NRL Round 16 team lists: Full squads + NRL Supercoach analysis

Two major bye rounds down, one to go.

As always, they tend to be more difficult than we anticipate leading in.

For the Cooma Stallions, there were a few worrying signs, entering a player down with just 12 on deck.

12 is manageable, of course, but the concern as the round drags on is the threat of players withdrawing from games, or players getting injured early on.

The troops delivered honourably throughout the weekend, up until the early stages of the Tigers and Titans (mini) farewell to Leichhardt Oval.

Owned by 68% of top-ranked coaches, Kai Pearce-Paul injured his pec just 10 minutes into the game, which left the Stallions and many other coaches essentially down another number.

It was a brutal one for all, especially with the Tigers’ outstanding bye-coverage, but at least the Tigers back-rower was highly owned.

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The Cooma Stallions did end up having a strong weekend thankfully, notching 1,035 points to rise nicely into 8.5k overall.

While there’s been some tumultuous times this season, we’re starting to get back to some respectability, which is encouraging, but there’s plenty of work left to do.

Concerningly, I’m now down to 14 trades remaining for the season, with one boost in hand.

My squad runs very deep, and numbers are strong for the remainder of the bye period, so barring injury disaster I’m aiming to save maybe three or four trades between now and Round 19.

It’s imperative as always though that coaches take any opportunities available to bank trades where possible.

Take a look at your numbers for the remaining bye rounds in Round 16, 18 and 19 and work out where you need to target your trades.

If you’re comfortable with active numbers those weeks, transfer your focus elsewhere and bank some trades!

It’ll likely be the difference between thousands of ranks come the back end of the year, or a league title for those head-to-head focused players. 

Let’s take a look at the NRL Supercoach analysis of the second mini-bye in Round 16, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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KNIGHTS v DRAGONS

Friday, 8pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Thomas Cant 13. Mathew Croker

Bench: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Cody Hopwood 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Francis Manuleleua 20. Sandon Smith

Reserves: 21. Tyson Gamble 22. James Schiller

Analysis: The Knights play the remaining three bye rounds with an outstanding draw, making them major targets moving forward.

Games against the Dragons, Tigers and Dolphins (without Origin players) at home couldn’t read too much better for Newy’s Supercoach contingent.

Two of those three are day games, which is even more enticing.

Kalyn Ponga has been named, but I’d be stunned if he backed up just two days after Origin two.

Pending minutes, I’d assume Dylan Lucas is in the same boat unless he ended up playing limited time off the bench for NSW, which seems unlikely.

Those who sold Greg Marzhew when he peaked a few weeks back have a very nervous watch over the next few rounds.

Was it a masterstroke or madness? I’m backing the latter, but time will tell.

Back in the halves, Fletcher Sharpe becomes relevant at $589k with a breakeven of 59.

He’s gradually looking back to better health with every game and the week off, and likely finishes in the top averaging players in the position.

Despite a breakeven of 107, Dom Young looks a nice buy at $635k with a season average of 69 points.

He averages 84.75 against the current bottom eight teams this season, and just 43.2 points against top eight teams, which included 91 against Manly in Round 2 under Anthony Seibold.

Bradman Best returns and is a super POD option with the incoming draw, if you’re brave enough to take on his injury history.

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Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Josh Kerr 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Emre Guler 19. Tyrell Sloan

Reserves: 20. Hame Sele 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Christian Tuipulotu

Analysis: The Dragons play the next two bye rounds, giving them some relevance; however, they’re still tough to target on current form.

Further, the third mini bye round post Origin tends to throw up a few curveballs.

The Couchman twins remain near enough musts; non-owners may be able to grab Toby at a discount leading into the Round 18 major following his last start 58 points to sit with a breakeven of 113.

It’d take a brave Supercoach, but Valentine Holmes has returned to some Supercoach form with recent scores of 83 and 103 against the Sharks and Broncos, both away from home.

Prior to that, he had extremely respectable scores of 57 and 69 against the Warriors and Panthers.

While it’s easy to argue he’s been down this year alongside the Dragons being awful, yet he’s still managed to average 63 despite all of this.

Not for me as I’ll be targeting sides with better try-scoring potential, but at $583k with a breakeven of 19 there’s a play there.

