Round 9 of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season gets underway this Thursday night with another huge daily fantasy contest on offer from Draftstars with over $60,000 in guaranteed prize money in their main daily fantasy tournament.
We have a huge contest this week for Thursday nights game with the ladder leaders Fremantle hosting third-placed Hawthorn at Optus Stadium in what is could be a preview of a big September final. Both clubs have been outstanding throughout the opening half of the season. Fremantle arrive at 7-1 having conceded an extraordinary league-low average of just 68 points per game — the competition's most miserly defensive unit. Judd McVee returns from illness to bolster their defensive stocks and the squad is otherwise close to full strength. Hawthorn travel to Perth at 6-1-1 after a captivating draw with Collingwood last Thursday and bring arguably the competition's most dangerous transition attack — Nick Watson has already kicked 20 goals this season, Connor Macdonald is in the form of his career with 28 disposals and three goals last week, and Jai Newcombe and Jarman Impey have been among the most consistent individual performers in the competition. There is an injury cloud over Newcombe this week ahead of selection which could open up midifeld time for other players.
Draftstars are offering a number of different contests to suit your style, some of these include:
AFL $60,000+ Dockers vs Hawks
AFL $5,000+ Dockers vs Hawks High Roller ($150 Entry)
AFL $3,000+ Dockers vs Hawks Mini ($2 Entry)
AFL $2,000+ Dockers vs Hawks Micro (50c Entry)
Also 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!
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AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round Nine - Fremantle vs Hawthorn
AFL Fantasy Round Nine - Thursday: Where to Attack?
This is one of the most defensively dominant defence vs position matchups of the 2026 season, which is not surprising given it features two of the league's top teams. The data demands caution across several popular positions.
Hawthorn are one of the most restrictive teams in the competition across almost every single category over the last five games. They are suppressing wings and half backs by over 10 points below average, giving up below average to key forwards, general forwards, inside midfielders and rucks. The one position showing a slight positive is the designated kicker at over +1 point above league average per game, just above neutral. In short, targeting Fremantle players based on data is extremely difficult this week and the data suggests this game will be a low fantasy scoring game, but still teams should hit the scoreboard a lot with fast paced transition.
Fremantle on their side have been giving up nearly 6 points above average to key forwards, the primary attack angle for Hawthorn. Fremantle have also been slightly generous to the designated kicker at over 2 points per game above league average, pointing to Hawks back stacks that worked well for us last week.
Given both teams' defensive structures, this slate rewards players who generate scoring regardless of game script, accumulation-based defenders, designated kickers and players with elite floor scores..
Game Script – Hawthorn backs and key forwards, mix in the midfield
AFL Fantasy Round Nine - Thursday: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Mitch Lewis ($9,210) is having the best run of his injury-plagued career in 2026 and Thursday night at Optus Stadium is set up perfectly for him. The 27-year-old completed his first full pre-season in three years after tearing his ACL in Round 17 of 2024, and the results have been immediate — he is averaging 76 points over his last three games. Fremantle have been giving up nearly 6 points above average to key forwards which is the primary attacking angle from the Hawthorn side on this slate. At $9,210 for a player in this form in the best individual key forward matchup on the slate is almost a lock.
Henry Hustwaite ($6,000) is the minimum-price tournament flier of the round — if Jai Newcombe is managed or unavailable, Hustwaite slots straight into the Hawthorn midfield having not scored below 90 points in the VFL all season. Pure lottery ticket upside at basement price.
AFL Fantasy Round Nine - Thursday: Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Karl Amon ($12,770) has been in sensational form in 2026, posting 113, 119 and 62 in his last three games for a strong average with that 62 the clear outlier. As Hawthorn's primary designated kicker and half-back distributor, his scoring blends kick-in bonuses with metres gained and rebound possessions, a profile that generates reliably in tight games where Hawthorn setting up play behind the ball. Fremantle have been giving up a slight positive to the designated kicker position and Amon's boot at Optus Stadium on a clear Thursday night should generate strong kick-in volume. At $12,770 coming off 113 and 119 he is a must-include in any Hawthorn defender stack.
Murphy Reid ($11,770) is the best mid-price play from the Fremantle side. He posted 106 two weeks ago in his best performance of the season and continues to build his centre bounce attendance toward 22% of Fremantle's on-ball contests. In a game at Optus Stadium where Fremantle are slight favourites, his combination of midfield accumulation and forward crumbing in a home game should produce comfortably. At $11,770 for a player with a 106-point ceiling and confirmed expanding role, he is the standout Fremantle mid-price play.
AFL Fantasy Round Nine - Thursday: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Luke Jackson ($16,620) is the lock of this slate and the clearest individual play regardless of price. He has been extraordinary in 2026, posting 129, 135 and 103 in his last three games for an average of 122 points, his ruck workload as Fremantle's unchallenged primary ruckman remains at its maximum. Hawthorn have been giving up below average to the ruck position in recent weeks which is the one concern, but Jackson's scoring comes from clearances, ground-level work and forward bursts in a way that transcends the standard ruck concession metric. He is the highest-ceiling individual on the slate and a lock regardless of ownership.
Andrew Brayshaw ($14,590) is Fremantle's co-vice-captain and their most complete two-way midfielder — and at Optus Stadium on a clear Thursday night he is in his absolute element. The Doig Medallist and All-Australian has averaged over 100 points for three consecutive seasons and his last three scores of 101, 107 and 64 average 91 points with that 64 the outlier from an uncharacteristically quiet game. It will be a tough night for everyone all round, but with Fremantle slight favourites and his running mate Serong likely the focus of a strong tag I like to Brayshaw in what is a low price for his career numbers.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup for Thursday
Weather Report for Thursday 7th May
Optus Stadium (Perth) — 19 degrees, clear
AFL Betting Markets Round 9 Thursday
Frematnle ($1.72) vs Hawthorn ($2.15)
Points: 184.5
Line: Frematnle -5.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Thursday Preview and Betting Tips. Our experts break down the game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
