Lone Scout's Fantasy team list analysis: Round 8

NRL Fantasy elites join the casualty ward after more injuries hit the NRL in Round 7.

We have a fresh set of team lists to analyse including one that has a new coach, so let’s get to an all-important NRL Fantasy footy weekend.   

Wests Tigers v Raiders, Thursday 7.50pm at Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers: In a big shuffle following their one-point loss to the 2025 premiers, Luke Laulilii returns to the wing and Starford To’a gets his first run at NRL level this season in the centres. This pushes out Patrick Herbert and Heamasi Makasini although Herbert remains in the 19. Both aren’t essential holds for NRL Fantasy coaches in a week where other trades might be of greater need. 

Raiders: The highly owned Noah Martin, who has been consistently benched just ahead of kick off for consecutive weeks running will now instead partner Zac Hosking in the back row this week with Hudson Young serving a two game suspension. Ata Mariota retains his prop spot with Josh Papali’i working through a calf injury. Savelio Tamale is back but only via the interchange. 

Cowboys v Sharks, Friday 6.00pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: Bolstered with a few returning to the roster, the Cowboys name Jeremiah Nanai at edge after overcoming shoulder surgery undertaken in the off-season. Luki will partner Fantasy favourite Heilum Luki who should bounce back after his first low score last round. As expected Reed Mahoney returns along with Murray Taulagi moving Zac Laybutt to the extended reserves and the one week cash cow Soni Luke reverts to utility interchange #14. 

Sharks: Cam McInnes is named for his season debut and will come from the bench in his return from an ACL injury. Jesse Colquhoun maintains the starting lock position for now, however will be one likely to move on from in the upcoming weeks. Siosifa Talakai reprises his role at centre with Mawene Hiroti shifted to the wing as Sione Katoa is in doubt and only named on the reserves. 

Broncos v Bulldogs, Friday 8.00pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: With Pat Carrigan still having one further week on his suspension, Payne Haas’ untimely MCL tear and Corey Jensen’s challenging blood clot diagnosis, the Broncos are forced to name a fresh new forward line up to cover the missing trio. Ben Talty gets his first ever starting gig alongside Jack Gosiewski who lines up in the unfamiliar prop position. Rounding out the numbers, Xavier Willison works again from the #13 jersey and Cory Paix returns from HIA protocols and slots straight back in at hooker with Josh Rogers moving to the bench. Both Talty and Willison are intriguing pick-ups this week at the right price.

Bulldogs: With the return of captain Stephen Crichton, makeshift centre Josh Curran reverts to the bench. In further casualty ward news Jacob Kiraz was sent for scans with another suspected MCL, allowing local junior Jonathan Sua to come in on the wing.  

Dragons v Roosters, Saturday 4.00pm at Allianz Stadium

Dragons: In an immediate amendment to the team following the release of coach Shane Flanagan, youngster Kade Reed is listed for his debut at the top level at halfback with Kyle Flanagan regressing to the six-man bench as a potential sub for Damien Cook. Cook will start after Jacob Liddle injured his hamstring in the pre-match warm-up last Saturday and is now out indefinitely. Bolstering the pack, low breakeven Ryan Couchman re-enters the roster from suspension to replace the ineligible Jaydn Su'A, who will now serve three weeks forced time off after being sent off last week. David Fale wasn’t able to finish Round 7 against Souths and is replaced by Moses Suli with Mat Feagai shuffling out to the wing to cover Suli in the centres. 

Roosters: With minimal change to last week, the only difference sees Billy Smith a chance at his return from his injuries from the wet weather game in Manly in round 4 from the back end of the longer bench. Though impressive half turned centre, Hugo Savala, retains his spot for the moment. 

Warriors v Dolphins, Saturday 6.05pm at Hnry Stadium, Wellington 

Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki was a late omission last week but he returns at fullback with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad out. Mitch Barnett will once again start from the bench as he looks to return to full fitness in time for Origin selection. 

Dolphins: With Kodi Nikorima suspended, Brad Schneider moves into the halves which could see Max Plath play 80 at hooker. Plath, Isaiya Katoa, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and of course Herbie Farnworth are all great options considering the Phins favourable bye draw during Origin. 

Storm v Rabbitohs, Saturday 8.10pm at AAMI Park

Storm: Coach Craig Bellamy resists the urge to make wholesale changes after yet another loss last week. Melbourne have won 10 straight against Souths at home so Bellamy will be hoping that record plus the fact its Anzac Round will hope motivate his side to their first win since mid-March. 

Rabbitohs: A positional change for Souths with Brandon Smith shifting to the edge and Cameron Murray sliding back to lock. This was after Bronson Garlick ended up playing dummy-half last week with Smith moving to the middle which helped his Fantasy output. 

Knights v Panthers, Sunday 2.00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Greg Marzhew is out injured so James Schiller replaces him on the wing. Still no sign of Bradman Best or Kalyn Ponga. Forward Thomas Cant was a late withdrawal last week and is expected out for around a month so for those that got locked into him last round, he is straight back out again this week. 

Panthers: Penrith welcome back Casey McLean from his one-game suspension which pushes Izack Tago to the interchange. Freddy Lussick is the new hooker with Mitch Kenny out with a fractured leg but with both Jack Cogger and Jack Cole on the bench he probably won’t get the minutes to be Fantasy relevant. 

Sea Eagles v Eels, Sunday 4.05pm at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: Manly have lost Tom Trbojevic for the foreseeable future with speedster Tolatau Koula taking his spot at fullback. Koula could be a nice straight swap for those who lost Turbo this week. Clayton Faulalo is the new centre while Josh Feledy and Simione Laiafi join the interchange. 

Eels: Some good news for the Eels with both Ronald Volkman and Ryley Smith named despite not being able to finish out the match last Sunday. Sean Russell returns in the centres which pushes Araz Nanva into the reserves while Kelma Tuilagi can only return from concussion via the interchange after the fine upset win by the young Parramatta side against the Bulldogs. 

 

Getting plenty of questions through now for the NRL Fantasy Q&A weekly article on NRL.com but I have room for more, so get those questions through before cutoff at midday on Wednesdays to thelonescout@nrl.com.au to assist through those tricky trades and line-ups queries for this week.