NRL 2026, NRL Fantasy, Lone Scout's Fantasy Q and A round 9

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Thu 30 Apr 2026, 10:30 AM

We have some Mid-priced players now cashed up and on the chopping block this week as well as some handy value cheapies available to make trading all the easier.

Do check the tier list available at the tail of this article to assist and don’t miss the opportunity next week to get your questions through by emailing them in to thelonescout@nrl.com.au for next week.

Drink the Koula-Aide

Q: Should I bring in Ativalu Lisati considering he's back from injury or not? – Kaleb

A: 100%! I have him as a “Must Trade” this week. Andrew, Paulie and Luke had him as their Mitre 10 Mighty Buy this week on the Team List Tuesday show and Ativalu Lisati has already increased over 11% ownership since lockout. Melbourne delayed his return to make sure he was right to play which shows that he hasn’t been rushed back in.

Q: Would Xavier Willison be a good trade for Noah Martin? – Dan, Finn

A: Absolutely! Xavier Willison has been named at second row this week which may hurt his output slightly, however the way edges have performed so far in 2026, I’m not concerned about his average scores.

Kalyn Ponga Try

Q: Looking at making a trade for a WFB this week. Do you reckon I should go for Reece Walsh or Kayln Ponga? – Diego, Christopher

A: If it has to be one of these two I have Kalyn Ponga slightly ahead and more consistent since he also holds the kicking duties to give you a little more insurance. Reece Walsh is favourite for Queensland fullback as well, the only danger is both potentially making Origin camp this year due to the extended bench rules.

Q: Is Simi Sasagi likely keep his great scores rolling at 2RF? Also what is your best value pick-up sub $450k that will play the first bye round? – Adrian

A: I believe so, EDG is the top scoring position this year so far and both Raiders edges have been red hot. Ativalu Lisati is the perfect and easy pick for your second question.

Tallis takes three

Q: Want to trade Joe Chan for Tallis Duncan but I don't have the salary cap for it, do you think I should drop Jesse Colquhoun for someone? – Anderson

A: I’d move Jesse Colquhoun to Ativalu Lisati in the hopes you have the extra $29k needed already to make that trade happen. You could make a third trade if need be, I like either Ben Talty, Cooper Bai or Luca Moretti this week as sub $450K guys not named Lisati.

Q: Should I try and upgrade my cheap $550k halves to someone like Jayden Campbell or Nicho Hynes before their price rises further or hold out a little longer and move on under-performing players? – Lachlan

A: Jayden Campbell is a great buy this round, if you can get him and one of the tier 1 or 2 buys this week (1 gun and 1 cheapie buy) you are set! Campbell plays the all-important Round 13 as well as 15 and 16. His break even is a little high this week so you can wait if need be, but considering his upside every match he may surpass it anyways.

Dylan Brown finds space

Q: Who should I get, Lachie Galvin or Dylan Brown? – Tom

A: This depends on your expectations, short answer is Lachie Galvin for the consistency, a half for the first two bye rounds and a 50-60 scorer most weeks. With Dylan Brown it is a riskier play and worth it more because of his low break even and ability to make quick cash than his bye round draw which isn’t favourable.

Q: I have Noah Martin, Joe Chan and Trey Mooney - all who should be moved on this week. I will get Lisati; but who else should I get? Duncan, Wong, someone else? – Matt

A: I’d take a look at my trade in tier list at the bottom here Matt. While Siua Wong is a fantastic player and one that may be in our teams at the end of the year, he isn’t playing Round 12 so may not be the best target this week. In saying that, if you are playing head-to-head where the bye rounds aren’t as critical to play for, Wong could be a great point of difference scorer for you.

Ben Talty Try

Q: I have $130k in the bank who should I get from Brandon Smith? I was thinking Cooper Bai, Freddy Lussick or Ben Talty. – Josh

A: Ben Talty is a great pick-up this week as we expect he’ll have a good crack at least until Payne Haas returns, but may maintain high minutes all the way through the Origin period. Cooper Bai is better starting but does have a lot of upside and a low break-even. Freddy Lussick needed a try just to reach a 33 last week and was incredibly quiet the week previous, will need to see much more from the man before I encourage him as a trade in. Instead look at Luca Moretti who is quietly pumping out some big stats for the undermanned Eels and even managed a try last week.

First Take: Eels v Warriors

Q: Are both Couchmans (Toby and Ryan) a hold? I also have Tallyn Da Silva, Heamasi Makasini, and Matt Doorey all on bench. I have 249k and 31 trades. – Jethro

A: Both Toby Couchman and Ryan Couchman are worth holding. A simple trade for you would be Tallyn Da Silva and Heamasi Makasini traded for Ativalu Lisati and Ben Talty. Matt Doorey is tricky as hasn’t earned any value and would need to make further trades next week to look to upgrade him further. Use him as a looper for now.

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 9

With most coaches needing three trade-ins this week and plenty of funds to cover the trades, “check on the below and work from the top” is the easiest advice I can provide without being able to check teams personally to assist with those trade options this week.