It's preliminary finals time in Ultimate League and injuries have wreaked havoc with those teams still remaining.

In fantasy terms it is a crisis. No Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, no Mitchell Pearce or Michael Morgan, no James Tamou and the big one – no Greg Inglis.

So how do coaches manage? Lucky for you I have put together a survival guide to get you to the grand final. Here are the top 10 tips to take you to the decider.

1. Don't panic: Even though you might have players in your squad missing, the key is to get 13 fit players on the field. There is no room for sentiment at this time of year – cut the players who are out for the year and replace them.

2. Research: Injuries mean not only will players come into the team but the players who are there will take on different roles. Players like Ben Hannant, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Kenny Bromwich appear to be the big winners.

3. Out of contention: History has shown when two teams who can't make the finals play each other the potential for points-scoring increases. It makes the Raiders-Panthers and Tigers-Warriors games attractive for picking up one-week wonders. Mitchell Moses, Mason Lino, Apisai Koroisau, Brenko Lee are all viable options.

4. Buy Blake Leary: Named at hooker, Leary will churn out 50-plus tackles in what is a likely to be a close game.

5. Make Josh Dugan captain: The Titans have missed the most tackles, conceded the most tries and average the most errors: it is worth a punt to make the Blues fullback your fullback.

6. Watch, look, listen: No excuses this week – every game of NRL must be watched. Every late change must be met with a team change.

7. Lolohea swap: In what is expected to be an open game, the Warriors half should come onto your radar as a replacement for GI.

8. Buy Damien Cook: The Bulldogs hooker has job security and is playing beyond a formidable pack that ranks first in hit-up runs (86.8 per game) and run metres (791.7 metres).

9. Tepai of strength: Tepai Moeroa churned out 80 minutes of quality work last week and is set for quality minutes again with the injuries at Parramatta.

10. Sky watch: Rain means less points which equates to less fantasy points. A look at the radar could be the difference between winning and losing come Monday.

 Team of the week (round 24)

1. Justin O'Neill (66)

2. Nene McDonald (64)

3. Michael Gordon (54)

4. Sio Sua Taukeiaho (48)

5. Tuimoala Lolohea (58)

6. Tyrone Roberts (70)

7. Johnathan Thurston (67)

8. James Graham (63)

9. Ben Hunt (64)

10. Trent Merrin (63)

11. Simon Mannering (72)

12. Corey Parker (68)

13. Aidan Guerra (62)