With arguably the best Fantasy fullback in the NRL plus the intriguing signing of Jamal Idris and a gap at hooker after the exit of Robbie Farah, the Tigers loom as one of the most interesting Fantasy clubs of 2017.
Fantasy gun
James Tedesco (WFB, $483,000): Tries, tackle breaks, run metres – James Tedesco gives you exactly what you want in an NRL Fantasy fullback. The fact the Wests Tigers No.1 is also a gifted playmaker – producing a dozen try assists last year – is icing on the cake. He's had his problems with injury (he's only managed to play 20 or more games once in his four full seasons in the NRL) but he looks likely to be the dominant winger/fullback in Fantasy this season, particularly if his chief rival Cameron Munster shifts to the halves for Melbourne to accommodate the returning Billy Slater.
Wildcards
Matt Ballin (HOK, $214,000): He's not getting any younger but if he's fit and starting for the Tigers in 2017, Matt Ballin will be an absolute bargain in NRL Fantasy. He was practically a non-factor in an injury-affected 2016 campaign, making him a steal at the start of the new season at $214,000. Ballin averaged 39 points per game in 2015, which corresponds to a value of about $370,000. But after an injury-wrecked season and with time not on his side, will a youngster like Jacob Liddle get the nod ahead of him at hooker?
Mitch Moses (HLF, $375,000): A revelation for the Tigers at the end of the 2016 season, Mitch Moses is an interesting Fantasy prospect this year. He's a tricky option as he's always a risk of dropping points through errors or missed tackles, but on his day can be a great value buy. In the last six rounds of 2016 he averaged 54 points a game; before that his average was 34. Will he carry on that brilliant late-season form in 2017, or revert back to his old self? Traditionally, consistency is not his strength – last season he had three scores in the teens, four in the 20s, four in the 30s, eight in the 40s, one in the 50s and three 70+ efforts. No doubt he's a gamble, but he could be a gamble worth taking.
Cash cow
Jamal Idris (CTR, $194,000): He's big, he's talented, and he's pretty much a mystery now that he's back in rugby league after departing the Panthers in 2015. It's unclear at this stage what role Idris will play at the Tigers in 2017 – a bench spot looks more likely than a starting role in the centres with Kevin Naiqama and Tim Simona already doing a good job there – but the key factor for Fantasy coaches is Idris's cheap starting price of $194,000. That means if he can manage to eke out scores in the high 20s he should be able to earn about $100,000 in price rises – but getting enough game time will be vital.
2017 NRL Fantasy prices
James Tedesco (WFB, $483,000)
David Nofoaluma (WFB, $436,000)
Aaron Woods (FRF, $435,000)
Elijah Taylor (2RF, $399,000)
Mitchell Moses (HLF, $375,000)
Sauaso Sue (2RF, FRF, $346,000)
Kevin Naiqama (CTR, $345,000)
Chris Lawrence (2RF, $341,000)
Tim Grant (FRF, $338,000)
Kyle Lovett (2RF, $313,000)
Ava Seumanufagai (FRF, $308,000)
Luke Brooks (HLF, $293,000)
Tim Simona (CTR, $269,000)
Josh Aloiai (2RF, $231,000)
Jordan Rankin (WFB, $225,000)
Jacob Liddle (HOK, $221,000)
Joel Edwards (2RF, $215,000)
Matt Ballin (HOK, $214,000)
Jamal Idris (CTR, $194,000)
Jack Littlejohn (HLF, $179,000)
JJ Felise (FRF, $176,000)
Michael Chee-Kam (2RF, CTR, $158,000)
Justin Hunt (WFB, $143,000)
Matt McIlwrick (HOK, $143,000)
Dallas Graham (FRF, $138,000)
Rod Griffin (FRF, $138,000)
Nathan Milone (CTR, $138,000)