With the neon lights of Las Vegas flickering out for another year we have the first two NRL games for 2026 in the books.
Now let's review the earners and burners, look at our player choices and see who we need to get in and out of our teams after the full lockout is done and dusted next week.
Lone Scout's Vegas Wrap
The Winners
Captain Kalyn Ponga (83) led the pack with an epic performance in the city that never sleeps helped along by maintaining the kicking tee even with Sandon Smith on the field. The highly owned Trey Mooney (66) got plenty of work in during his first start for the red and blue and even crossed for an unlikely try.
Trey Mooney Try
Heilum Luki (68) made his comeback from injury with an incredible game and thus sending his price rises along nicely with fellow Cowboy cheapie Tom Chester (45) also pushing well past his break even with a handy effort. Coaches now hoping to see another dynamic performance to lock the spot down with Zac Laybutt able to return from suspension in Round 3.
Heilum Luki Try
Another bargain basement player assisting coaches in the red and white was Ryan Couchman (60), who gave Dragons fans and Fantasy coaches plenty to like playing 56 minutes off the bench. Brother Toby Couchman (56) had a strong showing as well for those who kept the faith in him as a keeper middle.
Damien Cook (91) turned back the clock with a stellar performance against his first club the Bulldogs and Hamish Stewart (49) rewarded Fantasy coaches who kept the faith after he was a late swap to the interchange. Setu Tu (42) was another cheapie who hit and many owners will be figuring out how to loop him into their team after keeping him in their emergencies.
Setu Tu Try
For the Bulldogs, the big edges showed how it is done in Jacob Preston (74) and Viliame Kikau (74) earning huge scores. Jacob Kiraz (61) rewarded those Coaches who started with him as did Lachlan Galvin (66), who reminded us of his rookie year with the Wests Tigers with an eye-catching performance.
The Underachievers and Watchlist
Owners grimaced as Scott Drinkwater (21) left the field clutching his ribs in the 19th minute with -2 fantasy points to his name. Thankfully Drinkwater was able to return but the score wasn’t what Fantasy coaches were hoping for under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Sharpe leaves field with leg injury
Another Fantasy gun, Fletcher Sharpe (43) was also assisted off the field with a knee injury after only 26 minutes of play. It looks like Sharpe could miss the next month so he is an instant sell.
Additional to the injury watchlist, a niggle earnt party way through the following game saw Valentine Holmes (27) step back from his normal efforts and that POD play didn’t work out.
Another POD play that didn’t hit the heights was Bradman Best (33) who scored a good try but still couldn’t muster his break even.
Bradman Best Try
The first game in Knights colours for Dylan Brown (35) ended in a victory but Brown didn’t look happy with general play kicking. With 15 points worth of demerits, owners should not over-react and hold steady, learning from the Luke Metcalf shemozzle the previous season.
That’s my Vegas wrap and don’t forget that Lone Scout Q&A has returned for 2026 so email through your questions to thelonescout@nrl.com.au and keep your eyes peeled each week for the most up to date NRL Fantasy news and advice for your team.
