Fantasy League debrief

5 Jul 2022

Top performers

It was another record-breaking week in Fantasy League after Ash Handley’s devastating five try performance in Round 17. Abbas Miski’s season best score of 107 last time out lasted just one week thanks to Handley’s incredible performance on Saturday – he registered a huge 117 points after five tries, four clean breaks, four tackle busts and 204 run metres.

Handley gets 5??⃣ 🤯

Rhinos pass the 60 point mark at Hull ??#SuperLeague #SLHulLee pic.twitter.com/o2sn5ekUfi
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 2, 2022

Elsewhere, Stefan Ratchford showed up well in defeat as he recorded his best Fantasy score of 2022. Ratchford finished Round 17 with 82 points after a well-rounded performance which included a try, 20 tackles, four tackle busts, four offloads, one clean break and four goals.

After a couple of quiet weeks in Fantasy, Frankie Halton was back to his point scoring best and, like Ratchford, Halton’s points came in defeat. Halton made 37 tackles on Saturday Night, as well making five tackle busts, four offloads, one clean break and 95 run metres.

There were also big scores for Jack Ormondroyd (76) who crossed for a brace of tries on his way to a season-high score, Fantasy favourite Daryl Clark (73) and young gun Will Pryce (70).

What a turnaround!

The Red Devils regain the lead in Warrington 🙌#SuperLeague #SLWarSal pic.twitter.com/qJiO5gcYm4
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 3, 2022

Fantasy flops

Surprise exclusions in Round 17 left Fantasy owners without some of their key players. George Williams missed out through injury despite being named in Warrington’s initial 21-man squad – Williams is the highest scoring scrum half in Fantasy this year and a popular choice across many teams.

The ever-reliable Ben Garcia was also absent over the weekend after initially being named in Catalans 21-man squad. Prior to Round 17, Garcia was the second-highest scoring loose forward in Fantasy but fell two places due to his absence against St Helens.

Paul McShane recorded a rare low score in Round 17 after starting from the bench for the Tigers. It’s not confirmed whether the move was tactical or forced due to injury, but McShane’s 10 point return is a cause for concern for Fantasy owners, particularly given how well Cas performed against the Giants. And to add insult to injury, McShane also picked up a one-match suspension in that same game.

Looking ahead

Magic Weekend is upon us with some huge clashes in store. Traditionally, more points are scored at Magic Weekend so it’s a great chance to back the right players ahead of what should be a massive weekend of action.

Several players won’t be available, however, after the Match Review Panel issued several sanctions following Round 17. Both Catalans and Hull FC will be without three of their players in Newcastle, whilst Cas have lost two players. Wakefield and St Helens are the other clubs to be hit by suspensions.

Following the latest round of @Betfred @SuperLeague fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions...
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) July 4, 2022