NRL Fantasy: Lone Scout's Winners and Losers Round 19

Multiple close match-ups, milestones and celebrations all across this weekend’s highly anticipated footy action.

NRL Fantasy-wise there were ups and downs but at least now we record the final of the 13-man rounds for 2026. 

Let’s look in on how Round 19 finished up for us and look ahead to what we need to plan for with those handy extra 8 trades dropping for us this week. 

Lone Scout's Winners and Losers

Winners

It was rough viewing for Wests Tigers fans as the impact of Apisai Koroisau missing in their attack laid bare. Considering the tough loss, Terrell May (61) owners where more than happy with the updates squeezing him into the 60s, especially when he was subbed off earlier than expected in the first half. Alex Twal (58) was another who still scored handily for those picking up the returned lock forward, he usually comes on for a second stint but the scoreline meant he remained rested for future matches. Meanwhile Adam Doueihi (50) looked busy throughout, however still looks to be working through some lasting niggles from injury and might be a wait and see until after the Wests Tigers final bye in a couple of weeks. 

After starting at top gear, James Fisher-Harris (52) looked set for a massive score, but was quieter in the second half. Jacob Laban (69) continues his purple patch form with another motzer result. Finally those holding on to Erin Clark (56) were happy to see him clear some decent points. He is a hold but not a buy with the return of a few top tier MIDs on the horizon. Te Maire Martin (54) squeaked out another solid score and earned a few more matches in our line-ups.

In a huge upset, the Dolphins were held scoreless for the first time ever, giving up more than 50 points for the second time this season. Though missing during the loss to Newcastle in Round 18, it was this week that Isaiaya Katoa’s absence was truly witnessed. As we have come to expect, even in a loss Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (52) keeps up his work rate and because of Origin he is a cut-priced keeper worth targeting. And those few who picked up the temporary speedster Trai Fuller (60) were again rewarded. Fuller has become the best Origin period trade in for 2026 with another huge score for a player on the wrong end of the scoreboard. 

Flipping over to the Sharks with everything going right and 11 four-pointers claimed we saw an incredible eight players scoring above 50, most not normally associated with a strong fantasy game. Leading them throughout was Nicho Hynes (107), the first player to reach the 100-point milestone since Round 10 this year. His halves partner Braydon Trindall (67) also fired and showed that both players can be Fantasy relevant at the same time. Back from representative duties, Blayke Brailey (51) got straight back to work, though only needed for 63 minutes before he was rested since the game was well in hand. 

The shorter end of the scoreboard left Bulldogs Fantasy elites without comment this week with only Jaeman Salmon (64) scoring well due to defensive efforts and not one to consider for Fantasy squads. Jacob Preston (39) didn’t look like a winner but with a game off the bench under his belt, coach Cameron Ciraldo will likely adjust the roster next week which could make the rangy backrower a steal at his low price. 

The Raiders clearly enjoyed the bye week, returning with a commanding victory away from home. Halfback Ethan Sanders (61) enjoyed a massive confidence boost with a huge showing for the Green Machine while he led the men around the park. Cash Cow HOK Owen Pattie (61) hit huge results and will see another big rise for owners at lockout after topping the HOK position for Round 19, there is still time to get him in your 21 by downgrading one of your Origin cover players. Zac Hosking (83) shifted to the left edge initially and then to lock, scoring an incredibly rare hat-trick by a forward in his 66-minute performance. Returning on the right edge was Noah Martin (62) and he will need to be considered in our teams for the run home after picking up where he left off, claiming a four-pointer of his own and played out the full minutes on offer. 

Celebrating the 300th NRL game for Daniel Tupou (49), the Roosters put on quite the show with a dominant performance. The win was built from the ground up with props Naufahu Whyte (58) and Spencer Leniu (55) leading the way. Billy Smith (53) also cleared the 50-point mark due mainly to a try bumping up his score. 

After the loss by the Eels, there was little to comment about except an eye-catching performance from the 6% owned Jack Williams (86), who closed in on his highest round in his career with a breakaway run earning him huge points on top of his normal solid base efforts. Williams has the bye in Round 20 but won’t be out of place in coaches' line-ups for the rest of the season. 

