NRL Dragons vs Warriors Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 12, 2026
Last updated: May 21, 2026, 6:23PM | Published: May 20, 2026, 9:31AM
Draftstars Australia's NRL Dragons vs Warriors Round 12 DFS contest starts at 5:30pm AEST on May 23, 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 NRL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you build your fantasy teams for Draftstars' NRL contests and improve your Supercoach team for Round 12.
Fantasy Insider, renowned for its world-class DFS tools and projections since 2015, uses the same machine learning models as Stats Insider to deliver 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 have reviewed players from each team in the [St. George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors](https://www.statsinsider.com.au/sport-hub/nrl/schedule/2024_12_St. George Illawarra Dragons_war) match-up to help you find the best selections on Saturday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Toby Couchman (STG, FLEX/FWD) | $17,190 | 64.3 | 3.7 |
| Value | Jacob Laban (WAR, FLEX/FWD) | $8,000 | 35.5 | 4.4 |
| Fade | Luciano Leilua (STG, FWD/FLEX) | $14,500 | 25.2 | 1.7 |
| Cheapie | Ali Leiataua (WAR, OB/FLEX) | $9,950 | 41 | 4.1 |
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're 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 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 | Taine Tuaupiki (WAR) | $11,260 | 46.3 | 4.1 |
| Value | Taine Tuaupiki (WAR) | $11,260 | 46.3 | 4.1 |
| Fade | Jaydn Su'A (STG) | $14,870 | 33.1 | 2.2 |
| Cheapie | Ali Leiataua (WAR) | $9,950 | 41 | 4.1 |
HH (Half/Hooker)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Damien Cook (STG) | $17,710 | 58 | 3.3 |
| Value | Te Maire Martin (WAR) | $10,540 | 46.7 | 4.4 |
| Fade | Daniel Atkinson (STG) | $15,080 | 43.6 | 2.9 |
| Cheapie | Sam Healey (WAR) | $8,000 | 20.4 | 2.6 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Toby Couchman (STG) | $17,190 | 64.3 | 3.7 |
| Value | Jacob Laban (WAR) | $8,000 | 35.5 | 4.4 |
| Fade | Luciano Leilua (STG) | $14,500 | 25.2 | 1.7 |
| Cheapie | Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga (STG) | $9,060 | 30.3 | 3.3 |
Conclusion
When building your NRL Dragons vs Warriors Round 12 teams, consider starting with a value player like Jacob Laban. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Toby Couchman 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 Ali Leiataua.
On the other hand, according to our model, Luciano Leilua 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 Dragons vs Warriors slate closes at 5:30pm 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 Dragons vs Warriors Round 12 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 Dragons 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 St. George Illawarra Dragons 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.
