Check out our team list analysis for Round 18!
Bulldogs vs Broncos – Friday 8:00PM (AEDT) at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs
Blake Wilson and Enari Tuala come in for Stephen Crichton and Jacob Kiraz, who are both in NSW camp. Harry Hayes and Sam Hughes are paired in the front row, replacing Max King and Daniel Suluka-Fifita who are on Origin duty and out with concussion respectively. Galvin is still on the bench.
Broncos
Selwyn Cobbo returns to the starting side at fullback, replacing Reece Walsh who is 18th man for QLD. Deine Mariner comes in for Gehamat Shibasaki. Xavier Willison and Kobe Hetherington will start in the absence of Payne Haas & Pat Carrigan.
SuperCoach Analysis
Kikau & Preston remains the targets at the Dogs, with minimal interest elsewhere. Harry Hayes could be a good plug and play this week in draft comps. The Bulldogs have no remaining byes in 2025 and therefore are great to target.
If you don’t own Josiah Karapani, I think you have missed the boat and I wouldn’t be looking to buy him at current price. Cory Paix starting is handy for coaches that still own. Minimal interest in other Broncos players, despite their reasonable upcoming draw.
Raiders vs Dragons – Saturday 5:30PM (AEDT) at GIO Stadium
Raiders
Corey Horsburgh moves to prop to cover Josh Papali’i who comes out of retirement for the Origin decider next week. Simi Sasagi again plays in the back row, covering Hudson Young who is in Origin camp. Morgan Smithies will start at lock.
Dragons
Val Holmes (origin), Luciano Leilua (quad), Nathan Lawson (shoulder), Toby Couchman (shoulder) and Hamish Stewart (concussion) are all outs this week. Sione Finau, Tyrell Sloan, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Loko Pasifiki Toga, Hama Sele and Michael Molo all come into the side.
SuperCoach Analysis
Plenty of relevance at the Raiders in 2025. I have some interest in Weekes at $466,400 with upcoming games against the Dragons, Parramatta, Newcastle, Dragons and then Manly. Unfortunately, the Raiders missing 19 and 24 makes it hard to suggest purchasing their players this week.
The Dragons are decimated, and therefore are very hard to get behind. I expect Jack de Belin to score well considering their injury list, however it’s unlikely anyone playing Classic will be buying. Maybe a sneaky pickup in Draft for those that play.
Cowboys vs Storm – Saturday 7:35PM (AEDT) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys
Tom Duffy again comes in for Tom Dearden who is on Origin duty. Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson are replaced by Jordan McLean, John Bateman and Harrison Edwards. Tample Kalepo has been named to make his NRL debut from the bench.
Storm
Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Stefano Utoikamanu, Trent Loiero, Harry Grant (origin) and Sua Faalogo (hamstring) will all miss the trip to Townsville. Grant Anderson moves to the wing, Kane Bradley comes onto the wing, Joe Chan comes in at centre, Tyran Wishart will play 5/8 and Bronson Garlick will cover hooker. Tui Kamikamica comes into the starting side at prop, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona moving to lock. Lazarus Vaalepu, Ativalu Lisati & Jonah Pezet all come onto the bench.
SuperCoach Analysis
Both sides are decimated due to Origin, which makes this a tough game to call. Scott Drinkwater is an elite fullback option so you can definitely considering buying this week if you aren’t already an owner.
Jahrome Hughes, Eli Katoa & Ryan Papenhuyzen are elite options in their respective positions.
Roosters vs Wests Tigers – Sunday 2:00PM (AEDT) at Allianz Stadium
Roosters
Mark Nawaqanitawase moves to centre, with Tom Rodwell coming onto the wing, making his NRL debut. Robert Toia, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu are all missing due to Origin duty. Benaiah Ioelu starts at hooker, Makahesi Makatoa at prop, Egan Butcher & Salesi Foketi in the back row, and Blake Steep at lock. Max McCathie, Taylor Losalu & De La Salle Va’a all come onto the bench. Siua Wong is out with a knee injury.
Wests Tigers
Sunia Turuva will play fullback with Heath Mason suspended and Jahream Bula injured, which sees Charlie Staines come onto the wing. Adam Doueihi moves to five-eighth with Api Koroisau sidelined due to concussion. Luka Laulilii comes into the centres, while Tristan Hope returns at hooker.
SuperCoach Analysis
James Tedesco should be owned by all by this stage of the season (I type this as an unhappy non-owner). Mark Nawaqanitawase is a fantasic buy this week as he looks set to line up against Luke Laulilii which could potentially be a mismatch considering his lack of experience in the position in first grade. I like Foketi in Draft as I have a sneaky suspicion he might win the back row role opened up by the Wong injury.
Terrell May remains the target at the Tigers.
Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs – Sunday 4:05PM (AEDT) at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles
Tommy Talau comes onto the bench for Nathan Brown.
Rabbitohs
Alex Johnston moves to fullback to cover Latrell Mitchell. Isaiah Tass comes in on the wing, with Euan Aitken moving to centre and Jack Wighton playing five-eighth. Cody Walker is sidelined with another hamstring injury. Brandon Smith has been named on the reserves as he looks to complete his comeback from the ACL injury suffered in late 2024.
SuperCoach Analysis
Manly have the bye in 19, however I still hold interest in the likes of Garrick, Hopoate and Daly Cherry-Evans.
Keaon Koloamatangi is a premium option in the front or back row, while Tallis Duncan is finally starting to show his best footy after being in and out of the side previously. POD option?
