Lone Scout's Fantasy team list analysis: Round 19

With State of Origin wrapping up for another year, the NRL coaches have done Fantasy owners a favour with many of our big names a chance to go around again on the weekend. 

It’s the final bye round for 2026 which means only our 13 starters for one last occasion, and it’s time to see which players are best positioned to start for your Fantasy team this week. 

Wests Tigers v Warriors, Friday 8.00pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Wests Tigers: Two key players return for the Wests Tigers in co-captain Jarome Luai and edge runner Samuela Fainu, however the home side also lose their inspirational dummy half and skipper Apisai Koroisau to a pec injury with youngster Josese Lanyon replacing him. Tony Sukkar shifts to the bench while Jock Madden can only be found amongst the reserves. Sunia Turuva is again named in No.2 but is more than likely to play centre as he did last week, with Starford To’A instead lining up at left winger. 

Warriors: The Warriors get back James Fisher-Harris and Leka Halasima from injury this week but lose Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to a hamstring strain. Alofiana Khan-Pereira returns on the wing while Origin representatives Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell are listed in the reserves only and it will depend how they go on Wednesday night to see if they back up two days later. 

Dolphins v Sharks, Saturday 3.00pm at Kayo Stadium

Dolphins: The full five-man Origin contingent for the Dolphins make up the extended reserve lists this week in Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Flegler, Max Plath and Jack Bostock. Typically this will result in most if not all being rested so any coaches still with any of these five will need a back-up plan and to keep an eye on them during Origin. Also remember the team list updates that will drop 24 hours and 90 minutes leading up to kick=off which you can find on NRL.com. After reporting a rest due to general aches and soreness Ray Stone is the only change to last week and welcomed back to his regular spot on the pine.  

Sharks: Origin reps Addin Fonua-Blake, Briton Nikora and Blayke Brailey are all present in the extended squad. Unlike his counterpart Kristian Woolf, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has shown he is prepared to play his rep players on a short back-up, especially if they only had limited minutes in Origin. With both Brailey and AFB named on the bench for NSW, they are especially a good chance to back up on Saturday. 

Bulldogs v Raiders, Saturday 5.30pm at Accor Stadium

Bulldogs: The Dogs' sole Origin player Stephen Crichton has been slated to back up in his new role at five-eighth on Saturday.  Jacob Kiraz owners will be happy to see his name still present on the wing given the dynamo CTR/WFB left their last game in Round 17 early due to a rib complaint just minutes into the second half. Another big name in Jacob Preston is again present in the extended rank and file, this is the second time he is listed here and could be good to make his return after undergoing surgery on his arm after Round 12.  

Raiders: No dramas for those playing in Origin from the Green Machine with coach Ricky Stuart happy to name them all to back up. The most precarious is likely to be Hudson Young as he is the one slated to start on Wednesday night. Given Ethan Strange is only found in the back end of the six-man bench for Origin Three, we can be confident he will take his regular post at five-eighth on Saturday afternoon. The biggest upheaval to their team is Zac Hosking switching to lock to accommodate the return of Noah Martin at right edge. This could have an impact on the minutes of props Joe Tapine and Corey Horsburgh, especially if the 20th man for Queensland is a late inclusion. The other main adjustment is Sebastian Kris at left wing replacing Savelio Tamale who goes back to NSW Cup this week. 

Roosters v Eels, Saturday 7.35pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: Interestingly it is only four of the six on rep duties in James Tedesco, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Victor Radley currently set to back up for the Tricolours. Meanwhile, Reece Robson and Sam Walker are amongst their reserves and it will require a sizable shuffle to the initial team list to play in their normal roles. The reason being is Connor Watson is named to run on at dummy half and Hugo Savala will be wearing the No. 7. This enables Billy Smith to stay in the backline at centre, with Daniel Tupou returning on the wing for his 300th NRL game. Moreover, Nat Butcher is suspended and Lindsay Collins unavailable due to HIA protocols so Salesi Foketi steps in at back row and Spencer Leniu at prop to cover the two missing forwards. 

Eels: Still riding high off a big upset win at home against Manly, another big boost comes with Mitch Moses set to run out for at halfback. With Sean Russell’s quad injury meaning he is out this week, it gives youngster Araz Nanva a promotion to the starting centre gig for his third game at the top grade. Still no sign of Luca Moretti who was a late withdrawal last week with Sam Tuivati listed to start and Toni Mataele on the interchange. 

Rabbitohs v Knights, Sunday 2.00pm at Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs: A few changes have been made by coach Wayne Bennett including bringing back fullback Matt Dufty at the expense of Jye Gray who shifts to the interchange along with Latrell Siegwalt. This is to accommodate Tallis Duncan in the centres which will have owners hopes in tatters although on the flipside those holding Euan Aitken will be cheering as he is now listed to start on the edge. Campbell Graham is also back from injury replacing Ed Kosi while Cam Murray is named to back up from Origin at lock, pushing Lachlan Hubner to the bench. Murray is a good pick-up for the run home as long as he definitely is right to play in this one. Finally, Jayden Sullivan is the one-week fill-in for the suspended Cody Walker.

Knights: Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best are both in the side despite taking part in Wednesday night’s blockbuster decider in Queenslander. This pushes both Fletcher Hunt and Sandon Smith to the interchange while Fletcher Sharpe will move from fullback to five-eighth. There is good and bad news for Newcastle up front - Trey Mooney is named to return from a calf strain suffered at training last week but Jacob Saifiti picked up a hamstring issue in the one-point win over the Dolphins and is unavailable.

Sea Eagles v Cowboys, Sunday 4.05pm at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: The two Blues in Tolutau Koula and Haumole Olakau'atu are a welcome addition to Manly’s side after their shock loss to the Eels last Sunday. Kobe Hetherington is also back in the run-on side with Corey Waddell and Simione Laiafi pushing back to the pine. Clayton Faulalo had a rough day with injuries during the game last week, first coming off for a HIA check and then leaving the game permanently with a hamstring straing and therefore isn’t available for this one. 

Cowboys: No major changes for the Cowboys from their Round 17 side that defeated the Panthers. This time John Bateman has been named in the 19 after being a late call-up the past two matches. 

Storm v Titans, Sunday 6.15pm at AAMI Park

Storm: Jahrome Hughes is a welcome addition for the home team with Tyran Wishart shifting to the interchange. Joining him there is Joe Chan after both regular centres Jack Howarth and Nick Meaney return from injury this week. Melbourne also have a new winger in Manaia Waitere as Moses Leo is still not ready to go after suffering a concussion in Round 17. Another player missing through injury is Ativatu Lisati, so if you haven’t already sold him, he is a must release this round. Alex MacDonald is the new edge man while Dolphins recruit Oryn Keeley comes into the 19. 

Titans: Dean Ieremia gets the call-up on the wing to face his old side with Jojo Fifita sliding back into the centres and Jaylan De Groot heading back to the bench. He will be joined there by Cooper Bai who has passed the concussion protocols that ruled him out of the Round 17 game against the Bulldogs. 

 

Despite no early game this week, my Q&A column is still set to drop Thursday, and with the new trades not in the game until after this week, make sure you submit those questions to thelonescout@nrl.com.au as soon as possible.

As always, I’ll have my trade in and trade out tiers within the Q&A article and with Origin played Wednesday night, be sure to keep your finger on the pulse by heading to NRL.com to get all the latest team list information and updates.