NRL 2026, NRL Fantasy, Lone Scout's Fantasy Q and A, round 21

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Thu 23 Jul 2026, 12:44 PM

With Injuries and suspensions already hitting the availabilities of some of the top Fantasy players, looking to save trades has never proved more important.

Let’s have a look at as some of those difficult issues impacting our Fantasy community and do also take heed of the trade in/trade out tier list found at the bottom of this article for some important advice.

NRL Fantasy Podcast - Episode 22

Q: I currently have Simi Sasagi, Herbie Farnworth and Heamasi Makasini as CTR options. Who should I trade out and who should I bring in for the run home with $163k in the bank. – Matt

A: Of these three I would be moving on Makasini as I don’t think we’ll get what we need from him this season. The problem is his price plus your current funds doesn’t give us a great option at CTR. Of the choices so you can have two playing for you this week, you could take a chance on Moses Leo that has been scoring decently on the wing in five of his last six games, with his -1 game only occurring due to getting ruled out with a HIA 13 minutes in.

Sua sizzles in the second

Q: I’m sure everyone’s asking you this, but who’s the best replacement for Tom Turbo? My other WFBs are Iongi, Kiraz and Fa’alogo (who I was planning to sell this week before Turbo’s hamstring went twang) plus De Groot sitting at the bottom of my reserves. Eight trades and no cash left. I’m thinking Fa’alogo and Tommy T to two of Jenkins, Ponga and Tedesco. What do you reckon? Also, who are your picks for captain this week? – Peter

A: I wouldn’t be too quick to move on Sualauvi Fa’alogo, others did so in the past and were proven wrong after he came back even bigger and better. Sure, he had a lesser game due to the wet but he is the second top WFB Fantasy player and six of his last seven games were all above 50, with four of those 60 and above! Instead look to move to either James Tedesco or Reece Walsh by making a trade elsewhere, perhaps getting cheaper players in Tyran Wishart, Joey Walsh or even Cody Hopwood. James Tedesco is still dropping in price so you could wait and try and get him next week.

Barkin' Bargain Round 21: Reece Walsh

Q: I am thinking about trading Nathan Cleary because of his really high break even before team lists came out was going to trade for Latrell Seigwalt since I already have three other HLFs. Next I am thinking of trading Tom Chester for Kotoni Staggs as I need two centres. Also I have Heilum Luki losing value, and considering Noah Martin. The only other trade option I have is Bula but with no money I can’t upgrade him. – Harry

A: Keeper players like Nathan Cleary aren’t in the same conversation when it comes to value, because of their supreme ability to go large any given week, you should never trade them out unless they are injured or tactically during the Origin period. Heilum Luki can easily get back to 50s+ as the Cowboys have a fantastic draw for the run home. I’m thinking Noah Martin will go very well, but it is too sideways for mine. Kotoni Staggs has had six games where he hasn’t been able to get to 40 points and two of them were in his last three games. It’s fine to sell Tom Chester, but look to Stephen Crichton or Billy Smith instead, as both are likely to outscore Staggs in the final two months. If you can find the money, an even better alternative is Euan Aitken who is playing edge in real life but can be placed in your centres for Fantasy.

First take: Eels v Panthers

Q: I’m in desperate need of a CTR/WFB DPP player to cover some issues in my team. Who’s your pick to be the best option for the run home? (I traded out Latrell Siegwalt last week and can’t bring myself to bring him back!) – Brendan

A: Unfortunately Latrell Siegwalt has received a second opportunity but considering coach Wayne Bennett’s tendency to tinker with the line-up any given week, I wouldn’t lose too much sleep about the Siegwalt sell. DPP options are a little tricky this year. Euan Aitken has been great service to his owners, but he is EDG/CTR not CTR/WFB. Jacob Kiraz was excellent but seems to be suffering from a few ailments that is affecting his output. Paul Alamoti had some big scores lately but be aware he can be up and down. There is no magic tonic here, if you can survive until Tallis Duncan returns from injury that is probably your best hope.

