Lone Scout's Fantasy Team List analysis: Round 14

Back to a full 17-man squad for this week brings NRL Fantasy back to a temporary norm and a full eight-game long weekend to enjoy for fans and coaches alike.  

Let’s break down the changes and impacts of this Team List Tuesday’s initial match cards and see how it may bring joy or pain to coaches with trades fast becoming a scarce resource for our season ahead.  

Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs, Thursday 7.50pm at 4 Pines Park 

Sea Eagles: NSW duo Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolutau Koula return for Manly with Jackson Shereb and Josh Feledy pushing to the bench. Still no sign of Tom Trbojevic, possibly after Manly’s Round 15 bye.  

Rabbitohs: Souths coach Wayne Bennett has made a number of adjustments after his team went down to the Cowboys two weeks ago. Jye Gray, Campbell Graham and Ed Kosi come into the backline while David Fifita and Brandon Smith are back from long term lay-offs with injuries. Also back is NSW star Cameron Murray at lock with Tallis Duncan shifting to the back row and Keaon Koloamatangi returning to prop. Duncan is a hold, as is now bench player Euan Aitken but both could be potential sells after Round 15 if they can’t maintain the required minutes to be fantasy relevant. 

Storm v Knights, Friday 6.00pm at AAMI Park 

Storm: With yet another key player out injured for the Storm, Nick Meaney has been sidelined due to a calf complaint. Manaia Waitere is his replacement at centre while Harry Grant comes back into the starting line-up at hooker. Shawn Blore has been named after missing last week due to concussion protocols but only in the reserves. 

Knights: Sandon Smith is out with a calf injury which means Fletcher Sharpe returns to the five-eighth role and Fletcher Hunt is the new centre. With the Knights having the bye next week a few players are on notice while others like Dylan Lucas are watchlists to pick up in Round 16. 

Raiders v Roosters, Friday 8.00pm at GIO Stadium 

Raiders: With Sebastian Kris under concussion protocols, Daine Laurie shuffles over to centre. And on the other side of forced rest after his own failed HIA, Jayden Brailey is found to line straight back up at No. 13.  

Roosters: Though losing in a significant upset, the Tricolours list no changes to the run-on squad. The only notable being Mark Nawaqanitawase inclusion in the extended reserves working back from a syndesmosis injury suffered five weeks ago. The fact he and Tom Rodwell are both on the extended reserves could be due to the fact Cody Ramsey copped a knock to his leg late in the loss to the Storm. 

Cowboys v Dolphins, Saturday 5.30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium 

Cowboys: Thomas Mikaele remains at prop on the run-on sheet after a knee concern landed the prop with an early shower last week. Another returning from an Origin rest is Reuben Cotter who’s picked at lock forward, shifting Matt Lodge back to the pine.  

Dolphins: The Origin troops return to their places in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Tom Flegler.Interestingly so does the versatile Max Plath slated back at dummy half even with Jeremy Marshall-King back on deck. JMK will instead run out with the No.14 on his back. 38.14% of coaches can sigh in relief with Herbie Farnworth found back in the starting side after being a red dot showing for the last two weeks. Moreover Kodi Nikorima takes back his five-eighth role after also working through hamstring concerns which sees Brad Schneider moving back to the six-man interchange. 

Broncos v Titans, Saturday 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium 

Broncos: No Pat Carrigan or Gehamat Shibasaki as the injury bug continues to bite in Brisbane. Xavier Willison owners are the big winners of the Carrigan injury as he shifts to lock and Jack Gosiewski is the new back-rower while Grant Anderson will start at left centre. Ezra Mam is also battling to overcome a finger concern and is only named on the bench with youngster Thomas Duffy starting in his stead. 

Titans: Queensland representatives Tino Fa’asumaleaui and Jojo Fifita are the inclusions for the Titans after their Round 13 bye. Klese Haas and Jaylan De Groot slide to the bench while Cooper Bai holds out Chris Randall for the lock position with the latter only named on the interchange. 

Wests Tigers v Panthers, Sunday 2.00pm at CommBank Stadium 

Wests Tigers: Alex Twal is out this week as expected after suffering a lower leg injury in the win over the Bulldogs. Depending on the severity of the injury a straight swap to Terrell May could be the best move here. Charlie Murray is the new lock while Mavrik Geyer replaces the injured Sione Fainu on the left edge. Expect youngster Ethan Roberts to get a lot of game time there after being named in the 19 alongside Bunty Afoa as the new faces to the six-man interchange.

Panthers: Penrith welcome back Origin heroes Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o with Jack Cogger, Liam Henry and Izack Tago all shifting to the bench. Cleary is an obvious captain candidate this week if you held him. 

Sharks v Dragons, Sunday 4.05pm at Ocean Protect Stadium 

Sharks: No Nicho Hynes to be found amongst team lists again this week, giving credit to the reported timely calf recovery efforts. This marks Braydon Trindall as a strong trade in target after a big performance last week when taking on the reins of dominant half. With Blayke Brailey’s broken arm diagnosis and having to face his own time on the sideline, NSW Cup hooker Jayden Berrell earns a recall to the top grade. After his HIA while on Origin duties, Briton Nikora is welcomed back into the ranks, this shifts the double tryscorer Billy Burns back to the bench. While Round 13 late scratching KL Iro is also amongst the reserves after a knee injury led to the star centre missing out on last week's victory. 

Dragons: Fresh off their first win, the Red V have again named Jacob Liddle to return from injury off the bench, after Liddle withdrew in the 24-hour cutdown last week. This will likely see an end to Damien Cook’s 80 minute punch cards moving forward. Jaydn Su'A is another familiar face found amongst the extended lists as he pushing for his return after first a suspension, then training mishap has seen him MIA for the past seven weeks. 

Bulldogs v Eels, Monday 4.05pm at Accor Stadium 

Bulldogs: Both Connor Tracey and Marcelo Montoya can be found lurking within the extended interchange spots pushing for their injury returns and ones to keep an eye on with the updated lists throughout the weekend. Though returning last week empty-handed, Bulldogs coaching staff back in the same 17 for the time being with only a minor shuffle of Sean O'Sullivan and Logan Spinks added to the back of the pine.  

Eels: Jason Ryles is also happy to announce the same 1 to 17 from last round after the injury stricken pack’s courageous effort landing them just short of the win against the Knights. Harrison Edwards shifts back to the bench with Tallyn Da Silva named to start although regular rake Ryley Smith is amongst the reserves this week and could be a late call-up ahead of kick off Monday afternoon. 

 

With trades becoming a premium as a lot of coaches hit the single digits this week, every trade from here is important. If you are in need of any advice, shoot through your query to thelonescout@nrl.com.au and I will look to get you into this Thursday Q&A column. 

Also stay tuned for my second Strength of Origin Bye Schedule article set to drop this week to provide analysis on the back half of the major and minor bye period, these of course, will all be found through the week on NRL.com.