NRL 2025, NRL Fantasy, Round 12, team lists, advice, expert opinion, cheapies, trades, cash cows

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Author: Corey Rosser NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Tue 20 May 2025, 05:27 PM

The first of the big bye rounds means a large portion of Fantasy's best are missing in action this week, but there's also a bevy or cheapies on offer to coaches.

Latest injury news and returns

Remember that in Rounds 12, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 19 only your starting 13 players score points. This means you don't have try and scrape together a bench this week while there are only five games on instead of the usual eight.

NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 12

Bulldogs v Dolphins, Thursday at Accor Stadium

Bulldogs: The club's three top Fantasy prospects are all either out injured, suspended or on Origin duty, but there's still a couple of players of interest here. Viliame Kikau is tracking nicely as a second-tier EDG prospect who is averaging 51.9 per game, while DPP forward Josh Curran is back in the frame this week after serving his suspension. While they aren't good options in Classic, Harry Hayes and Bailey Hayward are decent Draft pickups if they are available in your league, with both starting this week.

Dolphins: Following Tom Gilbert's pec injury last week, which is expected to sideline him for around three months, Connelly Lemuelu (EDG, $447k) and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (EDG, $515k) now have really good job security in this Dolphins pack. Isaiya Katoa is the second best HLF in Fantasy on recent form, with a last three game average of 71 per game which is bettered only by Nathan Cleary. Herbie Farnworth is on fire and could be a trade-in target this week for those missing talent due to Origin.

Round 12 - Thursday 22nd May

Full Time

Bulldogs

Dolphins

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Jake Averillo
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson

Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Max Feagai
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Blake Taaffe

Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Josh Curran

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Kurt Donoghoe
Prop for Bulldogs is number 16 Samuel Hughes

Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Harry Hayes

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 17 Oryn Keeley
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward

Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Ray Stone

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Lipoi Hopoi

Interchange for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jake Turpin

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Harrison Graham
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis Morrin

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Luke Smith

Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Josh Kerr

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Jack Underhill

Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Sean O'Sullivan

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 10:42 am Sunday 25th May 2025

Eels v Sea Eagles, Friday at CommBank Stadium

Eels: WFB Josh Addo-Carr has quietly been on a very nice run of form, with four-straight games under his belt in which he has scored at least 50 points. With just 2.2 percent ownership right now, the Foxx shapes as a point of difference option for the middle of the season. Kitione Kautoga produced big time for owners with a 58-point showing, and he's going to be an important cover player over the Origin period thanks to his status as both a CTR and EDG. HOK Ryley Smith is named to start despite an injury scare last week.

Sea Eagles: With Daly Cherry-Evans out on Origin duty, there isn't a heap of Fantasy-relevant talent in this Sea Eagles side, although both Reuben Garrick (CTR/WFB, $601k) and Haumole Olakau'atu (EDG, $639k) have top tier potential in their respective positions when it all comes together for them. Jake Arthur comes in at halfback and could be a useful streaming pickup for HLF needy teams in Draft leagues. Lachlan Croker makes his long-awaited injury return on the bench and could become an underpriced HOK option over the next month if his break even climbs during some limited-minute games.

Round 12 - Friday 23rd May

Full Time

Eels

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
Winger for Eels is number 2 Sean Russell

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
Centre for Eels is number 4 Jordan Samrani

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Dean Hawkins

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jake Arthur

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Jack Williams

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Ethan Bullemor
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Eels is number 15 Luca Moretti

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Lachlan Croker
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Nathan Brown
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Ryan Matterson

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Matthew Lodge
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Joash Papalii

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 22 Caleb Navale

Reserves

Reserve for Eels is number 17 Matt Doorey

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 10:36 am Sunday 25th May 2025

Panthers v Knights, Saturday at Carrington Park, Bathurst

Panthers: Of Penrith's top six Fantasy players by average points, only MID Lindsay Smith will actually take the field in Round 12. There are a heap of cheapies named to play as a result, but few that demand a trade-in in Classic leagues. Those who held onto Thomas Jenkins can look forward to another price rise from the WFB, with a break even of 17 which should be fairly manageable for him.

