NRL Round 20: Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo rested; Eels dropped Dylan Brown from 17

Penrith co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo will miss the club’s Round 20 clash against South Sydney, while high-profile Eels star Dylan Brown has been named in the reserves. ROUND 20 TEAMS

Teams are in for round 20 and it’s carnage for SuperCoaches.

LOSERS

* Nathan Cleary - The most popular buy of the week has been rested by the Panthers along with Isaah Yeo.

* Ryan Papenhuyzen - Again out for the Storm as he battles a calf issue.

* Dylan Lucas - Out for the season with a foot injury and therefore the most popular sell.

* Sandon Smith - Even with Hugo Savala out, Smith can’t score a spot in the 17. Chad Townsend is preferred in the halves.

* Dylan Brown - Named hooker last week and misses the 17 altogether this week. Priority sell. On the plus side for many SuperCoaches, Ryley Smith scores the starting hooker spot on his return from suspension.

WINNERS

* Lachlan Galvin - Has dipped to $436K and now starting for the Dogs

* Cameron Munster - Returns for the Storm following the passing of his father.

* Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - Returns to the starting side for the Titans and appears to have shaken off a sternum injury. Sixth most popular buy at time of writing.

MAY’S EXILE OVER

Taylan May will end his NRL exile with the former Penrith star named in the Wests Tigers squad to take on the TItans on Sunday.

May’s inclusion in coach Marshall’s outfit comes after the outside back bagged a nine-minute hat trick for the Western Suburbs Magpies in NSW Cup last weekend.

May only joined the Concord club on a train and trial deal last month, in a bid to resurrect his NRL career, and looks set to earn his Tigers club debut on Sunday at Leichhardt Oval.

The 23-year old has not featured in the NRL since his last game for the Panthers just over 16 months ago back in Round 10 last year.

The former Penrith centre was stood down under the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy after he was charged in relation to domestic violence allegations in May 2024.

Those charges were dropped earlier this year in March, paving the way for May to make an NRL comeback.

Former Penrith star Taylan May is set to be named in the Wests Tigers squad to take on the Titans. Picture: Gaye Gerard

ROB SUTHERLAND’S BUY/SELL SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS

Hudson Young – The Raiders left edge forward has been immense in 2025 scoring a truck load of tries and banging out almost 50PPG in base. He leads his position in PPG average by the best part of 5PPG and is currently in just 11.3% of teams. He’s ticking a lot of boxes. If I had a knock it is this. Young is dealing with osteitis pubis. This is unlikely to keep him out of games, but the Raiders may limit his minutes as he manages the injury, especially if they can secure a few more wins and lock in a top-two finish. The Raiders also have one more bye to come (round 24). I still think the positives probably outweigh the negatives here but if I were very low on trades and had a solid team already for overall honours then I might avoid Young for now. If I had plenty of trades and was looking for an upside POD who could win me a head-to-head match then I would buy. VERDICT: Slightly risky BUY

Zac Lomax or Valentine Holmes – If you’re looking to offload Dylan Lucas then I suspect you are strongly looking at one of Lomax or Holmes. As I mentioned last week when reviewing the pair there is very little between them from a SuperCoach perspective. Both get through plenty of work (Lomax a bit more), both are big contributors to their team’s attack (Holmes a bit more), both kick goals (slotting at a similar rate but Holmes gets more chances thanks to a more potent St George attack). Both are good buys. I have Lomax fractionally ahead due to his team’s slightly kinder draw – but the mess that is Parramatta’s halves situation could tip that back the other way. VERDICT: BUY

Cameron Munster or Jayden Campbell – Another either/or scenario here and again there are solid case to be made for both five-eighths. Munster gets through more work in attack and defence and hence leads the pair when it comes to pure base output by the best part of 10 points. This deficit is off set by Campbell’s goalkicking duties which has netted the Titans playmaker 10.5PPG. Which you prefer might come down to your appetite for risk. Munster ‘feels’ the safer pick. His team is fighting it out for a top-two spot. Campbell’s is fighting not to collect the wooden spoon. But the draw significantly favours Campbell (with matchups against the Tigers, Souths, Dolphins and Tigers again) while Munster and the Storm face a far tougher caliber of opposition. Or maybe you prioritise pedigree (advantage Munster) over POD status (advantage Campbell and his 12.5% ownership compared to Munster’s 37.8%. Like Young above I suppose the call will depend on your objectives. If you wish to make ground on the top 5% or win a H2H match with an upside POD then Campbell is your guy. If you want to cover moves made by the top 5% in order to defend an existing ladder position then Munster is your man. Either way both are BUYS.

