AFL Bombers vs Swans Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 23, 2026
Last updated: Aug 12, 2026, 4:35PM | Published: Aug 12, 2026, 9:37AM
Draftstars Australia's AFL Bombers vs Swans Round 23 DFS contest starts at 4:40pm AEST on August 16, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has crunched the numbers for each player in the game to help you create winning line-ups.
A reliable Draftstars cheat sheet is crucial for AFL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you assemble your fantasy teams for Draftstars' AFL contests and enhance your Supercoach team for Round 23.
Fantasy Insider, renowned for its world-class DFS tools and projections since 2015, uses the same machine learning models as Stats Insider to come up with some of the most reliable DFS projections available.
With the latest AFL fantasy insights and DFS strategies from Fantasy Insider, you're set to win in more AFL fantasy contests.
Cheat Sheet and Projections
We've reviewed players from each team in the Essendon vs Sydney Swans match-up to help you make the best picks on Sunday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Errol Gulden (SYD, MID) | $17,090 | 106.3 | 6.2 |
| Value | Lewis Hayes (ESS, DEF) | $6,000 | 51.1 | 8.5 |
| Fade | Jesse Dattoli (SYD, FWD/MID) | $10,060 | 50.4 | 5 |
| Cheapie | Harrison Jones (ESS, FWD/DEF) | $6,000 | 46.8 | 7.8 |
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 budget-conscious strategies, "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 | Callum Mills (SYD) | $13,940 | 90.7 | 6.5 |
| Value | Lewis Hayes (ESS) | $6,000 | 51.1 | 8.5 |
| Fade | Riley Bice (SYD) | $12,140 | 73.6 | 6.1 |
| Cheapie | Harrison Jones (ESS) | $6,000 | 46.8 | 7.8 |
MID (Midfielder)
| Selection | Salary | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Errol Gulden (SYD) | $17,090 | 106.3 | 6.2 |
| Value | Taylor Adams (SYD) | $7,990 | 60.6 | 7.6 |
| Fade | Jesse Dattoli (SYD) | $10,060 | 50.4 | 5 |
| Cheapie | Jaxon Prior (ESS) | $8,380 | 63.5 | 7.6 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Chad Warner (SYD) | $15,820 | 97.4 | 6.2 |
| Value | Harrison Jones (ESS) | $6,000 | 46.8 | 7.8 |
| Fade | Jesse Dattoli (SYD) | $10,060 | 50.4 | 5 |
| Cheapie | Nate Caddy (ESS) | $7,540 | 58.9 | 7.8 |
RK (Ruckman)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Brodie Grundy (SYD) | $16,320 | 101 | 6.2 |
| Value | Nick Bryan (ESS) | $9,540 | 67.2 | 7 |
Please note that we will update our AFL Draftstars tips as soon as teams are officially announced.
Conclusion
In DFS, creating an optimal line-up requires understanding key concepts and metrics. When building your AFL Bombers vs Swans Round 23 teams, consider starting with a value player like Lewis Hayes. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Errol Gulden 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 Harrison Jones.
On the other hand, according to our model, Jesse Dattoli is one of the worst value options on the slate, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if entering multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' AFL Bombers vs Swans slate closes at 4:40pm AEST on Sunday. 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 Swans Round 23 contest. The unique insights here can give you an edge when you make your AFL DFS line-ups.
For the latest projections and optimised AFL Bombers vs Swans 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 Sydney Swans 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.
