Amateurs Fantasy Sports

Background

Salesi Foketi is a 19-year-old rugby league player who grew up on the mean streets of South Auckland (Queenslander?) and can be categorized as an out and out footy player. While listed on the Roosters official website as a 2^nd rower you’ll be surprised to find out that he was originally spotted playing in the halves at 120kgs.

No that’s not a typo, the kid was huge. Roosters signed him, provided him the tools and through his hard work he’s now down to a paltry 100kgs while capable of comfortably playing 80mins on the edge.

The Upside

Probably the most important part of why you’re reading this article, available as a $364k mid edge dual position player with a breakeven of negative 4 coming off an 80 minute performance on the edge for 58 points, Foketi is positioned for a late season cash grab with the potential of being a season hold all dependant on the health of the Roosters forward pack.

After effectively being a mainstay off the bench for the whole season Foketi now finds himself with an opportunity with two key roosters forwards are unavailable, Sua Wong with his knee injury and expected return in round 23, and Victory Radley with his ongoing head injury concerns and club imposed medical standdown with the club suggesting he’ll be having at least a month off aiming for a round 22 return*.

*Some socials reporting round 19, but this is not been verified.

At the time of writing round 18 has kicked off but with the roosters having not yet played, and a myriad of fantasy relevant players deciding to take the round off, it’s not too late for Salesi and his apparent runway of 4 to 6 games.

Taking his raw reserve grade stats into account, we have 16 games, 12 starts at back row with an average mins of 73 for 38 fantasy points at the ripe age of 19. If we take just take his 80min performances that jumps to a 44 fantasy point average.

His NRL stats are a bit murkier as he’s been deployed mostly off the bench at edge, prop and lock, but in taking a conservative approach in games where he’s played at least 30 and less that 55 we are looking 7 games at an average of 42mins for 32 Fantasy Points at a .76ppm.

Across his likely 80mins at that ppm that’s a 60 average, not that that is what we are expecting for the 19 year old, just highlighting his potential upside alongside his current price at around 26 points…

In quick summary, Foketi is a capable of 80min in the forward pack coming up against the Tigers, Dragons, Sharks and has not been used as Cover in the backline.

Anyway enough fluff, conservative meat and veg stuff below, I’m not one to over sell, at his current price and BE:

Average/Games	3	4	5
30*	54k	47k	36k
40	99k	110k	115k
50	144k	173k	193k

*Will lose money after 3 games if he 30’s

The Downside

As brilliant as Foketi is, he plays for the Roosters and we all know how a certain elite footballer in May was treated last season.

There is also the looming threat of Egan Butcher holding his edge when Angus returns from origin instead of Foketi in which case he would hopefully pick up the lock spot but likely return to the bench.

At this time of year trades are also at a premium and as much upside at Foketi shows he will more likely than not be a trade in trade out prospect which most coaches won’t want to stomach.

(If he were to fail at least he’s not bottom price and can be cashed down again)

Conclusion

Salesi Foketi is a Rocks or Diamonds purchase with high upside potential to be a season keeper pending on the Roosters Forward Packs Health.

He’s a hot young thing who has forced his selection in first grade since round 1 this year finally having a string of big minute games, I personally see his potential upside as worth the risk, but I also know that a lot of coaches will be rightfully scared away.

VERDICT – High Risk with High Upside

(with a slight safety net of not being a 230k permanent bench addition)

AGE Good

DURABILITY Good

TEAM Good

PROTOTYPE Good

VERSATILITY Green Flag

GRUB FACTOR Good

COACH PREDICTABILTY Red Flag

ROTATION PREDICTABITLY Red Flag

FITNESS Green Flag

Mod Sammy