Round 3 of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season continues this Friday 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.
For this matchup we head under the roof at Marvel Stadium where Collingwood host GWS in what shapes as a fascinating Friday night contest. Both sides come in off the back of losses and will be desperate to get a win to keep their finals aspirations on track. The Pies had a 14-point loss to Adelaide in Round 1, having enjoyed the bye last week, while GWS head into this sitting 1-2 after a disappointing loss to St Kilda. The injury news is significant for both sides; Collingwood are set to welcome back key defenders Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe if they get through training, while GWS could return a trio of Toby Bedford, Aaron Cadman and Brent Daniels, all of whom have been fitness tests through the week. Playing under the roof at Marvel eliminates any weather concerns and sets up what should be a free-flowing fantasy scoring contest between two high pace teams.
Draftstars are offering a number of different contests to suit your style, some of these include:
AFL $60,000+ Magpies vs Giants
AFL $5,000+ Magpies vs Giants High Roller ($150 Entry)
AFL $3,000+ Magpies vs Giants Mini ($2 Entry)
AFL $2,000+ Magpies vs Giants 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!
If you're new to the Daily Fantasy Sports scene and want to join in on the fun, simply join Draftstars via this link!
AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round 3 Magpies vs Giants
AFL Fantasy Round 3 Friday: Where to Attack?
We continue to lean on the back half of 2025 to guide our matchup analysis as we head into the early rounds of the season.
This is going be a very tough game to attack with both GWS and Collingwood trending as tough teams to score against over their last 10 games. The Giants conceded below average to every position over this period including the lowest points in the league to inside midfielders and one of the lowest marks to backs. In recent weeks, however, we have seen big scores posted against the Giants from the opposition rucks, back line and inside midfield so that trend could change as things go on in 2026.
Collingwood on the other hand, have given up above average points to inside midfielders, attacking half backs and the second most points in the league to designated kickers. This is particularly key when playing against GWS who love to possess the ball in their backline to setup their play.
Game Script – GWS backs, mix inside midfielders, Collingwood forwards and rucks
AFL Fantasy Round 3 Friday: Our Value Fantasy Picks
*Ruled out* Toby Bedford ($7,640) is a watch pending his fitness test on Thursday but if he gets up, he is an instant value play. Bedford is a contested forward who attends centre bounces and accumulates tackles and hard ball gets — exactly the profile that returns value in single game slates. He has been averaging 59 points per game for his career but his ceiling with an increased role off the back of GWS' midfield injuries could be considerably higher, and at this price point you only need a return in the mid-60s to be more than happy.
*Ruled out* Brent Daniels ($9,640) is a player to keep a very close eye on once teams are named on Thursday evening, as his availability will determine whether this becomes one of the cleaner value plays on the slate. He has been working his way back from a hamstring injury and is listed as a test for Friday night. If he is named and gets up, the fantasy case is very compelling. Daniels averaged 83.5 fantasy points in 2024 and 66 last season, meaning his price of under $10k is significantly undercooked for what he is capable of returning. His role is also worth watching closely at team selection, as GWS may use him through the midfield given their injury-depleted engine room, which would only elevate his ceiling further.
*Both players above have failed to get named. Obvious plays are now Ollie Hannaford ($6,000) who makes his debut after dominating in the reserves last week. James Leake ($6,000) also comes in at minimum price and can find the footy. Oscar Steene ($6,000) makes his debut for the Magpies and is Ruck/Fwd DPP and could be worth a look to free up cash.
AFL Fantasy Round 3 Friday: Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Jordan De Goey ($10,250) is an interesting mid-priced tournament play on this slate given both his price point and the matchup. His 2025 average of 59.6 has him significantly underpriced relative to what he has shown he is capable of — he averaged 79.8 points in 2024 and 77.8 for his career, meaning at under $10.5k you are getting a player with genuine ceiling well above what his salary demands. He has been attending 24% of Collingwood's centre bounces through the first two games while also rotating through the forward line. If he gets a consistent run through the midfield and the game opens up as expected under the roof at Marvel, a return to his 100+ ceiling is very much in play at this price.
AFL Fantasy Round 3 Friday: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Nick Daicos ($16,980) is the premier pick on this slate and frankly in most single-game slates he appears in at the moment. He is the best fantasy player in the competition right now, averaging 117.7 points over his last three games and sitting at 114.6 over his last 10. The matchup against GWS is outstanding — as noted, they have consistently given up points to opposition wings and outside midfielders — and his record against this opponent is exceptional, averaging 34 disposals in his last three home clashes with the Giants. He is expensive but this is the type of game where he goes 130+ and wins you a tournament.
Lachie Ash ($16,090) is the GWS answer to Nick Daicos on this slate and has been absolutely flying this season with scores of 137 and 136 through his first two games. He is averaging 119 points and playing a half-back role for the Giants that generates enormous disposal numbers and rebound opportunities. Collingwood gave up above average points to opposition designated kickers and attacking half backs through the back half of 2025, which is exactly the role Ash is filling for GWS. He is the type of player who goes massive regardless of the game script and at this salary is worthy of consideration in any lineup.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup for AFL Fantasy Round 3 Friday
Weather Report for Friday 27th March
Indoors at Marvel Stadium – no risk.
AFL Betting Markets Round 3 Friday 27th March
Odds: Collingwood ($1.47) vs GWS Giants ($2.69)
Points: 175.5
Line: -13.5
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!
