Lone Scout's Fantasy team list analysis: Round 26

Some big names return along with a couple of Fantasy specialists but still a couple of surprise outs to deal with.

Let’s get into the team lists for this week. 

Broncos v Storm, Thursday 7.50pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: After their come from behind win last week in Canberra, the Broncos have kept their side as is for the Grand Final rematch against the Storm. Payne Haas had a big game last week and owners will be hoping he backs up in this one. 

Storm: For a third game running Tyran Wishart has a new position with Jahrome Hughes returning at halfback this week. Wishart instead finds himself at centre covering for Jack Howarth who has gone for surgery on an oft-injured shoulder. Jack Hetherington and Marion Seve are the new bench men. 

Sea Eagles v Dragons, Friday 6.00pm at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: Josh Feledy replaces the injured Tolutau Koula who suffered an ankle sprain last week. Onitoni Large joins the 19 as Manly fight to keep their season alive. 

Dragons: Jacob Liddle is out with a calf injury which gives an opportunity for Damien Cook to give us one or two more great fantasy games before he departs to Castleford next season. Connor Muhleisen comes into the interchange but expect Cook to get a bulk of the minutes if not play the entire match. 

Panthers v Bulldogs, Friday 8.00pm at CommBank Stadium

Panthers: Jack Cole is the surprise replacement for the suspended Jack Cogger at five-eighth with Blaize Talagi remaining on the six-man interchange. Jaxon Edgar takes the bench spot vacated by Cole. 

Bulldogs: Enari Tuala is the only change to the side that got the job done against the Dragons last week. It should be noted that Matt Burton switched to right centre last week so Bronson Xerri could play on his preferred left side and expect the Bulldogs to run out in the same fashion on Friday night. 

Titans v Rabbitohs, Saturday 3.00pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: Coach Josh Hannay has resisted making too many changes to the team that went down to the Sharks despite leading at half-time. Josh Patston comes back from his stint in the concussion protocols in a straight swap for the injured Beau Fermor. Max Feagai can be found amongst the extended reserves in the only other adjustment. 

Rabbitohs: In a fantastic initiative by the Rabbitohs and the NRL, Jai Arrow will suit up for, and take part in, the opening seconds of this game against his former club, allowing him to potentially register 100 matches for Souths. The other big news comes via the bench with Latrell Mitchell coming back from injury. He will be joined by Jamie Humphreys and Adam Elliott in a big boost for the visitors as they fight to cement a top-eight spot.

Roosters v Dolphins, Saturday 5.30pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: Having been teased for return for the past three weeks, coaches will again need to take the allocation of James Tedesco at fullback with a grain of salt. Following interviews with coach Trent Robinson who noted the ankle injury was more severe than first thought and the skipper has been named each week to allow Tedesco to prove his fitness but has still been yet to get the all-clear. After putting up an incredible outing last round, Nat Butcher reverts to lock with Victor Radley dealing with a concussion. Lindsay Collins is the new prop while Taylor Losalu joins Cody Ramsey on the pine. 

Dolphins: Now locked for their first ever finals appearance the Phins will look to keep the purple patch going with a top-four spot up for grabs or at the very least a home final. The multi-talented, multi-positional Max Plath is again named in the back row to fill in for Connelly Lemuelu (hamstring). Although expect the dynamic Brian Pouniu, who played there last week to be a late swap into the starting side. Interestingly, Kurt Donoghoe is amongst the back lot of the reserves in his race to return from a fractured thumb in time for September footy. 

Cowboys v Wests Tigers, Saturday 7.35pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: Massive news for Cowboys fans with captain Tom Dearden named to play just his 12th game for 2026 after two separate injuries on two separate occasions to opposite ankles which has caused the Maroons half to miss most of the season so far. This shifts Jaxon Purdue back to his previous post at centre shuffling Zac Laybutt to the vacated wing for Murray Taulagi who suffered another concussion at training and is now in doubt of being able to return before heading to France at season’s end. 

Wests Tigers: More concussion issues follow on the back of the cruel friendly fire hit taken by Alex Twal just one minute into proceedings with Alex Seyfarth to retain his placement in the starting line-up in the lock forward role. Terrell May returns to starting duties after being benched ahead of kick off last Sunday. Obviously May still played big minutes when called on after just one minute of play when the Twal injury occurred. Ethan Roberts is the new bench man with Sunia Turuva also named on the interchange despite being a late withdrawal last weekend.  

Warriors v Knights, Sunday 2.00pm at Go Media Stadium

Warriors: Great news for those holding faith as the Warriors welcome playmaker Te Maire Martin back to the fold. However with last week’s replacement Luke Hanson sitting in the reserves alongside young gun Jett Cleary make sure you keep an eagle eye on pre-game updates. Recovered from the illness that saw him miss last week’s successful away trip, Ali Leiataua relieves temporary placed Adam Pompey who can still be found amongst the squad. And with further injury news mid-season recruit Luke Laulilii will stand in for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak after DWZ has gone for surgery to mend a broken collarbone that will hopefully be healed by finals time.

Knights: With big names on a one-week time out, Francis Manuleleua’s timely return from HIA protocols and veteran Dane Gagai’s injury return allows a straight swap for the suspended Tyson Frizell and Dominic Young. With Gagai coming back at centre, Fletcher Hunt is freed up to take the wing spot while Pasami Saulo has again been named on the interchange as he works back from a foot fracture. Meanwhile the reports proved true with Phoenix Crossland requiring a knee clean out in order to be back in time for Finals which earns young gun Harrison Graham a promotion to the leading role at dummy half. To allow Graham a spell, NSW cup hooker Diesel Hagan is primed for his first hit out at the top grade as he wins a spot within the 19. 

Eels v Sharks, Sunday 4.05pm at CommBank Stadium

Eels: A few troops return via the pine with Bailey Simonsson back from an incredibly lengthy 20-week recovery. Dylan Walker is another amongst the returns after a wrist complaint suffered against the Cowboys two weeks past. Meanwhile another debutant will suit up on the bench with young prop Ryda Talagi looking to get his start from the interchange. Still no sign of Jordan Samrani who injured his groin in the warm-up last Friday night. 

Sharks: Coach Craig Fitzgibbon recalls Cam McInnes to lock which returns Tom Hazelton to the bench after a late swap last Sunday. The only other change for the Sharks comes via Braden Uele who is uplifted into the No.19 after being a late scratching last round. 

Just two weeks of the regular season left to us and perhaps a couple of scarce trades to decide on, if you need a hand don’t forget to throw in a query to thelonescout@nrl.com.au to appear in Thursday's Q&A article.