Powering Up: Port Adelaide vs Essendon DraftStars Preview

Sunday arvo footy heads to the Adelaide Oval as Port Adelaide hosts Essendon in what shapes up to be an absolute shootout. Both sides boast high-octane engine rooms capable of racking up monster fantasy numbers, setting up a goldmine for this Sunday 22 March 2026 single-game slate.

Our FootyBets.ai algorithm has crunched the numbers, and a few key names are standing out as absolute locks for your builds.

Zach Merrett sits in 100% of our optimal lineups, and for good reason. The Essendon skipper is a pure disposal magnet who consistently pads his stats with heavy tackle counts and uncontested marks on the outside. Matching him in the guts is Port’s Zak Butters. A proven game-breaker, Butters thrives at home, mixing inside clearance grunt with a lethal ability to hit the scoreboard.

Don't sleep on Jack Watkins, who has cemented himself as a reliable accumulator in the Power's midfield and features in every optimal build. Down back, Essendon’s Max Kondogiannis is another 100% exposure lock—expect him to mop up defensive entries with intercept marks and easy rebound 50s. Finally, Jason Horne-Francis features in 70% of our builds. His explosive burst from stoppages and forward-half pressure makes him a dangerous dual-threat for disposals and goals.

Position-by-Position Quick Tips:

• RUC: It’s a split field, but Jordon Sweet gets the slight nod over Jack Whitlock for his pure hit-out volume and follow-up tackles around the ground.
• DEF: You must lock in Max Kondogiannis, but strongly consider pairing him with Port's Kane Farrell to capitalize on his elite, penetrating kicking out of the back half.
• MID: Stack the absolute premiums. Building your core around Merrett, Butters, and the explosive Connor Rozee is the blueprint for tournament success.
• FWD: Dyson Sharp is a phenomenal, highly projected piece for the Dons, while Horne-Francis offers that slate-breaking ceiling you need to take out first place.

Ready to crush the competition? Check out our AI's Top 10 optimal DraftStars lineups for this matchup below!