Lone Scout's Fantasy Team List analysis: Round 16

Origin Two is here and team lists are in as we have three teams on bye and therefore only our 13 starters scoring once again. 

Let’s take a look at the team announcements with a special eye on who is named to back up from Origin, who is in the reserves and who is out altogether. 

Knights v Dragons, Friday 8.00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Good news for Knights fans with Bradman Best returning in the backline which causes Fletcher Hunt to head to the bench. Further good news for fantasy coaches as Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas are named to start post Origin Two in Melbourne. One time cash cow Thomas Cant comes into the backrow replacing the suspended Jermaine McEwen who is due back next week. 

Dragons: No major changes for a Dragons team looking for just their second win of the season. Luciano Leilua comes back into the squad after playing NSW Cup two weeks back. He replaces the injured Jaydn Su’A who may not be able to return this year after suffering a pec injury against the Sharks in Round 14. 

Wests Tigers v Dolphins, Saturday 3.00pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Wests Tigers: Another key injury with Kai Pearce-Paul suffering a torn pectoral muscle on Sunday. Tony Sukkar is the new edge back-rower while Apisai Koroisau returns from NSW duties at hooker. On the bench is exciting rookie Josese Lanyon who deputised in Koroisau’s absence last week. Joining him is Heamasi Makasini who was a late withdrawal last weekend, with Patrick Herbert remaining in the centres and Starford To’A named on the wing. 

Dolphins: Coach Kristian Woolf has kept the same 19 that won comfortably over the Roosters with Trai Fuller getting the No.1 jersey in a boon to his owners. Woolf has named Jack Bostock to start despite being a late call-up to NSW camp and Max Plath and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the emergencies but resisted the urge to include Queensland starters Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo or Thomas Flegler. 

Titans v Panthers, Saturday 5.30pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: Queensland stars Tino Fa’asumaleaui and Jojo Fifita return at the expense of Klese Haas and Jaylan De Groot who shift back to the bench much like what happened after Origin One. Lachlan Ilias joins the interchange while Sam Verrills is back amongst the emergencies and could steal some minutes from rookie rake Oliver Pascoe if he is promoted come game day. 

Panthers: Much like three weeks ago, Ivan Cleary has only named his NSW players in the emergencies as the Panthers continue to dominate the season. Izack Tago and Luke Garner are the new centre pairing with Casey McLean out injured and Paul Alamoti sliding to the wing. Jack Cogger will play halfback and Liam Henry joins the run-on side with Billy Phillips, Luron Patea and Billy Scott among the new faces in the 19. 

Bulldogs v Sea Eagles, Saturday 7.35pm at Accor Stadium

Bulldogs: Kurt Mann comes back in at hooker for the home side with Bailey Hayward shifting to the bench in the Bulldogs only major change from their King’s Birthday win over the Eels. Stephen Crichton has been named in the centres despite being ruled out from the Blues line-up for Origin Two.

Sea Eagles: A big in for the Sea Eagles with Tom Trbojevic returning from a hamstring injury at fullback in a straight swap for the injured Clayton Faulalo. Ethan Bullemor is also back via the pine, joined by Jake Simpkin who switches starting duties with Brandon Wakeham. Blues centre Tolatau Koula has been named by Kieran Foran to back up from Origin as the visitors only representative this time around. 

Warriors v Cowboys, Sunday 2.00pm (AEST) at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

Warriors: Taking the cautious route, Warriors coach Andrew Webster has submitted his team list with his Origin talent in Mitchell Barnett and Kurt Capewell in the reserves. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has the gig on the wing after taking over from Alofiana Khan-Pereira (quad contusion) mid-game last week. Luke Metcalf has moved up into the six-man bench this week, after only being in the reserves last round and eventually sent to play for the Warriors NSW Cup side.  

Cowboys: After their Round 15 bye, all Origin stars are set to return to their posts pending injury for North Queensland. Line-ups did include Reuben Cotter in Round 13 originally, however he was pulled in updates before game time so keep an extra eye on team list cutdowns. With the return of Braidon Burns, Zac Laybutt shifts in one to centre while Jaxon Purdue gets an opportunity in the five-eighth jersey with Liam Sutton rotated to the bench. His first inclusion in team lists for 2026, international back-rower John Bateman is allocated the No. 20 and may get his first NRL run since Round 26 last year.  

Storm v Raiders, Sunday 4.05pm at AAMI Park

Storm: Given Melbourne will play host for Origin Two this week, we see Maroons stars Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero all cast to play on with the luxury of four days rest and no travel required. Jack Howarth is welcomed back to the outfit, alongside Tyran Wishart with the pair now cleared for play and will run out at centre and utility reserve respectively as the Storm chase their third win on the trot. 

Raiders: Both Hudson Young and Ethan Strange listed to play after they are clear of their NSW duties. This reverts Ata Mariota and Daine Laurie back to the pine. Jed Stuart is another making way to the interchange with Savelio Tamale slotting straight back to wing having cleared HIA protocols. Ethan Sanders is more assured of his halfback role with Coby Black sliding to the reserves after being listed as an interchange possibility against the Eels last Saturday. 

Roosters v Sharks, Sunday 31 May, 6.15pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: All seven Origin representatives are slated to line up as normal with the handy four-day back-up helping prepare them for club duties. With Hugo Savala failing a HIA against the Dolphins he will sit this one out allowing Tommy Talau to remain at wing and Billy Smith at centre despite Sam Walker returning to the halves. Debutants and tryscorers Toby Rodwell and Rex Bassingthwaighte are both found on the interchange so may still get a look into the Sydney showdown although Bassingthwaighte has his own Origin duties to recover from as he is playing on Thursday night in the Under 19s game. Cody Ramsey, Benaiah Ioelu and Egan Butcher all switch to standby mode in the reserves. 

Sharks: We also find the two Sharks Origin stars set to back up with their regular inclusion in the forward pack. Key playmaker Nicho Hynes is found amongst the reserves and could be on for a return to the field. Braydon Trindall owners will still likely see another 1-2 weeks worth of cash rises but may see a dip in Fantasy results once Hynes is back on deck. Another familiar name in Blayke Brailey is also found in the extended seats, the dummy half is chasing his own return to the pitch from a broken arm suffered only three weeks ago. The Sharks have a bye next week so the extra rest could be worth waiting for in the case of both Hynes and Brailey. 

 

Make sure to look out for Thursdays Q&A on NRL.com as well as the updated team lists 24 hours and then 90 minutes before each game especially this week as State of Origin often cause changes ahead of each game. With trades dwindling putting pressure on every one of them used, those of you in need of any NRL Fantasy advice, send your requests to thelonescout@nrl.com.au.