It's Elimination Finals Day with two teams set to end their 2025 journey today, while two will advance and live to fight another day. First up, the Giants will host the Hawks in what should be a fantastic match. Then in the evening, the Suns get their first taste of AFL finals with a tough road trip to take on the Dockers in Perth.
As always this is all about the daily fantasy and this Saturday sslate draws a boosted $60,000 prize pool at Draftstars in their main contest. In addition, there are a variety of alternate contests:
AFL $60,000+ Saturday
AFL $7,500+ Saturday High Roller ($150 Entry)
AFL $2,500+ Saturday Mini ($2 Entry)
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AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Finals Week 1 Saturday
AFL Fantasy Finals Week 1 Saturday: Where to Attack?
With two games on this Saturday slate, it does provide a few more options than a single game, but as you would expect in a finals series featuring the best teams in the league, the leaks are fewer to exploit than during the regular season.
Both the Giants and Hawks have strong fantasy profiles, making them hard to target. The Giants have been particularly strong in recent weeks as they are in the top three toughest in the league to score against for defenders, wingers and inside midfielders over the past ten matches. They were vulnerable in the ruck early in the season but have improved in recent weeks.
The Hawks key defenders have had the better of key forwards over the last ten weeks but the one area they could be exposed is in the ruck where they are over 7 points above the league average.
One of the biggest weaknesses on this slate is Fremantle giving up points to opposition defenders where they are in the top three in the league over the last ten matches. The Dockers also give up above average points in the ruck and to general forwards.
Gold Coast have one of the toughest ruckmen to score against in Jarrod Witts, and they are the toughest team in the league to score against for general defenders. However they have leaked some big points through the midfield in recent weeks.
Game script: Giants ruck, Suns defenders, Dockers midfield
AFL Fantasy Finals Week 1 Saturday: Our Value Fantasy Picks
David Swallow ($6,000) I think he’ll be the sub so I haven’t set him in my lineup, but if somehow he’s not the sub, then he’s right in play at minimum price as there’s not a lot of great value options here. A lot has been made about the emotional impact of Swallow on this young Suns side, and he’s capable of absorbing the finals pressure and landing a few crunching tackles before retirement.
Toby Bedford ($8,080) can be a bit hit-or-miss depending on his assignment each week and it seems certain that he’s going to be given a tagging job here. In tight, contested finals then there should be plenty of tackles, so it’s worth noting that Bedford had 13 tackles and a fantasy score of 96 against the Hawks earlier in the year. Anything near that score would be very tasty!
AFL Fantasy Finals Week 1 Saturday: Our Mid-Priced Fantasy Picks
Will Powell ($10,800) has been in good form in recent weeks with scores of 98, 76, and 97 over the past three weeks. It’s worth noting that Daniel Rioli ($10,810) was out injured in a couple of those which may affect Powell’s role here. I like Powell as he has the capacity to rack up fantasy points at a rapid rate, but all of the Suns defenders are in play here. An under-price Joel Jeffrey ($10,210) is a great tournament play and the solid Bodhi Uwland ($9,330) are also worth considering in a great match up for Suns defenders against Freo.
Hayden Young ($11,940) is a huge injury risk as he’s seemingly made of paper this season, but we know his upside is as an elite midfielder. It’s a final so we expect Young won’t be picked if not 100% fit and his time won’t be managed unless the Dockers are well in front. Capable of ton-plus scores at a great price in a great match up against the leaky Suns mids. High risk, high reward.
AFL Fantasy Finals Week 1 Saturday: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Caleb Serong ($14,790) / Andrew Brayshaw ($14,670) I’m stacking up the Fremantle midfielders against the leaky Suns. Both look a good price and have a more favourable matchup than the other premium mids on this slate. Last time against the Suns, they scored 111 and 113 apiece, and if we look at the Suns recent history they gave up massive points to Butters (152), Rozee (142), Callaghan (122), Neale (124) and Dunkley (112). A final might be a different game, especially given Serong seems susceptible to a tag, but it looks a sound play.
Heres our Suggested Draftstars Lineup for Finals Week 1 Saturday
Weather Report for Saturday September 6th, 2025
Sydney - Light rain, 18 degrees.
Perth - Light rain, 15 degrees.
Could be a few light showers around on Saturday. It doesn't look heavy enough to affect conditions too much but just keep an eye on the radar closer to the first bounce.
AFL Betting Markets Elimination Finals
GWS Giants ($1.79) vs Hawthorn ($2.07)
Line: GWS Giants -3.5
Points: 169.5
Fremantle ($1.54) vs Gold Coast ($2.50)
Line: Fremantle -10.5
Points: 162.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Previews and Betting Tips for each match. Our experts break down each individual game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