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TIGERS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 3pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Starford To’a 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Seyfarth

Bench: 14. Josese Lanyon 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Mavrik Geyer 17. Charlie Murray 18. Heamasi Makasini 19. Latu Fainu

Reserves: 20. Heath Mason 21. Peter Taateo 22. Adam Doueihi

Analysis: The Tigers bye period remains excellent, featuring in the final three bye rounds.

Kai Pearce-Paul looms as a sell pending good scan results on his pec injury.

Taylan May is a Supercoach stud, but far out, you’re braver than me to take him on at the moment with his recent injury history.

He stated himself after declining season-ending surgery on an injury that “I want to go until the wheels fall off.”

When he’s on the field, he’s a rocket, but with limited trades I need to be a bit savvier around targeting players carrying injuries.

Brother Terrell remains a must, and with workhorses in Alex Twal and Pearce-Paul out longer-term he’ll continue to play huge minutes, presenting a genuine captaincy play each week.

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Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Morgan Knowles

Bench: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Ray Stone 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brian Pouniu

Reserves: 20. John Fineanganofo 21. LJ Nonu 22. Sam Elliott 23. Max Plath 24. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Analysis: The Dolphins bye period also remains excellent, featuring in the final three bye rounds.

As they’ve had outstanding bye coverage since the Origin period began, I’ve written at nauseam about them, so I won’t go into too much detail.

Herbie remains a must; Jack Bostock is ticking along nicely, as is Connelly Lemuelu for POD hunters.

Pending minutes in Origin, I don’t mind Kulikefu Finefeuiaki as a buy this week, although it’s probably best waiting till after Origin.

If he plays less than a half, you’d expect big minutes backing up for the Dolphins.

I was surprised people sold last week; he’s averaging 74 points this season with an outstanding 65.5 in base and power.

Remarkably, he hasn’t busted a tackle or offloaded in his past two games though.

He’s one of the most destructive ball runners in the game in a red-hot attacking side running off Isaiya Katoa, yet since Round 2 has just one try and no try-assists to his name.

Both Jamayne Isaako and Katoa are expected to play after injury scares last weekend.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Tom Flegler haven’t been named to back up from Origin.

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TITANS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jenson Taumoepeau 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Cooper Bai

Bench: 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Jaylan De Groot 18. Lachlan Ilias 19. Jett Liu

Reserves: 20. Sam Verrills 21. Adam Christensen 22. Bodhi Sharpley

Analysis: The Titans lose a little relevance with no coverage of the third major bye in Round 18.

Remarkably, the Titans play eight of their final 11 games at home on the Gold Coast.

They’ve played just three of 13 at home so far this season.

With incoming games against the Panthers and Bulldogs into the bye, into Melbourne away and Manly, I’m not keen to invest.

Keano Kini does make obvious appeal though with a surge in form.

On anything near his best, he’s dirt cheap at $600k with a breakeven of 12.

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He boasts a season average of 72 points, with 140 against the Tigers made up of three try-assists, four linebreaks, five tacklebreaks (surely he had more?!), five offloads and 28 runs! Simply elite numbers.

He’s been up and down this season, with highs of 157 and 140 and 9 other scores below 70.

While he’s playing some better footy, I just don’t want to use two trades on him when I believe the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Reece Walsh, Dylan Edwards and perhaps even Tom Trbojevic appear to be better buys for the run home.

Oliver Pascoe has a five-round average as a starting hooker of 74 points.

He’ll find plenty more attack and is a season keeper provided he retains the big minute role.

Jayden Campbell rewarded new owners with 70 points; he’ll be a buy for me after the round 18 bye when he gets dual 5/8-HFB positioning provided he’s fit and healthy.

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Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Liam Henry 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Lindsay Smith

Bench: 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Billy Phillips 17. Luron Patea 18. Jack Cole 19. Sione Fonua

Reserves: 20. Kalani Going 21. Isaah Yeo 22. Brian To’o 23. Nathan Cleary

Analysis: Penrith finally gain (bye period) relevance, playing the third major in Round 18, before missing Round 20 with a bye.

With games incoming against the Titans, Cowboys and Rabbitohs, you could make a case for their entire backline.

The Origin contingent have again been named, but I’d be surprised if any backed up.

They all rested after Origin 1, which was a top-of-the-table clash against the Warriors on Sunday evening, in the same city Origin was played.

