State of Origin Maroons vs Blues Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Game 3, 2026
Last updated: Jul 6, 2026, 4:36PM | Published: Jul 5, 2026, 12:56AM
Draftstars Australia's State of Origin Maroons vs Blues Game 3 DFS contest kicks off at 8:05pm AEST on July 8, 2026, and Fantasy Insider has crunched the numbers for every player in the game to help you make winning line-ups.
A reliable Draftstars cheat sheet is a must for Origin fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you assemble 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 make some of the strongest DFS projections in the world.
With the best 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 3 to help you make the best choices on Wednesday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nathan Cleary (NSW, HH/FLEX) | $21,760 | 65.4 | 3 |
| Value | Bradman Best (NSW, OB/FLEX) | $8,550 | 40.8 | 4.8 |
| Fade | Ethan Strange (NSW, FLEX/HH) | $10,460 | 4.7 | 0.4 |
| Cheapie | Briton Nikora (QLD, FWD/FLEX) | $9,460 | 36.3 | 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'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 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 (QLD) | $14,980 | 52.1 | 3.5 |
| Value | Bradman Best (NSW) | $8,550 | 40.8 | 4.8 |
| Fade | Reece Walsh (QLD) | $10,300 | 6.4 | 0.6 |
| Cheapie | Jojo Fifita (QLD) | $9,220 | 34.6 | 3.8 |
HH (Half/Hooker)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nathan Cleary (NSW) | $21,760 | 65.4 | 3 |
| Value | Reece Robson (NSW) | $10,990 | 37.8 | 3.4 |
| Fade | Ethan Strange (NSW) | $10,460 | 4.7 | 0.4 |
| Cheapie | Blayke Brailey (NSW) | $9,020 | 16.8 | 1.9 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Payne Haas (NSW) | $18,840 | 57.3 | 3 |
| Value | Briton Nikora (QLD) | $9,460 | 36.3 | 3.8 |
| Fade | Jeremiah Nanai (QLD) | $10,210 | 13.1 | 1.3 |
| Cheapie | Mitchell Barnett (NSW) | $9,890 | 35.8 | 3.6 |
Conclusion
When building your State of Origin Maroons vs Blues teams, consider starting with a value player like Bradman Best. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Nathan Cleary is a strong option. If you're looking for budget-friendly choices to free up salary cap for more studs, take a look at our cheapie options, including Briton Nikora.
On the other hand, according to our model, Ethan Strange 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' State of Origin Maroons vs Blues 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 Maroons vs Blues 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 Maroons vs Blues 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 QLD vs NSW Game 3 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.
