Lone Scout's Fantasy Team List analysis: Round 17

We are back to a full eight games this weekend which means 17 players will count towards your team’s score this round. 

With a few key players returning, it’s time to take a look at how the team lists will affect your roster for Round 17. 

Eels v Rabbitohs, Thursday 7.50pm at CommBank Stadium

Eels: With Blues duties completed and also having worked back from a hamstring tear, Parramatta’s commander Mitch Moses’ inclusion is a welcome sight for both Eels and footy fans alike and will celebrate his 250th game in front of a jam-packed home crowd. Ronald Volkman who took on halfback in Moses’ absence will now partner him in No.6, with Joash Papalii the one referred back to the six-man bench. Once again Tallyn Da Silva is named to start with Harrison Edwards in jumper 17 but expect the two to swap come game day. 

Rabbitohs: The sole representive player for Souths, Cam Murray, is also found amongst the run-on side, taking back his post at lock. Ashton Ward continues to start at halfback leaving Jamie Humphreys to again work from the pine, most likely deputising for Brandon Smith at dummy half. Tallis Duncan again lines up at centre with the Rabbitohs' forward stocks posing a conundrum to owners. Euan Aitken and David Fifita are the beneficiaries at present but these spots have switched around all season long and all three are firm holds for now. 

Titans v Bulldogs, Friday 6.00pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: With young gun Cooper Bai now going through HIA protocols, HOK/MID Chris Randall will now start in the No.13 jersey. Maroons enforcer Tino Fa'asuamaleaui slots straight back into prop after not having to back up post-Origin. He will no doubt be itching to roll on from the club's monumental upset win over Penrith. One further forced change up comes with Jaylan De Groot recalled to cover rookie winger Jensen Taumoepeau who suffered a dislocated ankle during last week’s win which results in a likely line put through the rest of his season.

Bulldogs: After upsetting Manly in Round 16, the Bulldogs look to leave things unchanged which gives Stephen Crichton an encore in the five-eighth role and Matt Burton remains at centre. Sitili Tupouniua is facing an extended period in the bleachers after suffering a torn hamstring which sees Josh Curran getting an opportunity to start at EDG. Reinforcements aren't too far away however with Jacob Preston lurking in the extended squad and he will be one to look at after Canterbury’s Round 18 bye.  

Broncos v Roosters, Friday 8.00pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: A fresh new halves pairing is announced with Ben Hunt joining Thomas Duffy in the starting gig with both Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam unavailable. Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs all return from rep duty and are named to start, this sees Hayze Perham and Josh Rogers relegated back to the interchange and youngster Antonio Verhoeven returning to Queensland Cup duties.  

Roosters: Minimal changes put forward by the Tricolours with Hugo Savala getting the all clear from concussion protocols to step straight back to his No.3 jersey. This slides Billy Smith back to the wing and demotes Tommy Talau to the back of the bench. Nat Butcher remains in the starting edge position with Angus Crichton likely out for a number of weeks with a foot injury.

Dolphins v Warriors, Saturday 3.00pm at Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins: Isaiya Katoa is listed for a return from a knee injury which occurred in NSW camp which saw him miss last Saturday’s victory. This means Brad Schneider joins the bench along with the temporary starting duo of Felise Kaufusi and Oryn Keeley with Origin stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Max Plath, Tom Flegler and Selwyn Cobbo all now back on deck. Moreover, Trai Fuller and Tavita Naufahu are the ones to make way in the listings and are found amongst the reserves.

Warriors: With the heavy loss of Jackson Ford who went down with a pectoral injury in Christchurch last week, Tanner Stowers-Smith earns back a promotion to the starting outfit. Having backed up last week against the Cowboys, Mitch Barnett will again start from kick-off alongside back-rower Kurt Capewell who himself was rested after his Origin efforts last Wednesday night. 

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

Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo moves back into the starting line-up for his 300th NRL game. Tom Mikaele joins him at prop with Griffin Neame and Coen Hess sliding back to the bench and John Bateman moving to the reserves. Although Bateman could be a late call-up come kick-off like he was last week. 

Panthers: Returning NSW stars Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o all take their regular positions although still no sign of the injured Casey McLean (quad). Izack Tago keeps the centre spot ahead of Luke Garner who goes onto the bench, joined by Jack Cogger and Liam Henry. 

Sea Eagles v Storm, Saturday 7.35pm at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: Three more injuries for Manly last weekend with Brandon Wakeham, Kobe Hetherington and Reuben Garrick all unable to go this week. Josh Feledy is the new centre while Jake Simpkin and Ethan Bullemor return to the starting pack with Aaron Schoupp, Blake Wilson and Jackson Shereb getting the vacant spots on the interchange. Expect exciting rookie Joe Walsh to get some game time in this one with Luke Brooks likely to spell Simpkin at dummy half and Walsh to move into the halves. 

Storm: Melbourne have lost key spine member Jahrome Hughes for this one after he went off injured very late in the win against the Raiders. Tyran Wishart returns from injury just in time to deputise at halfback while Harry Grant comes back into the run-on side after starting from the bench last Sunday.

Raiders v Dragons, Sunday 2.00pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Simi Sasagi returns from a six-week lay-off with a shoulder injury supplanting Seb Kris at centre with Kris shifting to the interchange. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is sticking with Owen Pattie in the starting No.9 and Tom Starling coming off the pine. 

Dragons: The only changes to the Dragons after their narrow loss to the Knights last Friday come in the last two spots on their bench with Jacob Halangahu and Nick Tsougranis coming into the squad. 

Knights v Wests Tigers, Sunday 4.05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas were late omissions last week but both come back into the starting side for this match with Sandon Smith and Thomas Cant sliding onto the interchange. Jermaine McEwen is also back from a club imposed suspension and Francis Manuleleua is now in the extended reserves with Lachlan Crouch named in No.18 for potentially his NRL debut.

Wests Tigers: Great news for Wests Tigers fans and Fantasy coaches alike with both Adam Doueihi and Alex Twal returning from injury. Doueihi is probably a watch for the first few games while owners who held Twal will be content to play him off the bat. Jeral Skelton is the other change to the starting line-up, taking the place of injured centre Patrick Herbert, with Starford To’A moving over to the right side and Skelton lining up at left wing. Promising cash cow Alex Seyfarth has been relegated to the bench with Tony Sukkar remaining at right edge for now. 

 

Got issues with your Fantasy team or trades this week and need advice? Get those questions through to thelonescout@nrl.com.au to make my Q&A column dropping each and every Thursday.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check it out, especially the weekly trade in and trade out tier listings to give your team the leg-up on your competition. And as always be sure to keep up to date with all the latest news and updates all found on NRL.com.