Lone Scout's Fantasy team lists analysis: Round 5

After plenty of mayhem in Round 4, coaches will be happy to see some red dots turning green this week after struggling to get 17 scoring players together for their squads last week.

Now that the troops are back there are a few question marks remaining and tempting us into max trading yet again.

Dolphins v Sea Eagles, Thursday 8.00pm (AEDT) at Kayo Stadium

Dolphins: The Dolphins are unchanged despite losing to arch-rival Brisbane last Friday. Kurt Donoghoe does come into the 19 and could steal some game time off Max Plath at hooker. Plath could also easily move to the middle forward rotation which would give him extra fantasy opportunities.

Sea Eagles: New coach Kieran Foran has resisted tearing apart the Sea Eagles side with only Clayton Faulalo replacing the suspended Jason Saab in the starting line-up and Ethan Bullemor returning to the bench after being a late withdrawal last week. Coaches looking for a cheapie will have to wait at least one more week for Joe Walsh who is in the reserves but unlikely to suit up.

Rabbitohs v Bulldogs, Friday 4.00pm (AEDT) at Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs: Both Campbell Graham and Lachlan Hubner return from injury on the wing and interchange respectively. Still no sign of Euan Aitken who coaches should’ve moved on from already. Also not named is potential DPP cheapie Brandon Smith as he is out for at least one more week.

Bulldogs: Both Sam Hughes and Harry Hayes return with Josh Curran (rib injury) and Lipoi Hopoi making way. It will be interesting to see how the backline lines up after Stephen Crichton spent some time playing inside Matt Burton during the second half last week.

Panthers v Storm, Friday 8.00pm (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium

Panthers: No Mitch Kenny as he is out suspended for one week. Freddy Lussick will start in his absence and Jack Cogger returns on the bench. There is potential for Isaah Yeo to get a lot more minutes as a result, especially if this game goes down to the wire.

Storm:  Nick Meaney comes in at centre having recovered from a back injury. Moses Leo sits this one out due to delayed concussion symptoms. Davvy Moale, Jack Hetherington and Lazarus Vaalepu all come onto the interchange with Tui Kamikamica out after suffering a medical episode on Monday.

Dragons v Cowboys, Saturday 5.30pm (AEDT) at Jubilee Stadium

Dragons: After an unlucky few weeks with injuries and suspensions some relief does return with front man Toby Couchman back on deck. Last year’s five eighth Lyhkan King-Togia replaces Kyle Flanagan who entered the concussion protocols after some friendly fire last weekend. Setu Tu was a late scratching and now a likely sell, as has appeared today in the extended reserves at #22 with David Fale set to make his Dragons debut. Some may consider Fale this week, especially after being in a large amount of initial team drafts in the off-season but this trade-in carries significant risk for both job security and ability to score well.

Cowboys: 42.3% of coaches will no doubt be happy to see a friendly face back, though missing from their incredible upset against Melbourne due to suspension, Tom Chester who has managed to pop straight back into the run on side at centre. Zac Laybutt will return to the interchange even after contributing with a try assist against the Storm with Harrison Edwards also moving onto the six-man bench alongside him.

Titans v Broncos, Saturday 7.35pm (AEDT) at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: After finally earning a 'W' last week it’s no shock to find no changes to Gold Coast’s listing as they will look to carry over their form with yet another Sunshine State derby. Moeaki Fotuaika is kept on the interchange with Klese Haas retaining the starting prop forward role after they were switched late last Sunday.

Broncos: With rumours rifling through the Fantasy community and drops in ownership on pinnacle Fantasy, prop Payne Haas is listed back to the grind this week, though an injury cloud is still present. With reports of a shoulder issue owners should keep it locked on NRL.com for updates in team lists leading into this northern clash - and also choose captains and vice captains accordingly. Jesse Arthars gets his first run this year in place of Jordan Karapani and last week’s tryscorer Gehamat Shibasaki also comes back into a starting role in place of the injured Grant Anderson.

Sharks v Warriors, Sunday 2.00pm (AEST) at Ocean Protect Stadium

Sharks: Minimal changes to Cronulla after a solid win in Round 4, though Edge Forward Briton Nikora looks to making his comeback from a broken nose incurred at training by being listed on the extended reserve list.

Warriors: The Wahs will be looking to bounce back after taking their first loss of the season at home. Demitric Vaimauga takes Mitch Barnett’s seat on the bench after Barnett is added to the growing casualty list for 2026 with a broken thumb. Morgan Gannon returns to eligibility via the reserves after an unlucky collision that allowed the youngster less than five minutes of his NRL debut in Round 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad remains in the centres with Taine Tuaupiki retaining the fullback duties after being a late call-up last week.

Knights v Raiders, Sunday 4.05pm (AEST) at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: After their gutsy upset against the Bulldogs last week, Newcastle will be chasing their first win at home in the second Easter Sunday match-up. Further reinforcements for Fantasy coaches as Trey Mooney returns straight back to starting prop. Despite the selfies going viral, Phoenix Crossland has been named to keep the business as usual at dummy half, however Crossland has a new interchange relief partner in Harrison Graham, after his strong efforts off the interchange last week.

Raiders: Both Matt Timoko and Chevy Stewart made the bench this week, no doubt showing coach Ricky Stuart putting pressure on the starting outside backs. Considering Simi Sasagi is equally at home in the back row, this could also impact rookie Noah Martin who had a key error last Sunday that led to a Sharks try. Josh Papalii gets his #8 jumper back after a one-week suspension as Canberra continue to chase their first competition points since a golden point victory in Round 1.

Eels v Wests Tigers, Monday 4.05pm (AEST) at CommBank Stadium

Eels: After a few lacklustre Fantasy scores along with his diagnosed syndesmosis injury, Isaiah Iongi makes way for Joash Papalii at the back this week and making Iongi another for the sell column. Unfortunately for Matt Doorey an ACL last week calls curtains to his 2026 campaign so Luca Moretti and Charlie Guymer join the bench.

Wests Tigers: After the 'Ambush in Auckland', coach Benji Marshall backs in the same 17 that toppled the fortress in New Zealand, with the only new name shown is Bunty Afoa. Fantasy owners will be hoping Adam Doueihi is fit enough to get back the kicking duties after he relinquished the tee and general play boot to Jock Madden last Friday.

With all the recent drama, 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.