FootyBets.aiDemon Domination? Your DraftStars Guide to Melbourne vs St Kilda
Sunday arvo footy is back at the MCG this 15 March 2026, as Melbourne and St Kilda lock horns in a blockbuster clash. The Dees will be looking to flex their contested muscle on the wide expanses of the 'G, while the Saints are hoping their outside speed can carve up the home side. Expect a match full of sweeping ball movement, massive intercept grabs, and some monster DraftStars scores.
Our FootyBets.ai algorithm has crunched the numbers, and a clear core of must-have players has emerged for this slate. Here are the five absolute locks dominating our optimal builds:
- Max Gawn (MELB, RUC): Big Maxy is the ultimate set-and-forget. He features in every single optimal lineup, projecting a massive 101.7 points. Expect him to dominate the hitouts, clunk his trademark intercept marks behind the ball, and drift forward for a goal.
- Christian Salem (MELB, DEF): Boasting the highest projection on the slate (107.3 pts), Salem is the general across half-back. The Saints often allow easy out-balls, meaning Salem will feast on uncontested marks and rack up those juicy +6s (kick and mark combinations).
- Trent Rivers (MELB, MID): Now a genuine beast in the engine room, Rivers (95.7 pts) provides an elite floor. He’ll find plenty of the footy at the coalface and is guaranteed to boost his score with a mountain of hard-nosed tackles.
- Bradley Hill (STK, MID): The MCG wings were made for Brad Hill (87.3 pts). He's locked into all 10 builds because of his elite gut-running. He will rack up cheap disposals, running bounces, and link-up marks all afternoon.
- Ed Langdon (MELB, FWD): A wingman with forward status is DraftStars gold. Langdon (72.6 pts) will work baseline to baseline, accumulating uncontested marks and easily pushing past 20 disposals.
Position-by-Position Quick Tips: * RUC: Lock in Max Gawn and throw away the key. He’s the undisputed ruck king of this slate. * DEF: Anchor your backline with Christian Salem’s elite ball use, and look to Jake Lever to mop up with intercept marks. * MID: Trent Rivers and Brad Hill are your high-floor engines, but don't sleep on Hugo Garcia for his tackling pressure. * FWD: Ed Langdon’s outside run makes him essential, while Mason Wood offers great aerial upside for the Saints.
Scroll down to check out the Top 10 FootyBets.ai optimal lineups and lock in your winning combinations!