Dylan Edwards – The Penrith fullback is a popular pick-up this week with SuperCoaches looking to move on from Ryan Papenhuyzen and his troublesome calf eyeing off Penrith’s soft four-week draw and the fact that Edwards may take the goalkicking duties from Cleary in the shirt to medium term. Edwards (averaging 72PPG) sits well off the pace of the elite fullbacks (Tedesco 88PPG, Papenhuyzen 83PPG and Drinkwater 81PPG) but his workrate is elite and even without the goalkicking I can see him averaging top-three at position over the next four weeks. If he does take the tee he might well top that average. VERDICT: BUY

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – Those who showed patience with Tino over the Origin period were rewarded last week when the big Titan scored 70 points – his best return in five club outings. The minutes (48) were still low compared to Tino’s season average of 61MPG which is a worry. And that is why despite the low price and proven potential I still have Tino as a NO BUY. That could/will change if we see an uptick in minutes suggesting Fa’asuamaleaui had put his sternum injury behind him.

Blayke Brailey – the Cronulla hooker has flicked his running switch in the last month or so recording four linebreaks over the past four games compared to zero previously and 13 tackle busts over that span when he had just nine from first 13 games of the season. With a significantly lower ownership than Connor Watson and somewhat lower ownership than Harry Grant, Brailey is a POD play for those in need of a hooker. The round 25 bye is a bummer though. VERDICT: SLIGHTLY RISKY BUY

Tanah Boyd – the Warriors halfback is a popular buy this week with players reacting to his 70 point haul on club debut against the Tigers last weekend. Job security is good and a goalkicking DPP halfback|5/8 for just $329,600 is nothing to sneeze at. The draw is pretty good too with the Knights, Titans (twice), Dolphins, Dragons and Eels still to come. If I were to find a quibble it’s this. The 70 points from Boyd was the seventh best score in his 70 NRL game career. Even with a soft game it’s questionable whether he fits into your best 17 at this late stage of the season. If you have plenty of trades then he’s a great safety valve that you could slot in in an emergency. But it feels like a luxury trade – even at the low price. VERDICT: PASS

Dylan Lucas – Out for the season with a foot injury. VERDICT: SELL

ROUND 20 NRL SQUADS

DOLPHINS v COWBOYS

Thursday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jake Averillo 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Aublix Tawha11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Ray Stone 16. Josh Kerr 17. Peter Hola

Reserves: 18. Tevita Naufahu 19. Kenneath Bromwich.20. LJ Nonu 21. Trai Fuller 22. Ryan Jackson

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Braidon Burns 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Thomas Mikaele9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13 Harrison Edwards

Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Ryan Rivett 19.Robert Derby 20. Temple Kalepo 21. Marly Bitugane 22. Dane Aukafolau

SHARKS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 6:00pm, Sharks Stadium

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Chris Vea’ila 20. Niwhai Puru 21.Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. 6. Chad Townsend 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Sandon Smith 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Tom Rodwell

PANTHERS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 8:00pm, CommBank Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaiah Papali’i

Interchange: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Jack Cole, 19. Luke Sommerton 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Harrison Hassett 22. Preston Riki

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Lewis Dodd

Reserves: 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Thomas Fletcher 20. Ryan Gray 21. Shaq Mitchell 22 Ammaron Gudgeon

RAIDERS v EELS

Saturday, 3:00pm, GIO Stadium Stadium

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Trey Mooney 20. Noah Martin 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Bailey Simonsson 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Dean Hawkins 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Jordan Samrani 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 18. Dylan Brown 19. Dan Keir 20. Toni Mataele 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Haze Dunster

BULLDOGS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Accor Stadium

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward

Reserves: 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Blake Wilson 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo

Reserves: 18. Corey Allan 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Nicholas Tsougranis

STORM v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. Kane Bradley 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ativalu Lisati

Reserves: 18. Joe Chan 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 22. Lazarus Vaalepu

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

WESTS TIGERS v TITANS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers

1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi

Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Sione Fainu 16. Fonua Pole 17. Jack Bird

Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Luke Laulilii 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. David Fifita 17. Klese Haas

Reserves: 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Arama Hau 21. Sean Mullany 22. Tom Weaver

KNIGHTS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights

1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Brodie Jones 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jermaine McEwen

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Kyle McCarthy

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Samuel Healey 20. Eddie Ieremia 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Kayliss Fatialofa

Originally published as NRL Round 20: Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo rested; Eels dropped Dylan Brown from 17