NRL Fantasy in 2018: The game has changed

NRL Fantasy is back – and the game has changed in 2018.

The basics of the game remain the same: pick your own squad of NRL players, stay under the salary cap, and if your players perform well your team wins in Fantasy. Take on your mates in a full head-to-head league, and play for weekly and season prizes.

And it's free to play.

So what's new?

For one thing, the squads. This season you'll have a squad of 21 players, not 25, which will bring a whole new tactical element to the game. The salary cap expands to $9.4 million, so the game's best players will cost you big bucks.

By popular demand we've added a new scoring category as well – with players now rewarded for forcing a drop-out.

Head-to-head leagues will kick off in round two by default, giving you more chances to take on your mates on a weekly basis, although once again you can adjust your league's settings however you like.

Be sure you warm up for the NRL Fantasy season by signing up for an NRL Account – you'll need one to play and unlock Inside Pass content from across the network.

Signing up to an NRL Account also means you're ready to join the official NRL tipping competition, which is also getting an upgrade in 2018. 

There are more changes to the game to be revealed in January, while player prices for each of the 16 NRL squads will be revealed throughout December.