Lone Scout's Fantasy team list analysis: Round 9

Welcome to what could be the most hectic Team List Tuesday this year.

We have forced changes, coaches looking for answers and one team with a host of returning players off the injury list.

Time to hook into the initial listings and see how it shakes out Fantasy-wise with a later Friday round opener this weekend. 

Bulldogs v Cowboys, Friday 6.00pm at Accor Stadium

Bulldogs: Enari Tuala returns for the Bulldogs on the wing with Marcelo Montoya making way. Viliame Kikau is out with a pec injury, Sitili Tupouniua is his replacement at left edge. Bailey Hayward is named to start for now but it could be a late swap between him and Jake Turpin again this week. 

Cowboys: No Murray Taulagi so the ever reliable Zac Laybutt takes his spot on the wing. Jeremiah Nanai is slated to start with Reuben Cotter in the 13 after Cotter played edge to start the game last Friday with Nanai coming off the bench. The impressive Tom Mikaele reverts to the interchange for now but is a handy value MID regardless of whether he starts or not. 

Dolphins v Storm, Friday 8.00pm at Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins: Brad Schneider is named in the jinxed 6 spot for the Dolphins who lost Jake Averillo, a late replacement for Schneider who himself was a sub in for the suspended Kodi Nikorima. Livewire Trai Fuller remains at centre while Morgan Knowles returns at lock. Both Kurt Donoghoe and Jack Bostock have been named in the reserves as they battle to return from injuries. 

Storm: Coach Craig Bellamy has finally pulled the trigger and made changes. In comes Shawn Blore, Ativatu Lisati, Hugo Peel and Alec MacDonald while Tyran Wishart replaces Jahrome Hughes who is out with HIA protocols. Lisati is a welcome return for those coaches who kept him while those who didn’t should strongly consider picking up the edge back-rower who has a negative break even. Joe Chan and Trent Loiero are the most Fantasy relevant players making way for the incomers. 

Titans v Raiders, Saturday 3.00pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: Gold Coast welcome back experienced pair AJ Brimson and Chris Randall which pushes Cooper Bai and Jaylan de Groot to the interchange. Bai is still worthy of a trade-in considering his high upside and low break-even. 

Raiders: The trials of tribulations of Noah Martin has ended with a bang, suffering a syndesmosis on both ankles and therefore is a must trade out. With fellow back-rower Zac Hosking missing with a HIA, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has plumped for Simi Sasagi and Ata Mariota as his new edge pairing. Jayden Brailey will start at lock in a surprise move ahead of Morgan Smithies who reverts to the interchange, joined by Chevy Stewart, Owen Pattie and Jordan Uta, in a bench that should augur well for the minutes of captain Joe Tapine. 

Eels v Warriors, Saturday 5.30pm at CommBank Stadium

Eels: In a big surprise Parramatta coach has named an unchanged line-up with Dylan Walker fronting up despite having his arm in a sling on the sidelines last Sunday. Jordan Samrani is named in jumper number 20 and could be a late inclusion. 

Warriors: Mitch Barnett can’t seem to take a trick so far in season 2026, he is out for a week in the concussion protocols. Tanner Stowers-Smith takes his place on the interchange in more good news for those who took a punt on the high-flying Jackson Ford. Playmaker Luke Metcalf returns from injury but only via the bench due to the good form of current halves pairing Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita while Adam Pompey is the replacement for the injured Ali Leiataua at centre. 

Roosters v Broncos, Saturday 7.35pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: No changes for the Roosters after their big win Anzac Day. 

Broncos: Great news for Brisbane with Reece Walsh returning early from a cheekbone injury. Both Jesse Arthars and Hayze Perham are still in the 19 if required. Also returning is Origin lock Pat Carrigan with the impressive Xavier Willison shifting to the edge to replace the injured Brendan Piakura. The only other change to the Broncos winning team from last week is Aublix Tawha who comes in for the suspended Preston Riki on the bench. 

Knights v Rabbitohs, Sunday 2.00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: A home crowd left wanting last week, Newcastle return to their own turf with four massive names reinstated on the roster, starting with none other than re-signed superstar Kalyn Ponga. This reverts Fletcher Sharpe back to five-eighth, which shuffles interim half Sandon Smith to the utility interchange. Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew are also slated for welcome back parties which sees youngster Fletcher Hunt returning to the six-man bench and James Schiller found on the extended reserves. Remaining returnee and veteran, Tyson Frizell is back to the fold via the pine. 

Rabbitohs: Chasing three wins on the trot, South Sydney revise Keaon Koloamatangi to a starting post covering for Brandon Smith at second row who re-injured his previous calf injury, though is still in the ranks of the reserves. As is Adam Elliott who is chasing a return from his own lengthy calf issues.  

Sharks v Wests Tigers, Sunday 4.05pm at Ocean Protect Stadium

Sharks: Following being eased back in last week via the bench, Cam McInnes is cleared for his old #13 jersey. This denotes the likely end of cash grabs through now benched Jesse Colquhoun who will see less opportunity and is a player to be moved one from either this week or the one following.  

Wests Tigers: Top EDG Kai Pearce-Paul is in the concussion protocols forcing a change at edge with Tony Sukkar pulling on the boots for his first start of 2026. Rookie hooker Tristan Hope takes the reins from Api Korosau, who faces a lengthy stand down from the judiciary.  While the shoulder concerns to Jahream Bula sees Sunia Turuva reprise his temporary role at fullback, this allows Jeral Skelton to take the start but young winger Faaletino Tavana is a chance to take that spot if passed fit after overcoming a hamstring strain. 

Panthers v Sea Eagles, Sunday 6.15pm at CommBank Stadium

Panthers: A straight copy paste for the top of the table Panthers. Captaincy favourite Nathan Cleary will likely again be found as the top “C” pick for coaches this week as more adopt the set and forget strategies of old after impressing fans again last week against Newcastle. Freddy Lussick holds firm at hooker with Mitch Kenny still working back from a fractured leg, however Lussick’s 33 points in Round 8 did require a try, two tackle breaks and a line break to manage the result, so he remains as a “buyers beware”.  

Sea Eagles: The high-flying Eagles will have a tough assignment to hold onto their run of wins against the might of Penrith to close out our Round 9 itinerary. The yet-to-miss coach Kieran Foran names only a single forced change following a pec injury to Corey Waddell which grants a promotion to Nathan Brown from reserve to interchange. 

 

With a jam-packed weekend of footy ahead, and plenty of required amendments needed this week there is ample opportunity to get your question through to thelonescout@nrl.com.au as I take on my weekly Q&A report found every Thursday at NRL.com.