Lone Scout's players to watch in Pre-Season week 2

The Witzer Pre-Season Challenge continues this weekend with 16 of our 17 NRL clubs competing.

Once again NRL Fantasy coaches will be looking to gain some inside knowledge into which emerging studs and potential cash cows are likely to receive increased opportunities heading into the 2026 regular season.

NRL.com’s resident guru Lone Scout evaluates the ones to watch this weekend.

Stars come out

Morgan Knowles (Dolphins MID, $550,000)

Knowles was one of England’s best during last year’s Ashes series and now he comes to the Dolphins to try his hand at the NRL. Knowles wins the coveted lock position over both Tom Gilbert and Kurt Donoghoe and while not a cheapie could still be a value pick if he gets enough game time.

Ativatu Lisati (Storm EDG, $285,000)

Lisati played the final 13 games of the season for the Storm including the grand final, mostly coming off the bench. With Eliesa Katoa out for the season, coach Craig Bellamy will need to find a new right edge back-rower and Lisati has the inside running over the likes of Māori All Star representative Joe Chan and converted centre Jack Howarth. Lisati has the potential to be this year’s Kitione Kautoga as long as he does enough in the Witzer Pre-season Challenge to earn a starting spot.

Ali Leiataua (Warriors CTR, $364,000)

Leiataua has played 15 NRL matches over the past three seasons and is yet to establish himself as a permanent centre option for coach Andrew Webster, however this could be the year Leiataua breaks out. There are a number of options for the Warriors in the backline so Leiataua will need to play strongly in the Witzer Pre-season Challenge in order to win the role. If he does that, he will be great value at $364,000 in a position typically tricky to fill from a fantasy perspective.

Heamasi Makasini (Wests Tigers CTR/WFB, $250,000)

Makasini debuted in style for the Wests Tigers on the wing in the final round of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. More at home in the centres, he gets his chance to shine this weekend and try to push for a starting spot in Round 2 (The Wests Tigers have the bye in round 1). Even if Makasini doesn’t make the team’s opening lineup, there is little doubt he is a player of the future.

Thomas Fletcher (Rabbitohs EDG, $250,000)

Fletcher played four games at the back end of 2025 for a Rabbitohs team that was decimated by injuries and was so impressive he earned himself a two-year contract extension. While well behind new recruit David Fifita, Indigenous All Star Representative Tallis Duncan and veteran Euan Aitken, there is a path to value for Fletcher, especially if he stands out in this year’s Witzer Pre-season Challenge. At $250,000 he is at a rock-bottom price and with 6 man benches this year could be a sneaky bottom end of your roster play.

Jonah Pezet (Eels HLF, $400,000)

Pezet comes to Parramatta on a one-year deal in 2026 from the Melbourne Storm before heading to Brisbane in 2027. This works for Pezet and the Broncos who still have experienced halves Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt on their books while the Eels get a ready made replacement for Dylan Brown while they can keep one eye on developing their future stocks. Pezet will play halfback this Sunday in essentially a selection trial with Joash Papalii for the number 6 position in Round 1.