With the Jai Arrow Birthday celebrations inspiring the Rabbitohs, the home side were able to hold off the late surge from Newcastle to nab the win. The choice to switch fullbacks paid off for the legendary coach Wayne Bennett, Matt Dufty (58) at fullback was incredibly busy during the match at Accor. Keaon Koloamatangi (66) stuck through the rumours of an injury cloud and out-performed many of his alternatives at the difficult to fill MID position for this round after a number of key Fantasy players were on bye. Tallis Duncan (60) gets it done after lining up at centre and owners will be keen to see if the hard-running utillity will earn dual position in a useful end of season up grade. Those who stuck it out with David Fifita (58) will be happy as he got over the line and happened to play the full 80 minutes. 

Backing up from the unsuccessful Origin campaign, Kalyn Ponga (65) was heavily involved in getting Newcastle back into the game as they attempted a late ambush and in the process he bagged himself a double. Ponga is the best WFB to own in Fantasy right now. Dylan Brown (72) was another pivotal in the resurgence and gained some handy extras just as the game was nearing its finale. Moreover Dylan Lucas (76) again highlights why he is as close to a “must have” as there is for the run home, he seems to find a way no matter what type of game is played and who the opposition is. 

Manly seemingly had the game in hand at 4 Pines Park but slipped up late, losing a golden point nail-biter to the Cowboys. Haumole Olakau'atu (62) showcased why he is the best edge in fantasy in 2026, scoring a try that pretty much accounted for half of all his output on the day. Allowed to play the full 82 minutes on offer, Jake Simpkin (56) was a boon for owners who played the young dummy half after yet another solid score for the third week running. Tom Trbojevic (53) made most of the running in the first half, owners have got Turbo at a discount and are just awaiting that one afternoon he puts it all together in both halves for a monster score. 

Due to missing both of the last major bye rounds, many Cowboys players have not been held onto this year. If you were able to keep Heilum Luki (56) then you were rewarded and should be keen to hold him throughout their remaining bye down the track. Scott Drinkwater (53) iced it in golden point after the visitors claimed handy field position allowing the fullback to nail his fourth career field goal to date and claim the two competition points on offer. Another instrumental in the win was Braidon Burns (64) who continues to fly under the radar as one of the true dark horses of the Fantasy season. Reuben Cotter (55) returned from Origin duties with a nice score, but there is no guarantee of sustained success for the hard-working lock or prop as he hasn’t been Fantasy relevant for the last two seasons. 

In a must-win game for both sides Melbourne were quick to get on top and stayed so midway through the second half, surviving a late push from the Titans to claim the competition points late. A key instigator for the go-ahead try in the final minutes was Sualauvi Fa’alogo (62), who continues to hit the heights needed as a gun WFB. As he has done for each round following Origin this year, Trent Loiero (61) backed up from Origin in a committed effort, while Tyran Wishart (62) took the reins from Cam Munster who was rested and put up a big score, however likely returning to the bench next week will leave him out of trade discussion for the time being. 

The Titans nearly took the spoils away from home thanks to a second-half points spree which was all it took for Jayden Campbell (66) to skyrocket his output after he was quiet early in the piece. Oliver Pascoe (66) was allowed the full 80 minutes thanks to Sam Verrills not making it on the park in this one and reverted to his form from earlier in the season. With injuries to the middle rotation the main reason Verrills didn’t get on the field, playing Pascoe is still unadvisable week to week. Another making plenty of money was the young Zane Harrison (53), although many have moved on, if you held then you need to keep him in your emergencies for another week or so to benefit from some further expected price rises. Moeaki Fotuaika (57) and Beau Fermor (52) are going to be ones to keep in mind if you want some players that can score well but are on the cheaper end of the scale, especially considering the Gold Coast no longer have any byes remaining. 

Losers 

The Wests Tigers didn’t have much to celebrate on Friday night and holders of Alex Seyfarth (28) were left with little joy despite the popular trade-in target from a month ago getting a shot on the left edge after Samuela Fainu (42) went off with a groin scare. This was doubly unlucky for coaches as it meant Tony Sukkar was then unable to take the field which will force owners to look at moving him on without the last cash bump hoped for.  

With a 0-66 scoreboard against the Dolphins, there will always be some shock entries to report here, but the disaster of Herbie Farnworth (34) was completely unexpected, especially for those many that captained the usually reliable CTR. Also on the wrong end of the stick were Jeremy Marshall-King (33) and Connelly Lemuelu (36), both can be moved on from now the Origin period is over. Also one to put in your sell column is Teig Wilton (30), despite the Sharks dominating proceedings, he failed to register a decent score for the second week running and is now clogging up an essential spot in your team.  

