Lone Scout's Fantasy Team List analysis: Round 15

With the Origin team lists finalised we prepare for another one of those challenging major bye rounds and five games of footy spread out over the weekend.   

Do remember we are back to only your starting 13 players scoring points this round. 

We take a closer look at the initial rosters to ponder the options available as we attempt to back fill our squads for this weekend’s games. 

Rabbitohs v Broncos, Thursday 7.50pm at Accor Stadium 

Rabbitohs: In tribute to Jai Arrow, he has been named at No.23 this week to honour his retirement. With just Cameron Murray absent with Origin duties for Soth Sydney, Lachlan Hubner is recalled to start at lock forward. With Campbell Graham sidelined with calf issues, Tallis Duncan will switch into the less desirable centre position with Euan Aitken taking the back-row slot in a boost for his coaches but a disappointment for Duncan owners. Souths coach Wayne Bennett has all hands on deck with Jamie Humphreys and Jayden Sullivan found on the interchange this week alongside Bronson Garlick with Brandon Smith starting nine but still a wait and see for now.  

Broncos: With Kotoni Staggs holding on to his Blues jersey and both Payne Haas and Reece Walsh recalled to represent their respective states, a few forced changes were implemented by coach Michael Maguire who is looking to end the five-game losing streak ongoing. Antonio Verhoeven is set to cover Staggs at CTR, Hayze Perham jumps in to cover Walsh at No.1 and Josh Rogers joins the interchange. With Kiwi international Jordan Riki recovered from foot surgery undertaken in May, he will cover the back row and Jack Gosiewski reprises his role at prop to cover for Haas.   

Dolphins v Roosters, Friday 8.00pm at Suncorp Stadium 

Dolphins: The one to watch for the team updates this week is Isaiya Katoa as he is currently in as 21st man in Blues camp but this may change if Mitch Moses has a setback. Trai Fuller will return to his temporary spot at fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on representative duties. Further Origin shuffles result in Felise Kaufusi stepping in for Thomas Flegler at prop, Oryn Keeley coming in for Kulikefu Finefeuiaki at the edge forward position and Tevita Naufahu lining up on the wing in place of Selwyn Cobbo. Max Plath is also off in Maroons camp allowing Brad Schneider to step back in to the utility No.14 jumper.  

Roosters: Seven Origin representatives from the Roosters causes a massive reshuffle to the team. Out are Sam Walker, Robert Toia, Lindsay Collins, Reece Robson, Victory Radley, James Tedesco and Mark Nawaqanitawase, who earned a late call-up to NSW camp yesterday. Half-turned-centre Hugo Savala will return to his previous placement at five-eighth, Cody Ramsey fills the big shoes of skipper Tedesco and Tommy Talau will run out for his first time in the Tricolours on the wing. The remaining spots of centre will be taken up by Egan Butcher who will start in the backs after filling in there a few times over the past month and debutant Reece Foley, having impressed coaches through the NSW Cup side at five-eighth. In the forwards Salesi Foketi will cover at lock alongside Connor Watson grabbing the hooker gig and five new players join the bench including Benaiah Ioelu, Taylor Losalu and Rex Bassingthwaighte.   

Warriors v Sharks, Saturday 5.30pm (AEST) at Go Media Stadium 

Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is racing against the clock as he pushes for his return from a neck injury and is found amongst the extended reserves sitting alongside out of favour half Luke Metcalf. With a calf injury to frontman James Fisher-Harris, Tanner Stowers-Smith will relieve the captain at prop. Also working through hamstring issues is Leka Halasima, allowing Marata Niukore to return to the run-on side in the second row. Another debutant to take the stage is Makaia Tafua who will join the interchange alongside Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jason Seu Salalilo and Jye Linnane. 

Sharks: Having set the bar high, Billy Burns will chase his efforts from his last starting role when he jagged a brace as he slots in for Briton Nikora. Jesse Colquhoun is also back starting but this time at prop to step up for NSW’s Addin Fonua-Blake. Jesse Ramien is named in the centres having been a late scratching last weekend, Mawene Hiroti moves to the bench. Also involved in a late swap last week, Jayden Berrell is named in the starting dummy-half role according to the initial lists with Hohepu Puru in No.18 and long-time winger Sione Katoa is another lurking in the extended reserves as he works his way back from injury.  

Eels v Raiders, Saturday 7.35pm at CommBank Stadium

Eels: For the third week running and missing out on the chocolates each time, the dwindling injury stocks force coach Jason Ryles to stick with the same 1-19 again this week. The main change is simply that Tallyn Da Silva continues to wear No.9 despite being surpassed by utility Harrison Edwards come game day the past two outings. Mitch Moses is held out after being named for Origin and therefore unavailable for selection, the regular skipper is yet to lace up the boots for Parramatta since Magic Round nearly a month ago. 

Raiders: Reported to have picked up a glute complaint during last week, Ethan Sanders is slated for play through on Saturday afternoon although Coby Black is lurking on the interchange. Also joining the bench is rookie forwards Vena Patuki Case and Joe Roddy. Sebastian Kris clears concussion from the week prior and returns to centre, pushing the ever-versatile Daine Laurie into five-eighth to cover NSW star from Game 1 Ethan Strange. Ata Mariota is the player slated to take over from fellow Blue Hudson Young while Jed Stuart is the one to answers the call on the wing with Savelio Tamale in his own HIA protocols.  

Wests Tigers v Titans, Sunday 4.05pm at Leichhardt Oval 

Wests Tigers: A few key players return including Taylan May and Starford To’a in the centres and Sione Fainu at lock. Intriguing cheapie Heamasi Makasini shifts to the wing where he could get some more attacking opportunities. The home side do lose co-captain Apisai Koroisau to Blues duties with Latu Fainu taking his spot at dummy half while Lebanon’s Tony Sukkar will play edge with Mavrik Geyer reverting to the bench. Also on the pine is centre Patrick Herbert who some coaches may still own from earlier in the year. 

Titans: Queensland representatives Tino Fa’asumaleaui and Jojo Fifita once again are missing as they will be playing in Melbourne next Wednesday night. Klese Haas and Jaylan De Groot are again their replacements at prop and centre respectively. 

 

As always be quick to get those questions through to thelonescout@nrl.com.au for my Q&A due out this Thursday.

And ensure to check out my deep dive analysis into the bye schedule to best assist your trade ins, holds and trade outs.