State of Origin Blues vs Maroons Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Game 1, 2026
Last updated: May 25, 2026, 6:37PM | Published: May 24, 2026, 10:40PM
Draftstars Australia's State of Origin Blues vs Maroons Game 1 DFS contest commences at 8:05pm AEST on May 27, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has crunched the numbers for every player in the game to help you build winning line-ups.
A handy Draftstars cheat sheet is a must for Origin fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you put together your fantasy teams for Draftstars' State of Origin contests.
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 accurate DFS projections available.
With the latest Origin fantasy insights and DFS strategies from Fantasy Insider, you're set to win in more Origin fantasy contests.
Cheat Sheet and Projections
We've reviewed players from each team in State of Origin Game 1 to help you find the best picks on Wednesday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nathan Cleary (NSW, FLEX/HH) | $21,820 | 72.4 | 3.3 |
| Value | Kurt Capewell (QLD, FLEX/FWD) | $8,990 | 36.6 | 4.1 |
| Fade | Patrick Carrigan (QLD, FLEX/FWD) | $14,570 | 39.9 | 2.7 |
| Cheapie | Mitchell Barnett (NSW, FWD/FLEX) | $9,660 | 38 | 3.9 |
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 | James Tedesco (NSW) | $15,600 | 50.7 | 3.2 |
| Value | Brian To'o (NSW) | $10,030 | 39.1 | 3.9 |
| Fade | Kalyn Ponga (QLD) | $17,640 | 49.2 | 2.8 |
| Cheapie | Stephen Crichton (NSW) | $9,950 | 37.1 | 3.7 |
HH (Half/Hooker)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nathan Cleary (NSW) | $21,820 | 72.4 | 3.3 |
| Value | Cameron Munster (QLD) | $12,660 | 46.6 | 3.7 |
| Fade | Reece Robson (NSW) | $12,930 | 41 | 3.2 |
| Cheapie | Blayke Brailey (NSW) | $9,330 | 19.1 | 2 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Haumole Olakau'atu (NSW) | $16,960 | 52.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | Kurt Capewell (QLD) | $8,990 | 36.6 | 4.1 |
| Fade | Patrick Carrigan (QLD) | $14,570 | 39.9 | 2.7 |
| Cheapie | Mitchell Barnett (NSW) | $9,660 | 38 | 3.9 |
Conclusion
In DFS, creating an optimal line-up requires understanding key concepts and metrics. When building your State of Origin Blues vs Maroons teams, consider starting with a value player like Kurt Capewell. 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 Mitchell Barnett.
On the other hand, according to our model, Patrick Carrigan is one of the lowest value options on the slate, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if entering multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' State of Origin Blues vs Maroons slate closes at 8:05pm AEST on Wednesday. ENTER NOW!
As with all Origin DFS contests, whether you start with our studs or build around our value picks, leveraging Fantasy Insider's data-driven Origin fantasy news and strategies, combined with your own research, can enhance your chances of winning in the State of Origin Blues vs Maroons slate. The unique insights here can give you an edge when you make your Origin DFS line-ups.
For the latest projections and optimised State of Origin Blues vs Maroons 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 NSW vs QLD Game 1 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.