The Bulldogs were unable to find a way into the contest against the Raiders which caused headaches for owners of their star players. Selectors of Lachlan Galvin (39) were left without the 40+ point score that they have enjoyed for the past 13 weeks ruining. Stephen Crichton (27) was taken from the field on a medicab with concerns of nerve issues in his neck which will have an impact on how the whole side runs out next week. For 22.3% of NRL Fantasy coaches however, the biggest question for this week will no doubt be 'What do we do with Jacob Kiraz (22)'. Given his price tag is now taken a second big hit after injury forced him from the field early in Round 17, Kiraz will be facing a monumental break-even coming into this week game against the Wests Tigers. Fresh off the back of a successful NSW campaign, owners jumping on early to Hudson Young (17) were perhaps a little too eager after the top tier EDGE was moved to the interchange before kick-off. Similarly, Ethan Strange (19) also was happy to play off the bench and required to do little due to the scoreline in his side’s favour. Simi Sasagi (31) again failed to reach his early season form and will see a further loss in price this week. He is a clear avoid until he bottoms out in which case things could work in favour of those that are astute with holding trades until the bitter end. 

The Roosters were too strong for a gutsy Parramatta outfit on Saturday night but Siua Wong (39) oddly recorded his lowest result for this season in a worrying trend for his owners. Also a frustrating watch for coaches was Isaiah Iongi (34) who seems to be bouncing between some amazing results and those on the lower end. With a bye next week he will be a tough hold but maybe a good one. Ronald Volkman (4) has been scoring strongly of late but finished this one early on due to failing a HIA check. 

The Rabbitohs held on for the win on Jai Arrow’s birthday, but one player that no Fantasy coach was celebrating was Brandon Smith (2), who played big minutes but had a whopping 26 points in demerits, mostly due to 12 missed tackles in a new level of “never again” for those that took a chance on the DPP option a few weeks ago. Just 14 minutes into the game, the high-flying Euan Aitken (2) left the field after needing medical attention with some troubling breathing and heart issues which most likely makes him an instant sell. Further injury woes for Souths, Dayne Jennings (-1) suffered a bad cut to his leg. Meanwhile the late Knights line-up switch proved unfavourable to Fletcher Sharpe (35) who played as a stop-gap centre purely due to Bradman Best being rested but will likely return to his regular posting at five-eighth next week.  

Manly were edged out by the Cowboys in golden point. Without his fantastic try effort from last week, Joey Walsh (38) was back to just base stats this week but will still see plenty of cash rises again at lockout. It was a bad sign at the beginning of the match when the mostly reliable second-rower Ben Trbojevic (5) left the field after just 11 minutes of play due to a failed HIA check. Also impacted negatively was Tom Chester (30) despite scoring early on, he will now populate many coaches sell lists this week despite being a key DPP at the usually difficult to fill CTR/WFB role. 

The Titans not only went down to the Storm but they also suffered some key injuries including Cooper Bai (4), who suffered a shoulder injury just four minutes after running onto the pitch. Another to depart the match early was early 2026 favourite Arama Hau (32) while backing up skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (40) didn’t quite hit the levels expected and shouldn’t be relied upon in 2026. 

Round 19 NRL Fantasy Team of the Week 

1. Kalyn Ponga (WFB) – 65 points 
2. Braidon Burns (WFB) – 64 points 
3. Jesse Ramien (CTR) – 70 points 
4. Billy Smith (CTR) – 53 points 
5. Keano Kini (WFB) – 64 points 
6. Dylan Brown (HLF) – 72 points 
7. Nicholas Hynes (HLF) – 107 points 
8. Trey Mooney (MID) – 62 points 
9. Oliver Pascoe (HOK) – 66 points 
10. Jack Williams (MID/EDG) – 86 points 
11 Dylan Lucas (EDG) – 76 points 
12. Zac Hosking (EDG) – 83 points  
13. Jaeman Salmon (MID) – 64 points 

With eight fresh new trades handed out this week, remember to get those questions into thelonescout@nrl.com.au to make Thursday’s article as we shift focus to the usual 17 man scoring lineup for the remaining eight rounds left to us in 2026.