NRL 2026, NRL Fantasy, Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 16

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Thu 18 Jun 2026, 10:01 AM

Not many trades to go but thankfully those extra eight trades in Round 20 aren’t too far away.

Three bye rounds left and enough green dots for us this week to play with so lets get into those questions.

Get in early when team lists are revealed on Tuesdays and get those questions in to thelonescout@nrl.com.au.

NRL Fantasy Podcast - Episode 17

Q: With Kai Pearce-Paul being out for an extended amount of time, who is best to trade in for him if you can't afford Terrell May? I’m thinking Joe Tapine as I’m not playing bye rounds so Raiders missing Round 18 won’t matter. - Finn

A: Tapine is a strong choice, but if you have the funds, Haumole Olakau'atu is your best trade in. Siua Wong is another good choice at EDG. Jack Williams is a dual position option scoring 50+ each week but has limited upside beyond that. For straight MID players Leo Thompson is scoring similar to Tapine or for a cash down option to put funds towards another trade Cam McInnes is still cheap and set to increase in value after a great score last round.

Mighty Helpful player of the round: Keano Kini

Q: Who are the best buys under $600k? Any position, but perhaps favouring WFB or CTR. - Peter

A: Assuming bye rounds are being played and a focus also, for CTRs and WFB I have KL Iro, Taylan May and Keano Kini. The Titans fullback won’t play Round 18 so is a little riskier, especially given his normal scoring profile. If you can wait a week there is also Isaiah Iongi who I rate a tiny bit higher than those three mentioned beforehand. For other positions I have Cam McInnes and Fletcher Sharpe as great “buy low” options this week.

First take: Wests Tigers v Dolphins

Q: I have Kai Pearce-Paul, Patrick Herbert and Heamasi Makasini. Wondering who to trade KPP out for. Also I have to play one of Herbert or Makasini. Should I trade one of them for a better centre or wing/fullback or which one should I play this week? - Gus

A: Pearce-Paul to Haumole Olakau'atu is the best trade advice for top EDG to a Top EDG player, you have the other options noted above or for a big cashout Alex Seyfarth will free up significant funds to improve later trade options and upgrades. The issue with Seyfarth is he may lose all his game time when Alex Twal returns. For the second part of your question, it will depend on how many trades you have and what funds you have available but I would definitely look at upgrading at least one of those two. If you can't afford the top guys in Herbie Farnworth, Tom Chester or KL Iro you could look at a cheaper option in Bradman Best though I would just watch him this week.

Q: Who are the best hooker options that play the remaining bye rounds and aren't affected by Origin for Reece Robson? - Ayden

A: With both of the top two second highest owned hookers in Harry Grant and Oliver Pascoe missing Round 18 most are currently without a HOK for that round. Unfortunately the best option isn’t known to us just yet as it will come down to either of Api Koroisau or Blayke Brailey, whichever isn’t selected as the back-up hooker for NSW for Origin Three. Alternatively if Jeremy Marshall-King can prove he will get close to the full game week on week, he could be the answer but is still a watch for now.

First take: Warriors v Cowboys

Q: Matt Timoko or Jack Bostock at CTR? Nathan Cleary, Te Maire Martin, Dylan Brown or Jayden Campbell at HLF? Damien Cook or Oliver Pascoe at HOK? Also tempted to trade in Alex Seyfarth but is he just another Cooper Bai disaster waiting to happen? - Brendan

A: Only 13 count this week so these queries will be affecting a lot of owners. I would play Jack Bostock over Matt Timoko for CTR unless Bostock gets significant game time on Wednesday night. Stick with Nathan Cleary at HLF along with Dylan Brown and make sure you have Jayden Campbell ahead of Te Maire Martin on your bench (in case Cleary is a late out so you can loop). If you are really clever you could have a person on bye ahead of Campbell so if he scores poorly you could pop Martin above him after the Titans have played. Oliver Pascoe is the safer option at HOK with Jacob Liddle at No.14. Alex Seyfarth is a good option for some fast money, however make sure you are needing the EDG and have a plan to upgrade when needed. Seyfarth just needs one more good game to keep the cash rises rolling until the end of the Origin period at which time you can move on when you get the extra eight trades.

Q: I have seven trades left going into Round 16 and was thinking Ethan Sanders to Jacob Kiraz and Cooper Bai to Alex Seyfath. Hoping Seyfarth will be a number in 18 and 19 and also generate some cash to help move for Haas in Round 20. – Bill (Ireland)

A: If that will work out and get you the funds needed for Haas it makes sense, just remember Kiraz won’t be playing Round 18 so instead you could look at the alternative CTRs or WFB in the upper tier lists below. Seyfarth is a risk, but having Haas on the final stretch will be pretty much a must have. I would still recommend selling Seyfarth around Round 20.

Mighty Buy Round 13: Haumole Olakau'atu

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 16

With only the three remaining bye rounds left, our trade in and outs tiers will aim at those remaining rounds with teams that play Round 18 being the main indicator. Knowing you can start 11-12 is recommended for Round 18, provided you have the trades and won’t weaken your team overall (i.e. look to hold on to as many of your gun players not playing Round 18 as possible as one decent score will likely not be worth missing out on a top-level scorer for the remaining nine games).

Note: Those focusing on just Head-to-Head competitions, especially those not playing bye rounds be aware. During this 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.