NRL Fantasy: Lone Scout's Winners and Losers Round 12

Our first major Bye round is in the record books, showcasing plenty of youngsters rising to the occasion when filling in for our Origin stars. The cheapies came through while other cash cows failed to fire and may be an easy straight swap!  

We have a look in on the five games of stellar football and how they reflected on our short 13-man Fantasy roster as we approach the pinnacle of NRL footy in State of Origin.  

Lone Scout's Winners & Losers

Winners 

The nation’s capital opened the proceedings with the Raiders hosting the red hot Dolphins on a cold Canberra night. Ricky Stuart once again picked a light bench which meant the two main forwards in Joseph Tapine (76) and Corey Horsburgh (57) had to play big minutes and therefore went large Fantasy-wise. While these forwards may have to back up this week, it’s hard to see that trend continuing for too much longer and both are holds rather than buys. Zac Hosking (63) and Ata Mariota (52) played edge with Hudson Young on Origin duty and both Noah Martin and Joe Roddy out injured. Coaches should check team lists Tuesday as there is a road to success for either player depending on predicted future minutes. Ethan Sanders (57) also flourished in the absence of Ethan Strange earning the call up to Origin camp, he can be held through to Canberra’s Round 18 Bye. 

Though taking out the win, the Dolphins weren’t as rewarded in Fantasy this week with only a few to mention here. Skipper and playmaker Isaiya Katoa (64) made a statement and rewarded coaches who brought him in and in some cases made him captain. Tevita Naufahu (55) was able to put up a decent score following the Herbie Farnworth late scratching. Morgan Knowles (60) scored big in the absence of Max Plath but this trend will only occur on the rounds Plath misses. Same can be said of Trai Fuller (42) with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow missing for Origin duty, owners will be happy enough with the score but now he is a red dot for the next two weeks. 

Friday’s solitary bout was taken out with Bulldogs breaking their drought after a shaky start against the Storm. After Phil Gould came out during the week on social media to say the Dogs would take a more aggressive approach in their attacking play, it definitely showed not only on the scoreboard but the Fantasy stat lines as well. Making his return after four weeks on the sideline, dual position Jacob Kiraz (83) shifted to fullback with Connor Tracey made facing a few weeks on the sidelines with hamstring issues. Kiraz offloaded at will and smashed his high break even with a great individual try late, he is also a must trade-in this week. Halves pair Lachlan Galvin (74) and Matt Burton (83) also threw the ball around with abandon and Burton had his best score of the year as a result. Leo Thompson (72) continues to front as an interesting MID option for those playing head to head and missing the bye rounds but not one for overall as the Bulldogs now have an unfavourable Origin schedule. Others to mention in the comeback win include Bronson Xerri (54), Enari Tuala (57) and Sitili Tupouniua (58).

The Storm started fast but couldn’t maintain and dropped to 15th with their eighth loss of the season. Recalled centre, now winger Moses Leo (67) showed off some of the form that had fans excited at the start of the season, it may be too late to jump on now however. Enforcers Stefano Utoikamanu (51) and Josh King (59) both earned their mentions with their efforts, Uto is still likely a sell over the next 3 weeks as coaches will look to upgrade to the premium MIDs available. As always, Sualauvi Faalogo (51) brought home the goods, it’s not always an easy watch for owners, but remember, the electric back just needs one opportunity to light up the stage and continue to hit or surpass his break-evens.  

The Dragons tried hard in the wet at Kogarah but are still chasing their first win for 2026. The Red V pack managed a mountain of work which saw each one crack the 50+ mark. Toby Couchman (81) has been a great pick-up for coaches looking for a boost over the Origin period and realistically should’ve been a captain choice once Herbie Farnworth was ruled out on Thursday. Brother Ryan Couchman (60) played the opening 65 minutes and then came on for another stint when Damien Cook (68) was assisted from the field late due to an ankle concern. Hamish Stewart (66) set up a try with a gridiron pass and even moved into the middle for a portion of this one. Injuries probably were the main reason he played 80 minutes but coaches simply cannot sell while he keeps finding a way to poll well. Fellow edge forward Dylan Egan (68) also got the 80 minutes due to the unexpected injuries while Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga (51) probably got extra game time as well. 

The Warriors cemented second position on the ladder with an impressive away win in trying conditions. Outside backs Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (50) and Alofiana Khan- Pereira (54) both added to their highlight reels nabbing two tries each. The big winner on the night however was selectors of reinstated half Te Marie Martin (72) who was untouchable in the wet while claiming two tries at a near basement price. Martin will likely see an influx in Fantasy buyers this week if named again at No. 7. The Warriors next Bye comes in Round 14 when everyone else will be available so he is the best trade-in option this week. Forwards James Fisher-Harris (62), Jackson Ford (55) and Erin Clark (59) put in some massive yards. Ford was shifted to the edge when two alternatives went down injured while Clark started strongly but then had an extended rest due to the nature of the result. Both are still strong options for those needing MID help. 

'Fozball' continues to dash with another win to the rookie coach and ex-Titan Kieran Foran against his former club in front of a packed house despite the weather. Clayton Faulalo (63) is flourishing at the back and the big question is will he keep the No.1 when Tom Trbojevic returns over the next few weeks. Rookie back-rower Jackson Shereb (56) also showed his worth covering for origin bound Haumole Olakau'atu and will be ready for a full time slot at the top level shortly. Ben Trbojevic (56) is another playing his best football after adding to his best season recorded by far but he will likely miss next week after failing a HIA in the second half. 

