AFL Bombers vs Hawks Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 1, 2026
Last updated: Mar 12, 2026, 4:37AM | Published: Mar 11, 2026, 8:33AM
Draftstars Australia's AFL Bombers vs Hawks Round 1 DFS contest starts at 7:40pm AEDT on March 13, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has looked at the data for each player in the game to help you make winning line-ups.
A handy Draftstars cheat sheet is crucial for AFL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you put together your fantasy teams for Draftstars' AFL contests and enhance your Supercoach team for Round 1.
Fantasy Insider, renowned for its world-class DFS tools and projections since 2015, employs the same machine learning models as Stats Insider to deliver some of the best DFS projections in the world.
With the best AFL fantasy insights and DFS strategies from Fantasy Insider, you're set to win in more AFL fantasy contests.
Cheat Sheet and Projections
We have reviewed players from each team in the Essendon vs Hawthorn match-up to help you make the best selections on Friday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Zach Merrett (ESS, MID) | $15,530 | 111.9 | 7.2 |
| Value | Elijah Tsatas (ESS, MID) | $6,760 | 70.4 | 10.4 |
| Fade | Zach Reid (ESS, DEF) | $11,190 | 60.3 | 5.4 |
| Cheapie | Jordan Ridley (ESS, DEF) | $9,380 | 89.4 | 9.5 |
According to Fantasy Insider's DFS model, our "stud" is the highest projected scorer across the slate, while "value" picks offer the most "bang for your buck," meaning they are expected to perform well relative to their salary.
Conversely, a "fade" is a player considered to offer lower value for money, based on their expected score relative to their salary. For those needing to stay under the salary cap, "cheapie" options highlight the best value players at lower price points not already mentioned.
In fantasy sports, understanding value—assessing a player's potential output against their salary—is crucial, as players scoring high relative to their cost are key in crafting the optimal line-up.
The "Pts/$1K" metric shows the predicted points for every $1,000 of a player's salary. A higher number indicates better value, making it easier to spot players who could outperform their cost.
Positional Breakdown
DEF (Defender)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Jordan Ridley (ESS) | $9,380 | 89.4 | 9.5 |
| Value | Jordan Ridley (ESS) | $9,380 | 89.4 | 9.5 |
| Fade | Zach Reid (ESS) | $11,190 | 60.3 | 5.4 |
| Cheapie | Ben McKay (ESS) | $6,000 | 51.2 | 8.5 |
MID (Midfielder)
| Selection | Salary | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Zach Merrett (ESS) | $15,530 | 111.9 | 7.2 |
| Value | Elijah Tsatas (ESS) | $6,760 | 70.4 | 10.4 |
| Fade | Archie Roberts (ESS) | $13,690 | 84.4 | 6.2 |
| Cheapie | Henry Hustwaite (HAW) | $6,000 | 51.6 | 8.6 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Sam Durham (ESS) | $11,900 | 86.1 | 7.2 |
| Value | Sullivan Robey (ESS) | $6,000 | 51.1 | 8.5 |
| Fade | Connor Macdonald (HAW) | $12,760 | 83.4 | 6.5 |
| Cheapie | Aidan Schubert (HAW) | $6,000 | 49.1 | 8.2 |
RK (Ruckman)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Lloyd Meek (HAW) | $14,320 | 88 | 6.1 |
| Value | Vigo Visentini (ESS) | $6,000 | 51.7 | 8.6 |
Please note that we will update our AFL Draftstars tips as soon as teams are officially announced.
Conclusion
When building your AFL Bombers vs Hawks Round 1 teams, consider starting with a value player like Elijah Tsatas. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Zach Merrett is a strong option. If you're looking for budget-friendly choices to free up salary cap for more studs, check out our cheapie options, including Jordan Ridley.
On the other hand, according to our model, Zach Reid is one of the worst value options in this game, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if entering multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' AFL Bombers vs Hawks slate closes at 7:40pm AEDT on Friday. ENTER NOW!
As with all AFL DFS contests, whether you start with our studs or build around our value picks, leveraging Fantasy Insider's data-driven AFL fantasy news and strategies, combined with your own research, can enhance your chances of winning in the AFL Bombers vs Hawks Round 1 contest. The unique insights here can help you balance star power, value and budget management when you make your AFL DFS line-ups.
For the latest projections and optimised AFL Bombers vs Hawks line-ups, check out the Fantasy Insider Cruncher on Draftstars! It's free to use when you're logged in.
For more on this game, dive into our full Essendon vs Hawthorn prediction, where you will find the latest odds and tips for the main betting markets.
Please note that if you use our DFS tips for betting purposes, ensure you gamble responsibly and keep track of your money. For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
