NRL Dolphins vs Warriors Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 17, 2026
Last updated: Jun 27, 2026, 4:29AM | Published: Jun 24, 2026, 9:24AM
Draftstars Australia's NRL Dolphins vs Warriors Round 17 DFS contest commences at 3:00pm AEST on June 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 crucial for NRL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you put together your fantasy teams for Draftstars' NRL contests and improve your Supercoach team for Round 17.
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 best DFS projections in the world.
With the best 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 Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors match-up to help you make the best choices on Saturday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Herbie Farnworth (DOL, OB/FLEX) | $21,100 | 67.4 | 3.2 |
| Value | Jacob Laban (WAR, FWD/FLEX) | $9,100 | 40.8 | 4.5 |
| Fade | Tevita Naufahu (DOL, FLEX/OB) | $14,080 | 4.5 | 0.3 |
| Cheapie | Adam Pompey (WAR, OB/FLEX) | $8,070 | 30.9 | 3.8 |
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
OB (Outside Back)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Herbie Farnworth (DOL) | $21,100 | 67.4 | 3.2 |
| Value | Adam Pompey (WAR) | $8,070 | 30.9 | 3.8 |
| Fade | Tevita Naufahu (DOL) | $14,080 | 4.5 | 0.3 |
| Cheapie | Ali Leiataua (WAR) | $9,020 | 32.1 | 3.6 |
HH (Half/Hooker)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Isaiya Katoa (DOL) | $18,160 | 55.5 | 3.1 |
| Value | Kodi Nikorima (DOL) | $11,360 | 41.4 | 3.6 |
| Fade | Luke Metcalf (WAR) | $12,010 | 5 | 0.4 |
| Cheapie | Sam Healey (WAR) | $8,000 | 18.1 | 2.3 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Erin Clark (WAR) | $16,320 | 56.2 | 3.4 |
| Value | Jacob Laban (WAR) | $9,100 | 40.8 | 4.5 |
| Fade | Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (DOL) | $16,310 | 50.4 | 3.1 |
| Cheapie | Thomas Flegler (DOL) | $9,760 | 35 | 3.6 |
Conclusion
When building your NRL Dolphins vs Warriors Round 17 teams, consider starting with a value player like Jacob Laban. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Herbie Farnworth 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 Adam Pompey.
On the other hand, according to our model, Tevita Naufahu 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' NRL Dolphins vs Warriors slate closes at 3:00pm AEST on Saturday. 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 Dolphins vs Warriors Round 17 contest. The unique insights here can give you an edge when you make your NRL DFS line-ups.
For the latest projections and optimised NRL Dolphins vs Warriors 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 Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors 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.
