Lone Scout's Fantasy team list analysis: Round 18

We have five games of action-packed football to stay on top of the competition and do remember only your first 13 players will score points this round. 

With the Origin Three teams dropped, Round 18 team lists are now known to us and we can take a look at what can be done to get the most out of the second-last bye round for 2026. 

Panthers v Rabbitohs, Friday 8.00pm at CommBank Stadium

Panthers: With Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin all getting the nod to represent NSW it’s Jack Cogger, Lindsay Smith and Luke Garner stepping up to fill the empty spaces amongst the ranks. With Isaiah Papali'i in the HIA protocols, Scott Sorensen gets his call-up to a starting gig on the left edge. Kalani Going, Luron Patea, Jack Cole and Sione Fonua are all included on the interchange. 

Rabbitohs: Cam Murray is the sole Rabbitoh in Origin camp allowing Lachlan Hubner a week at starting lock matching his role in Round 15. With Jack Wighton back at centre it’s Euan Aitken owners who will be unhappy as they’ll find him working off the pine while Tallis Duncan takes back his spot in the forwards. With calf issues keeping the all-time top tryscorer Alex Johnston away for at least three weeks, we will get to see Dayne Jennings have another run after getting 26 minutes in the top grade last week. With such little time to fill in, so few trades remaining and more players returning from injury soon, Jennings will be too risky to grab for those Fantasy coaches eyeing off a potential cheapie. Matt Dufty also finds his way back in familiar territory, named in No.18 and a chance for some minutes off the bench on Friday night. 

Dragons v Wests Tigers, Saturday 5.30pm at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium

Dragons: With no one on rep duties, recently injured or suspended we see a mirrored line up to last week’s close run affair for the Red V. Moses Suli does come into the extended squad and could join the side come game day if passed fit. With the Dragons on bye next round, owners will be watching Dylan Egan and or Damien Cook closely in this match given both were uncharacteristically low scoring when chased down by Canberra last Sunday. 

Wests Tigers: Gun NRL Fantasy lock Alex Twal is listed again in the No.13 and is one to watch in his return given his top results prior to his knee injury. Alex Seyfarth is the casualty as he slides to the bench with fellow cheapie Tony Sukkar keeping the coveted right edge spot despite failing to finish the game last week due to a crunching Jacob Saifiti tackle. The shoulder injury to Taylan May means Heamasi Makasini will cover in the centres in a timely boost for those holding onto the cheap dual position option. With delayed concussion symptoms appearing Jarome Luai is a straight swap out for Jock Madden who returns from his own head knock suffered against the Dolphins.

Broncos v Sharks, Saturday 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: With Brisbane’s big names missing in Payne Haas (NSW), Reece Walsh (QLD) and Pat Carrigan (QLD), it will be youngster Va'a Semu stepping in at prop while Hayze Perham will once again deputise at fullback. Though failing his HIA early in the piece against the Roosters, Xavier Willison is chasing a clearance to run out at lock in a huge boost to his many owners. Freshly returned backs Gehamat Shibasaki and Deine Mariner get back just in time for Michael Maguire’s men, this shuffles Grant Anderson to the left wing and Jesse Arthars to the bench while Josiah Karapani is out suspended. Jaiyden Hunt, Josh Rogers and Luke Gale are also part of the six-man interchange. 

Sharks: Three key changes to the Sharks line-up from two weeks back with Briton Nikora, Addin Fonua-Blake and Blayke Brailey all missing for State of Origin. This allows Billy Burns, Tom Hazelton and Jayden Berrell a chance to start this week. Berrell has been listed to start multiple times earlier this season but has each time been relegated to the bench in favour of Hohepu Puru, who is likely to start again. Joining Puru on the bench is Penrith junior Harrison Hassett and Tuku Hau Tapuha. 

Eels v Sea Eagles, Sunday 2.00pm at CommBank Stadium

Eels: With Mitch Moses in the Blues squad, Jonah Pezet has worked his way back from injury and will keep the halfback jersey warm. Ronald Volkman will again line up at five-eighth where his Fantasy scores took a clear uptick last week. While owners will want to see a bit improvement from fullback Isaiah Iongi after a slow outing underwhelmed last week. Harrison Edwards and Sam Tuivati are listed on the bench but both could come into the starting side on game day like they did last week, Tallyn Da Silva has regularly worn the No.9 but come off the interchange over the past few matches. 

Sea Eagles: A big shuffle to Manly’s line-up due to injury and Origin. We start with Joey Walsh who will no doubt attract coaches this week with him getting a debut starting role stint at five-eighth now that Luke Brooks’ ACL injury has put a line through the rest of his season. Clayton Faulalo is back from injury just in time with Tolutau Koula off representing NSW and Josh Feledy is now bumped back to the interchange. Reuben Garrick and Kobe Hetherington both return from the HIA protocols. Corey Waddell is another to be brought back in after a long lay-off, promoted to back row to fill in for the recalled Blue Haumole Olakau'atu. Young rake Zaidas Muagututia also comes into the 19 as cover for Jake Simpkin who is likely to play 80 minutes and is another useful trade-in target this week. 

Knights v Dolphins, Sunday 4.05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: With Kalyn Ponga featuring in Origin Three, Fletcher Sharpe is required to slide to fullback allowing Sandon Smith to take over in the No.6. With Bradman Best’s top form earning him another run for NSW, Fletcher Hunt is reinstated at CTR in cover. Dylan Lucas will be an almost must have having missed out of the State of Origin line up for next week and scoring Fantasy points for fun.  

Dolphins: Another piece of news rocking bye round planning is Isaiya Katoa's fractured wrist. The 4-6 week projected time on the sidelines will likely see an influx of Brad Schneider buys this week, as he received the tap on the shoulder to be Katoa’s successor. The quartet of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Max Plath, Selwyn Cobbo and Thomas Flegler have been ushered into the Maroons camp which gives Trai Fuller, Tevita Naufahu and Felise Kaufusi a run-on jersey again this week while Tom Gilbert returns to the bench after a one-week absence. Jack Bostock has been named to debut on the big stage of State of Origin, therefore coach Kristian Woolf makes an easy straight swap to Jake Averillo who is back after recovering from hand surgery 10 weeks ago, having warmed up in Queensland Cup grade last week. With Woolf rarely naming Origin players to back up, this puts a big question mark on Bostock being a hold, as owners may look to move the CTR/WFB on after a couple of below average scores. If you are low on trades, you may be stuck and have to hold on and hope for the best.  

 

Despite being a bye round, my Q&A column is still set to drop Thursday, and with trades now at an absolute premium don’t miss out on getting those questions in to thelonescout@nrl.com.au this week.

Check through my trade in and trade out options also found within the Q&A article and with a few key players under an injury cloud be sure to keep your eye peeled to NRL.com to catch your latest NRL Fantasy news and updates.