A handful of Origin stars return to action this week, as the injury bug presents an opportunity for a couple of other players to establish themselves in more prominent roles.
Here's all the Fantasy news you need to know following the release of the Round 14 NRL Telstra Premiership team lists.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 14
Knights v Sea Eagles, Thursday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Kalyn Ponga returns to the line-up after being a late withdrawal last week, which means Fletcher Sharpe moves back into the halves from fullback. Despite his recent unavailability, Ponga is still owned by a touch under 20 percent of all teams. A 65 for Kai Pearce-Paul last week means he now has a last three game (L3) average of 57.7, positioning him as a possible point of difference player who currently sits in only 4.5 percent of teams. An uncharacteristic 38 from Dylan Lucas has paused his price jumps for the time being.
Sea Eagles: The return of Jake Trbojevic from injury pushes Jazz Tevaga back to the bench and likely ends his nice run of scoring which had him sitting on a L3 average of 56.7. Lehi Hopoate gets another go at fullback after hitting 71 in the win over Brisbane, while DPP back Clayton Faulalo has set himself up for another couple of price rises potentially by scoring 45 in Round 13.
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Storm v Cowboys, Friday at AAMI Park
Storm: Harry Grant returns and moves Bronson Garlick back to the bench, but given Garlick's uninspiring 24 last week during a starting role, that isn't exactly a blow to his owners anyway. After securing back-to-back scores in the 70s prior to Origin, Cameron Munster struggled on his way to a 32 in Round 13, but he should be better for the extended rest this time around.
Cowboys: Jaxon Purdue was impressive in the halves last week on his way to 65 and he remains a potential cut-price elite CTR option if you think he can hit consistent 50+ scores. Scott Drinkwater meanwhile had his first score above 40 since Round 9. Cheapie Jaxson Paulo keeps a spot in the backline after registering 55 in his club debut last week.
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Dolphins v Dragons, Friday at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins: Fresh off a bye last week Isaiya Katoa (L3 average of 67) and Herbie Farnworth (L3 average of 64.3) return to action as two of the form players in their respective positions. The presence of both Jeremy Marshall-King and Max Plath in the wider squad could mean there is a big forward pack shakeup before kick-off, with Kurt Donoghoe and either Oryn Keeley or Ray Stone the likely men who will be bump out of the run on side in that scenario.
Dragons: Damien Cook led all HOKs last week as he racked up 70 points, while DPP forward Toby Couchman finished just one point back from him in his return from injury. Couchman looks a possible immediate buy for forward-needy teams. MID Hamish Stewart has now gone up just under $300k in value and should have another rise in him this week thanks to a break even of 24. The return of Christian Tuipulotu sees Tyrell Sloan drop out of the 17.
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Sharks v Warriors, Saturday at Sharks Stadium
Sharks: Teig Wilton's injury return spells the end of Billy Burns' time in the run-on side, with the $441k EDG resigned to being 18th man. KL Iro (CTR, $695) is a set and forget option in your backline and boasts a record of nine tries in eight games so far in 2025. Cronulla's most-owned Fantasy player, Addin Fonua-Blake, continues to be an inconsistent scorer in terms of the top level, but for the time being, with so many other MIDs involved in Origin, he's probably a hold.
Warriors: A season-ending injury for Mitch Barnett means there's a reshuffle in the pack, and his absence could have a big Fantasy impact too. Erin Clark, who is by far the most-owned Warrior at 30.8 percent ownership, could now take on an even bigger role in the side, while there might be some value in Barnett's replacement, Jackson Ford, as well. Ford, who is only listed as an EDG right now but could earn DPP status as a MID down the track, has five 50+ scores this year and is available at $634k. Wayde Egan's scoring has really fallen away now and he should be upgraded when possible.
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Broncos v Titans, Saturday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: It was a Round 13 to forget for the Broncos on the field, and they didn't fare much better in the Fantasy ranks either, with not single player managing over 47 on the night. That came as a big blow to those who captained Payne Haas and got just 90 points by the time his total had been doubled. This week Reece Walsh (WFB, $466k) returns to the lineup at fullback, while Brendan Piakura (EDG, $370k) gets a start ahead of Xavier Willison.
Titans: A move from the halves to fullback did nothing to slow Jayden Campbell's excellent run of Fantasy scoring last week, with his 64 points marking the fifth time he's gone above 60 this season. AJ Brimson is named as 18th man after suffering a concussion the day before the club's Round 13 match and should he return it's likely to trigger a backline reshuffle that could see Kieran Foran drop out of the squad or move to hooker, with Sam Verrills (hand) out of action.
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Raiders v Rabbitohs, Sunday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: After a promising recent run of scoring, MID Morgan Smithies drops back to the bench as part of a reshuffle which allows Josh Papalii to start in his record-breaking 319th game. Hudson Young (EDG, $809k) has now gone eight-straight games without dipping under 50 points, but opposite back-rower Zac Hosking on the other hand has so far underwhelmed for owners after taking back his starting role, with a 37 followed by a 42 leaving him well short of keeper status.
Rabbitohs: Cody Walker and Jack Wighton both return from injury, with the former's presence potentially meaning a bit less involvement in attack for Latrell Mitchell, who now has a L3 average of 66.7. There'll likely be a mini trade surge on Keaon Koloamatangi after last week's 85, with his DPP status as both a MID and an EDG making him a handy option for your pack. A 44 for Lachlan Hubner against the Warriors means you can probably hold him for at least another week and not lose money.
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Wests Tigers v Panthers, Sunday at CommBank Stadium
Wests Tigers: Young gun Heath Mason was excellent in the No.6 jersey last week, finishing up with a 54 which has him on a two point break even for Round 14. Provided he can see off the challenge presented by Latu Fainu - who returns from injury on the bench this week - then he's a cash cow worth jumping on. After 11 games Jack Bird, who somehow still sits in eight percent of teams, finally has a score over 30 after racking up 47 in the loss to the Cowboys.
Panthers: Nathan Cleary was excellent on the back of his role in Origin I and delivered big time for those who put their faith in him as captain, finishing with a 53 that was 22 points more than the next best Penrith player. Young DPP Casey McLean keeps a spot in the backline after scoring 50 in Round 13. Don't be surprised to see some movement on the bench before kick-off, with both Isaiah Papali'i and Luke Garner included among the reserves for the time being. Isaah Yeo lost some minutes, and points, last week after playing for the Blues on Wednesday, but if you've got him he's a definite hold.
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Bulldogs v Eels, Monday at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs: Lachlan Galvin could see his first action in Bulldogs' colours after being included in the wider squad. If you are part of the 2.1 percent who own him then he's a hold for the time being, while there's also nothing to suggest his move to the ladder-leaders is any reason to rush out and buy him right now. If he does make the side then there's a chance his presence causes a slight drop off in attacking stats for Matt Burton. High-performing DPP back Jacob Kiraz returns from injury and is a good chance of going up in price due to a break even of 52.
Eels: The Joash Papalii experience is over for the time being, with the rookie relegated to 18th man this week. If you picked him up recently then he's worth holding still, with Zac Lomax set to miss time due to Origin duty and injuries bound to hit in the backline in coming weeks. The slow burn that has been Isaiah Iongi is set to reach a new milestone this week, with the WFB odds-on to tick over the $500k mark in value on the back of a last-up 47. Ryley Smith (HOK, $531k) continues to be a winner for those who picked him up, with a L3 average that now sits at 48.3.
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