After casting an eye over this years 'pack' there are anywhere between 15-25 excellent Dream Team Front Rowers available at excellent value.
Contrasted by the Hookers were Cameron Smith and Robbie Farah standout from the rest, there is no 'must haves' in this position.
Strategy
The Front Row Forward position is an area were you can preserve your cap by picking affordable starters who will score consistent 30's. Out of the allotted four FRF spots two should be Upper Echelon Dream Team scorers and the remaining two, experimental cheapies who could burst onto the scene making you big money.
As with the Hookers its vitally important to make calculated selections while creating your round 1 squad. This will avoid you making meaningless trades early in the season after realising your starting Prop is in fact out for the season.
Upper Echelon Scorers
Luke Bailey ($289200) The heart and sole of the Gold Coast Titans, the 'bull', is playing some of his best football at the age of 31. If you think he will start to slow down this season, then think again. Bailey led all Front Rower's averaging 42
points a game in 2010 while notching up an outstanding 34 tackles and 135 run metres. With tackling machine Nathan Friend expected to
miss the first month of football Bailey's workload should only increase. You won't go wrong with Bailey who if he avoids injury should play a
large part in all the Titans 24 matches in 2011.
Nate Myles ($270100)
The versatile Queensland Origin representative had a tremendous 2010 season satisfying Dream Team coaches across the country at either
Lock or Prop. This season Myles looks set to play in the Front Row limiting his playing time, however his tremendous workrate and uncanny offloading ability will see Myles continue to post solid scores in the mid to high 30's.
Luke Douglas ($269300)
Perhaps the most durable player in the NRL, Douglas has never missed a game through injury or suspension since his debut in 2006. This
makes the Cronulla spearhead an immediate first choice selection for your Dream Team. Along with his Front Row partner Kade Snowden,
Douglas is a cardinal 'flopper' and usually a sound tackler (averaged 33 tackles, 3 missed tackles in 2010). Douglas' consistency shall see
him notch up another 900 point season while averaging close to 40 points a game.
Solid Scorers
Aiden Tolman ($232400)
Formally at the Melbourne Storm young NSW Prop Tolman looks to continue his rapid rise to the elite of the Front Row Forwards with the Bulldogs. Under coach Craig Bellamy Tolman, 22, has adopted a no frills game style. Over the first 8 rounds of the 2010 season he had only missed 2 tackles and committed 1 error! While still churning out 30 tackles and close to 100 run metres.
End of season injuries saw Tolman's Dream Team Price drop significantly resulting in a generous starting price of $233400 this campaign. Jump on him early or his price could spike to as high as $270000 by Round 7 if consistent scores in the high 30's come forth. The NSW Origin prospect has the potential to be the highest scoring Front Rower in DT 2011!Russell Packer ($234400)
A product of the Warriors Toyota Cup side, Packer has made a significant impact on Dream Team since his Debut in 2008 when he was just 18 years old. Played all 24 games in 2010 showing his durability and looks set to form a dominate combination with experienced Test Prop Sam Rapira. Posted solid numbers last year at 27 tackles and 100 run meters per game which should continue this campaign. Has the ability to churn out a 45 tackle game here and there and gaining Dream Team scores in the high 40's on occasions. Either Packer or Rapira are stable options for a starting front row spot in your team.
Matt Scott ($226500)
Queensland Prop Matt Scott is one of the most overlooked Dream Team Players, largely due to the Cowboys languishing form in both fantasy and the NRL competition over the past 3 seasons. Scott has gained the Co Captaincy role with star halfback Johnathan Thurston, further establishing his presence as a leader of the club. A terrific metre eater (avg 122 run metres) and a sure handed runner, however his defense is his week point. Averaged a tad over 2 missed tackles while making just 22 a game in 2010 and the addition of workhorse Dallas Johnson should see this number decrease further. However with his leadership role should come more minutes and more metres. Will be a reliable scorer in the 30's but don't expect a breakout year in terms of Dream Team scoring from this developing Maroon.
Bargain Buys
Toyota Cup player of the year Tariq Sims is looking to translate his dominance in the under 20's competition to the NRL with the Cowboys. Young prop Tariq joins older brother Ashton in Townsville and both will look to establish spots in Neil Henry's starting 17. At $73600 Tariq is a must have! He may not play round 1 but eventually he will, making you in excess of $100000 to add to your Salary Cap. Could be 2011's Matt Gillet!
Veteran Ben Ross was on the verge of never playing another Rugby League match again just 12 months ago, but now looks like being a integral part in the Rabbitohs assault for the Premiership. A starting price of $84100 is great value. Even if Ross finds himself coming off the bench his price will still leap over $120000 within the first month of Football. Grab him and don't be to eager to let him go!
Other bargains include Parramatta's talented rookie Mitchell Allgood ($73600) who could find playing time either at Prop or Second Row for Stephen Kearney's Eels.
Storm trio Adam Woolnough, Jesse Bromwich and Sione Kite should fill the void left by the departures of Aiden Tolman and Brett White.
While perhaps the biggest sleeper is the Bulldogs' Sam Kasiano. Kasiano has been listed to start for the Bulldogs in Round One and should be a massive Cash Cow for Dream Team Coaches.
Former Manly hard man Glenn Hall returns to the NRL with North Queensland priced at $152200. Not exactly a true bargain but could prove to be a surprise packet among
Front Rowers. Hall may also spend time in the Second Row further increasing his workload. A no fuss style of player who could flourish in the warm climate of Townsville and score in the 20-30 range for Dream Team while increasing in value.Next Episode focuses on the Second Row/Lock position and analysing round one scores and performances.
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