NRL Fantasy: Lone Scout's Winners and Losers Round 9

Big names return, huge points levelled and massive upsets achieved! 

It’s time to slice and dice the games to see the Fantasy impacts coming out of a high-octane Round 9 of NRL action. 

Lone Scout's Winners and Losers

Winners

Selectors who brought in the young playmaker Lachie Galvin (66) are seeing the fruits of their choices as he stakes out another 60+ outing in defeated side. Top signing Leo Thompson (63) stepped up and showcased the reason Canterbury chased his signature, as he warms further following his 3rd game back from injury. Another star entry in Jacob Preston (58) still cleared a 50+ but seemingly didn’t hit top gear in the rounds opener. Josh Curran (57) bounced back after his difficult outing at centre a couple of weeks ago, there may be a window of opportunity at right edge now with Viliame Kikau expected out for an extended period. 

Tom Mikaele (62) punches out another dynamic night off the pine, rewarding a few lucky coaches following his pursuits as he saw a slight bump in ownership this week and is still a trade option after lockout. Scott Drinkwater (53) is enjoying the free-wheeling footy being played so far in 2026 with another half-century. Reed Mahoney (71) starred in his revenge game and has to be the most mercurial of fantasy scorers this season to date. Reuben Cotter (59) gives credence to the rule that Origin players always step up this time of year while Braidon Burns (51) is quietly playing out high numbers week on week. 

Centre favourite Herbie Farnworth (63) manages another pure base stats performance that again lands him in the 60s. In a way to continue his campaign to make Origin camp, the highly versatile Max Plath (62) dominates the field yet again. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (66) is another that has Queensland on his mind and the only thing holding him back as a “must own”. Isaiya Katoa (67) is going good game, bad game at the moment but considering his favourable bye draw he will shape as a good trade-in option for the injured Adam Doueihi. Another mention is the return to winger Jack Bostock (63) throwing together a tidy result in the less familiar right centre position. 

With a -17 break even, Ativalu Lisati (50) blew the challengers off the park as the highest traded in player of the week. Top owned pairs of Melbourne’s spine Sua Faalogo (68) and Harry Grant (63) record a steely performance in the loss as Melbourne are now on a 0-7 run. After a quieter than normal first stint, Stefano Utoikamanu (56) stepped it up in the second half to record a solid output for his owners. 

 

Jayden Campbell (67) bounced back to what we know and love from the star playmaker after a quieter game against the Warriors, it wasn’t enough to earn his side the two points however. Though off the bench, Cooper Bai (45) still dazzled fans in his 40 minutes. Beau Fermor (58) and Tino Fa’asumaleaui (57) ticked the Origin contenders shining box in this one, but these are merely draft plays. 

Without skipping a beat, the unexpected phenom, Simi Sasagi (69) cracks out another dominant display after shifting to left edge with Hudson Young still suspended. Prop partners, Corey Horsburgh (60) and Joseph Tapine (55) were also instrumental in the 28-12 win in the sunny Gold Coast. Ethan Sanders (53) had his best game in the top grade, taking over running the side with Ethan Strange a late withdrawal, he is a hold now through the Origin period. Interestingly the move of Jayden Brailey (42) playing from lock has returned the ex-knights hooker to fantasy form, though he was only a temporary placement for the time being and not a wise use of trades unless there are signs of retaining the role longer term.  

Coaches still holding Joash Papalii (38) are happy seeing two consecutive solid scores posted that will continue his price rises now along nicely in a game Parramatta were unable to compete for the full 80 with the Warriors. 

Jackson Ford (90) owners are the happiest people alive after the second-rower turned prop continues his meteoric 2026 season. Fellow middle Erin Clark (59) is looking like the 2025 model yet again and will be a great trade in option post the Warriors Bye this round. Tanah Boyd (53) classifies as a winner but considering his high price, owners will be wanting even more. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (51) made it three out of four half-centuries since moving to centre and is a great bye round option at WFB with a centre dual position likely incoming in Round 14. 

 

Another clash seeing a fairly low fantasy scoring game for both squads considering the hefty scoreboard. Nat Butcher (61) had extra minutes when Angus Crichton left the field early and this resulted in a high output. Skipper James Tedesco (51) scrapped through for owners with the only other player able to clear the half century being Daly Cherry-Evans (58) 

The clear standout was the returning lock Pat Carrigan (73) as we know from seasons gone by, he always steps up in the absence of Payne Haas. Big man Xavier Willison (49) bailed out owners with a try after playing some of the game on the left edge and then a bunch more in the middle. Reece Walsh (58) also showcased his skills however the visitors were unable to chase down the tri-colours vast lead in their second half comeback. 

Opening Sunday’s big day of rugby league was an entertaining nailbiter in the Hunter. Following his return, Kalyn Ponga (65) starred, his agile third playmaker style was welcomed by new owners. Other injury returnees in Dylan Lucas (62) and Greg Marzhew (67) marked their impact into the game with 5 tries between them as did centre Bradman Best (56). Dylan Brown (65) followed up last week’s monster with another handy score, he should be in high demand by fantasy coaches who didn’t jump on this week. Trey Mooney (80) recorded an unexpected bounce back given the forward appeared in the top trade out lists this week, aided largely by 2 tries. 

In a blowout turned near Cinderella run, Souths just missed out at full-time to decide the blockbuster in Newcastle. Latrell Mitchell (81) sought to close out the match, snatch a second 100-point Fantasy score and snag a double for himself all in the final play in the dying minute but it wasn’t to be. Alex Johnston (59) has been flying high in fantasy circles for 2026 and again showed out with tries and try assists galore. 

