Lone Scout's Fantasy team list analysis: Round 25

Finally some good news with a number of Fantasy studs returning for this week, just hope for our coaches sakes it is the ones we held and not the ones we sold.

Still a few big names missing and more than a couple more have joined the Casualty Ward so let’s get stuck into the analysis. 

Storm v Panthers, Thursday 7.50pm at AAMI Park

Storm: Harry Grant returns for Melbourne in a big boost for their side and Fantasy owners who held the top rated HOK in the game. However, he comes in at the expense of Tyran Wishart with Trent Toelau named in the No.7 and Wishart only found amongst the interchange. There could be switch-ups on game day, especially with Hayden Watson relegated to the extended reserves, but Wishart could be one to set in the looping position to start your round. Also returning but less relevant for Fantasy are Jack Howarth in the centres and Alec MacDonald on the bench. 

Panthers: Dylan Edwards made his long-awaited return at fullback last week and is named there again. Casey McLean is the important cog in the wheel that comes back this time around but it is a trade for the now injured Paul Alamoti. Luke Garner has been named in the extended squad after returning from a hamstring injury through NSW Cup last week.

Raiders v Broncos, Friday 6.00pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Canberra get a couple of integral players back this week as they still have a slight chance of playing finals football providing other results continue to go their way. Simi Sasagi is the most important one for Fantasy coaches as he is named in the centres while Corey Horsburgh comes back in via the interchange. Josh Papali’i will start in the middle third with Morgan Smithies in concussion protocols for now.  

Broncos: Another key player went down hurt for the defending premiers Brisbane last week in Reece Walsh, which will have many Fantasy owners spending their last trade on moving him out. Hayze Perham will deputise in the No.1 while Ben Hunt replaces Tom Duffy at halfback, although Duffy can still be found in the 19. Va’a Semu is the other returnee for Brisbane who will be desperate to find a victory having not tasted success since Round 20. 

Dolphins v Eels, Friday 8.00pm at Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins: Connolly Lemuelu went down with a hamstring injury last Friday so Max Plath slides over to the edge position to accommodate. Hopefully Lemuelu owners from earlier in the season already upgraded him before this news. The rest of the Dolphins squad is fairly settled but keep an eye on Herbie Farnworth who copped a knock two weeks ago and ever since has not been able to put up his usual Fantasy numbers. He could even be worth looping if you have a strong 21 this week. 

Eels: Parramatta welcome back Jack De Belin who was a late withdrawal last weekend which pops Saxon Pryke back to the bench. Dylan Walker is out with a wrist injury. Not much else to report on the victorious Eels who continue to try and play giant slayers as they round out their 2026 season. 

Knights v Sea Eagles, Saturday 3.00pm at MacDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: A devastating team list for those who recently plumped for gun rookie edge Francis Manuleleua, who is out with concussion, veteran Tyson Frizell is listed on the edge. The Knights have also lost Dane Gagai for this encounter but do name Bradman Best once more after he was a late out last weekend. Jacob Saifiti makes his long-awaited return form injury just in time to get some match fitness before the finals. Cody Hopwood makes way but can still be found riding the pine. 

Sea Eagles: Brilliant news with Tom Trbojevic and brother Ben Trbojevic both named to return from their respective injuries this week as the Sea Eagles season is on the line at Newcastle. Not sure how many coaches would’ve held Turbo Tom but he wouldn’t be the worst trade-in target with Reece Walsh out for the year. Joey Walsh has a jaw injury so the impressive Clayton Faulalo remains in the run-on side at five-eighth. Caleb Navale is also back after missing almost the whole year due to an ACL injury suffered during pre-season. 

Rabbitohs v Warriors, Saturday 5.30pm at Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs: Another big game with Top 4 and Top 8 implications and Souths could have a huge boost with Latrell Mitchell named amongst the extendeds. 'Trellmit' would be an enormous POD play for those who held enough trades for one last hurrah over the next three weeks. With Adam Elliott once again sidelined through a groin strain, Euan Aitken returns to the starting side and can be started with confidence.  

Warriors: As was well documented, Luke Metcalf injured his hamstring kicking a conversion last Saturday night and therefore will be out for the rest of the Fantasy season at the least. It is horrible news for coaches who traded him in just last week as he will have to go unless you don’t have a trade left to your name. The news is exacerbated by the fact Te Maire Martin is still unable to return from a hamstring strain. Instead Luke Hanson will wear the No.7 with Taine Tuaupiki at fullback with the man who filled in at halfback, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, out suspended. 

Dragons v Bulldogs, Saturday 7.35pm at Allianz Stadium

Dragons: No changes to the run-on side that got the job done against Wests Tigers last Sunday although there are a few jersey number rearrangements as the team was jostled 90 minutes before kick-off last round. The fresh fullback is Daniel Atkinson with Clint Gutherson missing in action while Mat Feagai has recovered from a back complaint so he will start ahead of Setu Tu who remains in the squad via the bench. Josh Kerr is also named there after missing out the past two matches while Luciano Leilua and Kade Reed can be found in the reserves. 

Bulldogs: Jethro Rinakama was unable to finish last week’s contest against the Rabbitohs and will miss the clash versus the Dragons with a knee injury. Bronson Xerri starts at right centre with Enari Tuala switching sides to play left wing. Sean O’Sullivan joins the bench in the only other change for Cameron Ciraldo’s chargers who need a win to stay alive in the race for the top eight.

Titans v Sharks, Sunday 2.00pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: Some tinkering to the team by coach Josh Hannay sees Cooper Bai come into the starting middle with Chris Randall shifting to the interchange. Also starting is Arama Hau as Josh Patston suffered a category 1 HIA last Sunday and won’t be able to suit up this week. Good news for Oliver Pascoe owners with Sam Verrills replaced by Luke Sommerton in No.18, this means Pascoe should get the lion’s share of minutes at dummy half. It should also be mentioned that Jaylan De Groot and Lachlan Ilias keep their spots at wing and half-back respectively, after filling in last week. 

Sharks: Braydon Trindall is out with a shoulder injury that will likely see him sit for the remainder of the regular season. Niwhai Puru is his replacement and while most halfbacks get an uptick when playing alongside a young half, this isn’t the case for Nicho Hynes, who seems to go considerably better when Trindall is his halves partner so beware owners thinking of captaining Hynes this week. Addin Fonua-Blake is an important player to have back for the Sharks, he shifts Oregon Kaufusi back to the interchange. Cam McInnes didn’t get the minutes required last week to post a decent score and now AFB is there, we cannot trust him to get back on track this outing. 

Roosters v Wests Tigers, Sunday 4.05pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: For the third time in a row, James Tedesco is once again named at fullback and Cody Ramsey slips to the bench but those holding the great Fantasy WFB will be turning their hair grey watching for team updates throughout the round and hoping he can actually run out this time. He plays against his former club, the Wests Tigers, who he usually performs very well against, so definitely roll the dice if you believe he will start. 

Wests Tigers: Also a hugely frustrating late out last week was Alex Twal who suffered a gameday illness, but he is named back in the No.13 for those needing Twal to round out their 17. A few other changes for the Wests Tigers with Jock Madden replacing Adam Doueihi who heads for shoulder surgery which will end his 2026 campaign. Also in is Jeral Skelton, with Sunia Turuva confined to riding the pine.  

You probably only have one or two trades left but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your questions in to thelonescout@nrl.com.au.

My column comes out Thursday and I can even help you with start/sit options and looping advice if needed.