Everything you need to know about the Round 26 team lists from a NRL Fantasy perspective.
Panthers v Eels, Thursday at Bluebet Stadium
Panthers: Scott Sorensen and Izack Tago are the Fantasy-relevant players still missing from the squad, while there is good news for Jack Cogger owners with the $569k HLF named to start at hooker in the absence of Mitch Kenny, who hasn't been named after being rested last week. Given the resting policy that is at play, owners of Isaah Yeo would be wise to keep an eye on Late Mail this week.
Eels: Shaun Lane looks set to return from an elbow injury via the bench, which could mean a drop in minutes for any of Bryce Cartwright, Ryan Matterson or J'maine Hopgood. Dylan Brown (HLF, $792k) would be a great point of difference option if it wasn't for Parra having the bye in Round 27, after scoring 77 last week.
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Warriors v Dragons, Friday at Go Media Stadium
Warriors: For the first time this year Jackson Ford doesn't have a starting role, with the $611k MID/EDG, who is owned by 11.5 percent of teams, dropping back to the bench and Josh Curran named to start in his place. For the time being Luke Metcalf is set to keep his job in the halves, but Te Maire Martin is among the reserves for the first time since breaking his leg in Round 6.
Dragons: Zac Lomax (CTR, $721k) is back from a shoulder injury and averaged 44.6 across the season. Dan Russell is a definite hold if you have him, despite last week's 25, while his fellow back-rower Billy Burns comes off a 55 thanks in part to scoring a pair of tries.
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Dolphins v Cowboys, Friday at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns to the line-up, and in good news for his Fantasy owners, it's at fullback rather than centre. Kodi Nikorima switches to the halves, with Isaiya Katoa out of the 17 for now. Rookie Jack Bostock retains a place in the backline on the wing. Harrison Graham (HOK, $363k) is the starting hooker again, but probably needs to play more than last week's 52 minutes to be a viable option in your scoring 17. Popular CTR option Connelly Lemuelu is back on deck and starts in the second row, with Euan Aitken dropping back to the bench after hitting 66 as a starting forward last week.
Cowboys: With Semi Valemei out with a knee injury, Zac Laybutt comes into the backline at centre, with Murray Taulagi named on the wing. Rookie forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (EDG, $260k) comes back into the side on the bench. Scott Drinkwater remains an excellent option at WFB after hitting 62 in a heavy defeat last week.
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Storm v Titans, Saturday at AAMI Park
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen is a chance of making his return from last year's major knee injury after being included in the reserves. But he's a definite stay away for the final two weeks of Fantasy given he's unlikely to hit top form for some time yet, and Nick Meaney being every chance of retaining the fullback job this week. If he does return, there could be some worry for Will Warbrick owners, with the most likely scenario being that Meaney would move to the wing, so it's something to keep an eye on. Eliesa Katoa will likely get picked up by a few this week after scoring 82 in Round 25, with his $582k price tag meaning he is pretty cheap too.
Titans: With the season now over for both Jayden Campbell (knee) and Phil Sami (foot), Kieran Foran comes into the halves and $339k WFB/CTR Jojo Fifita starts on the wing. Rookie HLF Thomas Weaver is set to play out the remaining two games in the No.7 jersey and scored 31 on debut last week. Those who held onto Klese Haas have been rewarded, with the youngster keeping his starting second row spot on the back of a 50-point showing in Round 25.
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Roosters v Wests Tigers, Saturday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: As expected Joey Manu has been named to play fullback with James Tedesco out after suffering a head knock last week. It's huge news for his owners, especially given many head-to-head leagues will be playing grand finals or preliminary finals this week. Sam Walker returns to the halves for the first time since Round 7, which means Drew Hutchison drops out of the 17 after a huge fortnight on the Fantasy front which saw him hit scores of 102 and 54.
Wests Tigers: Luke Brooks is out again due to a calf issue, but Api Koroisau won't play half again at this stage, after scoring 62 there last week, with Will Smith (HLF, $310k) named in the No.7 jersey. After a 41-point debut last week Triston Reilly (CTR, $256k) retains his place in the centres. Jake Simpkin misses the match after suffering a head knock last week.
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Raiders v Broncos, Saturday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: After entering an early guilty plea and accepting a $3000 fine, Jordan Rapana is good to go and comes off an 84-point effort last week. Jack Wighton (hamstring) has been included in the reserves but seems likely to replace Matt Frawley as the starting five-eighth, with coach Ricky Stuart confident he would be available for Round 26. Popular MID Corey Horsburgh is set to play after leaving the field with a head knock last week.
Broncos: With captain Adam Reynolds held back as he works through a minor calf strain, Jock Madden (HLF, $450k) starts at halfback. Corey Oates (knee) is named on the wing, so Jesse Arthars and Deine Mariner have to bide their time in the extended reserves.
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Bulldogs v Sea Eagles, Sunday at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs: Harrison Edwards is named at lock after scoring 58 last week and is a good chance of keeping that role for what's left of the regular season with Raymond Faitala-Mariner (hamstring) unlikely to return in 2023. MID Liam Knight had 54 last week and is available at just $349k.
Sea Eagles: Following confirmation Reuben Garrick fractured his back in the loss to the Warriors, Tolutau Koula (CTR/WFB, $406k) is the new fullback. Jake Arthur keeps the job at five-eighth after scoring 32 in the role last week. Ben Trbojevic (EDG/CTR, $238k) starts in the second row, while rookie HOK Gordon Chan Kum Tong is set to make his NRL debut off the bench.
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Knights v Sharks, Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Jackson Hastings (ankle) is named to return in the halves but is one to keep an eye on closer to kick-off, with Adam Clune again in the reserves. There was plenty to like about the Newcastle backline last week, with Greg Marzhew (87), Dane Gagai (66), Kalyn Ponga (59) and Bradman Best (50) all doing well.
Sharks: Some big performances from cheapie MIDs last week in the Cronulla side, with Toby Rudolf ($488k) hitting 71, Tom Hazelton ($427k) 59 and Royce Hunt ($331k) not far behind with 49. Nicho Hynes is set to battle it out with Nathan Cleary and Shaun Johnson as the captain of choice this week, following a 90 in Round 25.
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