AFL Eagles vs Bombers Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 12, 2026
Last updated: May 31, 2026, 8:36AM | Published: May 27, 2026, 9:35AM
Draftstars Australia's AFL Eagles vs Bombers Round 12 DFS contest starts at 7:20pm AEST on May 31, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has looked at the data for each 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 enhance your Supercoach team for Round 12.
Fantasy Insider, renowned for its world-class DFS tools and projections since 2015, employs the same machine learning models as Stats Insider to come up with some of the most accurate 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 have reviewed players from each team in the West Coast Eagles vs Essendon match-up to help you find the best picks on Sunday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Zach Merrett (ESS, MID) | $16,890 | 112.4 | 6.7 |
| Value | Ben McKay (ESS, DEF) | $6,000 | 46 | 7.7 |
| Fade | Sullivan Robey (ESS, FWD/MID) | $10,890 | 61.4 | 5.6 |
| Cheapie | Rhett Bazzo (WCE, DEF) | $6,000 | 45.8 | 7.6 |
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 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 | Archie Roberts (ESS) | $16,690 | 109.5 | 6.6 |
| Value | Ben McKay (ESS) | $6,000 | 46 | 7.7 |
| Fade | Josh Lindsay (WCE) | $11,530 | 68.1 | 5.9 |
| Cheapie | Rhett Bazzo (WCE) | $6,000 | 45.8 | 7.6 |
MID (Midfielder)
| Selection | Salary | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Zach Merrett (ESS) | $16,890 | 112.4 | 6.7 |
| Value | Xavier Duursma (ESS) | $9,380 | 67.4 | 7.2 |
| Fade | Sullivan Robey (ESS) | $10,890 | 61.4 | 5.6 |
| Cheapie | Brady Hough (WCE) | $7,860 | 54 | 6.9 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Elliot Yeo (WCE) | $12,520 | 85.7 | 6.8 |
| Value | Jake Waterman (WCE) | $9,520 | 70.8 | 7.4 |
| Fade | Sullivan Robey (ESS) | $10,890 | 61.4 | 5.6 |
| Cheapie | Liam Baker (WCE) | $9,440 | 66.5 | 7 |
RK (Ruckman)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Bailey J. Williams (WCE) | $12,810 | 78.5 | 6.1 |
| Value | Lachlan Blakiston (ESS) | $6,640 | 44.3 | 6.7 |
Conclusion
When building your AFL Eagles vs Bombers Round 12 teams, consider starting with a value player like Ben McKay. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Zach Merrett is a strong option. If you're seeking budget-friendly choices to free up salary cap for more studs, take a look at our cheapie options, including Rhett Bazzo.
On the other hand, according to our model, Sullivan Robey is one of the worst value options on the slate, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if building multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' AFL Eagles vs Bombers slate closes at 7:20pm 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 Eagles vs Bombers Round 12 slate. The unique insights here can give you an edge when you make your AFL DFS line-ups.
For the latest projections and optimised AFL Eagles vs Bombers 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 West Coast Eagles vs Essendon 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.
