It’s great to have footy back and daily fantasy at Draftstars is set for another massive season with huge prize pools every week as well as the $1 million AFL Star contest!
This Saturday is no exception with a $60,000 prize pool up for grabs in the main contest, while High Roller, Mini and Micro contests offer something for everyone. There’s also a range of satellites to win your Golden Ticket into the AFL Star final.
Draftstars are offering a number of different contests to suit your style, some of these include:
AFL Saturday $60,000 ($15 buy-in)
AFL Saturday High Roller $5,000 ($150 buy-in)
AFL Saturday Mini $3,000 ($2 buy-in)
AFL Saturday Micro $2,000 ($0.50 buy-in)
AFL Star Qualifiers and Satellites ($50, $5 and $2 buy-ins)
This season the AFL Star is back for 2026 with a massive $1 million prize pool! Win your way into the Final by winning a Golden Ticket in a range of qualifiers running every weekend!
If you're new to the Daily Fantasy Sports scene and want to join in on the fun, simply join Draftstars via this link!
2026 AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Opening Round Saturday
AFL Fantasy Opening Round Saturday: Where to Attack?
Opening Round of the 2026 AFL season gives us two games to enjoy on this Saturday slate. First up, the Giants will host the Hawks at ENGIE Stadium before the Lions take on the Bulldogs at the Gabba in what should be an exciting clash.
With new players, lineups and strategies, and even a few new rule changes, it can be difficult on Opening Round to find the value, but we can use last year’s trends as a general indicator and factor in some of the off-season and pre-season changes to come up with a winning DFS strategy.
With four strong teams on this slate, it’s hard to find too many leaks from last season to exploit. The Lions and Giants were particularly restrictive when it comes to giving away fantasy points to the opposition across all positions. The Bulldogs gave away above average points to opposition key forwards so that’s an area they’ll want to tighten up this season. Meanwhile it will be interesting to see what the Hawks do in the ruck. They were in the Top 3 in the league for conceding points to opposition rucks, and there was talk they might use the extra bench spot for a second ruckman. They have resisted that temptation this week at least.
Game scripts: Lions key forwards, Giants rucks
AFL Fantasy Opening Round Saturday: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Bruce Reville ($6,580) should enjoy the removal of the sub vest as he gets a full crack at making a mark in this Lions team this season. Reville was very good in the preseason game with 20 disposals, mostly in the defensive half, for a 69-point fantasy score. At near minimum price, he looks a decent option to hit value on a slate where it's hard to expect much from the rookies.
Oscar Allan ($7,570) will make his debut for the Lions and will greatly enjoy the better service he receives in Brisbane following a rough couple of years at West Coast. An undeniable talent, Allan will be keen to quickly showcase his skills in a Lions forward line that should get plenty of ball this season. Draws a good matchup against the Bulldogs defence and a couple of goals should be enough to hit value.
Nick Watson ($8,180) is an attractive value pick as I expect him to see more time through the middle this season. He was very effective as a centre square pitch hitter last season and with a solid year of footy under his belt, he may be ready to take the next steps up to elevate his game this year.
AFL Fantasy Opening Round Saturday: Our Mid-Priced Fantasy Picks
Kieran Briggs ($11,770) is a often a hit-or-miss prospect in fantasy, but the big man holds onto the number one ruck spot at the Giants and draws a good first matchup against the Hawks who do give up big numbers to the opposition ruck. Briggs had a season-high 111 against the Hawks in his last game of the season last year.
A pivot I like is to lean into is Jake Riccardi ($9,440). His leap might see him at more centre square contests this season, and provides an attractive mobile ruck alternative for the Giants.
Connor Macdonald ($12,760) comes right into play in Opening Round as Hawthorn’s reworked midfield is an interesting topic of discussion to start the season. With James Worpel leaving, and Will Day injured, Macdonald starred in the middle for the Hawks pre-season, and while historically he’s been played exclusively across half-forward, he’s likely to get a boost from a new role.
You could also consider Josh Ward ($12,410) at a similar price point, while Jack Ginnivan ($11,480) and Nick Watson ($8,180) may have increased cameo appearances at the centre contests this season.
AFL Fantasy Opening Round Saturday: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Finn Callaghan ($16,040) is going to have to be THE man at the Giants this year. With Tom Green and Josh Kelly out with long-term injuries, Callaghan is going to have to elevate his game to the next level if the Giants are to compete in the middle. It also means he’s going to get the attention of taggers as well. Callaghan has had a hip flexor complaint in recent weeks, but is right to go for the Opening Round. Callaghan averaged 99 last season with three 120+ scores in his last four matches, but we expect a 100+ average this season.
If you want to pivot from Callaghan, the injuries may open up opportunity for new recruit Clayton Oliver ($14,420) as well as Toby Greene ($13,950) to spend some time in the middle. I don’t like the price of either personally, so you could look cheaper to the likes of Stephen Coniglio ($10,950) or Harry Rowston ($10,940) for an upswing in the middle of the ground.
Tim English ($16,080) is the preseason talk as the ruckman who may benefit most from the new centre bounce rule changes. His natural leap in the middle will allow him the chance to jump over ruckmen who prefer to body their opponent, so he might get his hand on the ball first a little more often than in the past. He had a 110.8 average last season and draws a good match up here against Darcy Fort. However with less throw-ins expected around the boundary this season, is it wise to pay up for a premium ruckman or spend your dollars elsewhere?
Suggested Draftstars Lineup for Saturday
Weather Report for Saturday 7th March 2026
Sydney - Scattered thuderstorms, 26 degrees
Brisbane - Light rain, 28 degrees
Betting Odds
Odds: GWS Giants ($2.80) vs Hawthorn ($1.44)
Points: 170.5
Line: Hawthorn -14.5
Odds: Brisbane ($1.42) vs Western Bulldogs ($2.90)
Points: 168.5
Line: Brisbane -16.5
Also, be sure to check out our free AFL betting tips this season. Our experts break down each individual game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
