Round 14 of the 2025 AFL season gets underway this Thursday night with the all-Victorian clash between St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium. The Bulldogs are sitting just outisde the Top 8, making a win here critical to their finals ambitions, especially noting that they have one of the strongest percentages in the league. Meanwhile, St Kilda are remarkably just one win behind the Bulldogs and still have a decent chance to make finals if they can get a run on.
As always, this is all about the daily fantasy and this massive Thursday night game draws another massive $50,000 prize pool at Draftstars in their main contest, plus more qualifiers for the $1 million AFL Star contest! In addition, there are a variety of alternate contests:
AFL $50,000+ Saints vs Bulldogs at Draftstars
AFL $5,000+ Saints vs Bulldogs High Roller ($150 Entry) at Draftstars
AFL $3,000+ Saints vs Bulldogs Mini ($2 Entry) at Draftstars
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AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round 14 St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs
AFL Saints vs Bulldogs: Where to Attack?
St Kilda have consistently been one of the best teams to attack with defenders from a fantasy perspective over the last few years since Ross Lyon took over. While the Saints continue to concede above average points in this region of the ground, it has not been as lucrative over the last 10 games as it has in past years. The Saints are giving up over 3 points per game above league average to attacking half backs and just under 3 points above league average to designated kickers.
The Western Bulldogs have also been giving up a healthy amount to attacking half backs through this stretch at over 4 points per game above league average, which might indicate there is no need to stack up backs for one team on this slate.
Up forward it is no surprise given the Saints have lost more games than they have won this season, and carry a percentage below 100, that they are giving up above average points to the forward positions. Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs continue their ongoing trend of giving up points to key forwards, currently conceding the fifth most per game in the league over the past 10 games.
Finally beware of the inside midfield battle with the Western Bulldogs conceding the fewest points in the league to this position over the last 10 games.
Game Script – Western Bulldogs forwards and midfielders, split the defenders
AFL Saints vs Bulldogs: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Tobie Travaglia ($7,820)... the sub watch is going to be critical in this game with plenty of options on both sides. If Travaglia is playing a full game, I love this as a value option on the slate as he is coming off back-to-back games of 67 and 72 fantasy points which, at this price point, would be very solid returns on a singe game slate. His role across half back is very fantasy friendly, especially in this matchup, and he has shown ability for a breakout game that is going to come sooner or later by posting big scores in halves of games but not yet putting together a full match.
Rory Lobb ($8,820) will be locked into his backline role again now with Sam Darcy back into the lineup. In this matchup where the Saints have been consistently known to give up points to all defenders, especially key defenders, Lobb has nice upside. He is coming off a 91-point performance to show his upside.
AFL Saints vs Bulldogs: Our Mid-Priced Fantasy Picks
Sam Darcy ($11,090) is potentially a bit risky first up after major injury, but I love this matchup for him, especially if the Western Bulldogs are able to get right on top of this contest - they are 20 point favourites and have shown the ability to win big this season. Darcy was averaging 95 points per game before his injury impacted 8-point performance and this means he is nicely priced for that level of output.
St Kilda midfielders offer a number of potential mid priced options with Marcus Windhager ($11,580) and Hunter Clark ($11,380) looking the standouts of recent form. However it is worth noting we should tread with caution here with Jack Macrae coming back into the lineup as it is likely that one of these two will lose significant midfield time.
AFL Saints vs Bulldogs: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Matthew Kennedy ($14,950) is averaging 103 points per game on the season but has not gone under 107 fantasy points in his last seven games. He is quite literally one of the in-form players in the entire competition and still priced under $15k. Last week we saw Tom Liberatore ($14,750) spending time across half back, which is in part, to make way for the fact Kennedy is now playing the inside midfield role so well. I love this matchup against the Saints and he is a lock as a premium play in my sides.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera ($15,350)… speaking of in form players, we have another one right here. Wanganeen-Milera is looking a lock for the All-Australian team and has been putting out huge fantasy scoring games with back-to-back 117 and 134 point outbursts from his last two games (and a season average of 106 per game). As noted at the top, the Western Bulldogs have been giving up one of the higher amounts to opponent's attacking half backs this season and the Saints will look to have it in his hands at every opportunity.
Heres our Suggested Draftstars Lineup for the Saints vs Bulldogs
AFL Betting Markets Round 14: St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs
St Kilda ($3.37) vs Western Bulldogs ($1.33)
Line: Western Bulldogs -20.5
Points: 167.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Preview and Betting Tips for each match. Our experts break down each individual game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
