Good Friday delivers a brilliant two game NRL Draftstars slate in Round 5, with two physical contests that should create vastly different fantasy scoring environments. The early game sees the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs meet in a clash that shapes as a grind through the middle, with both sides capable of generating strong base stat production for hookers, middles and edge forwards. South Sydney have leaned heavily on their middle rotation early in the year, while Canterbury’s pack continues to play with aggression and second phase intent, making this a matchup that should reward DFS players targeting workload, tackles and run metres.
The late game is the headline act, with Melbourne travelling to Western Sydney in a heavyweight showdown between two of the competition’s benchmarks. Penrith enter Round 5 unbeaten and are conceding only 7.5 points per game, while the Storm still boast one of the most dangerous attacking spines in the competition despite consecutive losses. That creates an interesting Draftstars puzzle: do you back Penrith’s elite defensive structure and value roles created by team list changes, or pay up for Melbourne’s star power and trust class to win out? With bottom dollar value like Freddy Lussick now starting at hooker, and several premium forwards carrying both huge floors and legitimate attacking upside, this slate should be decided by role security and smart roster balance rather than simply jamming in the biggest names.
With multiple premium options and several key value plays emerging through role changes and early season form, lineup construction will be critical. Draftstars contests on offer include:
NRL $6,000 – Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
NRL $8,000 – Panthers v Storm
NRL $3,000 – Friday Night doubleheader
NRL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round 5 Friday
NRL Friday Round 5: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Freddy Lussick ($8,000) is the clear standout value on the slate after being named to start at hooker for Penrith with Mitch Kenny suspended and starting No.9s at bottom dollar are always worth serious attention in Draftstars. Lussick has averaged 18 fantasy points in limited bench minutes this season, but that number comes from only 23 minutes per game, so a move into a starting dummy half role gives him a major pathway to value through pure defensive workload alone. Melbourne’s middle generates plenty of ruck traffic and tackle volume for opposition hookers, so if Lussick pushes into even a 45-minute role he can easily outperform salary through tackles and a few runs from dummy half, with anything attacking simply a bonus.
Jaeman Salmon ($8,490) also rates as strong salary relief because his role has been stable and his base stats have been dependable, averaging 32.8 fantasy points this season with 90 tackles across three games. He is not a player you pick for explosive attacking upside, but on a two-game slate that sort of cheap, repeatable workload matters, especially against a Rabbitohs side that still funnels plenty of traffic through the middle and edges. Salmon’s average of 72 running metres per game gives him enough ball carrying floor to pair with his defensive work, so at sub $8.5k he looks like one of the cleaner value pieces if you want to spend up elsewhere.
NRL Friday Round 5: Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Sitili Tupouniua ($10,990) is one of the better mid-range plays because his role and game are both fantasy friendly, meaning he can produce base through minutes and carries, but his real upside comes from tackle busts and try scoring threat close to the line. In round 4, he played 56 minutes and ran for over 200 metres, whilst also making 33 tackles. His minutes are increasing, and if he can cross the line his price is extremely valuable as your FF3 or FLX.
Paul Alamoti ($12,060) shapes as a very strong mid-price OB option because his blend of base and attacking potential is ideal for short slates. Through four games this season he is averaging 107 running metres, has two-line breaks, 16 tackle breaks and 36.7 fantasy points per game, which is already a very solid floor for a centre at this salary. Melbourne’s edge defence is usually disciplined, but Penrith’s shape and Cleary’s control still create chances for centres to find space, and Alamoti only needs one moment on top of his regular carry volume to become one of the best point per dollar plays in the mid-range. Known for his ‘Big Game’ ability, they don’t get much bigger than this in the regular season.
NRL Friday Round 5: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Jahrome Hughes ($18,670) is expensive, but he still profiles as one of the highest ceiling players on the slate because his 2026 production has been elite. Hughes is averaging 64.7 fantasy points per game, 119 running metres, and has already piled up seven try assists and nine-line break assists through four matches, putting him right near the top of the competition for creative output. The matchup is obviously difficult against an unbeaten Penrith side, but that also helps concentrate Melbourne’s attack around Hughes’ kicking game and ball playing. If the Storm score points, there is a strong chance Hughes is directly involved, which keeps his upside intact even in the toughest matchup on the board. A nice point of difference if you want to fade Cleary.
Cameron Murray ($17,410) looks like one of the safest premium forwards on the slate because the base is enormous, and the role is unquestioned. Murray has 110 tackles through three games this season, is averaging 118 running metres and 53.4 fantasy points per game, which is exactly the sort of profile you want to anchor lineups in a two game DFS slate. Against Canterbury, South Sydney should again lean on his middle-third leadership and defensive work, and Murray’s offload game gives him a little extra ceiling beyond the raw meat and potatoes floor. He may not be the flashiest premium option, but he is one of the most reliable pathways to 50+ on the board. He also loves a big game, and Good Friday against the Bulldogs is about as big a game as you can get.
Suggested NRL Friday Draftstars Lineup
NRL Round 5 Friday Match Info & Betting Odds
Rabbitohs ($1.90) vs Bulldogs ($1.90)
Line: Rabbitohs (-1.5)
Points: 46.5
Panthers ($1.40) vs Storm ($3.00)
Line: Panthers (-8.5)
Points: 43.5
Also, be sure to check out our full NRL Previews and Betting Tips for each match. Our experts break down each individual game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
