AFL Tigers vs Eagles Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 21, 2026
Last updated: Aug 2, 2026, 2:40AM | Published: Jul 29, 2026, 9:38AM
Draftstars Australia's AFL Tigers vs Eagles Round 21 DFS contest starts at 1:10pm AEST on August 2, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has looked at the data for each player in the game to help you make winning line-ups.
An accurate 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 make 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 Richmond vs West Coast Eagles match-up to help you make the best choices on Sunday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Tim Taranto (RICH, MID) | $14,960 | 97.1 | 6.5 |
| Value | Hugo Ralphsmith (RICH, MID) | $6,520 | 52.6 | 8.1 |
| Fade | Marcus Herbert (WCE, DEF) | $12,960 | 62.9 | 4.9 |
| Cheapie | Jack Williams (WCE, FWD/RK) | $6,110 | 47.6 | 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 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 | Tom McCarthy (WCE) | $14,210 | 88.5 | 6.2 |
| Value | Luke Trainor (RICH) | $8,570 | 60.7 | 7.1 |
| Fade | Marcus Herbert (WCE) | $12,960 | 62.9 | 4.9 |
| Cheapie | Sandy Brock (WCE) | $6,000 | 42.4 | 7.1 |
MID (Midfielder)
| Selection | Salary | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Tim Taranto (RICH) | $14,960 | 97.1 | 6.5 |
| Value | Hugo Ralphsmith (RICH) | $6,520 | 52.6 | 8.1 |
| Fade | Harley Reid (WCE) | $13,860 | 76 | 5.5 |
| Cheapie | Seth Campbell (RICH) | $8,660 | 62.6 | 7.2 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Jake Waterman (WCE) | $11,590 | 74.9 | 6.5 |
| Value | Jack Williams (WCE) | $6,110 | 47.6 | 7.8 |
| Cheapie | Cooper Duff-Tytler (WCE) | $6,450 | 47.3 | 7.3 |
RK (Ruckman)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Toby Nankervis (RICH) | $11,900 | 83.1 | 7 |
| Value | Jack Williams (WCE) | $6,110 | 47.6 | 7.8 |
Conclusion
When building your AFL Tigers vs Eagles Round 21 teams, consider starting with a value player like Hugo Ralphsmith. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Tim Taranto 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 Jack Williams.
On the other hand, according to our model, Marcus Herbert is one of the lowest value options in this game, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if entering multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' AFL Tigers vs Eagles slate closes at 1:10pm 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 Tigers vs Eagles Round 21 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 Tigers vs Eagles 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 Richmond vs West Coast Eagles 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.
