Utoikamanu — a genuine ceiling play in the front row. He's averaging 55 off around 50 to 60 minutes, and when he goes big he goes big, an 81 in R13 and plenty of games up in the 60s. The tackle breaks are what set him apart for a front-rower, with a ten-break game in R16. The extra pull this week is minutes. The Storm forward pack looks under strength in the starting six and a little lighter on the interchange, so there's a real chance Utoikamanu sees more time on the field than his usual 50 to 60. A bit of variance in his game, but with the upside and the potential for a bigger workload, he's well worth it.
Yeo — the safe one in the middle. He's a model of reliability at lock, averaging 53 with a season low of 42 and no genuine blowups all year. He won't win you the week on his own, but he'll do a job every time and gives the squad a rock-solid floor.
Edge
Lucas — the form forward in the whole competition and the standout of this squad. He's averaging 79 across his last five, with five straight games of 70 or better (97, 71, 80, 70, 75). The tackle count sits around 45 a game and he's added the try-scoring on top. This is about as hot as an edge forward gets.
Wong — the bounce-back play alongside Lucas. He's averaging 52 for the season but the form's dipped, down to 46 across his last five with three quiet ones on the trot. What swings me is the matchup. The Storm are leaking 62 to 80-minute right-edge forwards this year, a huge number, and across those eleven games the right edger has crossed in six, with two doubles and a hat-trick among them. That's serious try-scoring upside, especially against an under-strength Storm pack. The one flag is that Wong himself managed just 33 on them back in R13 while everyone else has gone 40 or better. A tough spot backing a second edge outside Lucas, but the numbers say the matchup is there.
Halves
Cleary — the easiest lock in the squad. He's averaging 78, head and shoulders the best half you can pick this week, and the goal kicking gives him a floor nobody else in the position can match. He's cleared 90 on five occasions already this season. Auto pick.
Hynes — genuine boom in him. He's averaging 59 with the goal kicking adding a reliable chunk every week, and the ceiling is enormous, just look at the 108 he dropped last week. He can go quiet, but when the Sharks click he's one of the highest scorers going.
Centre
Best — a bit of a spicy pick at centre, and it's all about the ceiling. He's averaging 44 but the swings tell the story, off the back of a 63 in R17 with a 79 earlier in the year. When he crosses he goes big, so there's real upside here even if the floor sits a touch lower than you'd like.
McLean — the steadier centre option. He's averaging 44 but with a bit more consistency to his game, and the matchup is a nice tick this week. The Broncos are the second-best draw going for left centres, leaking 48 to the position across the last ten weeks. He's got the try-scoring in him too, with a high of 74, so there's a bit of upside sitting on top of a serviceable floor.
Wing
Faalogo — flying, and the fact he's getting the fullback job for the Storm is exactly why he scores like this. He's averaging 62 for the season and 76 across his last five, off the back of a 100 in R13 and a 96 in R16. Huge run metres, line breaks and try involvement every week.
Nawaqanitawase — the boom-or-bust winger, and the swings are dramatic. He put up an 86 in R14 off a three-try haul, then a 10 in R17. He's averaging 51, but you're not picking him for the average, you're picking him for the ceiling. When he goes, he goes big.
Fullback
Ponga — the fullback nod and an auto pick. He's averaging 67, one of the best scoring fullbacks in the game with the goal kicking, running game and try-scoring all in the mix. He's coming off a two-try 66 in R19 and has a high of 96.
Bench
Loiero — a sneaky POD. He's in the starting lock role, and with the Storm pack looking under strength he could well see the full 80 this week. That matters, because when he's had 70 minutes or more this season he's averaged 51. He's coming off a 65 in R19 at 80 minutes, and the base tackling gives him a safe enough floor with a bit of attacking upside on top.
Nat Butcher — a bit of a spicy pick, and he's flown under the radar all year stuck on the interchange. The case is in his second-row numbers though. Across his three games starting in the back row this season he's averaged 51, and the base tackling is outstanding with the demerits kept low. If he holds that starting gig, this is a really good week to have him.
Walker — the boom-or-bust half, and the swings say it all, a 94 in R8, a -10 in R13, a 77 in R17. He's averaging 48 but the ceiling is enormous with the goal kicking and try-scoring. A genuine gamble, but the upside is there if you want to roll the dice.
Walsh — the big-play weapon. He's been up and down this year, averaging 51 with a high of 87, but the ceiling is as high as anyone's in the squad. He's the type who can drag the Broncos into a game on his own, and if he gets going you're in for a monster.
Edwards — about as safe as they come. He's averaging 59 with the huge run metres every week doing the heavy lifting, a 100 in R8 shows the ceiling, and he rarely gives you a genuine dud. A model of consistency.
