AFL Dockers vs Bulldogs Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 21, 2026
Last updated: Jul 29, 2026, 9:38PM | Published: Jul 29, 2026, 9:37AM
Draftstars Australia's AFL Dockers vs Bulldogs Round 21 DFS contest kicks off at 8:10pm AEST on July 31, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has looked at the data for every player in the game to help you build winning line-ups.
A handy Draftstars cheat sheet is essential for AFL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you put together your fantasy teams for Draftstars' AFL contests and improve your Supercoach team for Round 21.
Fantasy Insider, renowned for its world-class DFS tools and projections since 2015, uses the same machine learning models as Stats Insider to deliver some of the strongest 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 Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs match-up to help you find the best picks on Friday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Marcus Bontempelli (WB, MID) | $15,850 | 107.4 | 6.8 |
| Value | Adam Sweid (FRE, MID/FWD) | $6,000 | 56.1 | 9.3 |
| Fade | Lachlan Bramble (WB, DEF) | $11,130 | 58.6 | 5.3 |
| Cheapie | Lachlan Carmichael (WB, DEF/MID) | $6,000 | 52 | 8.7 |
According to Fantasy Insider's DFS model, our "stud" is the highest projected scorer across the slate, while "value" picks provide 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 refer to 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 | Bailey Dale (WB) | $15,560 | 101 | 6.5 |
| Value | Lachlan Carmichael (WB) | $6,000 | 52 | 8.7 |
| Fade | Lachlan Bramble (WB) | $11,130 | 58.6 | 5.3 |
| Cheapie | Heath Chapman (FRE) | $7,510 | 59.1 | 7.9 |
MID (Midfielder)
| Selection | Salary | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Marcus Bontempelli (WB) | $15,850 | 107.4 | 6.8 |
| Value | Adam Sweid (FRE) | $6,000 | 56.1 | 9.3 |
| Fade | Matthew Johnson (FRE) | $11,330 | 66 | 5.8 |
| Cheapie | Lachlan Carmichael (WB) | $6,000 | 52 | 8.7 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Shai Bolton (FRE) | $12,380 | 84.1 | 6.8 |
| Value | Adam Sweid (FRE) | $6,000 | 56.1 | 9.3 |
| Fade | Murphy Reid (FRE) | $12,870 | 80.5 | 6.3 |
| Cheapie | Louis Emmett (WB) | $6,000 | 48.5 | 8.1 |
RK (Ruckman)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Luke Jackson (FRE) | $14,360 | 97.6 | 6.8 |
| Value | Lachlan Smith (WB) | $6,000 | 50.7 | 8.4 |
Please note that we will update our AFL Draftstars tips as soon as teams are officially announced.
Conclusion
When building your AFL Dockers vs Bulldogs Round 21 teams, consider starting with a value player like Adam Sweid. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Marcus Bontempelli is a strong option. If you're looking for budget-friendly choices to free up salary cap for more studs, explore our cheapie options, including Lachlan Carmichael.
On the other hand, according to our model, Lachlan Bramble is one of the lowest value options on the slate, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if putting together multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' AFL Dockers vs Bulldogs slate closes at 8:10pm AEST 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 Dockers vs Bulldogs Round 21 slate. 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 Dockers vs Bulldogs 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 Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs 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.
