The 2026 AFL Finals Series begins with the Wildcard Final at the MCG on Friday night as eighth-placed Western Bulldogs take on ninth-placed Collingwood in an elimination final that will end one club’s season. Draftstars are offering $70,000 in guaranteed prize money in their main daily fantasy tournament.
Welcome to September…well not quite, but September has come early in 2026… is that how we say it? The Bulldogs finished in the eighth spot on the ladder and with it the right to host this wildcard fixture at the…MCG — though this is really a Magpies home game, who scraped into ninth to secure a chance to make the final eight. Both clubs arrive knowing a loss ends their season immediately, which brings an intensity to this game that the regular season simply cannot replicate. The selection news shapes the fantasy landscape significantly. Tim English returns for the Bulldogs from injury, though he carries an injury cloud designation that you’ll need to monitor right up until bounce. His return or otherwise is the single most important fantasy question heading into the game. For Collingwood, Scott Pendlebury is out with injury — a massive blow to their midfield CBA rotation and a player whose leadership and clearance work has been central to their season. Isaac Quaynor and Patrick Lipinski both return who will bolster the Magpies experience in a contest like this.
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AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Wildcard Round Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood
AFL Fantasy Wildcard Round Friday: Where to Attack?
Two absolutely enormous numbers jump out at you from a fantasy points conceded perspective, and together they tell you exactly how to build your lineup. Let’s go through them.
First: Collingwood have been giving up over 14 points above league average to rucks — the second highest ruck concession of any team in the competition over the last 10 games. Tim English walks into the best individual ruck matchup in finals football if he passes his fitness test. If he doesn’t, Rory Lobb gets the same gift at a lower price point. Either way, the Bulldogs’ ruck play into this matchup is one of the most compelling individual play on the slate. Even more complicated, Darcy Cameron going the other way faces a Bulldogs side that has been giving up above average to rucks too, making this a ruck-positive game for both primary options.
Second: The Western Bulldogs have been giving up over 12 points above league average to designated kickers and over 10 points above average to wings/half backs — these are both the highest amounts in the league for the relative positions. This points directly to a Collingwood back line game stack and link them up with the midfielders/wings who get down to the defensive part of the ground to support the Magpies transition.
The Pendlebury absence creates a CBA vacancy for Collingwood that will be a value benefit somewhere especially as the Bulldogs give up slightly above average points to inside midfielders.
The Western Bulldogs also give up above average points to forwards, but this game is essentially a coin flip by the bookmakers and you can also take advantage of the fact that the Magpies concede over 4 points per game to key forwards.
Game Script – Collingwood backs and inside midfielders, mix the forwards
AFL Fantasy Wildcard Round Friday - Our Value Fantasy Picks
Beau McCreery ($9,170) has been in the form of his life across the back half of the season and his last-three average of 85.33 at this price is significantly undervalued for a finals game. His centre bounce attendance has been steadily climbing from 14% two games ago to 49% last week and with Pendlebury out I expect him to get similar levels of opportunity this week. Two games ago he had one of the performances of his life with a 122-point game against the Hawks, but he has also posted two 70+ point games in his last five weeks, which would be a nice return at this low price point on a single game slate.
Jeremy Howe ($9,020) is a value back I will love to include in my Magpies stacks on this slate. With his veteran stability the Magpie will be looking to get the ball in his hands and as noted above, the Bulldogs give up plenty of scoring in this area of the ground. He has topped the 100-point mark this season and also shown the ability to go over the 80-90 point mark on multiple occasions.
Aaron Naughton ($8,750) if you are looking to take advantage of the fact that the Magpies give up over 4 points per game to key forwards, Naughton is the play. Neither team is expected to win this one in convincing fashion but if the Bulldogs are to pull it out, I will expect Naughton to have a strong performance as he will be the clear number one target for them going forward.
AFL Fantasy Wildcard Round Friday - Our Mid-Priced Fantasy Picks
Matthew Kennedy ($13,080) is a bit of a mid-price value option if you are looking to go with a Bulldog in the midfield. The last two games he has returned to an inside role with over 60% of their centre bounces and fantasy scores returning to 97 fantasy points. I am expecting they will want his veteran leadership in the middle in this key contest.
Ed Allan ($11,790) steps into an elevated CBA role as the season has gone on and with Pendlebury out I expect this to increase in this matchup. He will potentially look to lineup against the Bont or Richards which will draw him to the ball. This role has seen a three-game form of 85 points per game and should fit nicely in the Magpies stacks as a mid-priced play.
AFL Fantasy Wildcard Friday - Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Nick Daicos ($17,450) is the Collingwood premium and arguably he's given us the greatest individual performance season in AFL history this year. He has a FPPG of 116.68 and will be well rested after low game time last week. The Western Bulldogs don’t tag and give up slightly above average points to inside midfielders but Daicos will love floating down back where the Magpies will rack up uncontested possessions to transition their offense. It is also in these big games when the lights are brightest, Nick Daicos finds another level. He posted 109 fantasy points against the Bulldogs earlier this season but I am expecting a much bigger score in this matchup.
Josh Daicos ($15,230)… lock in both brothers. Josh arguably is the premium lock of this slate as the opportunity for the designated kicker in this matchup is extraordinary. As noted above, the Bulldogs have been giving up over 12 points above league average to designated kickers and Daicos, as Collingwood’s primary kick-in operator, steps directly into that number. His last-three average of 107.33 is some of the form of his career and his season average of 99.48 reflects one of the finest seasons he has had to date. I expect the two brothers to run absolutely wild in this game and will be starting my Magpies stacks with the two of them.
Here is our Suggested Draftstars Lineup for AFL Fantasy Wildcard Round Friday
Weather Report for Friday 28th August
MCG (Melbourne) — Partly sunny, 16 degrees.
AFL Betting Markets Wildcard Round Friday
Odds: Western Bulldogs ($1.85) vs Collingwood ($2.00)
Line: Western Bulldogs -1.5
Points: 169.5
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!
