NRL 2026, Fantasy, Lone Scout Q & A, injuries, late mail

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Thu 6 Aug 2026, 09:47 AM

Key players on bye or missing due to injury with only a few set to return for us this week. Unless it’s a must win Head-to-Head finals my advice is to save those trades, even if you have to play short.

With the questions rolling in, let’s have a look at what is stumping some of us out there. And before closing the tab, make sure to jump down to the end of this article for my weekly trade in, trade out tier list if you need a simple reference.

Q: Looking to move on Te Maire Martin with a tough match this week, is Nicho Hynes worth the chase? I can use Joey Walsh and Nathan Cleary in halves so could be any position if I make this other trade I'll have $950k to use? – Riley

A: With the significant injuries and late scratchings occurring over the last three weeks, I’d avoid moving on a green dot player unless you still have six or more trades. If you do have more than six I can get behind finding a way to get Nicho Hynes in as he has been sensational the past few weeks. I wouldn’t be keen on losing Te Maire Martin however so maybe come up with another solution to make it happen?

Q: Who do you think the best centre to partner Herbie Farnworth is this week? Am playing H2H finals and after Euan Aitken and KL Iro were both ruled out on the weekend was thinking of maybe picking up Stephen Crichton, Jacob Kiraz or Rob Toia this week. – Kate

A: If H2H is your focus and its finals time, by all means you will need to make the trade. My preferences on those options are Stephen Crichton followed by Rob Toia. Then I’d throw a surprise entry of Simi Sasagi here ahead of Jacob Kiraz, purely because Kiraz looks like he is playing through some fitness issues and isn’t scoring at his usual peak.

First take: Roosters v Bulldogs

Q: As I still have Dylan Brown on my team, would a trade with him and Terrell May for Nicho Hynes and Liam Martin be a bad idea? – Harry H

A: I would love to know which MIDs you have left after moving on Terrell May, I would look to get Nicho Hynes from Dylan Brown but in another way as you still will need solid MIDs for the four weeks remaining with Terrell May just on a bye. If he is the only way I’d prefer Jacob Preston rather than Liam Martin with Francis Manuleleua a cheaper option.

Q: I have Euan Aitken and he will not play again this week. Who should I trade him out for? – Brad

A: Unless it’s a must win week and you are short players, I’d hold Euan Aitken as rumours are he is back in the next 1-2 weeks. However if you are set on a trade, or in a must win scenario check the tiers lists at the bottom. The top CTRs behind Herbie Farnworth are Stephen Crichton, Simi Sasagi and Robert Toia. Edges are Ryan Couchman, Haumole Olakau'atu, Jacob Preston and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Simi Sasagi could be your best pick as he has you covered for both EDG/CTR.

Barkin' Bargain Round 23: Jacob Preston

Q: I have Terrell May, James Tedesco and Toby Couchman. Should I trade May and Tedesco and if so who for or I could trade Teddy for any position but with Toby in HIA I would be short a MID this week if I traded another position in. – Cooper

A: All three of these players are firm holds. I am hoping you have at least one MID/EDG player currently in an EDG spot, if so I would move someone else on for Francis Manuleleua who can slot in at EDG allowing your dual position to go to MID. Otherwise unless you are in finals, just take the hit for the one week otherwise you will hate watching the remaining five games of those others you are looking to move on.

Q: With Toby Couchman and Terrell May out this week, this leaves me with Brandon Smith at MID and the benched Billy Burns at EDG. Wanting to use two of my five remaining trades on Tolutau Koula, Billy Burns, Brandon Smith, Setu Tu, or Jack Bostock with 24k left with H2H finals this week, who would you recommend. – Gus

A: Ensuring you have CTR and EDG cover I believe moving on Setu Tu and Billy Burns are you best bets as they aren’t set for huge scores but are still priced high enough to get some good trade ins for your cash. Cheaper good options this week include Stephen Crichton, Jacob Preston, Francis Manuleleua and Salesi Foketi.

First take: Dragons v Sharks

Q: I'm thinking of trading Dylan Edwards for Jacob Preston because he is injured and has a high break even, I have lots of backs to cover. I also have Toby Couchman who isn’t playing this week. Also I was thinking of captaining Nicho Hynes instead of Nathan Cleary because the Sharks are versing the Dolphins – Harry W

A: Dylan Edwards is a frustrating hold so I would agree it is time to move on from him and get in a high performing gun at the right price in Jacob Preston. I have no issue with you captaining Nicho Hynes this week. It is a risk but both he and Nathan Cleary are the top skipper options over the remaining five rounds.

Home Hardware player of the round: Nicho Hynes

Q: I have to make Euan Aitken a trade-out as I'm short one player in my 17. Unfortunately I got caught with three Wests Tigers players and they are on a bye and also Toby Couchman is on a HIA. Who would be the best CTR option to replace Aitken for the run home that costs $600k or less? I'm playing for overall but still interested in H2H as I finished top of my league. – Les

A: As I’ve stated above I’ve got Stephen Crichton just ahead of Simi Sasagi at this stage although Sasagi has the higher upside. Toby Couchman has to be held on to as his week-to-week performances are too good to give up for just the one missing round.

Q: G'day Lone Scout! I'm playing overall and I've got three trades left, I still have Dylan Lucas but I'll have to play both Brandon Smith and Cody Hopwood this week if I don't make any trades. Should I trade Lucas out for Preston or Koloamatangi? – Alex

A : As Dylan Lucas won’t be back this year and has a decent salary, it is worth trading him out despite the fact you only have three trades left. I really like Jacob Preston after two good performances the past two weeks and because he was so cheap after his injury you will even pocket a bit of salary cap relief that you might be able to use when you make your next trade in a week or two.

First take: Warriors v Panthers

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 23

Head-to-Head Only Players

Those only playing head-to-head will need to note that the below is still focused on coaches playing the overall competition. Head-to-head will now be about staying in the finals so if you are at the top of your league and have a bye, try to hold your trades for next week. If your finals just started, check your competitor's team and make the call if you think you aren’t going to win or if it is just too close for comfort.