This is against the cellar-dwelling Titans, on the Saturday afternoon, in a different state.

We’ll have to wait and see!

Dylan Edwards looks particularly enticing if Nathan Cleary rests, as he steps into a more prominent playmaking role.

Edwards scored 83 against the Warriors in the only game Cleary missed this season.

In 2025, in the only game he played without Cleary, he scored 173.

In 2024, he averaged 91 points without Cleary.

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There were some goal-kicking duties sprinkled into those scores; however, Paul Alamoti is expected to kick goals should Cleary sit out.

Alamoti himself looks a great buy with back-to-back tonnes to sit at $604k with a breakeven of 1.

He excels on the wing, and has finally started to find the attacking stats that eluded him earlier in the season.

The time for Tom Jenkins is now; well, it was probably before the bye for his 148 to be fair.

At $701k with a breakeven of 46 and a season average of 88 points, his price could get out of hand quickly.

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BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 7:35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Kurt Mann 10. Leo Thompson 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Harry Hayes

Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Jed Reardon 16. Jack Underhill 17. Josh Curran 19. Jethro Rinakama

Reserves: 20. Logan Spinks 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Alex Conti 23. Alekolasimi Jones

Analysis: The Bulldogs miss the third major bye round, but do feature in the next two mini bye rounds.

Jacob Kiraz is the only player I’d look to invest in at $727k with a breakeven of 54.

Since returning from injury, he’s averaged 103 points per game, with two tries and no try-assists in that time.

When fit and firing, he’s arguably the best CTW in the game, but injury never appears far away.

He’s currently meant to be out for six weeks with a torn calf, but he’s playing through it. Animal!

With that recently acquired information, and his price rocketing above $700k, I’d probably look elsewhere for now.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Josh Feledy 19. Joey Walsh

Reserves: 20. Hugo Hart 21. Blake Wilson 22. Jackson Shereb

Analysis: The Sea Eagles feature in the final three bye rounds, giving them major relevance.

Tom Trbojevic returns in a rampant Manly outfit, catching the attention of plenty of Supercoaches who are pulling the trigger on the star fullback.

I won’t go into the reasons why he’s enticing because they’re obvious with Turbo, but there are a number of red flags signalling why you should probably avoid him for now.

In his first game back from injury, you’ll want to see his full role and fitness levels.

He’s $659k with a breakeven of 140, and a 10-point score sitting in his rolling average.

While the upside of a 140+ score is always enticing, I don’t feel it’s enough to warrant pulling the trigger early.

Does he spend time at centre in the coming weeks?

How will his output look?

Does he aggravate an existing injury?

I’ll be watching for a few weeks, then will consider for Round 18 ahead of a run against the Eels, Cowboys and Titans if he’s ticking boxes.

Haumole Olakau’atu’s Origin snub is a win for Supercoaches.

He isn’t expected to feature for NSW and will be on deck in full capacity for Manly.

He’s rocking an outstanding 84-point average for the season, including a five-round average of 96 points.

At $784k with a breakeven of 49, he’s expensive, but you’re paying for quality and upside.

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WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 2pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Jacob Laban 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Kayliss Fatialofa 18. Rocco Berry 20. Luke Metcalf

Reserves: 21. Makaia Tafua 22. Mitchell Barnett 23. Kurt Capewell

Analysis: The Warriors play the next two mini bye rounds, but miss the major in Round 18.

They do have a fairly soft incoming draw against the Cowboys, Dolphins, bye, Tigers, Dragons, Bulldogs and Titans.

We’ve spoken plenty about their contingent, so there’s not too much more to add.

Post Round 18 they’ll become a little more relevant again.

Jacob Laban delivered for owners with 57 points to rise $72k.

He was a buy last week though with bye-round coverage and the low breakeven.

The rollercoaster that is Lofi Khan-Pereira continued with just 12 points against the Sharks; granted, a bad cork saw him play just one half of footy.

With a breakeven of 112, he could be a bargain pick-up to play as sixth or seventh CTW on match-up for the run home.

He’s out this week following the injury.

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Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Liam Sutton 19. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 20. John Bateman 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Ethan King 23. Wiremu Greig

Analysis: The Cowboys also play the next two mini bye rounds, but miss the major in Round 18.

