Cheapies outscoring Guns, superstars returning to their former glory and a shock low score for last year’s high-flying fullback.
That's the Round 1 wash-up and Lone Scout is here to break it all down for you.
Lone Scout's Winners and Losers
Winners
Cheapies Moses Leo (68), Joe Chan (69) and Ativalu Lisati (74) all went large for the Storm which will garner big cash rises this week.
Maroons veteran Cameron Munster (69) also put on a show alongside Harry Grant (63) who scored twice in only 59 minutes but came from the field with a cramped hamstring.
Haz you missed him?
A rough night out for the Eels but a few players in Isaiah Iongi (57) and Jack Williams (55) kept their scores high and J'maine Hopgood (49) also gets a mention here given his points also included a sin bin. He will be a hold even if he is suspended for next week.
No Luke Metcalf, no worries for the Warriors as Tanah Boyd (78) crossed for a neat individual try and made the most of the kicking duties. Fantasy stalwart James Fisher-Harris (67) became an offloading machine, scoring an incredible 1.34 points per minute.
James Tedesco (61) polled well in the loss as did Nat Butcher (63) who made 57 tackles over the full 80 minutes and will be a nice POD for those owners who took the punt on him.
The Panthers blanked the Broncos and as a result dominated the Fantasy scoring.
Dylan Edwards Try
Nathan Cleary (57), Luke Garner (50) and Isaah Yeo (52) all surpassed 50 but the best performers were Dylan Edwards (64) which included a try, and the late call-up Thomas Jenkins (76) who scored twice.
Keeping the huge scores coming, Jesse Ramien (63) rewarded the minority of coaches (1.2%) who owned him as he crossed for a double. In a rare feat both Sharks halves Braydon Trindall (69) and Nicho Hynes (84) scored over 65 points in a 50-10 win over the Titans.
Blayke Brailey (61) converted the faith the 8.4% of owners had in him after being the best scoring hooker in 2025.
Saturday night saw a mighty comeback by the Sea Eagles to push the game into Golden Point with new skipper Tom Trbojevic (67) prominent. He could easily be a keeper WFB option especially with the new rules making the game closer to 2021 and his bumper year. Tolu Koula (73) was dynamic in attack but that score is likely to be an outlier to his usual performances.
Noah outstanding in the wet
Cheapie Noah Martin (80) was sensational and with the news that Matty Nicholson has re-injured his shoulder, Martin will be the most traded in player for Round 2.
Another Raiders rookie Ethan Sanders (58) dominated the kick metres and then added some key attacking stats including a field goal that sealed the match, while Canberra’s big men Hudson Young (63) and Corey Horsburgh (63) matched each other for points and showed last year’s big numbers weren’t a fluke.
In Sunday’s sole bout, both Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (56) and Herbie Farnworth (54) managed to score tries to keep their scores high. Second-rowers Connelly Lemuelu (57) and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (54) went well but with a plethora of cheap edges available this week, neither should be considered as a trade-in target.
Walker hits the 40/20
Latrell Mitchell (75) showed why he could be just as valuable at centre as he was at fullback with two tries, two line breaks, one line break assist, 5 line breaks and 107 metres. Add in 249 kick metres and 6 goals he was a Fantasy attacking machine in this game.
Cody Walker (53) took the reins as the lead half for Souths and this benefited his Fantasy output greatly especially once Ashton Ward was taken off injured at half-time. Cameron Murray (55) played 67 minutes and will be one to target after the Souths BYE in Round 4 if he keeps up that amount of playing time.
Round Up - Round 1, 2026
Losers
Jonah Pezet (14) would want a do-over after taking on his old club while halves partner Mitch Moses (35) also was disappointing. Both players can be held with easier match-ups to come.
One cheapie edge that didn’t hit the mark was Warrior Jacob Laban (12) after only getting 46 minutes and missing five tackles. He is a clear sell for any of the missed cash cows after Round 1.
Blake Steep (26) was looking the goods before being interchanged at the 29-minute mark, however he wasn’t brought back on until one minute remained and the game was wrapped up.
From the field: James Tedesco
Surely coach Trent Robinson rectifies this for the rivalry clash against Souths this week, which makes Steep a nervous hold.
Sam Walker (27) also had a quiet game and those coaches expecting an uptick performance in 2026 will have a tough decision on their hands if he can’t pick up the pace soon.
Connor Watson (11) strangely only had 31 minutes, this low score will spiral his salary downwards and Watson needs to be added to coaches watchlists for later rounds.
The 90,261 coaches who had Reece Walsh (25) had a rough watch Friday night alongside Broncos fans. Despite the dominating victory Panthers opposite WFB’s in Paul Alamoti (25), Brian To’o (22) and CTR Casey McLean (21) all underwhelmed and aren’t essential holds.
Casey McLean Try
Popular Sharks forward Jesse Colquhoun (40) got the expected minutes without the output expected but with a tougher match-up this week he is a firm hold. The same can’t be said for Titans starting lock Chris Randall (26) who could be the first casualty out of Fantasy sides this week.
Joe Tapine (32) was the forward to miss out this week for the Raiders. Watch for price drops as the Kiwi is always a good one to own over the Origin period.
Isaiya Katoa (43) was bailed out late but overall was ineffective in the Dolphins' season opener. Trai Fuller (3) came on late which will only service to drop his price dramatically if and when he gets a shot to start at some point in 2026.
Round 1 NRL Fantasy Team of the Week
1. Kalyn Ponga (WFB) – 83 points
2. Thomas Jenkins (WFB) – 76 points
3. Latrell Mitchell (CTR, WFB) – 75 points
4. Tolu Koula (CTR) – 73 points
5. Tom Trbojevic (WFB) – 67 points
6. Tanah Boyd (HLF) – 78 points
7. Nicholas Hynes (HLF) – 84 points
8. James Fisher-Harris (MID) – 67 points
9. Damien Cook (HOK) – 91 points
10. Trey Mooney (MID) – 66 points
11. Noah Martin (EDG) – 82 points
12. Jacob Preston (EDG) – 74 points
13. Corey Horsburgh (MID) – 63 points
14. Viliame Kikau (EDG) – 74 points
15. Ativalu Lisati (EDG) – 74 points
16. Cameron Munster (HLF) – 69 points
17. Braydon Trindall (HLF) – 69 points
That’s it for my overview of the second part of Round 1 and don’t forget that Lone Scout Q&A is back and going out every Thursday so email through your questions to thelonescout@nrl.com.au and check in to NRL.com for the most up to date NRL Fantasy news and advice for your team.
