NRL 2026, NRL Fantasy, Lone Scout's Fantasy Q and A, Magic Round

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Thu 14 May 2026, 02:56 PM

Magic Round is here! Always a highlight on the rugby league calendar and this year it is a prelude to the Origin period with Fantasy coaches needing to turn their focus to how they cover the major bye rounds.

If you missed your question being answered, I still got you, drop to the bottom of this article for my trade tier list to assist you through.

For Finn, Henry, Nathan, Hartley, Manan and Riley check out this special article that will help you pick the best players over the next month or so.

Q: How do people know what break evens players have? - Ben

A: Break evens are found by subscribing to coach on your NRL Fantasy app/website. This greatly assists coaches in working out what players to buy, hold and sell every given week.

Sualauvi Faalogo Try

Q: I have Ethan Strange, Simi Sasagi, Sua Faalogo and Tolutau Koula. Thinking I should probably trade At least one of them and with a $400k salary who should I get big name or wait until Latrell Mitchell comes back and then use my spare cash? - Gus

A: I would look at moving on Sasagi here as he is facing a potential return of 2-4 weeks. There are big trade targets this week in Erin Clark and Toby Couchman who play next week and aren’t eligible or expected to receive Origin selection. Alternatively you could hold Sasagi for a week and use him as a looper and if we receive negative news on his recovery, you could switch to teammate Joe Tapine who has an excellent bye round schedule and won’t be playing Origin either.

Dearden dragged down on the line!

Q: I am looking to trade Blayke Brailey and Tom Dearden as they have both gotten injured, who would you recommend? - Christian

A: Blayke Brailey is currently the best HOK in the game and is due back in Round 13, I’d hold him and just move on Tom Dearden, who has a much longer return date. Take a look at my tier list at the bottom and also check out my Origin tier list for best alternatives.

Q: I’m worried about Jayden Campbell’s new role. I’ve just brought him in as a keeper and to cover Origin at a big cost. What’s your thoughts on his longevity in that role? I have Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses, is he worth holding and also bringing another cheapie half to cover origin if the others are unavailable? – Steve (UK)

A: With only the one sample size I’d let it run a couple more weeks. It’s always horrible timing when you trade in a gun keeper and he has one of his lowest scores of the year but let him get through the difficult to navigate Round 12 and then if he hasn’t improved you can cut him loose in Round 13 when the Titans have the bye. Nicho Hynes will be one of the top HLF options during the Origin period and will be a solid straight swap in Round 13 after the Sharks have a bye of their own. In regards to Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses, I’m leaning towards holding Cleary throughout due to his superior performances this year which would make Moses a sell as long as he is picked at No.6 for NSW as expected.

Q: I bought Cooper Bai and I thought he would score better. Why did he score so badly and should I hold him? – Harry

A: I think many people though the same Harry, it was a poor middle rotation for him that saw less than ideal game time. With him still earning money and MIDs hard to come by, we will hold him through Round 12 but definitely watch this week and if we see comparable minutes we may need to shuffle on as soon as his cash rises end.

Reed Mahoney Try

Q: Is Reed Mahoney a good downgrade from Phoenix Crossland or should I aim for Max Plath or Damien Cook? – Josh

A: Phoenix Crossland seems to have maxxed out and doesn’t play Round 12 or 15. Reed Mahoney’s minutes are bouncing all over the place, which is far too volatile for my recommendation. Due to Max Plath’s potential Origin selection I would pick up Oliver Pascoe as a cash out and then look to get Blayke Brailey in Round 13 when he returns from a HIA and the Sharks bye.

Q: If I've had Hamish Stewart since the start is he a sell now I already have Max Plath, Alex Twal, Xavier Willison, Cooper Bai and Ryan Couchman. I have 89k so what options are there? – Charles

A: Hamish Stewart is hold with Round 12 around the corner and a number of your other players likely unavailable due to Origin selection or having a bye. After that look to move him on for a solid gun with a great origin run from Round 13 like Terrell May, Kai Pearce-Paul or Nicho Hynes who miss Round 12 but play all other bye rounds.

Ben Talty Try

Q: Who would you say is the best pod pick up h2h not playing Origin under $877k? Are Hamish Stewart, Ben Talty sells and Cooper Bai sells with Bai not getting good minutes, Talty on the bench and Stewart moved to the edge? – Riley

A: Without seeing your squad to know what you need or who you have, Alex Twal, Kai Pearce-Paul, Siua Wong, Dylan Edwards and Dylan Lucas are all great picks if you aren’t playing Bye rounds. All 3 of your players have achievable break evens this week Riley, Talty is the one to trade if you needed a trade out option for this week with Stewart second as he will now need attacking stats to fire.

First take: Titans v Knights

Q: I have gaps at WFB and a bit short on HLF cover too, who would you recommend? And is AJ Brimson worth a punt? – Dwain

A: AJ Brimson just doesn’t have the Fantasy relevancy of years gone by due to the fact he has shifted out to the centres this year. Certainly he has a handy dual position but better Titans options are Keano Kini and Zane Harrison, not to mention gun half Jayden Campbell. If you want to look at other teams, Jack Bostock, KL Iro, Nicho Hynes, Isaiya Katoa and Herbie Farnworth are your best CTRs and HLFs to have during the bye periods.

Q: I held onto Arama Hau for too long! What do you think if I trade him for Isaako and then also trade Kade Reed for Liam or Luke Sutton? – Kingsley

A: Isaako is scoring well for the moment but needs tries and conversions to do it. Origin is a great time for players like him to be brought in but I don’t like chasing one big score as the chances are he will revert to type in the upcoming matches. Instead think about his teammate Jack Bostock who is much cheaper and could gain DPP if he keeps the CTR spot over the currently injured Jake Averillo.

Q: Is Nathan Cleary still a captaincy choice even when he is likely to go of early? If not who? Ponga? – Ryley

A: While true, with Penrith playing so late and a very strong match up may see him take an early shower, I can’t recommend anyone other than Cleary as he is dominating the game at present. Your best VC options would be Alex Twal, Terrell May, Herbie Farnworth, James Tedesco or Kalyn Ponga.

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 11

Please Note: Those focusing on just Head-to-Head competitions, especially those not playing bye rounds be aware. During this period the best trades and options will differ to those playing overall competitions during this time and, as most focus on overall competition, that is where the advice is targeted.