NRL Fantasy: Lone Scout's Winners and Losers Round 5

The Manly “Phoenix” Sea Eagles revive their season with a new man at the helm, top of the table giants continue their onslaught and the top two trade outs turn their scores around the week the masses move them on.

As the dust settles on a somewhat better week than the round previous, I take a gander at who the real winners and losers were.

Lone Scout’s Winners and Losers

Winners

“The Hammer” Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (61) thanks to two tries late in the game which helped Jamayne Isaako (51) repeats his high-end result with the help of the kicking tee. Englishman Herbie Farnworth (78) was the final point scorer and only other notable who scored on the back end of a heavy defeat.

Speedster Tolutau Koula (64) records another 60+ outing making him three from four and one of the top emerging CTRs this year. Haumole Olakau'atu (71) rockets back to form and in true 2026 season form, his second-row partner also dominated with a career personal best score in Ben Trbojevic (79). This further emphasizes that Edge Forwards are truly the winners of the rule changes and the position to load up on this year.

One of the NRL's most dangerous runners Latrell Mitchell (66) continues his early season form, matched by Tallis Duncan (66) who showed why the Fantasy community have been keen on him in recent times. Cameron Murray (51) is one mid who is finding consistency, this score brings his average to 52 points for the season so far. 

The hot topic Bulldogs halfback Lachlan Galvin (50) looks after his owners with handy half century. Enari Tuala (54) again makes the most of his return to the top grade with a strong performance, though not a buy as further changes may occur at Belmore. Finally, in a cruel twist of fate, Bailey Hayward (51) scores well and plays the full game for the first time since Round 1, only days after most coaches moved him out of their sides altogether.

As the Panthers put on a clinic, Thomas Jenkins (64) continues his record-breaking season now having scored the most tries ever in the first five rounds of a season. Dylan Edwards (70) has his up game as he continues the one week up, one week down pattern this year. Mainstay and Captaincy favourite Nathan Cleary (80) again rewards selectors as did Isaah Yeo (56). However, Yeo sees his price trickle downward thanks to a high break even. Cheapie Freddy Lussick (55) may attract players at lockout however coaches beware, with Mitch Kenny having served his suspension, Lussick will be relegated back to the interchange in team lists for Round 6.

For the first time in 23 years the Storm concede 50 points and this heavily impacted Fantasy scores. Fantasy darling Joe Chan (50) bounces back after a quiet week last round and only he and Maroons forward Trent Loiero (50), scored of note for Melbourne.

The pressure mounts on the only remaining winless club St George Illawarra. At least Daniel Atkinson (53) still scored well as well as did Toby Couchman (56) despite starting from the bench. Luciano Leilua (63) again showed the upside of edges in the loss.

The Cowboys took advantage of their match-up against the bottom of the table Dragons, with an incredible eight players posting over 50’s this week, Jake Clifford (89) looks to have turned his entire Fantasy relevance around now with a 58-point average so far. Further surprises included the highly traded out Reed Mahoney (50) who got the full 80 minutes this week. Faithful owners of Tom Chester (50) and Scott Drinkwater (57) were rewarded for holding them through the rough patches in 2026 and the most owned player in the top 1000 ranked fantasy teams, Heilum Luki (60) continues to set a high bar.

 

The tougher match-up dashes Titans hopes for their second lot of competition points, though a few impressed including Beau Fermor (54). Jayden Campbell (53) earns another mention at the big table in his third game back, he is definitely one to target over the Origin period.

Broncos gun Kotoni Staggs (53) reports back another handy score for the round and the third string kicker even getting his chance at a conversion with Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh unable to see out the full match. Ezra Mam (61) benefited by swooping in as lead playmaker after Reynolds’ early shower and both Jordan Riki (51) and Patrick Carrigan (61) earn overs as they take over as leaders of this Broncos pack ahead of Payne Haas’ departure at season’s end.

Both William Kennedy (68) and KL Iro (54) turn things around for themselves during their win on Easter Sunday. Nicho Hynes (78) puts his resume forward to coaches who may need to start looking into cover in the HLF spots, especially with Origin looming. Both Edge Forwards Billy Burns (64) and Teig Wilton (51) churn through some solid gains with a try a piece but are merely draft options at this point.

Wrecking ball Leka Halasima (53) redeems himself after low output last game, as did Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (66) whose score was rewarded through his handy hat-trick. Though on the trailing side this week and some nasty contact to the leg reducing him to only 68 minutes, Wayde Egan (64) was blitzing his workload. Coach Andrew Webster assured reporters he should be right for next week’s trip south to front up against Melbourne.

In the Knights' first win at home, Greg Marzhew (50) bounced back with two tries. Enforcer Jacob Saifiti (51) lands another high score as he leads the charge alongside Dylan Lucas (51) who polled well though wasn’t as involved attacking wise as normal. Veteran Dane Gagai (86) stamps his highest ever fantasy score without a try in the 13th season of his career.

Surging cheapie Noah Martin (63) clinches his soaring price value again this week despite bombing a try early. Ethan Strange (62) tried to inject his side into the fight and scored well as did Simi Sasagi (60) who nailed out yet another respectable score at centre and could be one to eye when DPP’s are announced next week.

It was a disappointing and costly loss in overtime back for the Eels as injuries continue to hit hard. Even with an extra five minutes of game time in golden point, only Captain Mitchell Moses (51) and the edge and lock forward turned prop Jack Williams (51) made this side of the list this week. Apa Twidle (47) will be one to watch on Team List Tuesday after an impressive debut that resulted in two tries.