Nicho Hynes (81) was the hero of the piece in Cronulla’s recovering win over the injured Wests Tigers. In redemption for those who didn’t move off the now benched forward Jesse Colquhoun (46), he managed impressive stats from the pine. KL Iro (74) has completed bounced back after a slow start to his fantasy campaign and will be a great trade-in option from now until Round 13 after the Sharks next bye. Braydon Trindall (65) and Teig Wilton (65) were others to shine in the big home victory. 

Despite the large loss, Terrell May (70) and Alex Twal (81) continue to delight owners with big outputs. Risky selectors were rewarded for Tristan Hope (57) tackling his way up the fantasy charts in an otherwise difficult day for the visitors. 

As regular patrons of this section, Nathan Cleary (82) and Isaah Yeo (71) maintain their figure heads for this dominant Penrith outfit. Dylan Edwards (54) also made hay while the sun shined as he seeks to remain the NSW number one in 2026. Brian To’o (52) backed up last week’s 90 with another plus 50 game here. 

Though well within the fight, this back and forth wrestle eventually saw an end of the high-flying run for Manly. Haumole Olakau’atu (85) was the clear stand out in the round closing clash  near doubling the closest result. Late call-up youngster Joey Walsh (43) didn’t look out of place and if he gets a clear path to multiple games he would be a great cheapie option. 

Losers 

An uncharacteristic game from Heilum Luki (33), given his meteoric rise the back rower will see a quicker drop in cash rises beyond lockout but not one to consider moving on just yet. Jaxon Purdue (24) is another who underwhelmed now for the second week running as the Cowboys shifted focus to the other side. 

Connelly Lemuelu (36) had a quieter game after the Dolphins exploited the right more than the left. 

Shawn Blore (34) returned from injury but was a notch under par given what we have seen from the explosive edge forward in the past. Those looking to capitalize on Tyran Wishart (25) being named started strong with a try, however he suffered an ankle sprain and likely will miss a couple of weeks. 

 

In what is becoming a see-saw season for the agile fullback, Keano Kini (28) records a low game. Similarly both Sialetilli Faeamani (22) and Arama Hau (20) also go tryless resulting in a direct halt to their price gains and will need to be added as potential sells next week.  

No luck for Luca Moretti (32) owners as he didn’t replicate the minutes from his past two outings. Saxon Pryke (29) was another to not hit the expected heights but at least will still make money. Will Penisini (18) dipped after being given an early rest to manage through the groin injury incurred in March.  

 

Mark Nawaqanitawase (2) went down injured in a cruel turn of fate that will rule him out of Origin contention. Another NSW aspirant Angus Crichton (27) was kept fairly quiet by the premiers though on the victorious side of the evening and also failed to finish the game. Veteran playmaker Adam Reynolds (8) again fails to punch out a full-time sheet being assisted from the field just inside the second half. Ben Talty (38) was a popular bring-in this week but didn’t live up to the expectations. 

Whilst the Knights seemed to click across the park, veteran Dane Gagai (12) however had a game to forget coming up against an in-form Latrell Mitchell. In a similar fashion, Jermaine McEwen (15) in plenty of game time was unable to get going and is fast becoming a liability with all the big names back at Newcastle and commanding more possession. Jack Wighton (4) went down injured early in this one which also affected owners and chasers of Tallis Duncan (34) who was shifted to the centres but then forced to switch sides when his positional liabilities were found out.  

Still managing an injury plagued season, Briton Nikora (20) furthers his value plummet despite starting in this one. He will be an ideal price and candidate once back to true form. For the highest score yet to make this end of the scale, Blayke Brailey (46) noted here purely due to the sweeping highs we have witnessed all season by the expanding hooker and by no means a cause for concern as he set the highest floor score in the HOK position for 2026 to date. A shoulder dislocation to Adam Doueihi (22) saw only 11 minutes of his day as the bolting playmaker is sent for scans to identify severity and he will likely be marked for trade this week for the 81,348 owners. Forward Samuela Fainu (43) suffered a suspected foot injury and was spotted in a moon boot.

Isaiah Papali’i (37) appears again on the wrong end of the tracks with another early exit and the Kiwi international is fast entering sell territory. After his record flurry of tries, Thomas Jenkins (19) fails to cross the stripe for a second week running which thins his Fantasy scores dramatically. Another unremarkable night on the tools for Tolutau Koula (24) who hasn’t replicated his centre form since moving to the usually superior placement of fullback. Those keen on cheapie Brandon Wakeham (12) thumped back to earth after a quiet first stint that turned out to be his only one as game script prevented rookie coach Kieran Foran’s ability to bring the dual position player back onto the park. 

Round 9 NRL Fantasy Team of the Week 

1. SualauviFaalogo (WFB) – 68 points 
2. Greg Marzhew (WFB) – 67 points
3. KL Iro (CTR) – 74 points
4. Simi Sasagi (CTR/WFB) – 69 points
5. Latrell Mitchell (CTR/WFB) – 85 points
6. Nicho Hynes (HLF) – 81 points
7. Nathan Cleary (HLF) – 82 points
8. Trey Mooney (MID) – 80 points
9. Reed Mahoney (HOK) – 71 points
10. Jackson Ford (MID) – 90 points
11. HaumoleOlakau'atu (EDG) – 85 points 
12. KulikefuFinefeuiaki (EDG) – 71 points 
13. Alex Twal (MID) – 81 points
14. Patrick Carrigan (MID) – 73 points
15. Isaah Yeo (MID) – 71 points 
16. Terrell May (MID) – 70 points
17. Josh King (HLF) – 68 points 

 

That’s a wrap of another week as we begin preparations for the complex bye round planning as Origin time looms large so keep an eye out on NRL.com for the detailed analysis due over the coming weeks. Also note the weekly Q&A segment, please shoot those queries to thelonescout.com.au