Round 11 of the AFL season continues on Friday night with a double-header that hits both ends of the interest spectrum. Richmond and Essendon renew hostilities in the always emotional Dreamtime at the ‘G clash before Fremantle and St Kilda close out the slate later in the evening out west.
There are changes aplenty in the opening matchup as Brad Scott has swung the axe following Essendon’s disappointing performance last week. Nik Cox, Will Setterfield, Jayden Nguyen and Peter Wright all come out of the side, while Ben McKay, Jade Gresham, Matt Guelfi and Thomas Edwards have all been recalled.
Over in Perth, Fremantle will be without star midfielder Caleb Serong in a massive blow to their engine room, while Jack Higgins is the lone omission for St Kilda as Ross Lyon continues to ride the hot hand with a side that has been producing some enormous fantasy totals over the last month.
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AFL $50,000+ Friday
AFL $5,000+ Friday High Roller ($150 Entry)
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AFL $2,000+ Friday Micro (50c Entry)
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AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round 11 – Friday Slate
AFL Fantasy Round 11 - Friday: Where to Attack?
It is an interesting flip of the script compared to last week where both Fremantle and St Kilda looked like glaring targets playing against Essendon and Richmond respectively. The dominant fantasy performances were easy to project and both games absolutely delivered.
This week’s matchups are a little tougher to dissect, but the same core trends still exist underneath the surface. The Saints continue to bleed fantasy points to running half backs and designated kickers at a ridiculous rate, while Richmond remain one of the softest teams in football against inside midfielders and key forwards.
Fremantle are generally much stingier across the board, but the Saints have been putting up massive numbers both on the scoreboard and in the fantasy books over the last month. With Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera still sidelined, there is still plenty of opportunity available across the St Kilda midfield rotation and I think there is genuine value sitting in that mid-priced range again here.
Game script: Fremantle defenders and midfielders, St Kilda midfielders and Essendon forwards on this slate.
AFL Fantasy Round 11 - Friday: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Charlie Banfield ($6,840) - Banfield impressed in his first AFL appearance last week with 60 fantasy points from 11 disposals and a goal, and there looks to be genuine upside in both his role and scoring profile moving forward. He has the tools to become a smooth moving mid-forward at AFL level and this matchup should suit him nicely, particularly if the pressure rises and allows him to accumulate points through tackles and contested work.
Matt Guelfi ($6,000) - This one is probably more rooted in feel than raw numbers, but Guelfi is effectively playing for his AFL future at this point of the season. Out of contract and having managed just two senior games this year, I expect his pressure and tackle numbers to spike as he looks to cement his place in the side, similar to the role he produced strong fantasy scores from early last season.
AFL Fantasy Round 11 - Friday: Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Corey Wagner ($9,360) - Wagner returns to the side this week and shapes as a really strong fit against a St Kilda side that consistently leaks points to running defenders. With Caleb Serong and Hayden Young both unavailable, attention is likely to go towards Andrew Brayshaw in the midfield, potentially freeing Wagner up to find plenty of uncontested ball both through the middle and across half back.
AFL Fantasy Round 11 - Friday: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Jordan Clark ($13,920) - Clark looks like one of the premier plays on the entire slate given the matchup against the Saints, who continue to allow huge numbers to opposition half backs. This game sets up perfectly for his uncontested marking and transition game, and he already showed the ceiling in this fixture last season with 31 disposals and 122 fantasy points at Optus Stadium.
Hugo Garcia ($13,890) - Garcia has completely cemented himself in St Kilda’s midfield rotation over the last month and looks seriously underpriced for the role he is currently playing. The young Saint put up 112 fantasy points against Richmond last week and with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera still sidelined, there is still plenty of midfield opportunity available for another huge fantasy performance.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup for AFL Friday
Weather Report for Friday 22nd May 2026
Optus Stadium, Perth — 17 degrees, clear
MCG, Melbourne — 12 degrees, clear
AFL Betting Markets Round 11 Friday
Richmond ($2.70) vs Essendon ($1.47)
Points: 170.5
Line: Essendon -13.5
Fremantle ($1.29) vs St Kilda ($3.64)
Points: 172.5
Line: Fremantle -22.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Friday Preview and Betting Tips. Our experts break down each individual game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