Q: I was wondering if I should trade any of Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Jayden Campbell or Te Maire Martin. If I did Farnworth, Bostock and Campbell I am able to get Payne Haas, Euan Aitken and Jordan Riki or Reece Walsh – Gus

A: Whilst those options are tempting, you are trading out one of the best CTR positions to do it. I would look at getting at least two of these guys in another way without moving on from Herbie Farnworth. Te Maire Martin may have peaked so that isn’t the worst player to sell if it means upgrading another position. It’s frustrating to sell Jack Bostock after he hasn’t played the past two weeks but he is probably going to score the lowest out of the four you’ve mentioned in the final six rounds.

First take: Raiders v Wests Tigers

Q: Do I make the tough choice of dropping Terrell May for Payne Haas and then using the excess money to trade Leo Thompson out for Hamish Stewart? – Ayden

A: I’d find another way, as Terrell May can outscore Payne Haas any given week, in fact he just did last round. Hamish Stewart is going great but I wouldn’t be breaking apart your team to get him now unless you’ve stored over 10 trades in the bank.

Q: I'm thinking of moving Cody Ramsey to Cody Hopwood, Dane Gagai to Gehamat Shibasaki and Jeremy Marshall King out for either Harry Grant, Reece Walsh or a Dual Position Player (DPP). I am unsure if I am reacting too late with Cody Hopwood and also who I should choose out of Grant, Walsh or Latrell Mitchell? Finally I have Brad Schneider as a cash cow to hopefully make a direct trade for Izzy Katoa when he comes back. Is this too risky or worth the gamble? – Leo

First take: Knights v Roosters

A: With Hopwood now named on the bench he is not as enticing as he was previously. However we have seen occasions that coach Justin Holbrook has altered his team just before kick-off or given bench forwards significant enough minutes to make Hopwood a worthy addition. For mine, Hopwood should only be bought if it is the final cog in a multi-trade that allows you to get 1-2 other really good players without sacrificing any keepers that you currently own. As Cody Ramsey didn’t get far enough in his cash generation to make money from, I’d probably hold him as a looper for now or try and go up to a Tyran Wishart this week or Owen Pattie next week. With the top names, I’d definitely lean towards Reece Walsh as the Storm are pushing Harry Grant hard and if they don’t start stringing multiple wins together soon, they will be eliminated from the finals race and Grant’s minutes could significantly decrease. Finally Isaiya Katoa is such an integral part of the Dolphins attack and he is definitely a player you could target once he returns from injury.

Q: I'm only planning one trade this week and need to move Tom Trbojevic on for a centre to pair with KL Iro while Herbie Farnworth is on the bye. I have a budget of $740K and am considering Euan Aitken, Jacob Kiraz, Simi Sasagi, Billy Smith or Rob Toia. – Kate, Huey

A: I would prioritise the list as Euan Aitken, Stephen Crichton (while remaining at five-eighth, Rob Toia, Simi Sasagi, Billy Smith and then Jacob Kiraz (due to an apparent lingering injury and high break-even).

Heilum Luki Try

Q: I am looking at trading Jeremy Marshall-King out this round for Harry Grant and trading out Heilum Luki this round for someone like Noah Martin or Xavier Willison. What are your thoughts on an edge that's under 670k. – Ryley 

A: The first trade is an easy choice, absolutely make that trade. With the EDG option I would grab Euan Aitken myself but to play at CTR this week or in the future. Noah Martin and Xavier Willison are both going great as well and I’d be comfortable with both those players in my side too, although I’d be nervous that the trade from Heilum Luki is a little too sideways and probably find another way to get them.

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 21

Head-to-Head Players

Those playing head-to-head will still need to note the below is focused on coaches playing the overall competition. Head to head is now about making it to the finals so if you are at the top of your league try and save trades for your finals. For those at risk of not making the play-offs, then it’s going to be about comparing your team verses your opponent for the next few weeks and deciding if you need to make trades to secure the win.