Lone Scout's Fantasy team lists analysis: Round 4

High ownership players hitting the Casualty Ward or the judiciary. Not to mention a South Sydney BYE - absolute chaos!

We move from trading players not firing to just trying to field a full 17 this week, see below the Team List analysis.

 

Sea Eagles v Roosters, Thursday 8.00pm (AEDT) at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: Nathan Brown is out injured so Corey Waddell joins the bench as does young guns Simione Laiafi and Josh Feledy while Joe Walsh is also in the extended squad. Walsh remains on our watchlist just in case he is a late inclusion.

Roosters: Zippy Billy Smith returns after suffering a concussion due to an E-bike accident. Hugo Savala is also a chance to make his first appearance of 2026 after being named in jumper 19. Savala returns from a syndesmosis injury and could provide impact off the bench.

Warriors v Wests Tigers, Friday 6.00pm (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium

Warriors: Luke Metcalf makes his long awaited return from an ACL injury suffered midway through last year. Good news for Tanah Boyd (86) owners however as Boyd retains the No.7 jersey and Metcalf will line up in the No.6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Adam Pompey also return from injury which pushes Leka Halasima back into the second row and Taine Tuaupiki back to the reserves. Chanel Harris-Tavita is also named in the 19 with Luke Hanson and Morgan Gannon omitted, Gannon suffered a category 1 HIA in last Saturday’s win over the Knights.

Wests Tigers: A big blow for the Wests Tigers with Jarome Luai out for the next four matches which will also affect the output of Fantasy hotshot Samuela Fainu (65). Adam Doueihi (47) has been named despite failing to finish last week’s match, Jock Madden joins him in the halves and Latu Fainu is in the reserves and a chance of a late call-up.

Broncos v Dolphins, Friday 8.00pm (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos:  More problems for Fantasy coaches with Payne Haas not named after suffering an AC joint injury in Brisbane’s win over Melbourne last Friday night. Xavier Willison replaces Haas at prop with Brendan Piakura coming into the starting lineup in the back row. In better news for the home side, Adam Reynolds returns from a rib complaint with Ben Hunt shifting to the interchange.

Dolphins: The Dolphins get back Tom Flegler after he was a late omission last week, he will return via the interchange, fellow big man Francis Molo is also included in the 19. Expect a big game from both Herbie Farnworth and Selwyn Cobbo against their old club in the Brisbane derby.

Bulldogs v Knights, Saturday 3.00pm (AEDT) at Accor Stadium

Bulldogs: The only change from last Thursday’s win on the road sees Sitili Tupouniua in a starting role but not one to trade-in as this is due to Sam Hughes missing 1 week to suspension. Bailey Hayward (27) may be safe this week with too many other problems to deal with, but Hayward is on notice for owners needing more from the hooking position.

Knights: Handy Cashie in the Middle Trey Mooney gets one week in the naughty corner, enabling Tyson Frizell to shuffle into a starting spot from the bench. Dynamo Fletcher Sharpe is again named to return from a knee injury in Las Vegas, he was switched to Tyson Gamble in the late cut off last week so stay vigilant and watch for a repeat. Gamble is the one who makes way to the bench.

Panthers v Eels, Saturday 5.30pm (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium

Panthers: Minimal changes for Penrith after another strong win last week. Jack Cogger comes back from HIA protocols at #14 as they seek to continue further dominance on the competition ladders and firming as the team to beat for 2026

Eels: J’maine Hopgood is confirmed out for the season and a must tradeout this week for owners in attempts to get a full 17 together. One interesting trade in candidate is Jack Williams, who snuck through last season as a bit of a dark horse and now gains the empty starting prop role. Brian Kelly returns to the starting squad in cover for Jordan Samrani who was the other knee injury casualty for Parramatta last round.

Cowboys v Storm, Saturday 7.35pm (AEDT) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: Tom Chester is suspended for a high shot on Titans halfback Jayden Campbell late in last weeks final game, so Zac Laybutt will takes his place in the centres. Chester only misses the one week and is a firm hold for now. Coach Todd Payten has shuffled the bench with Coen Hess named to start but the fantasy pressure is on Reed Mahoney (36) to go back to 80 minutes after lower gametime the past two weeks and as a result mediocre scores for coaches.

Storm: Trent Loiero (56) will start after coming off the bench last week. Tui Kamikamica shifts back to the bench and is joined by Jack Hetherington. Owners will be hoping Joe Chan (83) can replicate his dominant performance this week in a juicy matchup. Cash Cow hero Ativalu Lisati was a late out last week and is still another 3 weeks away after suffering a calf strain at training.

Raiders v Sharks, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT) at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Morgan Smithies gets a go at starting prop with Josh Papali’i copping one week after a careless high tackle in the Raiders loss against the Bulldogs. Joe Roddy comes onto the bench with Daine Laurie and Jed Stuart. Ethan Sanders (52) had a good game last week and will be relied upon heavily by his owners considering how many players are out in Round 4.

Sharks: Interestingly Billy Burns retains his starting edge role with Briton Nikora out for a week nursing a broken nose and Teig Wilton comes off the bench to cover. Yet another favourable interchange listed for HOK Blayke Brailey with the only cover named at #21. Brailey looks likely to maintain a full 80 minutes and one to try to reach once the chaos has settled with cheaper hookers failing to maintain Round 1 form and minutes.

Titans v Dragons, Sunday 6.15pm (AEDT) at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: Jayden Campbell (78) is named in the No.7 this week after being a late call-up last Sunday. He stamped his return with a outstanding double try performance, and may be a POD option for those with the extra funds to upgrade their halves. Arama Hau (52) had his best game in the NRL last week but with Josh Patston lurking on the interchange Hau is a hold not a buy.

Dragons: Hamish Stewart is again named with 13 on his back for the third week running though he is yet to take the field at the starting whistle after being benched for all three games late. With both Toby Couchman and twin brother Ryan Couchman out this week through injury and likely suspension, surely this is the week Stewart starts and plays big minutes. The big watch on Ryan Couchman is how many weeks he will gets for the tackle that caused J’maine Hopgood to miss the rest of the season. Any more than 4 and he will be a firm sell.

With all the carnage it is the ideal time to seek my help by sending in your questions to thelonescout@nrl.com.au for the Q&A published each and every Thursday right here at NRL.com.