NRL Fantasy: Lone Scout's Strength of Origin Bye Schedule - Rounds 15-19

With the first set of bye rounds under our belt, we now need to pivot and look to the remaining four left in 2026.  

The Lone Scout is here to help you through the remaining Origin period and highlight the best teams and players to bring in, hold throughout, or who to sell over the next few weeks.  

Things to consider during this period:

• Round 15, 16, 18 and 19 will only count the starting 13 towards your overall score. Therefore if you have surplus players in any position (e.g. two hookers or three halves), only your starters will count. 
• Some head-to-head leagues will not play in the above rounds, check your settings and if you aren’t worried about your overall score, you may be able to hold these players. 
• DPPs are adjusted in Round 14 and eight trades are added in Round 20 so this will help you get through this difficult period.

Tier 1 – Dolphins, Sharks and West Tigers

• Play all remaining major and minor bye rounds 

Given these teams will all play the remaining four bye rounds, you won’t need to restrict yourself too much with players from these teams just make sure you have cover for when these teams have their final bye round in a normal week later in the season.

Top recommended buys/holds: Herbie Farnworth (CTR), Isaiya Katoa (HLF), Jack Bostock (CTR/WFB), Braydon Trindall (HLF), Terrell May (MID), Kai Pierce-Paul (EDG), Jahream Bula (WFB), Api Koroisau (HOK) [if not named for NSW] 

Top recommended sells: Max Plath (HOK/MID), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (EDG), Briton Nikora (EDG)

Tier 2 - Rabbitohs and Eels

• Both teams will only miss Round 16 

Considering most fantasy owned players are available in Round 16, you can easily afford to bring in players from these sides without much impact on numbers for bye rounds. In fact, it will be handy to have some looping options in that round as only 13 count to your final score. Also note Round 16 is the final bye round for the Rabbitohs while the Eels still have one bye remaining in Round 20.

Top recommended buys/holds: Tallis Duncan (EDG), David Fifita (EDG), Jack Williams (MID/EDG), Isaiah Iongi (WFB), Latrell Siegwalt (WFB) 

Top recommended sells and avoids: Mitch Moses (HLF), Cam Murray (MID)

Tier 3 - Warriors, Raiders, Titans, Roosters and Broncos

• Miss Round 18 (Warriors, Raiders, Titans, Roosters)
• Miss Round 16 & 19 (Broncos)

Buy players from these teams in moderation and ensure you have the coverage or trades to have a full team list for the other weeks. Broncos should be easier to cover depending how many Origin players you own and if they decide to back up or not.

Top recommended buys/holds: Jackson Ford (MID), Erin Clark (MID), Te Maire Martin (HLF), Joe Tapine (MID), Ethan Sanders (HLF), Corey Horsburgh (MID) [if not named for QLD], Jayden Campbell (HLF), Oliver Pascoe (HOK), Siua Wong (EDG), Xavier Willison (MID/EDG), Reece Walsh (WFB) [if not named for QLD], Payne Haas (MID) [after Round 16] 

Top recommended sells: Ethan Strange (HLF), Cooper Bai (MID), Sam Walker (HLF), Pat Carrigan (MID) 

Tier 4 - Sea Eagles, Knights

• Miss Round 15

Round 15 appears to be the more difficult of the remaining bye rounds to fill based on current player ownerships. Without killing all your trades this may be the week to play a few players down to save a few trades in the case of injuries or loss of position. If you like a Manly or Knights player, try and hold off and bring them in for Round 16 or later.

Top recommended buys/holds: Jamal Fogarty (HLF), Haumole Olakau'atu (EDG), Ben Trbojevic (EDG), Clayton Faulalo (WFB), Dylan Lucas (EDG) [if not named for NSW], Kalyn Ponga (WFB).

Top recommended sells: Tolutau Koula (CTR)

Tier 5 – Dragons and Panthers

• Will miss major bye Round 15 and minor bye Round 19

While a few numbers would already be held here given the fantasy relevancy for both of these teams, only look to hold through here and check to ensure you can still field as close as you can to a full 13 for the bye rounds. Also avoid buying any from this team until after the Origin period is done.

Top recommended holds: Toby Couchman (MID/EDG), Ryan Couchman (MID/EDG), Hamish Stewart (MID/EDG), Nathan Cleary (HLF), Dylan Edwards (WFB), Isaiah Papali'i (MID/EDG). 

Top recommended sells: Isaah Yeo (MID), Setu Tu (WFB) 

Tier 6 – Bulldogs, Cowboys and Storm

• Won’t play either of Round 15 or 18’s major bye rounds 

You will want to restrict the players being held for these teams to strictly keepers that you will want to hold for the rest of the season or cash cows not yet priced out. Further to that, both Cowboys and the Storm are yet to have a single bye, try and avoid any purchases from these three teams until after the Origin period. 

Top recommended holds: Jacob Kiraz (CTR/WFB), Matt Burton (HLF), Lachlan Galvin (HLF), Tom Chester (CTR/WFB), Heilum Luki (EDG) [if not named for QLD], Sualauvi Fa’alogo (WFB), Harry Grant (HOK). 

Top recommended sells: Scott Drinkwater (WFB), Jake Clifford (HLF), Thomas Mikaele (MID), Reuben Cotter (MID), Heilum Luki (EDG) [if named for QLD]. 

I hope this continues to help those coaches who have been asking about trade targets as Origin rolls on. Also stay tuned to my weekly segments of Winners and Losers, TLT Analysis and our ever-popular Thursday Q&A where we will answer your burning questions.