The resting bug has bitten for the first time in 2025, with a couple of Fantasy's biggest names left out of club action for Round 16.
On the whole though it's good news for the time being, with most representative players named to back up and a couple of possible cash down options emerging for coaches looking to make trades this week.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 16
Wests Tigers v Raiders, Friday at Campbelltown Stadium
Wests Tigers: Popular cheapie Heath Mason keeps the five-eighth job for another week, with positional rival Latu Fainu on the bench, but coaches should avoid playing him while his missed tackle numbers remain so high (19 in his last two games). Terrell May is likely to be the most popular captaincy choice this week and is a good bet to run up yet another 65+ score.
Raiders: There's a new basement-priced WFB on the market in the shape of Jed Stuart, who this week gets first crack at replacing Savelio Tamale (knee) on the wing. With Tamale not likely to play again until Round 26, there's possible value in whoever his long-term replacement ends up being. Red-hot EDG Hudson Young meanwhile is named to back up from Origin II. Corey Horsburgh starts at lock instead of prop, meaning Morgan Smithies is relegated to a bench role.
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Warriors v Panthers, Saturday at Go Media Stadium
Warriors: There's lots to like about the Warriors on the Fantasy front right now, with no fewer than four players boasting last three game averages of 60 or above. Cash cow Leka Halasima retains a starting role in the back row and still has money to make, while there's still possible value in Chanel Harris-Tavita (HLF, $480k) if he can maintain the type of form that has him averaging in the mid 40s in recent weeks.
Panthers: Unsurprisingly, given the difficulties associated with travelling from Perth to Auckland on the back of a mid-week Origin game, Ivan Cleary has opted to rest all of his state representatives. That means no Nathan Cleary (38.2 percent ownership) or Isaah Yeo (14.53 percent), but clever coaches would have been anticipating this and hopefully have put contingency plans in place. It does however mean there's upside in players like Daine Laurie in Draft leagues if you can grab them as free agents.
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Dolphins v Knights, Saturday at HBF Park, Perth
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is named to play and will be a good chance of backing up if he emerges from Wednesday's clash injury free, with travel not a factor thanks to this game also being set down for Perth. High-performing HLF Isaiya Katoa can be viewed as a possible captaincy option for those wanting to try and establish a point of difference, with a last three game average of 59.1 and a favourable match-up awaiting him against the Knights. Coaches are well advised to stay away from Jack Bostock though on the back of his stunning 103 last week. As a general rule, wingers of his type don't make great Fantasy players and he'd failed to go over 45 in a game prior to Round 15.
Knights: Kalyn Ponga is named to back up from Queensland duty and is coming off back-to-back 40+ scores for the first time since rounds 1-2 this year. Popular WFB/HLF Fletcher Sharpe is also named to play after missing the loss to the Roosters with a minor niggle. Dylan Lucas (EDG/CTR, $723k) is another left-field captaincy option this week on the back of his last-up 67. Phoenix Crossland is an intriguing cash down prospect while he is starting at lock, with the $490k HOK managing 62 in that role last week.
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Rabbitohs v Storm, Saturday at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs: Keaon Koloamatangi owners would be wise to plan as if they won't have him this week, with the gun DPP forward included in the reserves after suffering a suspected facial fracture in Round 15. The fact that he hasn't been left out of the squad altogether suggests it isn't as serious as initially thought, so even if he doesn't play Koloamatangi shapes as a hold. Latrell Mitchell is named to back up from Origin duty, while Cody Walker could return in the halves after being included in the wider reserves. Tallis Duncan (MID/EDG, $507k) is in good form and currently sits in only six percent of teams.
Storm: The Origin contingent are all named to play, but as was the case on the back of Game One, the presence of both Tyran Wishart and Bronson Garlick on the bench should be concerning to owners of Harry Grant and Cameron Munster. Ryan Papenhuyzen comes off a 59-point game in which he didn't score a try in Round 14.
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Broncos v Sharks, Sunday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Payne Haas is named to play on the back of his role in Wednesday night's match in Perth, along with Maroons enforcer Patrick Carrigan, who heads into Round 16 with a L3 average of 63. Cheapie WFB Josiah Karapani ($297k) is named to go again on the wing after hitting 49 in a two-try showing back in Round 14. Right now Karapani is keeping the far more experienced Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner out of the squad.
Sharks: With possible cut-price back Mawene Hiroti now gone with a calf injury, Siosifa Talakai slots in at centre. MID Addin Fonua-Blake and HOK Blayke Brailey are both playing well in a Fantasy sense and come off scores in the 80s in Round 15.
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Roosters v Cowboys, Sunday at Accor Stadium
Roosters: With Sam Walker now not expected back for at least another month due to a thumb injury, popular cheapie HLF Hugo Savala's job looks safe as houses for the time being, with another healthy price increase set to come his way on the back of a last-up 63. The Roosters' second-most popular player to Savala, CTR Robert Toia, is named to back up from what will be his second game for Queensland, as is Fantasy-relevant MID/HOK Connor Watson.
Cowboys: Over 23 percent of coaches still have CTR Jaxon Purdue on their books, despite his inconsistent run of form in the halves, which includes scoring only 32 last week. WFB Scott Drinkwater struggled to generate stats in a badly beaten team in Round 15 and scored just 13, but he should benefit from the return of North Queensland's Origin stars.
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Eels v Titans, Sunday at CommBank Stadium
Eels: Cheapie WFB Joash Papalii gets another run this week, lining up in a new-look halves pairing triggered by an injury to Mitchell Moses and suspension for Dylan Brown. Papalii needs to hit 25 in order to break even this week, but is a good chance of doing so in a more prominent ball-handling role. Ryley Smith (HOK, $552k) continues to impress and is now a safe starting HOK option, while Kitione Kautoga is still doing enough to warrant consideration as a loop option or CTR cover piece.
Titans: Jayden Campbell made a powerful return to form after an underwhelming Round 14, with a 75-point showing that lifts his season average back to 60. Beau Fermor comes off a 59 and will have a point to prove after being overlooked for the Maroons, while there's still value in starting fullback AJ Brimson at $526k, especially given he offers DPP flexibility as both a WFB and HLF.
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