Lone Scout's Fantasy team list analysis: Round 13

First Bye round out of the way but here comes another one, only three teams missing this week but still only your starting 13 count as we manage the Origin players who may play limited minutes or miss entirely. 

With seven more games of footy available to us this week let’s have a look at the initial rosters to work out our line-ups for Round 13’s minor Bye round.  

Sharks v Sea Eagles, Friday 8.00pm at Ocean Protect Stadium

Sharks: Newtown Jets halfback Niwhai Puru is set to showcase his skills after a calf injury has sidelined star half Nicho Hynes. Both QLD’s Briton Nikora and NSW’s Addin Fonua-Blake are named to play in the round opener though stick close to team lists updates as they can change ahead of kick-off. Also slated to back up is interchange Blues hooker Blayke Brailey who heads straight back in at dummy half. Defensive juggernaut Cam McInnes is also named to return back in his old No.13 jersey to celebrate his 100th game since joining the Sharks and pushing Fantasy cash cow Jesse Colquhoun to the bench. 

Sea Eagles: In caution interim coach Kieran Foran has listed Haumole Olakau'atu and Tolutau Koula in the extended reserve group, which means they can still jump straight back in following Origin One depending on how the game goes. The only other major change to last week’s victors comes in the shape of Lehi Hopoate swapping in for Blake Wilson. Hopoate having served his one-week suspension due to contrary conduct when playing against Wests Tigers in Round 11. 

Knights v Eels, Saturday 3.00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Also listed straight back into the starting squad is Origin fullback Kalyn Ponga and prop Jacob Saifiti as Newcastle look to continue their winning run in front of a packed home crowd after three weeks on the road and then their first bye week. Fletcher Hunt is lurking on the interchange if Ponga can’t go. 

Eels: After an extended recovery the dynamic Isaiah Iongi finds himself named at No.1 which shuffles Joash Papalii on to five-eighth. The required adjustment comes with the news of a hamstring issue to Mitch Moses costing him his NSW jersey with Ronald Volkman posted as cover at halfback. Jonah Pezet is also unavailable with an injury of his own but young gun Apa Twidle is in the interchange and can also play in the halves if need be. Kitione Kautoga is a welcome addition after a long lay-off with a knee injury, this pushes Charlie Guymer to the interchange joining mid-season Cowboys recruit Harrison Edwards. 

Wests Tigers v Bulldogs, Saturday 5.30pm at CommBank Stadium

Wests Tigers: In a flurry of returned troops, captain Api Koroisau is welcomed back in at hooker, Alex Twal is confirmed to be ready to pick back up at lock forward and Jahream Bula will take his spot at the back. Sunia Turuva is shifted to centre to fill the gap left by Patrick Herbert forced to sit out two weeks due to a dangerous contact charge. Jeral Skelton will slot in to cover Turuva’s wing while Faaletino Tavana is to replace Luke Laulilii in the winger role. Another familiar name also returns to the roster with Heamasi Makasini earning another shot at the top grade with Taylan May out for an extended period with a shoulder injury. Wests Tigers have an extremely good schedule from here on out so many of their players can be targeted as trade-ins over the next 1-3 rounds. 

Bulldogs: With Connor Tracey listed in extended reserves, dual position CTR/WFB Jacob Kiraz retains the fullback gig which will see further increase to his purchase numbers this week off the back of an epic 83. Harry Hayes will start at lock this week with Jaeman Salmon shifting into the back row to cover the injured Jacob Preston (broken arm). Josh Curran is listed on the bench after a short stint in NSW Cup alongside Jed Reardon and Jack Underhill, who showcased his defensive prowess last week earning a feature in tackle of the week for Round 12.  

Storm v Roosters, Saturday 7.35pm at AAMI Park

Storm: Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero have all been named as Storm coach Craig Bellamy looks to his veterans to lift his team from the bottom half of the competition ladder. Alec MacDonald replaces Shawn Blore who is out with HIA protocols. Cooper Clarke and Trent Toelau shift from starting to the bench and are joined by young enforcer Josiah Pahulu. 

Roosters: James Tedesco has been named for now to start but with a very high break-even he wouldn’t be the worst player to sell this week. At least watch how he handles Origin Wednesday night before deciding to play. Reece Robson, Victor Radley, Lindsay Collins, Rob Toia and Reece Robson have also been selected to back up from Origin but there is a full 24-man squad in case any can’t go. 

Broncos v Dragons, Sunday 2.00pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: Payne Haas is the big inclusion and many coaches may be tempted to rush him straight back into their line-ups but it may be more prudent to watch this week and see both his minutes breakdown and PPM output. This pushes Xavier Willison to the edge but the DPP option is still a hold despite his floor dropping as a result of this selection. It’s a whole new edge pairing with Brendan Piakura replacing the injured Jordan Riki while Jaiyden Hunt goes to the reserves. Kotoni Staggs is also back from suspension if he comes through Origin and in a further boost for the home side Grant Anderson and Jack Gosiewski are back from injury via the interchange. 

Dragons: The visitors welcome back Jacob Liddle and Moses Suli while Mat Feagai replaces Christian Tuipulotu on the wing. Liddle remains on the interchange with Damien Cook named at 9 despite leaving the game late with a niggle last week. 

Raiders v Cowboys, Sunday 4.05pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Ethan Strange and Hudson Young have been named to start despite backing up from Origin so double check the team list cutdowns as they come to hand. Daine Laurie is the new lock with no Jayden Brailey while Sebastian Kris returns after straining a hamstring in the warm-ups last Thursday. Zac Hosking keeps his spot in the back row with Ata Mariota shifting to the bench and Hosking could be a nice pick-up for those needing an edge this week or in preparation for Round 15. 

Cowboys: Reuben Cotter will return after playing for Queensland with Matt Lodge sliding to the interchange. Murray Taulagi comes back from a concussion lay-off which shifts Rob Derby to the bench.  

Panthers v Warriors, Sunday 6.15pm at CommBank Stadium

Panthers: Penrith take full advantage of the rule adjustments for this week by naming a squad of 24 including all four of their NSW representatives in the reserves. While Nathan Cleary can still be captained with confidence, Isaah Yeo may be a sell as even if he suits up he may get reduced gametime. Liam Martin is the biggest name for the new-look Panthers 13 while Jack Cogger moves to halfback and Izack Tago and Luke Garner join forces in the centres. Luron Patea, Jack Cole and John Fonua all come onto the interchange. 

Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL injury last week. Adam Pompey returns in the centres in the Warriors only major change as coach Andrew Webster decides to rest Origin players Mitchell Barnett and Kurt Capewell. 

Look out for Thursday's Q&A column on NRL.com as well as the updated team lists as they come in ahead of each game.

Also with a bit of time left, those of you in need of any NRL Fantasy advice, send through your questions to thelonescout@nrl.com.au ahead of this week’s cut-off.