With a strong squad, few Origin players and some of the finest attacking weapons in the NRL, the Warriors look ready to deliver some must-have NRL Fantasy talents in 2016.
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Fantasy guns
Simon Mannering: The Warriors skipper was a defensive rock in the middle of the park for his side last year, playing every game and tackling his way to about 60 points a week. Considering he only scored a single try all year, there's every chance Mannering can match that effort – or beat it – this year, although if the Warriors live up to expectations this season and dominate their fair share of games he might not get as much defending to do.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: He's a Fantasy fullback worth a massive $505,000 – and is absolutely worth it. Tuivasa-Sheck chewed up a staggering 240 metres a game for the Roosters last year, adding half a dozen tackle breaks a game and 11 tries to take his average score past 56. The question is whether he can repeat those efforts in his first season at a new club.
Shaun Johnson: No longer the sole star creative player on this team, Johnson has been a 50+ scorer in Fantasy for the past couple of years and could get even more attacking opportunities in a stronger side this season. He controls the Warriors' kicking game which gives him plenty of base stats for kick metres, but it's his ability to dance through defensive lines and score or set up tries that makes him such a weapon.
Wild card
Konrad Hurrell: He's a wrecking ball of a centre and can be a tackle break machine on his day, and at $231,000 he starts the season pretty cheap. This is all good news. The bad news? He might not get a place in the Warriors' starting side, with Tui Lolohea likely to shift into the centres alongside last year's rookie sensation Solomone Kata. Hurrell averaged 40 points a game back in 2014 but probably needs an injury in the starting side to get his chance in the top 13 this year.
Cash cow
Ben Henry: The versatile forward – who can fill a role in the back row or at centre – is returning from a second season-ending knee injury in as many years, but if he can get on the field and stay there this season he looms as a great value pickup. With just four appearances at an average of less than 18 points a game Henry's price has plummeted to $134,000. Before last season Henry scored in the mid-to-high 30s , and if he can produce those numbers from the bench this season his value should climb fast.
2016 NRL Fantasy prices
Simon Mannering ($535,000)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($505,000)
Shaun Johnson ($477,000)
Bodene Thompson ($450,000)
Issac Luke ($437,000)
Ben Matulino ($425,000)
Manu Vatuvei ($326,000)
Tuimoala Lolohea ($324,000)
Raymond Faitala-Mariner ($306,000)
Ryan Hoffman ($301,000)
Jacob Lillyman ($299,000)
Solomone Kata ($288,000)
Thomas Leuluai ($279,000)
Ligi Sao ($270,000)
David Fusitua ($261,000)
Albert Vete ($254,000)
Matthew Allwood ($249,000)
Jeff Robson ($237,000)
Konrad Hurrell ($231,000)
Charlie Gubb ($227,000)
Sam Lisone ($227,000)
Jonathan Wright ($213,000)
Blake Ayshford ($196,000)
Ali Lauititi ($179,000)
Sione Lousi ($165,000)
Ken Maumalo ($150,000)
Ben Henry ($134,000)
Mason Lino ($134,000)
Henare Wells ($130,000)
John Palavi ($130,000)
More NRL Fantasy guides for 2016
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This article was first published on NRL.com
