Round 14 of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season gets underway this Thursday night with another huge daily fantasy contest on offer from Draftstars with over $50,000 in guaranteed prize money in their main daily fantasy tournament.
This is a genuine coin-flip contest and the betting market reflects it — the Bulldogs are 4.5-point favourites at home but a succession of tip sites and models have the margin at under three points, with the last two meetings between these sides producing margins of just six and eleven points respectively. Both clubs arrive in excellent form, each winning four of their last five games. The Bulldogs are one of the competition's most remarkable stories of 2026 — sitting sixth with an 8-5 record and boasting a perfect 6-0 record in games decided by six points or less, the ultimate clutch specialists under Luke Beveridge. Adelaide, meanwhile, upset Geelong at home last Thursday in a gutsy performance that has firmed their finals credentials, and they arrive buoyed despite a depleted squad. The selection news significantly shapes the fantasy landscape. For Adelaide: Taylor Walker is suspended, Callum Ah Chee (hamstring) and Jordon Butts (calf) are both out, but the key inclusion is Riley Thilthorpe returning — a massive boost to their forward structure. Luke Pedlar and Nick Murray are also recalled. For the Bulldogs, Luke Kennedy makes his AFL debut while Lachie McNeil is in concussion protocols. Cody Weightman retains his spot after returning last week.
Draftstars are offering a number of different contests to suit your style, some of these include:
AFL $50,000+ Bulldogs vs Crows
AFL $5,000+ Bulldogs vs Crows High Roller ($150 Entry)
AFL $3,000+ Bulldogs vs Crows Mini ($2 Entry)
AFL $2,000+ Bulldogs vs Crows 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 14 – Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide
AFL Fantasy Round 14 Thursday: Where to Attack?
The matchup data from the last ten games presents a compelling and clear picture for this single-game slate, and the arrows point strongly toward Adelaide forwards and backs. Despite their position on the ladder the Bulldogs continue to concede points to opposition forwards, giving up over 2 points above league average to key forwards and the same to general forwards. Things get much better in the back line for their opponent as well, giving up big numbers to all three positions including designated kickers (over 5 points above league average), and attacking half backs and wings (at over 4 above average).
When it comes to attacking they Crows, things are a little more challenging. Adelaide has been one of the stingiest teams in the league this season and clamp down on opposition forwards, giving up the second least points to both key forwards and general forwards. They also hold the designated kicker to the second fewest points at just under 7 points below average. Thankfully you can attack them through the midfield and this is an area of the game the Dogs traditionally rack up big fantasy scores.
Game Script – Adelaide key forwards and backs, Bulldogs midfielders
AFL Fantasy Round 14 Thursday – Our Value Fantasy Picks
Luke Pedlar ($7,430) is recalled into Adelaide's lineup this week and his role as a small forward with potential spurts in the midfield make him an interesting value option at this price. He has posted 69, 60 and 56 in his last three for an average of 61.7 points which would be solid return at his low price point in a single game slate. The Bulldogs have been conceding above average to general forwards which makes this more favourable.
Riley Thilthorpe ($10,330) is the return play of the slate and his timing could not be better. He returns directly into a Bulldogs defensive unit that has been conceding above average points to key forwards, not only this season, but going back multiple years. His last three scores of 51, 59 and 48 are understating his ceiling significantly, but that has given us a great salary to roster with Riley having upside of over 100 points. This is evidenced by his recent scores at Marvel posting 77, 122, 76, 120 and 122 in his venue history, averaging 103.4 points at this ground. His opponent history against the Bulldogs reads 77 in his one prior meeting. At $10,330 the price is suppressed from his injury absence and return-game status, but the venue history at this exact ground is exceptional and his ceiling when fully fit against a soft key forward matchup is firmly in the 90-110 range.
AFL Fantasy Round 14 Thursday – Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Ryley Sanders ($13,520) has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the competition in recent weeks with his form numbers making him impossible to overlook in a matchup this generous for inside midfielders. He has had a total breakout year and posted 82, 100, 107, 102 and 81 in his last five for an average of 96.3 points. As a primary ball winner now generating 25+ disposals regularly, his ceiling against an Adelaide side giving up the above average points to inside midfielders is over the 100 point mark.
AFL Fantasy Round 14 Thursday – Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Ed Richards ($14,530) is the premium Bulldogs play that rounds out the must-have trio for this slate. His last three scores of 95, 104 and 124 average 107.7 points and his scores against Adelaide include a 121 point game in their second last meeting. Adelaide have been giving up above average points to midfielders and Richards is Bontempelli's premier ball-using partner who generates scoring from the kick-in corridor, rebound chain and half-back accumulation. His Marvel Stadium venue history of 104, 124, 68, 105 and 74 averages 95 points at this ground and confirms his comfort at this venue. Pair him with other premo Bulldog midfielders.
Lachlan McAndrew ($12,990) is the standout ruck play on this slate and the matchup data makes the case impossible to ignore. The Western Bulldogs have been giving up over 11 points above league average to the ruck position — the third most generous ruck concession in the entire competition — and McAndrew should continue his breakout season coming off a massive 128 point game last week against the Cats. His one prior appearance against the Bulldogs produced 84 points, and with the Dogs having been torched by opposing rucks all season at the third highest rate in the competition, I expect him to hold English in check and score points the other way.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup for AFL Thursday
AFL Betting Markets Round 14 Thursday
Western Bulldogs ($1.72) vs Adelaide ($2.12)
Points: 180.5
Line: Western Bulldogs -4.5
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!