Big-minute, big trade-in target this week Alex Twal (77) had another colossal score and this poses him as an almost must have for those without him heading into Round 6. Edge partners Samuela Fainu (52) and Kai Pearce-Paul (84) yet again showed us plenty to like in both attack and defence. Terrell May (75) monstered through 1.38 points per minute in pure base as a reflection of last years efforts but one to still wait on for the time being until his cost levels out. Spine players Jahream Bula (51) and Jock Madden (68) also scored well in their critical efforts in the dramatic victory against Parramatta on Easter Monday.

Losers

A rough watch for the home fans at Redcliffe with Fantasy results taking a hit, none more than Connelly Lemuelu (29) who came into this game with a 58-point average but struggled to handle the rampaging Haumole Olakau’atu.

Though getting yet another start at prop, Kobe Hetherington (26) saw both his minutes and points come crashing back to earth with another reminder why coaches shouldn’t chase one week outlier scores.

Fantasy owners are getting impatient with David Fifita (27) after another sub-par performance in the Bunnies' big win. While Fifita is not a must sell, fellow forward Keaon Koloamatangi (40) is after suffering a leg injury that hampered his usual high output.

Normally both big in the highlight reels, Viliame Kikau (23) and Stephen Crichton (19) both sunk with the latter due to an AC joint injury which curtailed the skipper’s day.

 

Isaiah Papali’i (36) finally had a down game after many good scores, not one to panic on though for his owners, the game script could easily turn in his favour next week.

Uncharacteristically low scores for the Storm as Jahrome Hughes (39) barely got going after two big weeks and popular trade-in target Harry Grant (39) had a slow night in a small concern for his owners.

The Dragons have now hit their worst ever start to an NRL season and were kept to zero on the scoreboard for good measure. Clint Gutherson (25) and Valentine Holmes (21) are struggling to replicate the form of seasons past. David Fale (21) shone true the old Fantasy adage, “always take a look” with a lower than expected first-up score. Fale will also be forced to sit out next week due to a Dangerous Contact charge.

The Titans went down in the derby and Keano Kini (28) dropped in form and points as a result. Slow burn cash cow Sialetili Faeamani (27) struggles to impress and will see the end of his earnings unless he manages to finally break the line and see more ball next week. Cooper Bai (29) is in a similar boat to Faeamani, he needs more game time otherwise can be sold in the very near future.

Reece Walsh (31) was on his way to another monster score before injury cruelled his day. He went down just before half-time with a fractured cheekbone and with a projected six-week lay-off is a definite sell come lockout. While not normally a score for the losers column, Payne Haas (43) showed some ill-effects from his AC joint injury and is losing cash at a rapid rate, owners have a tough decision to make on Haas this week.

 

Value MID Jesse Colquhoun (33) seems to have maxxed out and can be let go this week, although it isn’t an urgent sell as yet. Braydon Trindall (33) had an outing that explains his average score despite going big from time to time. A horrible outing for Jesse Ramien (18) whose owners not only had to take on the low score but also will likely need to use up a precious trade on the centre as he is sent for MCL scans this week after he was assisted from the field with a knee issue. 

EDG Jacob Laban (13) returned to his Round 1 effort after only allowed 41 minutes on the turf and Luke Metcalf (29) has succumbed to another hamstring issue and might see another fair whack of time watching from the stands.

 

Troubling scenes at Newcastle with the rookie’s worst day yet on the tools, the highly opted for HLF Ethan Sanders (29) had a rough game away and may be put on notice or even left right out of team lists later today and one to keep an eye on for owners.

Alongside Fale, the other cheapie who was snapped up by most coaches was , Joash Papalii (29) and he also finds himself down here as he seemed to play gingerly after a few heaving contacts throughout the 85-minute golden point nailbiter. Parramatta’s injury lists have had to make rooms in what’s becoming a crowded casualty wards as it adopts in Sean Russell (16), Jonah Pezet (16) and Bailey Simonsson (45) all who failed to see out the rest of the match.

Luke Laulilii (22) saw his score hindered by the controversial 10 minutes in the sin bin. Heamasi Makasini (29) is still yet to break the line as he is close to finishing his cash rises, but is still a hold for now, simply pop him down in your non scoring bench until he comes good.

Round 5 NRL Fantasy Team of the Week

1. Dylan Edwards (WFB) – 70 points
2. Will Kennedy (WFB) – 68 points
3. Herbie Farnworth (CTR) – 78 points
4. Dane Gagai (CTR) – 86 points
5. Latrell Mitchel (CTR/WFB) / Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (WFB) – 66 points
6. Jake Clifford (HLF) – 89 points
7. Nathan Cleary (HLF) – 80 points
8. Terrell May (MID) – 75 points
9. Wayde Egan (HOK) – 64 points
10. Patrick Carrigan (MID) – 61 points
11. Ben Trbojevic (EDG) – 79 points
12. Kai Pearce-Paul (EDG) – 84 points
13. Alex Twal (MID) – 577 points
14. Nicho Hynes (HLF) – 78 points
15. Haumole Olakau'atu (EDG) – 71 points
16. Jock Madden (HLF) – 68 points
17. Tallis Duncan (EDG) – 66 points

 

A short week this week, so make sure you get your Fantasy queries in quickly by emailing the thelonescout@nrl.com.au and come back Thursdays to read my Q&A column.

And, as always, keep NRL.com tabbed and ready at hand for the most up to date NRL Fantasy news, team list changes and advice for your squads.