Fantasy MLR: Round 2 Waiver Wire Suggestions

By: John Fitzpatrick
Feb 22, 2023 - 10:00am

After an exciting first weekend in MLR, there are some key fantasy takeaways to discuss.

First, scoring is up across the league, and that is awesome!

And the explanation behind that is the inclusion of more stats, such as earning points for tackles and meters gained.

As a result, we saw more diversified scoring across the league. Again, it's only one round, but back three players dominated the top ten in scoring this weekend.

Still, there was a flurry of waiver wire moves in Round 1 as fantasy managers reacted to the release of each MLR club's match day 23.

One thing to note: the Chicago Hounds and Old Glory DC are off this weekend with early-season byes.

As we check in on the best available at each position, it's interesting to note that many of the top available players are with Chicago and D.C. So it'll be fun to track how managers navigate this bye week.

So, who should managers target in the waiver wire process this week?

Let's dive into the top scorer from each position and then list the top available players.

Front Row

Top Scorer in Round 1: Nic Souchon, Old Glory, DC, 14.9 points

• fascinating that the top scorer at the position in Round 1 was not on a roster.

Best Available

1. Nic Souchon, Old Glory DC

• 16th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 14.9 fantasy points

2. Charlie Abel, Chicago Hounds

• 27th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 11.9 fantasy points

3. Alex Maughan, Rugby ATL

• 38th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 9.9 fantasy points

4. Jarred Adams, NOLA Gold

• 44th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 9.2 fantasy points

5. George Thornton, Chicago Hounds

• 55th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 8 fantasy points

6. Osi Pifeleti, San Diego Legion

• 63rd overall in scoring in Round 1
• 7 fantasy points

Second Row

Top Scorer in Round 1: Luke White, Chicago Hounds, 14.2 points

• has a bye this weekend so will need to be swapped out of the starting lineup.

Best Available

1. Corey Thomas, Toronto Arrows

• 42nd overall in scoring in Round 1
• 9.6 fantasy points

2. Micaiah Torrance-Read

• 52nd overall in scoring in Round 1
• 8.4 fantasy points

3. Lucas Bur, Dallas Jackals

• 60th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 7.4 fantasy points

4. Hamish Dalzell, New York Ironworkers

• 68th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 6 fantasy points

5. Tevita Naqali, Old Glory DC

• 75th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 4.9 fantasy points

Back Row

Top Scorer in Round 1: Adriaan Booysen, Dallas Jackals, 19.6 points

• I have a good feeling Booysen will be targeted by many this week.

Injuries

Ronan Foley, Seattle Seawolves

• the flanker exited early in the first half against against New York. He appeared to suffer a shoulder injury and it didn't look good. His status is uncertain for Round 2.

Best Available

1. Adriaan Booysen, Dallas Jackals

• 3rd overall in scoring in Round 1
• 19.6 fantasy points

2. Lautaro Bavaro, Old Glory DC

• 19th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 14.3 fantasy points

3. Charles Elton, Seattle Seawolves

• 23rd overall in scoring in Round 1
• 13.7 fantasy points

4. Collin Grosse, Old Glory DC

• 30th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 11.5 fantasy points

5. Daemon Torres, Rugby ATL

• 53rd overall in scoring in Round 1
• 8.3 fantasy points

Scrumhalf

Top Scorer in Round 1: Nate Auspurger, San Diego Legion, 19.3 points

• Now, hold on one second, I'm sure you are thinking. Yes, Nate played wing in Round 1, but he carries the scrumhalf designation for at least two more weeks.

Injuries

Carlo de Nysschen, Dallas Jackals

• the scrumhalf looked to be fine after the game, but did need help getting off the field with a lower-leg injury in Round 1. His status is uncertain for Round 2.

Best Available

1. Zion Going, Utah Warriors

• 9th overall at his position
• 2.9 fantasy points

2. Nazareno Valentini, Dallas Jackals

• 10th overall at his position
• 2.2 fantasy points

3. Nick Boyer, Houston SaberCats

• 11th overall at his position
• 2.1 fantasy points

4. Cole Brown, Toronto Arrows

• 13th overall at his position
• 1.8 fantasy points

5. Connor McLeod, Utah Warriors

• 15th overall at his position
• 1.4 fantasy points

Flyhalf

Top Scorer in Round 1: David Coetzer, Houston SaberCats, 19.2 points

• A massive haul for the Houston No.10 in Round 1.

Injuries

Luke Carty, Chicago Hounds

• it appeared that the flyhalf injured his groin on a conversion late in the second half against Old Glory DC. He does have an extra week to heal up with a bye in Round 2.

Best Available

1. Alejandro Torres, Dallas Jackals

• 12th overall at his position
• 3.9 fantasy points

2. Adriaan Carlese, Dallas Jackals

• 15th overall at his position
• 3.1 fantasy points

3. Robbie Povey, Houston SaberCats

• 18th overall at his position
• 1.6 fantasy points

Center

Top Scorer in Round 1: Mark O'Keeffe, Chicago Hounds, 21.4 points

• O'Keeffe led all centers with 21.4 points, but has a bye in Round 2.

Injuries

Louritz van der Schyff, Houston SaberCats

• the center scored a try early in the first half against Dallas, but exited after a hard tackle. His status for Round 2 is uncertain.

Tavite Lopeti, Seattle Seawolves

• the center exited in the second half against New York after getting involved in a hard tackle. His status is uncertain for Round 2.

Best Available

1. Fermin Martinez, Old Glory DC

• 14th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 15.2 fantasy points

2. Spencer Jones, New England Free Jacks

• 26th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 12.4 fantasy points

3. Marcos Young, Old Glory DC

• 46th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 9.1 fantasy points

4. Thretton Palamo, Old Glory DC

• 48th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 8.9 fantasy points

5. Fabian Goodall, Toronto Arrows

• 82nd overall in scoring in Round 1
• 4.1 fantasy points

Back Three

Top Scorer in Round 1: Duncan Matthews, 21.6 points

• Matthews led the league in fantasy scoring in Round 1.

Injuries

Nic Benn, Toronto Arrows

• appeared to injury his shoulder early in the Rugby ATL match and his status is uncertain for Round 2.

Best Available

1. Chris Mattina, Chicago Hounds

• 24th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 12.8 fantasy points

2. Martini Talapusi, Rugby ATL

• 26th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 12.4 fantasy points

3. Taniela Filimone, New England Free Jacks

• 32nd overall in scoring in Round 1
• 11.3 fantasy points

4. Jack Shaw, Rugby ATL

• 38th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 9.9 fantasy points

5. Ciaran Breen, Toronto Arrows

• 40th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 9.8 fantasy points

6. Austin White, Rugby ATL

• 41st overall in scoring in Round 1
• 9.7 fantasy points

7. Jordan Trainor, NOLA Gold

• 41st overall in scoring in Round 1
• 9.7 fantasy points

8. Caleb Strum, Chicago Hounds

• 48th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 8.9 fantasy points

9. Marcos Moroni, Dallas Jackals

• 59th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 7.5 fantasy points

10. Tomas Aoake, San Diego Legion

• 78th overall in scoring in Round 1
• 4.6 fantasy points

Bonus Point Team

Top Scorer in Round 1: NEFJ, OGDC, SDL - 3 points

• Three-way tie for the lead in this category in Round 1.

Best Available

1. Old Glory DC

• Tied for lead with most points.

2. Dallas Jackals

• They are available if need be.