Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 13

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Thu 28 May 2026, 02:59 PM

State of Origin Game One is now in the books and what a game it was.

Now we can look ahead to our weekend of Fantasy football.

Let’s take a look at the questions that have come through for our first minor bye round and as always also check out my trade in, trade out tier list below.

NRL Fantasy Podcast - Episode 14

Q: Should I trade in Reece Walsh or Scott Drinkwater this week? Also with Herbie Farnworth on a bye I need another centre, who do you recommend? - Huey

A: This all depends on whether you think Queensland coach Billy Slater will pick Reece Walsh for Game 2 of Origin. The Broncos have byes in Round 16 and Round 19 so Walsh would be missing for four of the five games if he plays Origin. If he doesn’t he is a key green dot for both the Round 15 and 18 major bye rounds. Kalyn Ponga has avoided suspension so Slater may pick and stick but considering the outcome of Game 1, Walsh is very likely to be added to the 19 somewhere.

Ponga sent off

Q: Is Jackson Ford still a hold with Terrell May back or will they be a straight swap. Or could I hold and upgrade Trey Mooney or Stefano Utoikamanu to May with 500k in the bank? - Lachlan

A: The Warriors have a great bye schedule so If you can hold Ford and also have Terrell May that is the best option. Personally I would look to move on Trey Mooney out of those other two but Stefano Utoikamanu is not a clear hold with Melbourne yet to have a bye.

Walsh started strong for Brisbane

Q: Is Reece Walsh a good WFB pick this week due to his favourable match-up against the Dragons? - Ayden

A: Reece Walsh is a great pick-up over the next two weeks with the aforementioned good match-up plus the fact Walsh is likely to be motivated for big games to regain his spot in the Maroons team. The problem from a Fantasy perspective is the better Walsh plays the more likely he is picked for Queensland in Game 2 and then he will miss four out of five games starting in Round 15 due to Brisbane’s bye draw. If you have enough trades you can make the big play but otherwise it might just be one to let pass you by.

Q: Who is the best hooker to cover Pascoe for Rounds 13 and 18? - Brendan

A: Brendan, this is a very difficult question. The top four hookers in the game are all in Origin in Harry Grant, Max Plath, Blayke Brailey and Reece Robson so unless you held one of these it will be tough to find a solution. Api Koroisau returns from suspension this week and may have to take on more playmaking responsibility with Adam Doueihi out long-term. Alternatively, Phoenix Crossland did a job for coaches earlier in the year and will cover both of those rounds. Worst case you could take the hit and play with 12 this week and then look to Jeremy Marshall-King from Round 14 onwards.

Jackson Ford Try

Q: With Cooper Bai at his peak, do you think he is a sell? Also do you think I should sell Jackson Ford too? - Anderson

A: Cooper Bai is not favoured enough in the rotations to be Fantasy relevant. He surprisingly received minimal minutes even without Tino Fa’asuamaleaui playing last week, so this gives us all we need to know to sell. I would stick with Jackson Ford however, as he will play the next three bye rounds. Last week Ford was switched to the edge after 28 minutes when not one but two Warriors edges went down injured. This is very unlikely to occur again but if Ford doesn’t score well this week then I’d look to move on to Terrell May when the Warriors have the bye next week.

Long range double: Campbell goes the distance

Q: Should I trade Jayden Campbell in for Payne Haas or Jackson Ford? - Gus

A: Unless you are spoiled for choice I’d hold Campbell and find another way to get a gun forward. Personally I prefer Terrell May who plays all five remaining bye rounds otherwise Jackson Ford or Erin Clark are good picks.

Q: Is it better to start building my team for finals rounds and not get too many from those teams with a bye in rounds 23-27? I only have 18 trades that includes the extra 8 in round 20 remaining. - Sean

A: A bit too early for now but keep those teams in mind and look to minimise players from these teams. Remember with a 21-player squad and only 18 trades remaining, three of your current side at the least will be in your final team.

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 13

Players still populate the extended reserves so, like all weeks, keep peeled to NRL.com and watch for the team list cutdowns 24 hours before and then 90 minutes until kick-off. For those curious on where to aim at your buy or sell columns this week check my tier list below as a guide to assist you through this week. And a handy note, both Wests Tigers and Sharks will play all five remaining bye rounds.

Please Note: Those focusing on just Head-to-Head competitions, especially those not playing bye rounds be aware, during the current Origin and bye 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. Also watch out for holding too many Panthers, Storm, Bulldogs and Cowboys players as each will miss two more major or minor bye rounds.