AFL Saturday is back with three games coming our way this week…hopefully.
We kick things off at Marvel Stadium with the Saints welcoming the Lions. The plan is to then head west where the Dockers are scheduled to host the Tigers. The only problem is that Tropical Cyclone Narelle is circling off the West Australian coast. The forecast is for heavy rains and winds…at best. The AFL are keeping a close eye on things and if the cyclone decides to get too close then there’s a chance this game is postponed. Keep an eye on the weather reports closer to the start.
The drama doesn’t end there as it’s a true marshmallow match between the Kangaroos and Bombers on Saturday night. Two teams looking to defy the commentary to find much-needed success in a match where a loss would be absolutely disastrous!
Draftstars are offering a number of different contests to suit your style, some of these include:
AFL $60,000+ Saturday at Draftstars
AFL $5,000+ Saturday High Roller ($150 Entry) at Draftstars
AFL $3,000+ Saturday Mini ($2 Entry) at Draftstars
AFL $2,000+ Saturday Micro (50c Entry) at Draftstars
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 3 Saturday
AFL Fantasy Round 3 Saturday: Where to Attack?
The logical place to start is targeting backs against the Saints which has been one of the most popular fantasy plays in recent years. In particular, look for the Lions designated kickers. By contrast, the Lions are one of the toughest teams to score against, so pick your Saints wisely.
Assuming the Dockers and Tigers match goes ahead, both teams have been pretty poor in conceding points across many positions. The Dockers give up big points in the midfield and ruck, while also being above average to opposition defenders, while the Tigers are among the worst in the league across all lines of the ground. The big question mark is the weather and how it will affect this game. Keep an eye on weather reports closer to the start time, but the points line is currently a low 148.5 suggesting that rain is going to have a big impact on scoring. If it’s as bad as it seems, it’s going to reduce the effectiveness of marking forwards and there will be less goals scored. Expect to see more contested play which brings the rucks and inside mids into play.
The Kangaroos and Bombers have also been terrible for a long while and so it’s no surprise to learn they concede plenty of fantasy points across all positions. The Bombers are among the worst in the league in conceding points to opposition forwards and defenders. The Kangaroos have been giving up points to key forwards but don’t give up much at the other end of the ground - in fact, they are the tightest in the league at conceding points to the opposition designated kickers.
Game script: Lions designated kicker, Dockers/Tigers inside mids and rucks, Kangaroos forwards/defenders, Bombers key forwards
AFL Fantasy Round 3 Saturday: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Mykelti Leafu ($6,980) / Campbell Gray ($6,000) are usually players that I wouldn’t consider writing about but they are somehow in play this week. With the injury to Toby Nankervis, Gray and Leafu have been thrust into the ruck role at just 195cm. Good luck! While it’s going to be hard work to get a hitout, being on the ball should get them into the action around the ground, and it won’t take too many tackles or uncontested marks to hit value.
Peter Wright ($7,810) / Kyle Langford ($7,040) are both majorly discounted if you think the Bombers can be competitive against the Kangaroos. Considering the Roos defence is among the worst in the league, you’d have to suggest it’s a spot that Wright and Langford can bounce back.
Wright averaged almost 74 fantasy points last season, which would basically hit value, but he also had two tons and a 96 against the Kangaroos, which is a slate-winning score at this price.
Langford had an injury-interrupted season last year but averaged in the low 70s in both 2023 and 2024, including four tons during that time. A return to that sort of form would be ideal.
Nate Caddy ($8,930) is also a nice pivot if you like a Bombers bound back. He’s in good form coming off 4 goals and an 85-point game, and he’s going to be a handful for the Kangaroos defence.
AFL Fantasy Round 3 Saturday: Our Mid-Priced Fantasy Picks
Shai Bolton ($12,270) was superb last week with 32 disposals, 2 goals and 110 points against Melbourne. He’s a confidence player and draws the gun matchup against the Tigers here, so you may like to play the rush. The only negative will be the wet conditions. It probably doesn’t suit Bolton’s style of play. Murphy Reid ($12,010) is also an option around the same price point.
AFL Fantasy Round 3 Saturday: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Tim Taranto ($14,430) is in play if it’s going to be a wet slog in the west. While Taranto can barely kick it straight in the dry, let alone the wet, he is a tackling machine and will love slopping around at the bottom of the packs all day. Taranto had 12 tackles last week for a 114 against the Suns and a contested war will suit him perfectly.
Luke Jackson ($15,560) has to come into consideration with the shocking weather predicted in Perth and the injury to Toby Nankervis (who would’ve loved these conditions!). The Dockers rucks will face two Tigers who are arguably the most under-qualified ruckmen in AFL history. Conditions will be wet with plenty of stoppages, so if there’s ever a chance for utter domination, this is it. Jackson scored 125 two weeks ago against the Cats, and seems certain to get around those numbers again here. Pivot to Sean Darcy ($9,100) is an option for a bounce back game if budgets are tight.
Dayne Zorko ($16,580) is the definition of the designated kicker and he gets the best matchup in the league against the Saints. Zorko has started the season in blistering form with 142 and 121 against premiership contenders in the Bulldogs and Sydney. Another massive score looms for Zorko here.
Tristan Xerri ($17,950) is also worth mentioning coming off a monstrous 152 last week against the Eagles. Who said rucks are dead in fantasy? Xerri was huge in every aspect, but his presence around the contest was enormous with some bone-jarring tackles. Draws a gun matchup against the Dons where he should dominate, but you’re having to pay a massive price to have him in your lineup.
Here is our Suggested Draftstars Lineup for AFL Saturday
Weather Report for Saturday 28th March
Perth - Light rain, 22 degrees.
Melbourne - Light rain, 18 degrees.
AFL Betting Markets Saturday
Odds provided with thanks to NextBet!
St Kilda ($2.63) vs Brisbane ($1.49)
Line: Brisbane -13.5
Points: 187.5
Fremantle ($1.02) vs Richmond ($13.00)
Line: Fremantle - 48.5
Points: 148.5
Essendon ($2.62) vs North Melbourne ($1.50)
Line: North Melbourne -13.5
Points: 189.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Previews and Betting Tips for each match. Our experts break down each individual game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
