NRL 2026, Lone Scout, Fantasy Q and A, round 4. Reed Mahoney. Couchman, Trades

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Thu 26 Mar 2026, 09:27 AM

With a near record number of outs this week for high owned fantasy players, there’s predictably many questions coming through. But never fear coaches, we are here to help!

I can handle more so keep them coming through to thelonescout@nrl.com.au to receive your advice in our weekly Q & A column. If you missed it last week check my tiered trade in, trade out list at the bottom to help those who missed out getting their questions through in Round 4.

NRL Fantasy Podcast - Episode 5

Q: I need a hooker for 80 mins but am stuck on Reed Mahoney. Who could I trade Reed Mahoney [$518k] with 150k salary cap left? – Lachlan

A: Any other week I would be moving on Mahoney, however with this week's chaos, I’d hold on and hope for the best. There is a chance Mahoney clears his break even this week, especially if coach Todd Payten decides to go back to giving Mahoney an 80-minute role. Also worth considering, the only hookers meeting your goal right now are Harry Grant [$702k] and Blayke Brailey [$723k] who you’ll probably need to save up for. So try and make a different trade this week that gets you a bit more cash and look to move up to one of these gun HOKs in the next week or two.

Mighty Helpful player of the round: Tanah Boyd

Q: Is Isaiya Katoa worth keeping? Or should I jump on the Tanah Boyd train? – Cameron

A: The return of Luke Metcalf poses an issue with jumping on Boyd this week I’m afraid, we have little data to know how things will operate but it will no doubt impact his fantasy scores. Meanwhile Katoa is a gun young half who will likely come good for you anyway. Ultimately I don’t recommend to use a trade on a player that over time is not likely to either make you a lot more money or score a lot more points than the player you are trading out, so it’s a hold for me.

Q: For J’maine Hopgood should I bring in Alex Twal or Stefano Utoikamanu or, instead do I bring Hamish Stewart off the bench and bring in someone for another position. – Harvey

A: Of the two listed I would say Utoikamanu is the pick here purely on match-up and his upside. The two advantages of Twal however is he has already had one BYE and is highly unlikely to be selected for Origin duties. One thing to consider, depending on your team make-up, is moving Stewart in to start and picking up a Joe Chan, Arama Hau or Noah Martin, who would not only increase your total score but also provide better cash generation.

First Take: Cowboys v Storm

Q: Should I upgrade Mahoney to Blayke Brailey by losing Mahoney and either David Fifita or Ativalu Lisati for Arama Hau or any other MID/EDG for $360k – Steven

A: If you don’t have any MID position issues this week, Mahoney and Lisati out for Brailey and Hau would be an amazing move. The main issue is will you have enough players to make 17 this week? When Lisati first did his calf injury, I had him as a hold however with too much chaos in the team lists this round, Lisati can safely be sold, and hopefully will be easy enough to bring back in when back.

First Take: Titans v Dragons

Q: With Toby Couchman underwhelming so far and missing 1 week due to concussion is he a keep, or sell? – Glen

A: Normally, if able, I’d look to move on the players missing more than 1 week out. However in Toby Couchman’s case, he hasn’t been getting big minutes and as such is bleeding cash. Couchman is not a firm sell as he could easily return to 2025 form from next round, especially with his twin brother out for 4 weeks. However, if you can pivot to a Stefano Utoikamanu, Isaiah Papali’i or Jack Williams with the money, then it may be worth the risk.

Bulldogs v Knights: Round 4

Q: Are Trey Mooney and Ryan Couchman must trades this week due to their suspensions? – Ayden

A: I would hold Mooney as his scores have been good, he is still making money and you’ll want him next week facing his old side in the Raiders. Ryan Couchman is a tougher decision, he is missing 4 weeks which makes him more on the trade side than hold. One thing to think about regarding Couchman, unlike a player with a multi week injury, we definitively know his return date and there won’t be any reason why he can’t put up the same numbers when he retakes the field. This isn’t always the case with injured players like Ativatu Lisati who could still be hampered by his calf and not put up the same numbers. Regardless of whether coaches hold or sell Ryan Couchman, everyone will want him back in, so if you can hold, do it.

Q: I only have 15 if Joey Walsh gets a run. With Couchman and Lisati Traded out I have 1.001M and can get Hamish Stewart and Joe Chan or I can bring in Utoikamanu which leaves me $368k for someone else, which or who would you recommend? – David

A: These are both strong options David and I would feel comfortable with either approach. However, I’m thinking the “moneyball” approach this week, likely gaining more points and value with Hamish Stewart and Joe Chan than Utoikamanu and anyone worth 368k or lower. So I would stick with the original plan, unless you don’t have Arama Hau and are confident he can keep the starting role over Josh Patston who has been named on the bench.