Round 18 of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season continues this Friday night at Marvel Stadium as Collingwood play North Melbourne. Draftstars are offering $50,000 in guaranteed prize money in their main daily fantasy tournament.
Friday night at Marvel Stadium serves up a blockbuster single-game slate with significant finals implications for both clubs. Collingwood sit ninth on the ladder and are desperate to get into the top six, while North Melbourne have dropped just outside the top 10 and sitting 11th. The confirmed team changes significantly reshape the fantasy landscape. Scott Pendlebury returns to the Collingwood lineup, a welcome boost for the Magpies’ midfield structure and a player whose scoring history against North Melbourne is exceptional. North Melbourne lose George Wardlaw to a hamstring injury, removing a key CBA attendee from their midfield rotation. Paul Curtis returns as North’s primary replacement, stepping into the forward line.
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AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round 18 Collingwood vs North Melbourne
AFL Fantasy Round 18 Friday: Where to Attack?
The matchup data presents an unexpected set of points to cover, namely that despite the fact North Melbourne are only 11th on the ladder they have been very difficult to score fantasy points against. Conceding below average points to every position on the field apart from key forwards, North love to over possess the football, which means the other team doesn’t spend as much time with it. Where you can attack them though, is with tall forwards, a position they have been giving up over 4 points above league average to, second most in the league.
On the other side, Collingwood have been one of the better fantasy matchups in the AFL. They concede above average points to every position in the side, with the standout area being across the half back line and the ruck. They are giving up over 6 points above average to wings and attacking backs, and over 5 points above average to designated kickers. We all know how much North love to possess the footy in this area of the ground so this screams out North back stacks to me. Now.. when it comes to the ruck, the Magpies have been getting absolutely obliterated, to the tune of 19 points above league average. You read that right, and yes it is the biggest number in the league to rucks (and any position to be honest). The tough part will be working out who to play from North.
Game Script – Collingwood key forwards and midfielders, North backs and ruck
AFL Fantasy Round 18 Friday – Our Value Fantasy Picks
Daniel McStay ($8,730) / Tim Membrey ($9,090) are the two key forward value plays I will be looking to on this slate. As noted up the top, the one position that North have trouble with is key forwards and with Collingwood just under 3 goal favourites they should get plenty of opportunity to hit the scoreboard. Neither player is having a banner season, however they have both shown upside to pay off these price points with Membrey hitting the 100 point mark last week against the Tigers and posting a 73 point game (and an 80 point game four games back against Melbourne).
Edward Allan ($9,810) has come into his own in recent weeks with the Magpies throwing him in the midfield. Since Round 13 he has been attending between 60% and 80% of Collingwood's centre bounces — a significant role uplift that has shown up directly in his scoring. His last two games yielded 84 and 81 fantasy points, and both scores came with full midfield minutes in that elevated CBA role. Assuming he continues to play in the middle (despite the return of Pendlebury) he makes for a solid value play while priced at under $10k.
Cooper Trembath ($8,620) is another compelling value play on the slate from two perspectives — role and matchup. Over the last three weeks Trembath has been attending over 50% of North Melbourne's centre bounces in a hybrid ruck/forward role that has transformed his scoring profile. From his last five games he has posted three performances over 75 points, including a ceiling game of 101. Now it would be remiss not to mention the other two games within this streak were in the 30s, so it is really feast or famine. But the sticking point in this matchup with this role is the fact that Collingwood have been giving up 19 points above league average to rucks, the highest ruck concession in the entire competition. While Tristan Xerri seemingly exiled from the centre square now, I love switching to Trembath in this matchup and saving the salary.
AFL Fantasy Round 18 Friday – Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Cooper Harvey ($10,030) is the mid-price half-back play for those wanting North Melbourne defensive exposure in a matchup that suits his running game. He has posted 85, 81, 68, and 70 from his four games this season, playing this new role. Prior to that, he was dominating the VFL across half back. I love him as a mid priced play to stack up with some of Norths premium back options noting that this is an elite matchup for half backs. He has even been picking up some points from taking kick ins at around 1-3 per game since he was included in the side.
AFL Fantasy Round 18 Friday – Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Luke Parker ($14,290) is one of the designated kickers for North and has been racking up fantasy points all season in this role. Averaging 95 points on the season, he is Mr. Consistent, with 2x 100+ games from his last three outings and even better, he loves playing at Marvel Stadium where he has posted 96, 110 and 117 from his last three matches at the ground. This matchup is elite with the Magpies giving up big scores to designated kciekrs and the attacking half backs, which are both roles Parker is playing.
Jordan De Goey ($13,910) has seen a return to form this season that has drawn a lot of attention. Attending over 50% of the Magpies centre bounces he is playing the forward-mid hybrid role to perfection and it has resulted in a boom of fantasy scores, including 62, 103, 116, 91 and 127 in his last five matches.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup for AFL Fantasy Round 18 Friday
AFL Betting Markets Round 18 Friday
Collingwood ($1.42) vs North Melbourne ($3.00)
Points: 175.5
Line: Collingwood -17.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Friday Preview and Betting Tips. Our experts break down the game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
