FootyBets.aiAFL Round 11 Saturday DraftStars Slate: Pies to Feast and Forwards to Target
Welcome to Super Saturday for Round 11 of the 2026 AFL Premiership season! We’ve got a cracking four-game slate on our hands, featuring a fast-paced clash under the Docklands roof, a Kardinia Park blockbuster between the Cats and Swans, the Pies hunting the Eagles at the 'G, and a prime-time showdown between Port and Carlton at Adelaide Oval. Expect plenty of fantasy fireworks as we dive into the optimal plays for today's contests.
Our FootyBets.ai projections have been crunching the numbers, and a clear core of players has emerged to anchor your squads. Here are the most heavily selected guns across our optimal builds:
Jy Simpkin (North Melbourne, MID) - Projected 84.8 pts Appearing in all 10 of our optimal lineups, Simpkin is an absolute lock. Playing under the roof against Gold Coast, expect him to be at the bottom of every pack, racking up contested possessions and tackles in the engine room.
Tom Anastasopoulos (Port Adelaide, FWD) & Jack Ison (Carlton, FWD) - Projected 73.9 & 73.3 pts The AI has heavily flagged this young forward duo, putting both in 100% of optimal lineups. In what shapes as a high-pressure clash at Adelaide Oval, these two will earn their keep through tackles inside 50 and scoreboard impact, providing incredibly reliable output to anchor your forward line.
Brayden Maynard (Collingwood, DEF) - Projected 89.4 pts "Bruzzy" features in 9 out of 10 builds, and it’s easy to see why. The Eagles have been giving up plenty of uncontested marks to opposition half-backs. Expect Maynard to mop up down back and rack up the +6s (kick and mark) all afternoon at the MCG.
Josh Daicos (Collingwood, DEF) - Projected 105.3 pts Locking down a spot in 80% of our lineups, the elder Daicos brother is primed for a field day on the wide expanses of the 'G. With a monster 105-point projection, his elite run-and-carry will translate into massive DFS scoring.
Patrick Lipinski (Collingwood, MID) - Projected 82.0 pts Rounding out our core targets, Lipinski lands in 7 out of 10 lineups. He's been finding plenty of uncontested ball on the outside for the Pies, and against West Coast, he should see plenty of uncontested link-up chains to boost his score.
Position-by-Position Quick Tips
- DEF: Stack those Magpies. With Maynard and Daicos dominating the optimal builds, Collingwood’s backline is the place to be. If you want a point of difference, Sydney's Nick Blakey offers great rebound upside.
- MID: Simpkin is the staple, but if you want an elite ceiling, look no further than Bailey Smith at the Cats. Bazlenka is projected for a massive 113.2 points and is tipped to run rampant at Kardinia Park.
- RUC: Jordon Sweet is hitting his straps for Port Adelaide and is our preferred big man today with a sturdy 90.9 projection, though Mitchell Edwards (Geelong) is a great secondary option.
- FWD: Trust the algorithm's eye for opportunity. Jack Ison and Tom Anastasopoulos are the absolute necessities on this slate to solidify your scoring up front.
Ready to take out the major prize? Check out the FootyBets.ai Top 10 optimal lineups for this slate below!