It's the final week of the NRL Fantasy season (don't worry, Fantasy Finals arrives next week) with the overall title and a lot of head-to-head leagues going on the line. Here's the big team news for each club going into Round 26.
Make your NRL Fantasy trades now
Broncos v Roosters
Broncos: No changes for Brisbane this week. Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford both produced scores in the 40s last week but could go big in Brisbane's last warm-up game ahead of the finals.
Roosters: With Boyd Cordner and Sio Siua Taukeiaho out through with knee injuries Ryan Matterson and Isaac Liu have been named in the back row, with Mitchell Frei and debutant Nat Butcher added to the bench. Jake Friend made a stunning 69 tackles last week.
Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Bulldogs: No changes this week. James Graham has been arguably the most consistent scorer in Fantasy this year but isn't quite a captaincy option.
Rabbitohs: Souths are unchanged as well. Greg Inglis has sparked to life with a couple of strong performances in the last fortnight and could be worth a gamble at the back, although the Bulldogs' defence is significantly stronger than the one Inglis faced in Newcastle last week.
Dragons v Knights
Dragons: It'll be a farewell game for Ben Creagh and Benji Marshall who both return to the Dragons' starting side this week, with Joel Thompson moving to the bench and Drew Hutchison dropping out after playing his first game of 2016 last week. Tariq Sims is out with an ankle injury with Will Matthews replacing him on the bench, while Taane Milne returns to the side in the centres and Tim Lafai drops back to an extended bench. Tyson Frizell is in doubt with knee and ankle injuries picked up last week.
Knights: Nathan Ross is back to replace Cory Denniss on the wing while Korbin Sims and Jaelen Feeney have been added to an extended bench.
Cowboys v Titans
Cowboys: Ben Hannant returns from a knee injury on the bench with Matt Scott sidelined with a broken finger and Scott Bolton starting up front. Ethan Lowe is in good try-scoring touch with a double last week on the way to 73 Fantasy points.
Titans: No changes for the Titans who are playing to secure eighth spot before the finals. Ryan James should get through a lot of defence this week but against the reigning premiers on their home turf might not make the impact in attack needed for one of his monster scores.
Storm v Sharks
Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona has copped a one-match suspension with Christian Welch joining the side on the bench. Cameron Smith has scored tries in back-to-back games and is the obvious captaincy choice unless you're the underdog in a head-to-head grand final and need to take a gamble.
Sharks: No changes for the Sharks. Paul Gallen returned with an impressive 75 last week and should work his heart out again against the league leaders with the minor premiership on the line.
Wests Tigers v Raiders
Wests Tigers: Chris Lawrence and Kyle Lovett return to the side, with Curtis Sironen dropping out. Mitch Moses has averaged 59 points across his past five games but could struggle to go big against Canberra – unless the Raiders aren't at full strength.
Raiders: The Raiders are unchanged at this stage but Ricky Stuart has suggested he could rest a few stars in the final weekend before the finals. That may depend on the result of Saturday night's Storm-Sharks clash – if the Sharks lose, the Raiders can still clinch a top-two finish and a home final with a win here. If Canberra do rest some players then backline stars Joey Leilua, Jordan Rapana and Jarrod Croker could all be late withdrawals.
Warriors v Eels
Warriors: With Solomone Kata suspended and Manu Vatuvei out with a sternum injury, Ken Maumalo, Jonathan Wright and Bunty Afoa return to the side with Nathaniel Roache named 18th man. Tuimoala Lolohea returns to the fullback role. Shaun Johnson has struggled of late with a quad injury and with the Warriors now out of the finals race there's every chance of another poor score this weekend.
Eels: No changes to Parramatta's 17 this week, with David Gower added as 18th man. Bevan French and Semi Radradra were impressive last weekend against a Dragons side whose finals chances had been ended a week earlier, and they could do the same against this Warriors side.
Panthers v Sea Eagles
Panthers: Reagan Campbell-Gillard is out with a back injury, replaced in the Penrith side by Jeremy Latimore. If you need to gamble in the outside backs Josh Mansour is always a chance of a bumper score.
Sea Eagles: Blake Leary and Dylan Walker return for Manly in place of Brad Parker and Frank Winterstein. Like Mansour, Tom Trbojevic can go big on any given week – as he did with a hat-trick last round.
Get Fantasy news updates from the Lone Scout on Facebook or Twitter and read more Fantasy hints and tips here.
