The pack is where it's at for NRL Fantasy coaches eyeing off Panthers players, although tackle-busting winger Josh Mansour could be good value after a relatively quiet year in 2015.
Fantasy guns
Trent Merrin: The new Penrith signing will start the season as the club's most expensive NRL Fantasy player, following yet another strong year at the Dragons. Merrin didn't play the full 80 minutes in any games last year but it hardly mattered, with the NSW forward breaking the 80-point barrier three times in the opening five rounds – including twice from the St George Illawarra bench. Merrin is one of the few players to score at least a point every minute he's on the field, and should continue to score well despite the depth Penrith have in the back row in particular.
James Segeyaro: An 80-minute hooker with the ability to rack up a lot of tackle breaks, Segeyaro emerged as a Fantasy gun early last season before having his game time limited by injury and the rise of fellow dummy-half Apisai Koroisau. Koroisau has now left the club, making Segeyaro a great Fantasy option once again. His $479,000 price tag means he'll start with a break even of 53, but he averaged 63 when playing the full 80 minutes so could be a value buy in 2016.
NRL Fantasy opens later this month: Pre-register now
Wild cards
Tyrone Peachey: In an era of monster forwards, Peachey is a bit of a throwback as a back-rower with the ability to break the line through great footwork – as he did on a regular basis in the latter part of 2015. He averaged 44 across the season but a whopping 63 in the run home, playing 70+ minutes in his last five games when handed the five-eighth role. With the first-choice halves fit again and Trent Merrin arriving at the club Peachey is likely to move back to the bench, but he's got the potential to go big when given a starting spot.
Bryce Cartwright: Another player whose Fantasy scoring relies heavily on big minutes, Cartwright is capable of playing the full 80 and could get more opportunities to do so under a new coach this season. Last year Cartwright played the full 80 seven times, averaging 59 points in those games, but just 33 points a game the rest of the time.
Josh Mansour: In 2014, Mansour played his way into the Kangaroos squad with a string of destructive performances on the wing, tackle-busting his way to 50 Fantasy points a game. Last year, he came back from injury and wasn't quite at his best, averaging just 34 points a game. If he can regain his 2014 form Mansour will be a steal; if not, he's a fairly expensive option on the wing at $306,000.
Cash cow
Te Maire Martin: He's been recruited as a back-up to halves Peter Wallace and James Soward after that duo's injury problems last season, but if Martin gets his chance he could be a steal at the rookie price of $130,000 this season. Martin led the Holden Cup for try assists last year with the Wests Tigers, and the youngster looms as the natural successor to Wallace's No.7 jersey at Penrith.
2016 NRL Fantasy prices
Trent Merrin ($485,000)
James Segeyaro ($479,000)
Elijah Taylor ($441,000)
Tyrone Peachey ($399,000)
Will Smith ($367,000)
Bryce Cartwright ($357,000)
Jeremy Latimore ($353,000)
Matt Moylan ($349,000)
Josh Mansour ($306,000)
Isaah Yeo ($299,000)
Peta Hiku ($297,000)
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ($296,000)
Dean Whare ($293,000)
Sam McKendry ($292,000)
Reagan Campbell-Gillard ($286,000)
Jamie Soward ($268,000)
Peter Wallace ($261,000)
George Jennings ($236,000)
Waqa Blake ($222,000)
Tupou Sopoaga ($219,000)
Leilani Latu ($211,000)
Suaia Matagi ($191,000)
Robert Jennings ($160,000)
Sitaleki Akauola ($134,000)
Zach Dockar-Clay ($130,000)
Rodney Coates ($130,000)
Te Maire Martin ($130,000)
This article first appeared on NRL.com.
