Introduction to Game Day Squad Rugby League - Building your Starter Squad and Dynasty starts here.

Is this your first year playing GDS? First year playing the Starter competition? Fortunately for you, you are still in early as this will be the first full year for the Starter competition in GDS so we will step through Rugby League - Building your Starter Squad.

Since the introduction of GDS into the Fantasy landscape in 2022, the Classic and Champion competitions could only be played exclusively, but with the ability to now play in all 4 competitions, the Starter competition is the foundation for all Coaches to build their Rugby League Dynasty.

Did I mention it’s FREE to play? Unlike other Fantasy and Supercoach platforms, GameDay Squad will allow you to play weekly for free, without subscription and still win weekly and seasonal prizes. Use 'BOBNRL' on sign up or the hacks here to get free packs.

NRL Starter competition:

1st: 100 GDS Pack Credit

2nd-5th: 3 Player Common Pack

6th-10000th: 4 x 1 Player Starter Packs

Seasonal Prize of 1 x 2025 Prize Card (1.4 rarity for 1.1 Salary Cap hit)

Finals:

Starter: 1st: 50 GDS Pack Credit + 1 x 2025 All-Star Card

2nd-3rd: 3 Player Common Pack

Upon signing up to GDS and registering your squad, you will receive 51 bronze cards (below) to commence building your squad.

• Centres: 6 Player Cards (2 X 3 Player Pack)

• Hookers: 6 Player Cards (2 X 3 Player Pack)

• Edge Forwards: 6 Player Cards (2 X 3 Player Pack)

• Halves: 9 Player Cards (3 X 3 Player Pack)

• Middle Forwards: 9 Player Cards (3 X 3 Player Pack)

• Wingers: 9 Player Cards (3 X 3 Player Pack)

• Fullbacks: 6 Player Cards (2 X 3 Player Pack)

When signing up, don’t forget to use our exclusive code ‘BOBS’ to give you access to an additional 27 cards through 3 x 9 Common Packs.

These common packs don’t have bronze rarity cards, but will support you in the Classic competition to field a stronger team. Can get more free packs here.

For the Starter (Bronze card) competition, there is a salary cap, but with the ability to only play bronze cards, your requirement as a Coach is to fill all positions to participate in the weekly competition.

Before you dive in to building your squad, keep in mind some aspects of your player cards before trading/selling on the Transfer Market. 

• All competitions run on a rolling lockout, meaning you can change players until the start of their game each round.

• Critically, you need to ensure your team is full and every spot, including the bench, is filled before the first game each round, or you will score 0 for the round.

• Unlike other formats, there are no captains, but you can adjust the rarities of players to increase their scoring power.

• GDS players do not gain dual-position status during the year. Card positions are set for the season ahead.

Rugby League - Building your Starter Squad Strategy:

As Classic Champion in 2022, my strategy was simple. Field the strongest lineup each week in every position and plug in 2 PODs (Point of Difference). Unlike other Fantasy formats, you could own AND play all NRL players. There is no need to worry about price risers or breakevens. If you own a Bronze Cleary, play him. If you own Haas, play him.

The Starter competition is perfect for a new GDS coach. Open your free bronze packs and plug in your best team. Then continue to log into your account weekly for 3 more free bronze packs in varying positions. By the end of Week 3 on your GDS journey, you will have a squad of 60 to field your best 17.

 Must Haves:

Nathan Cleary - The highest averaging player of 2024 at 76 points per game, Cleary is a lock for all Coaches. There is questions heading into 2025 with his off-season shoulder injury, but with the exit of Jerome Laui to the Tigers, Cleary now has both sides of the field to play with an inexperienced 5/8 in Talagi. The recruitment of Papali will only bolster Cleary’s attacking stats with a relatively soft draw to start the season.

Jacob Preston - Heading into his third year at the Bulldogs, Preston could be seen as a must have/breakout simultaneously. Bursting onto the scene in late 2023, Preston cemented his spot in the Dogs second row. An injury plagued 2024 impacted Preston’s availability, but a strong finish in an improving Bulldogs outfit, Preston averaged 53 at seasons end. Only David Fifita outscored Preston in the second row position (Titans have the Bye Round 1..). With a full pre-season under his belt and consistency in the halves for the Bulldogs for the first time in 3 years, there is scope for improvement in Preston’s attacking stats.

Latrell Mitchell - An underwhelming 2024 due to a change in head coach and some self-inflicted decisions, Latrell’s upside in 2025 could be the #1 overall GDS player for the season. Latrell, albeit underwhelming, averaged 69 CTR0JLhK0s in the FB position (3 points clear of Ponga). With stability at the helm in Wayne Bennett and a full pre-season, Latrell by all accounts looks primed for a huge 2025. Add goalkicking to his weekly resume in an improving Souths team looking to return to the top 8, Latrell could average 75+ for your Starter team.

Who is your first picked and must have for 2025, drop a comment below.

Good luck Coach on building your 2025 GDS Squad, stay tuned for more insights and strategies to help you win!

Cheers,

thexrpeffect