FootyBets.aiDockers Pillage the 'G: Essendon vs Fremantle DraftStars Guide
The Fremantle Dockers make the long trek across the Nullarbor to face the Essendon Bombers at the MCG this Sunday afternoon. With both sides desperate to assert their dominance in the 2026 season, expect a high-intensity, high-possession clash that is absolutely ripe for daily fantasy scoring.
Our FootyBets.ai algorithm has run the numbers, and a clear core of must-have players has emerged to anchor your DraftStars squads. Here are the heavily backed studs you need to lock in:
Jordan Clark (DEF) - Projected 95.9 pts Appearing in 100% of our optimal builds, Clark is the ultimate DFS weapon across half-back. He’ll feast on uncontested marks and rack up those juicy kick-to-kick points as Freo transitions the footy out of defensive 50.
Will Setterfield (MID) - Projected 87.9 pts Another unanimous selection. 'Setters' is an inside beast for the Dons. Expect him to get his hands dirty at the coalface, padding his score with a mountain of tackles, contested possessions, and clearance wins in the engine room.
Shai Bolton (FWD) - Projected 93.1 pts Bolton is pure box office and features in every single optimal lineup. With his explosive pace and X-factor, he’s a massive threat to snag multiple goals while racking up score involvements and inside-50 entries.
Luke Ryan (DEF) - Projected 94.1 pts Locked into 9 out of 10 lineups, Ryan is the king of the intercept mark. If Essendon bombs it long, Ryan will be there to mop it up, take the kick-ins, and orchestrate the rebound with his elite disposal.
Matthew Johnson (MID) - Projected 64.3 pts Rounding out our flawless 10/10 selections, Johnson is the perfect glue guy for your midfield. He’ll find plenty of the Sherrin on the outside and chip in with crucial link-up disposals all afternoon.
Position-by-Position Quick Tips
- RUC: Nick Bryan (Essendon) is our AI’s preferred big man to get his hand to the footy, edging out the opposition with strong tap-work and around-the-ground tackle pressure.
- DEF: Stack the Fremantle rebounders. Clark and Ryan are absolute point-scoring magnets back there.
- MID: Anchor your core with the grunt of Setterfield, then splash on a premium ball-magnet like Caleb Serong or Zach Merrett for that massive ceiling.
- FWD: Shai Bolton is a non-negotiable, but look to pressure guys like Sam Switkowski to fill out your remaining forward slots.
Scroll down to check out the exact combinations our AI is backing with the Top 10 optimal lineups below!