Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 18

We step back to 13 scorers again this week and many fantasy favourites are unavailable.

For those still with trades it may be best to hold your fire and play short or look at some cash down options to assist with bringing in the top fantasy players that we will need to get in for the run home.

Let’s have a look at what is troubling you with your team and as always be sure to check my trade in trade out tier list found at the bottom of this article.

Q: Since Oliver Pascoe's minutes are being limited should I do a trade in for Owen Pattie a new cash cow, and should I also trade out Heamasi Makasini to bring in Josh Patston? Both these trades would leave a positive cash outcome too. - Jack

A: With the Raiders not playing this week, you might as well either save that trade for next week unless you are looking at a big move or upgrade like Dylan Lucas for this round. The reason is that we have the likes of Adam Doueihi, Alex Twal, Cameron Murray and of course Payne Haas still to get back in, not to mention any Origin guns you may have sold prior to Round 12. Josh Patston has scored well but that was mainly because he subbed Arama Hau off last week and played right edge. I have no confidence he will repeat the role in Round 19 and considering the issues we’ve had with Cooper Bai I am not inclined to trust in the Titans rotations week on week. Instead I’d direct you to someone I know is set for an 80-minute role in the halves with either Joey Walsh or Brad Schneider for this week even though Heamasi Makasini gets a shot at a more favourable left centre role this week.

Q: I have six trades - should get 13 on field if I trade Isaiah Papali'i to Joey Walsh and Jack Bostock to Tom Trbojevic. I am also thinking of moving on either Erin Clark or Jayden Campbell to get Alex Twal or Dylan Lucas or should I wait a week or two? - Adrian

A:  I think a cash down plus getting a green dot for this week is a solid choice, especially with that amount of trades and the need for some cash needed for some of those other trades. As long as you have the coverage in these areas for next week and have enough backups for the way home you could move on either of these two given they are both dropping in cash and points lately. As for Dylan Lucas, he is a great option this week and should be one of the top two EDGs to own for the run home while Erin Clark has underwhelmed after his banging 2025 season.

Q: I was able to reverse my Alex Twal trade mid-round 17, however thinking is it worth holding a bit longer on getting him as he might lose cash if not getting the minutes he did before his injury? Saw your advice on ditching Heilum Luki so thinking of trading on him and Jackson Ford for Dylan Lucas and using Joey Walsh to cash down? - Steven

A: Twal is a wait and see unless you are really in need of a MID this week as we will want to see him play at least once or twice before using a trade for him. For me, Heilum Luki is still a strong scorer so not an essential sell, however Dylan Lucas has the upside so this is a bold move to strengthen your team for the run home. There are a number of good MID players to own post Origin in Cameron Murray and Payne Haas and even Keaon Koloamatangi could be a cut priced version of Alex Twal and plays this week and next as well.

Q: Is Jack Bostock a sell this week and if so, who do I replace him with? - Angela

A: A lot of factors are working against Jack Bostock which is making him a sell in my eyes. Coach Kristian Woolf has been resting his main Origin players in the week after each game which means Bostock will likely be a red dot in Round 19 as well as this round. Isaiya Katoa who has been playing inside Bostock is out for at least a month and the games Bostock has played right centre without Katoa have not been inspiring. The departing Jake Averillo is also back from injury and while not a likely threat to Bostock’s role, there could be a scenario where Bostock switched positions if another member of the backline went down with Averillo the obvious replacement. I would check the tier lists below and see which positions you need to cover for this week’s starting roles or look at cashing him down to one of the cheaper options in Joey Walsh or Brad Schneider to help with some bigger trades over the next few weeks.

Q: What are you top WFB or CTRS to be targeting post Origin? - Diego

A: For WFB Sualauvi Fa’alogo is top of my list, most already have him but some may have sold early in which case you should try to get him back at some point. I believe we will also likely see a bounce back from both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga who often save their best for the leadup to NRL Finals footy. Riskier but cheaper WFB options include Reece Walsh and Tom Trbojevic with Dylan Edwards a shade behind them and probably only a hold not a buy anymore. The best centre to aim for outside the obvious Herbie Farnworth, would be Simi Sasagi once his price levels out since his return from injury and Stephen Crichton if he keeps the halves role. Keep an eye on Bradman Best post Origin III as well with the Knights in good form at present.

Q: Instead of having big money like Nathan Cleary sitting on your non scoring bench during the Origin period, why not trade him for the few weeks he is not available? He could buy a valuable fill in for a couple of holes, then you could buy him back after the dust settles. - Lance

A: I like your thinking Lance but it is probably three weeks too late. With only two more missed games and trades sparse everyone may as well hold the season long keeper now. Instead of selling Cleary I would move on those scoring lesser of late and players you deem not essential owning for your final roster at the end of the year. Think Ethan Sanders, Stefano Utoikamanu, Tom Chester, Heilum Luki or even Jack Bostock. This will save you some cash so you can grab the top gun players for the final stretch in a week or two.

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 18

With the two remaining 13 scoring bye rounds left to play, my trade in and out tiers focus on these weeks, in particularly tiers 1 and 2 below. With many having minimal or even completely out of trades this week, look to hold your top gun players as you’ll need the best on field when back to a full squad from Round 20.

Please Note: Those focusing on just Head-to-Head competitions, especially those not playing bye rounds beware. 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.