NRL Broncos vs Storm Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 26, 2026
Last updated: Aug 27, 2026, 9:26AM | Published: Aug 26, 2026, 9:23AM
Draftstars Australia's NRL Broncos vs Storm Round 26 DFS contest kicks off at 7:50pm AEST on August 27, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has looked at the data for every player in the game to help you make winning line-ups.
A handy Draftstars cheat sheet is essential for NRL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you put together your fantasy teams for Draftstars' NRL contests and enhance your Supercoach team for Round 26.
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 NRL fantasy insights and DFS strategies from Fantasy Insider, you're set to win in more NRL fantasy contests.
Cheat Sheet and Projections
We've reviewed players from each team in the Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm match-up to help you find the best choices on Thursday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Payne Haas (BRI, FWD/FLEX) | $19,740 | 63.2 | 3.2 |
| Value | Shawn Blore (MEL, FWD/FLEX) | $8,000 | 35.1 | 4.4 |
| Fade | Thomas Duffy (BRI, HH/FLEX) | $10,150 | 4.5 | 0.4 |
| Cheapie | Ben Hunt (BRI, FLEX/HH) | $8,910 | 37.4 | 4.2 |
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 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
OB (Outside Back)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Sualauvi Faalogo (MEL) | $17,810 | 56.2 | 3.2 |
| Value | Deine Mariner (BRI) | $8,700 | 35.8 | 4.1 |
| Fade | Tyran Wishart (MEL) | $14,920 | 32.8 | 2.2 |
| Cheapie | Hayze Perham (BRI) | $8,580 | 34.4 | 4 |
HH (Half/Hooker)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Jahrome Hughes (MEL) | $16,870 | 56.9 | 3.4 |
| Value | Ben Hunt (BRI) | $8,910 | 37.4 | 4.2 |
| Fade | Thomas Duffy (BRI) | $10,150 | 4.5 | 0.4 |
| Cheapie | Ezra Mam (BRI) | $9,270 | 34 | 3.7 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Payne Haas (BRI) | $19,740 | 63.2 | 3.2 |
| Value | Shawn Blore (MEL) | $8,000 | 35.1 | 4.4 |
| Fade | Cooper Clarke (MEL) | $14,380 | 39.1 | 2.7 |
| Cheapie | Jaiyden Hunt (BRI) | $8,950 | 33.5 | 3.7 |
Conclusion
When building your NRL Broncos vs Storm Round 26 teams, consider starting with a value player like Shawn Blore. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Payne Haas 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 Ben Hunt.
On the other hand, according to our model, Thomas Duffy is one of the worst value options on the slate, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if putting together multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' NRL Broncos vs Storm slate closes at 7:50pm AEST on Thursday. ENTER NOW!
As with all NRL DFS contests, whether you start with our studs or build around our value picks, leveraging Fantasy Insider's data-driven NRL fantasy news and strategies, combined with your own research, can enhance your chances of winning in the NRL Broncos vs Storm Round 26 slate. The unique insights here can give you an edge when you make your NRL DFS line-ups.
For the latest projections and optimised NRL Broncos vs Storm 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 Broncos vs Melbourne Storm 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.
