FootyBets.aiSunday Funday: Cracking the DraftStars Slate for AFL Round 1
The opening round of 2026 closes out with a massive three-game Sunday slate that promises plenty of fantasy fireworks. We’ve got North Melbourne taking on Port Adelaide under the roof at Docklands, a classic MCG clash between Melbourne and St Kilda, and the Suns hosting the Eagles in the heat at People First Stadium. With varying conditions and some highly favourable matchups, expect plenty of outside ball and massive ceiling games as teams look to start the year with a bang.
Our FootyBets.ai supercomputer has crunched the numbers, and a clear core of must-have players has emerged. Here are the most heavily selected guns across our top optimal lineups:
Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast Suns) – Projected 108.9 pts Appearing in 100% of our optimal builds, the Suns' skipper is an absolute lock. Up against the Eagles, Witts should dominate the hit-outs and follow up at ground level for massive stoppage points.
Christian Salem & Trent Rivers (Melbourne) The Demons' half-back duo are both locked into every single optimal lineup, projecting 107.3 and 95.7 points respectively. The Saints love to press high, which usually results in Melbourne’s defenders playing kick-to-kick across D50. Expect plenty of +6s (kick and mark) from these two elite distributors.
Milan Murdock (West Coast Eagles) – Projected 58.1 pts You need players who do the dirty work, and Murdock is your man. Featured in 10 out of 10 lineups, the Eagles ball-winner relies on his inside grunt. Even in a tough matchup against the Suns, his tackling pressure alone provides a brilliant fantasy floor.
Ewan Mackinlay (Port Adelaide) – Projected 74.6 pts Another 100% exposure player. Mackinlay loves the fast deck at Docklands. He’s expected to push high up the ground to link the play, combining uncontested marks with genuine scoreboard impact against a developing North Melbourne outfit.
Ed Langdon (Melbourne) – Projected 72.6 pts Landing in 90% of our builds, Langdon is a running machine. The wide expanses of the MCG suit his two-way gut running perfectly, ensuring he racks up uncontested possessions and marks on the wing all afternoon.
Position-by-Position Quick Tips
- RUC: Don't overthink it—Jarrod Witts is the standout big man on this slate. Lock him in and throw away the key.
- DEF: The Dees' half-backs are the honey hole, but if you want to pivot, Jack Sinclair (St Kilda) is projecting a massive 100.9 points mopping up out of the defensive half.
- MID: Blend the inside grunt of Milan Murdock or St Kilda's Hugo Garcia with outside class. Bradley Hill is poised for a big running game, while Harry Sheezel has week-breaking upside for the Roos.
- FWD: Target runners and link-up players. Ewan Mackinlay and Ed Langdon offer fantastic stability, keeping your forwards ticking over with marks and inside-50 entries.
Ready to dominate the Sunday contests and finish Round 1 in the green? Check out FootyBets.ai’s Top 10 optimal lineups for this slate below!