The Gold Coast kept it close but just missed in the wet at Manly. Timely cash cow and handy HOK young gun Oliver Pascoe (53) posts another great score and therefore big cash rise for his owners. Jayden Campbell (63) found his footing with the new role at five-eighth, the split with him and Zane Harrison (40) is now settled and both players have Fantasy relevance post their Round 13 Bye. Beau Fermor (54) had a slower than normal start to his 2026 season but he was fired up for a big showing after being bypassed for Maroons honours by coach Billy Slater, he could be one to consider for Round 15 with edges hard to come by. 

Closing arguments saw Cowboys win out in Townsville against an injury and Origin impacted South Sydney outfit finishing up the weekend of football. Speedster Tom Chester (80) was hard to contain with the required Rabbitohs roster shuffle, his speed simply cannot be matched and he looks like a season long keeper at this point. Scott Drinkwater (77) was impressive with no Tom Dearden, he did benefit from playing a team devoid of half their regulars, so considering he still has 3 Byes ahead of him, he isn’t one to target but is one to hold onto. Reed Mahoney (53) looked fired up for this one, he kicked a fantastic 40/20 and then backed it up with a try, if the game was closer late he probably would’ve played it out but instead received a well-earned rest. Heilum Luki (68) rewarded owners who played him over some more popular edges this week. His break-even was a concern but the try bumped his score and therefore price up and now he can be held until at least Round 15. Young half Liam Sutton (51) nabbed his first career try in just his second game at the top grade, not a buy unless you are head-to-head only and have the trades, he will make money but trades are at a premium right now. Halves partner and this week’s captain Jake Clifford (59) couldn’t be denied his claim at the winners' table, steering his side around the park and is playing at a keeper level right now. And a 2026 dark horse entry, Thomas Mikaele (62) again puts together a tidy outing playing extra minutes with Reuben Cotter on Origin duties. 

Souths had their moments but missed too many of their big guns to compete for the full 80 minutes. A surprising late change-out relegating Jye Gray to the non-called upon reserves allowed Matthew Dufty (61) to showcase his incredible motor, clearing 329 run meters on Sunday night. It’s a shame his owners probably moved on before Wayne Bennett pulled the 'switcheroo'. Debutant Talanoa Penitani (63) thrived in his first game at NRL level, pinching two tries in his first outing even with his side being on the shorter end of the scoreboard. Watch NRL.com for the Casualty Ward as he limped off very late in the piece. Otherwise he could be a cheapie to own in Round 14 after the Rabbitohs Bye. Another clamped by an injury was Euan Aitken (54), owners would’ve been happy with his score until the 70th minute departure and if the news isn’t good he could be a trade out option this week for those otherwise likely to play short. 

Losers 

In the ACT, the Raiders didn’t live up to expectations with potential trade-in targets Matt Timoko (36) and Kaeo Weekes (34) underwhelming. If you took a punt on either you will ened to hold and hope it works out long term with Canberra playing the next five rounds.  

Friday Night Football allowed only 12 minutes to the tough edge forward Jacob Preston (4) who was eventually pulled off by sideline doctors while trying to play through an arm issue. He will be a must sell now after the injury has been reported as a broken arm. In a week with all to play for the young second row dynamo, Ativalu Lisati (35), saw the full game out however still posted his lowest output yet. This left many coaches disheartened due to his popular captaincy choice this week with all the regulars missing in action. 

With dependable WFBs light on the ground, coaches holding on to the Dragons winger Setu Tu (31) had higher hopes although the conditions did have an impact. Tu could easily be moved on from this week. Popular trade-in target Valentine Holmes (26) struggled in a game that was riddled with errors and might be one to quickly jump off with the Dragons facing a revitalised Brisbane side this week. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2) was a late inclusion for the Warriors after recovering from an AC joint issue but unfortunately did his knee early and may have a suspected ACL. 

With another rainy weekend impacting some fantasy players, Manly prevailed in a low-scoring affair. Brandon Wakeham (28) had been an interesting dual position option a few weeks back but it isn’t coming to fruition as he splits the game time with Jake Simpkin (21). Popular youngster Cooper Bai (25) was starved of game time by Titans coach Josh Hannay in a surprise rotation even with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui away on Origin duties, the lock forward will likely be an easy sell option with his side having a week off with the bye this week. 

The Cowboys had some fantastic scorers in the Round 12 win but one that failed to fire was Jaxon Purdue (14) who hasn’t posted the numbers from earlier in the season. Latrell Siegwalt (35) was an intriguing selection for those trying to replace namesake Latrell Mitchell but in this one at least, his numbers didn’t match up and now owners nervously await team lists in Round 14 post the Rabbitohs Bye. 

Round 12 NRL Fantasy Team of the Week 

1. Scott Drinkwater (WFB) – 77 points
2. Jacob Kiraz (CTR/WFB) – 83 points
3. Enari Tuala (CTR) – 57 points
4. Tom Chester (CTR/WFB) – 80 points
5. ClaytonFaulalo (WFB) – 63 points 
6. Matt Burton (HLF) – 83 points
7. Lachie Galvin (HLF) – 74 points
8. Joe Tapine (MID) – 76 points
9. Damien Cook (HOK) – 68 points
10. Toby Couchman (MID/EDG) – 81 points
11. Dylan Egan (EDG) – 68 points
12. Heilum Luki (EDG) – 68 points 
13. Leo Thompson (MID) – 72 points

 

With one Bye round down, we move to a minor Bye round next week with the Dolphins, Rabbitohs and Titans off and we still only have the first 13 starting players scoring. Make sure to get those Q&A questions through early to thelonescout@nrl.com.au so you don’t miss out on the article published each and every Thursday at NRL.com