They also have two savage fixtures incoming against the Warriors and Panthers.

With this draw, I won’t consider investing until after the Origin period, if at all.

Tom Chester looms as a potential sell at $645k with a breakeven of 94.

He’s a fairly easy season hold to play as a fifth or sixth CTW on weekly match-up, but I do feel there will be higher upside options for the run home.

He’s been outstanding this season with a season average of 70; despite this, he’s cracked three figures just once with a top of 104.

If you’ve been savvy in holding trades, I like the sell; if you’ve gone a bit harder like myself, there’s no harm in holding long-term.

If you can sit him outside your 18 in the coming weeks with quality cover, he becomes an easier hold.

If you still own Scott Drinkwater or Jaxon Purdue I’d be tempted to sell for reasons listed above, but it’s hardly a priority move.

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STORM v RAIDERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Joe Chan 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Shawn Blore 19. Tyran Wishart

Reserves: 20. Davvy Moale 21. Preston Conn 22. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 23. Lockyer-Azile Foliola

Analysis: The Storm play the next two mini bye rounds, but miss the major in Round 18.

All eyes will be on whether or not Harry Grant and Cam Munster back up from Origin.

With the maximum four-day turnaround and Melbourne in a must-win position for their finals hopes, I’d imagine they’ll play barring any Origin knocks.

While the likes of Stefano Utoikamanu, Sua Fa’alogo and Jahrome Hughes are ticking along nicely, I wouldn’t look to invest in any Storm players until after the Round 18 bye.

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Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Jayden Brailey

Bench: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Ata Mariota 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Daine Laurie 18. Jed Stuart 19. Vena Patuki-Case

Reserves: 20. Coby Black 21. Jordan Uta 22. Chevy Stewart

Analysis: The Raiders play the next two mini bye rounds, but miss the major in Round 18.

On current form, you couldn’t really invest in Canberra Raiders players, with the exception being Hudson Young.

With the Raiders also needing to win games to keep their finals hopes alive, I expect him to back up from Origin in big minutes.

He’s averaging an outstanding 85 points this season to sit at $794k with a breakeven of 102.

Games against the Storm and Dragons are decent, and we know he can go big on any given day.

While he’s probably a post-Origin buy, I wouldn’t begrudge anyone going early if you have the coin.

Zac Hosking and Joe Tapine are ticking along nicely for owners.

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ROOSTERS v SHARKS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Tommy Talau 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Rex Bassingthwaighte 19. Toby Rodwell

Reserves: 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Junior Tupou 22. Egan Butcher 23. Taylor Losalu 24. Cody Ramsey

Analysis: The Roosters play the next two mini bye rounds, but miss the major in Round 18.

With no guarantee of their mass Origin contingent backing up and two potentially tricky games against the Sharks and Broncos coming up, into the bye, I’d be reluctant to invest in any Roosters.

Round 18 is their final bye of the season, so I think coaches will flock to their contingent after that.

Mark Nawaqanitawase returned from a lengthy injury lay-off with a monster 128 point score.

Due to his 2-point game when injured in round 9, he actually dropped $11k and sits at $691k with a breakeven of 112.

I’ll look to move on Marky Mark post Origin period.

James Tedesco should be available at around $600k post Origin, potentially cheaper!

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Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Niwhai Puru 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Billy Burns 15. Oregon Kaufusi 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Mawene Hiroti

Reserves: 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Blayke Brailey 22. Nicho Hynes

Analysis: The Sharks play all three bye rounds to come, but do have the bye next round, which is a full set of eight fixtures.

With a tricky fixture against the Roosters incoming and the bye next week, I wouldn’t rush to invest until Round 18.

Those who took a punt on Braydon Trindall have been rewarded with a three-round average of 89 points.

Provided the price is right, it’s one worth remembering for the future that Tricky Trindall without Nicho Hynes is worth buying as the primary playmaker.

KL Iro scored just 54 across this ditch and will begin to bottom out nicely post bye, currently sitting at $649k with a breakeven of 111.

To be fair, he does have eight scores of 65 or below this season, with his season average elevated by hat-tricks against the Cowboys and Tigers.

His 46.8 in base and power is solid still, but he’s certainly not a must-have at the moment.

Nicho Hynes and Blayke Brailey have been named in their bids to return from injury.