AFL Lions vs Suns Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 23, 2026
Last updated: Aug 15, 2026, 5:36AM | Published: Aug 12, 2026, 9:36AM
Draftstars Australia's AFL Lions vs Suns Round 23 DFS contest kicks off at 4:15pm AEST on August 15, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has crunched the numbers for every player in the game to help you build winning line-ups.
A handy Draftstars cheat sheet is crucial for AFL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you build your fantasy teams for Draftstars' AFL contests and improve 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 produce 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've reviewed players from each team in the Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast SUNS match-up to help you find the best selections on Saturday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Will Ashcroft (BL, MID) | $16,890 | 112.3 | 6.6 |
| Value | Joel Jeffrey (GC, FWD) | $8,360 | 68.7 | 8.2 |
| Fade | Jaspa Fletcher (BL, DEF) | $11,720 | 75.5 | 6.4 |
| Cheapie | Darcy Fort (BL, RK) | $7,670 | 60.1 | 7.8 |
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 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 | Dayne Zorko (BL) | $15,620 | 106.1 | 6.8 |
| Value | Sam Collins (GC) | $7,660 | 58.7 | 7.7 |
| Fade | Jaspa Fletcher (BL) | $11,720 | 75.5 | 6.4 |
| Cheapie | Darcy Gardiner (BL) | $6,000 | 44.8 | 7.5 |
MID (Midfielder)
| Selection | Salary | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Will Ashcroft (BL) | $16,890 | 112.3 | 6.6 |
| Value | Daniel Annable (BL) | $7,070 | 53.5 | 7.6 |
| Fade | Josh Dunkley (BL) | $14,850 | 96.5 | 6.5 |
| Cheapie | Sam Clohesy (GC) | $9,560 | 66.5 | 7 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Zac Bailey (BL) | $14,210 | 95.5 | 6.7 |
| Value | Joel Jeffrey (GC) | $8,360 | 68.7 | 8.2 |
| Fade | Kai Lohmann (BL) | $11,430 | 73.9 | 6.5 |
| Cheapie | Oscar Allen (BL) | $6,990 | 50.8 | 7.3 |
RK (Ruckman)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Ned Moyle (GC) | $11,480 | 75.1 | 6.5 |
| Value | Darcy Fort (BL) | $7,670 | 60.1 | 7.8 |
Conclusion
When building your AFL Lions vs Suns Round 23 teams, consider starting with a value player like Joel Jeffrey. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Will Ashcroft is a strong option. If you're seeking budget-friendly choices to free up salary cap for more studs, check out our cheapie options, including Darcy Fort.
On the other hand, according to our model, Jaspa Fletcher is one of the worst value options in this game, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if building multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' AFL Lions vs Suns slate closes at 4:15pm AEST on Saturday. 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 Lions vs Suns 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 Lions vs Suns 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 Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast SUNS 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.
