NRL Sharks vs Knights Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 20, 2026
Last updated: Jul 17, 2026, 7:30AM | Published: Jul 15, 2026, 9:26AM
Draftstars Australia's NRL Sharks vs Knights Round 20 DFS contest starts at 6:00pm AEST on July 17, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has looked at the data for each player in the game to help you build winning line-ups.
A reliable 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 improve your Supercoach team for Round 20.
Fantasy Insider, renowned for its world-class DFS tools and projections since 2015, uses the same machine learning models as Stats Insider to produce 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 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Newcastle Knights match-up to help you find the best picks on Friday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nicho Hynes (CRO, FLEX/HH) | $19,690 | 62.6 | 3.2 |
| Value | Francis Manuleleua (NEW, FWD/FLEX) | $8,000 | 38.6 | 4.8 |
| Fade | Sandon Smith (NEW, FLEX/HH) | $11,450 | 20.2 | 1.8 |
| Cheapie | Tyson Frizell (NEW, FLEX/FWD) | $9,150 | 38.7 | 4.2 |
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 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 | Kalyn Ponga (NEW) | $17,630 | 45.5 | 2.6 |
| Value | Mawene Hiroti (CRO) | $9,020 | 35.4 | 3.9 |
| Fade | Dominic Young (NEW) | $12,430 | 38.9 | 3.1 |
| Cheapie | Samuel Stonestreet (CRO) | $8,000 | 3.5 | 0.4 |
HH (Half/Hooker)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nicho Hynes (CRO) | $19,690 | 62.6 | 3.2 |
| Value | Phoenix Crossland (NEW) | $12,030 | 43.3 | 3.6 |
| Fade | Sandon Smith (NEW) | $11,450 | 20.2 | 1.8 |
| Cheapie | Harrison Graham (NEW) | $9,600 | 10.3 | 1.1 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Dylan Lucas (NEW) | $19,950 | 62 | 3.1 |
| Value | Francis Manuleleua (NEW) | $8,000 | 38.6 | 4.8 |
| Fade | Billy Burns (CRO) | $10,050 | 22.1 | 2.2 |
| Cheapie | Tyson Frizell (NEW) | $9,150 | 38.7 | 4.2 |
Conclusion
When building your NRL Sharks vs Knights Round 20 teams, consider starting with a value player like Francis Manuleleua. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Nicho Hynes 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 Tyson Frizell.
On the other hand, according to our model, Sandon Smith is one of the lowest value options in this game, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if putting together multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' NRL Sharks vs Knights slate closes at 6:00pm 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 Sharks vs Knights Round 20 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 Sharks vs Knights 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 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Newcastle Knights 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.
