NRL Panthers vs Bulldogs Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 26, 2026
Last updated: Aug 28, 2026, 9:23AM | Published: Aug 26, 2026, 9:24AM
Draftstars Australia's NRL Panthers vs Bulldogs Round 26 DFS contest starts at 8:00pm AEST on August 28, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has crunched the numbers for each player in the game to help you build winning line-ups.
An accurate Draftstars cheat sheet is essential for NRL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you assemble your fantasy teams for Draftstars' NRL contests and improve your Supercoach team for Round 26.
Fantasy Insider, renowned for its world-class DFS tools and projections since 2015, employs the same machine learning models as Stats Insider to come up with some of the most accurate DFS projections available.
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 Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs match-up to help you make the best picks on Friday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nathan Cleary (PEN, HH/FLEX) | $23,920 | 78.1 | 3.3 |
| Value | Jack Cole (PEN, FLEX/HH) | $8,740 | 40.1 | 4.6 |
| Fade | Blaize Talagi (PEN, HH/FLEX) | $11,420 | 3.8 | 0.3 |
| Cheapie | Harry Hayes (BUL, FLEX/FWD) | $8,720 | 32 | 3.7 |
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 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 | Thomas Jenkins (PEN) | $14,950 | 50.4 | 3.4 |
| Value | Izack Tago (PEN) | $10,250 | 41.4 | 4 |
| Fade | Enari Tuala (BUL) | $13,330 | 24.6 | 1.8 |
HH (Half/Hooker)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nathan Cleary (PEN) | $23,920 | 78.1 | 3.3 |
| Value | Jack Cole (PEN) | $8,740 | 40.1 | 4.6 |
| Fade | Blaize Talagi (PEN) | $11,420 | 3.8 | 0.3 |
| Cheapie | Jake Turpin (BUL) | $8,000 | 12.6 | 1.6 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Lindsay Smith (PEN) | $16,460 | 59.1 | 3.6 |
| Value | Viliame Kikau (BUL) | $10,630 | 40.2 | 3.8 |
| Fade | Josh Curran (BUL) | $11,250 | 25.7 | 2.3 |
| Cheapie | Harry Hayes (BUL) | $8,720 | 32 | 3.7 |
Conclusion
When building your NRL Panthers vs Bulldogs Round 26 teams, consider starting with a value player like Jack Cole. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Nathan Cleary 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 Harry Hayes.
On the other hand, according to our model, Blaize Talagi is one of the worst value options in this game, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if entering multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' NRL Panthers vs Bulldogs slate closes at 8:00pm AEST on Friday. 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 Panthers vs Bulldogs 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 Panthers vs Bulldogs 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 Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 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.