Knights: High-performing DPP Fletcher Sharpe moves back to fullback to fill the void created by Kalyn Ponga's Queensland selection, and it's easy to see him having a big game there against a depleted Panthers side. Dylan Lucas is set to go in the second row this week after filling in at centre in Round 11, with Kyle McCarthy the new man in the backline for coach Adam O'Brien.

Round 12 - Saturday 24th May

Full Time

Panthers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Sharpe
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Paul Alamoti

Winger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Panthers is number 5 Thomas Jenkins

Centre for Knights is number 4 Kyle McCarthy
Winger for Panthers is number 20 Jesse McLean

Winger for Knights is number 5 Fletcher Hunt
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad Schneider

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Matthew Eisenhuth

Prop for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
2nd Row for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Henry

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay Smith

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 11 Preston Riki

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Luke Sommerton

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron Patea

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
Interchange for Panthers is number 21 Harrison Hassett

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Paul Bryan

Reserves

Replacement for Panthers is number 17 Jack Cole

Replacement for Knights is number 20 Matthew Arthur

Match Officials

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 10:36 am Sunday 25th May 2025

Roosters v Sharks, Saturday at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Roosters: Robert Toia owners weren't expecting to be without him this week, but despite a surprise Origin call up he's a player that's worth holding if you can (CTRs who average 40+ and were available at the price you would have purchased him at don't grow on trees). Mark Nawaqanitawase moves to the centres to cover for him after scoring 67 on the wing in Round 11. With a stack of players out on representative duty, there are a number of good Draft pickups within the Roosters' 17 this week. Hugo Savala (HLF, $389k) is continuing to make money but will need a big game within the next couple of weeks to avoid a pause in value rises.

Sharks: KL Iro (CTR, $691k) continued his incredible 2025 record of scoring a try in every one of his games with another four-pointer last week, and with just two percent of teams owning him right now he looks a point of difference option for coaches who don't want to go with a player like Herbie Farnworth. Addin Fonua-Blake went huge in Round 11 and registered an 80, which was a nice reward for teams that have stuck with him through a bit of an up-and-down season (by his lofty Fantasy standards).

Round 12 - Saturday 24th May

Full Time

Roosters

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Mark Nawaqanitawase

Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon Smith

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Hugo Savala

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Makahesi Makatoa

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Benaiah Ioelu

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Salesi Foketi

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 9 Zach Dockar-Clay

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Taylor Losalu

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Blake Steep

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Xavier Va'a

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King

Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 11:58 pm Sunday 25th May 2025

Warriors v Raiders, Sunday at Go Media Stadium

Warriors: Luke Metcalf is creeping towards having a presence in nearly a fifth of all teams now and will be a useful option for people over the Origin period while the likes of Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster and Mitchell Moses are missing in action. Erin Clark didn't lose minutes, or points, with the return of James Fisher-Harris last week and he's now easily the best HOK around when it comes to last three game form. Leka Halasima continues to perform nicely as a cut-price EDG, with a 48 last week setting him up with a 25 break even.

Raiders: Even with Hudson Young away on Origin duty there are plenty of Fantasy-relevant forwards available in this Canberra team, led by MID Joseph Tapine who has a good chance of being his position's top player this week. Corey Horsburgh being overlooked for the Maroons is a nice surprise for his Fantasy owners, while popular Round 11 pickup Zac Hosking's 52 last week ended up actually being a bit disappointing considering he scored a try and played 68 minutes.

Round 12 - Sunday 25th May

Full Time

Warriors

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
Centre for Warriors is number 22 Ali Leiataua

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey Horsburgh
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
Prop for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Simi Sasagi
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 8 Jackson Ford

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire Martin

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Noah Martin
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jacob Laban

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Josh Papalii
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota