The Witzer Pre-Season Challenge has been a great way for astute NRL Fantasy coaches to get a glimpse of some of the cheapies due to debut as well as the topline players switching clubs and potential guns returning from injury or changing position.
This year’s Witzer Pre-Season Challenge begins with a huge double-header at Jubilee Stadium with the four clubs heading to Las Vegas all on show.
NRL.com’s Lone Scout evaluates the ones to watch this Saturday ahead of Round 1.
Ryan Couchman (Dragons EDG, $250,000)
Ryan Couchman burst onto the scene with his twin brother Toby in 2024. Unlike Toby who broke out last year, Ryan unfortunately suffered an ACL injury in Round 1 and missed the remainder of the 2025 season. He is back for the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge in 2026 and has the pedigree to raise quickly in price in the early rounds even if he is only coming off the bench as a middle forward rotation. If he wins a start on the edge then he will be a must own for all fantasy coaches.
Ryan Couchman Try
Lipoi Hopoi (Bulldogs MID, $300,000)
Lipoi Hopoi played 10 games for the Bulldogs over the past two years, picked primarily as a depth option. With Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo resting most of his big-name stars for in Round 1 of the Witzer Pre-season Challenge, it will be interesting to see how Hopoi is utlised in the No.13 jersey and whether he has some future potential as more of a ball playing forward than we have seen from him so far. If so, he will be one to watch as the 2026 season progresses.
Lipoi Hopoi Try
Zac Laybutt (Cowboys CTR, $373,000)
Zac Laybutt is a young centre who has already starred on the international stage for the Kumuls and is part of an exciting crop of juniors coming through North Queensland at present. Competing with cheapie Tom Chester for the starting centre role this year, Laybutt could go a long way to securing that role with a big game in Week 1 of the Witzer Pre-season Challenge.
Harrison Graham (Knights HOK, $300,000)
Harrison Graham is a workhorse hooker who has come down to Newcastle from the Dolphins this off-season. While Kiwi representative Phoenix Crossland and former Roosters utility Sandon Smith may be more likely to receive the No.9 for the Las Vegas game, it is not a fait accompli, especially as both Crossland and Smith could start in other positions. Graham has already beat out young rake Matt Arthur for the starting hooker role this week and a strong game against the Dragons will boost his chances of not only heading to Vegas but playing in the blockbuster Round 1 match.
