FootyBets.aiDraftStars Dominance: Tigers vs Suns Fantasy Preview
Footy is back at the 'G this Saturday, March 21, as Richmond hosts the Gold Coast Suns in a mouth-watering 2026 clash. Both engine rooms are packed with premium ball-winners, making this an absolute goldmine for daily fantasy coaches. Expect a fierce contested battle with plenty of points up for grabs on the wide expanses of the MCG.
Our FootyBets.ai algorithm has crunched the numbers, and a few clear standout picks are dominating the optimal builds. Here are the core players you need to build around:
- Jarrod Witts (RUC) – Projected 99.3 pts: Featuring in 100% of our optimal builds, the Suns' big man is a set-and-forget beast. He’ll monopolise the hit-outs and rack up plenty of follow-up tackles and clearances around the ground.
- Sam Grlj (DEF) – Projected 78.0 pts: Another 10/10 lock. Grlj is primed to feast on cheap disposals and intercept marks while orchestrating the Tigers' rebound out of defensive 50.
- Jacob Hopper (MID) – Projected 81.9 pts: Appearing in 9 of 10 lineups, Hopper is the ultimate inside bull. Expect massive contested possession and tackle numbers as he gets his hands dirty in the clinches.
- Jack Ross (FWD) – Projected 83.2 pts: Listed as a forward but with the tank to push up the ground, Ross (9/10 lineups) is a massive asset. He’ll find plenty of uncontested pill on the outside and launch plenty of inside 50s.
- Nick Vlastuin (DEF) – Projected 83.9 pts: Featuring in 8/10 lineups, Vlastuin is a proven intercept king. His elite reading of the play translates directly into premium marking points.
Positional Quick Tips
- RUC: Don't overthink the big men—Jarrod Witts is the undisputed top dog to tap down monster scores.
- DEF: Stack those rebounding Tigers. Sam Grlj and Nick Vlastuin will control the tempo and rack up easy +3s out of the back half.
- MID: It’s a contested fiesta. Anchor your midfield with Jacob Hopper or Tim Taranto, but grab guys like Lachie Weller or Touk Miller to ensure you're snagging Suns disposals.
- FWD: Target the high half-forwards like Jack Ross and Seth Campbell who can push into the midfield to link up play and hit the scoreboard.
Ready to take out the contests? Check out our AI-generated Top 10 optimal DraftStars lineups for this massive clash below!