NRL 2026, NRL Fantasy, Lone Scout's Fantasy Q and A round 17

Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q & A: Round 17

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Thu 25 Jun 2026, 08:01 AM

Back to 17 players to score this week and plenty of green dots to play!

This is our best chance of saving trades ahead of the all-important final two bye rounds starting next week.

With plenty of you already planning your team changes for the next few weeks, as soon as those team lists are revealed get those questions in to thelonescout@nrl.com.au to avoid missing out on getting your question answered.

Also check out the trade in and trade out tier listings at the bottom of this column.

NRL Fantasy Podcast - Episode 17

Q: With Sam Verrills in contention for Oliver Pascoe's minutes, should Pascoe be traded out? If so, who would the next best hooker solution be and what is Jeremy Marshall-King’s job security like? Thoughts on trading in Tom Trbojevic being a POD, or is he too risky? Finally with Luke Metcalf back on board, how much will he be a threat to Te Maire Martin? - Schone

A: Pascoe unfortunately looks like he will be a trade. However, I believe we can hold on for one more week to make sure. The best HOK option for Round 18 and onwards would be Jeremy Marshall-King (JMK) or whichever Blues back-up that isn’t selected to be on the bench for Origin Three in Blayke Brailey or Apisai Koroisau. JMK’s job security is fine if you want to move right away, however holding Pascoe the one more week will also give us a look at JMK’s rotation minutes with Max Plath back.

Tom Trbojevic is a POD and a tempting one at that. His inclusion in your side will mostly come down to your risk tolerance and the amount of remaining trades you have more than anything else. Personally I prefer to see more back-to-back games for me to consider him in my side.

Luke Metcalf is yet to take the field and has been included within the last two team lists for the Warriors. As they are winning or at least hyper-competitive we can play Te Maire Martin with confidence, but as always, keep an eye on the updated team lists and if able have a loop option available on the bench just in case.

First take: Sea Eagles v Storm

Q: I have Kai Pearce-Paul and Jackson Ford to offload. Was thinking of going Haumole Olakau'atu and Alex Twal, depending on Origin and fitness? What’s your thoughts? I already have Payne Haas, Erin Clark, Terrell May, Heilum Luki, Salesi Foketi and Ryan Couchman in my forwards. - Steve

A: With most of these owned players missing in Round 18 I would at least get one of the two suggested. Considering you have a full squad this week, I would wait on the Origin line-up news and make the trade next week. This way you can prioritise Haumole Olakau'atu in the EDG position, given most of your players are MID only.

Q: Wondering if I should do a four-man trade out with Jock Madden, Patrick Herbert, Jackson Ford and James Tedesco. Wondering who I should keep out of those injuries and who to trade the rest for. - Gus

A: Definitely with extra scorers needed this week it is a good time to make a big move in the trade department. The only one of these four I would hold is James Tedesco, as now you have held him this far through the Origin period, he will likely come good and start making money again. For the other three, take a look at my tier list below for best trade-in targets and try and give some thought to those playing both of Rounds 18 or 19 or those you wish to keep for the rest of the year.

First take: Broncos v Roosters

Q: I need two outside backs for Round 18 do I sell James Tedesco, Keano Kini or Reece Walsh? And who should I bring in? - Oliver

A: My biggest advice is to hold this week and make the trade next week. Kini is playing well of late, while Tedesco and Walsh are likely to play Origin but then become two of the top WFB’s to own on the run home. Walsh will miss the next two games thanks to the Broncos' Round 19 bye so if you have to move him on, look at Herbie Farnworth, Isaiah Iongi or depending how he tracks in his second game back, Tom Trbojevic.

Q: Jackson Ford is my only out this week with the pectoral injury, I have two trades left to last until the extra eight trades in Round 20. I have plenty of MID/EDG cover but wondering if I trade Ford and if so to who? I also only have Harry Grant and Oliver Pascoe as my HOK’s, considering Sam Verrils is again listed on the bench, should I look for a better HOK option to replace Pascoe? - Ethan

Mighty Buy Round 17: Jeremy Marshall-King

A: With only two trades left, if you have a full squad this week I would hold and maximise next week, in case your new trade in gets injured before next week and look at who is an option then as not many lower priced options available this week. For Pascoe an easy swap is Jeremy Marshall-King given the similar price point but you could definitely wait another week.

Q: Do you think it is worth trading Ethan Sanders to Latrell Siegwalt with Sanders likely to lose more money and will free up cash for a later trade. I have Tony Sukkar and Alex Seyfarth already so I feel like there isn’t any decent other downgrade options. Or is Sanders a hold? - Diego

A: If you need a WFB and have the HLF position sorted I would make this trade but remember there is a security concern with Campbell Graham and Jack Wighton reported to only be out a further 1-2 weeks from injury. Preferably, you can wait until next round as there is little in the way of good cash down options this week.

Q: With Jackson Ford injured and Alex Seyfaryth dropped to the bench, and having 150k salary remaining, who would be the best trade targets with Te Maire Martin, Oliver Pascoe, Latrell Siegwalt and Tom Chester on my bench? - Finn

A: I would check the tier listings below first. If you can field a full 17 this week, you could wait and jump on one of the top two-tier listings next week to bolster your numbers then.

First take: Cowboys v Panthers

Q: I have no hooker and no half for Round 18, but already have three halves (Nathan Cleary, Te Maire Martin, Jayden Campbell). Thinking about trading Ford and Mahoney with 50k in the bank? - Harry

A: Again you’ll likely want to wait until Origin lists have been announced and we are clear of Round 17 injuries and suspensions before making a big move. One cheap half on offer that you could look at is Fletcher Sharpe, he started fast last week and could go massive any given match-up. Personally I would consider running one half next week and holding the big three you already own, in the hooker position, Jeremy Marshall-King or whichever of Blayke Brailey or Apisai Koroisau who doesn’t get the Origin Three call up are your best selections.

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 17

With just two remaining bye rounds, our trade ins and outs tiers narrow its focus on these as a factor the upper two tiers below. Look to hold as best as possible this week given most teams will have more than the full 17 players available.

Please 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.