer</a> of money back if one leg fails.



GUNS



Api Koroisau



Api is the only hooker you should be considering in this
contest.



Josh Papalii



Papalii has played bigger minutes since the decimation of
his forward pack to injury. He lifts for every big game he plays in, and Ricky
Stuart would have been eyeing this fixture off for a while. Papa has a habit of
scoring tries in important clashes, look for another on Saturday night. 



John Bateman



At just $13k Bateman is very affordable. He played the full
80 on return last week and showed no signs of injury, gun.



STARS TO AVOID



Nathan Cleary



Controversial, but I think it’s worth taking a gamble and leaving Cleary out. He’s one of my first picked each week and is the competition’s form playmaker, but this will be a tough outing for him. 



Canberra will be up for the challenge, and the wet conditions could see the game played through the middle third. I think the conditions are made for Jack Wighton’s running game in tight around the ruck, so I’ll swing that way and watch very nervously every time Cleary touches the ball. It also frees up $3k to spend elsewhere.



VALUE



Viliame Kikau



Kikau is such a focal point of Penrith’s attack, they’ll again be looking for him as a gamebreaker in what I’m tipping to be a tight contest. At just $9,290 he’s a bargain price. His clash with John Bateman will be a belter!



Caleb Aekins



I don’t particularly like him as a Draftstars player, but
he’s at basement price of $7k so it frees up money to spend big in the forwards
that I’ve targeted. Hopefully he racks up a ton of runs which he’s capable of
and finds an attacking stat.



COMBINATIONS



Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau



Let’s back Api to hit a hard running Kikau flat at the line
for a four pointer.



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<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class=""><tbody><tr><td>Stat</td><td>Points value</td></tr><tr><td>Try</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>Try-assist</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Field goal</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Linebreak</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Tackle break</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Goal</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Linebreak assist</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Offload</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Tackle </td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Run metre gained</td><td>0.1</td></tr><tr><td>Kick metre gained</td><td>0.05</td></tr><tr><td>Error</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr><td>Missed tackle</td><td>0.05</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Gamble responsibly.



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Draftstars + punting preview: Saturday NRL fixtures

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