FootyBets.aiDerby Drama & MCG Blockbusters: DraftStars AFL Round 20 Friday Slate
Friday night footy serves up a massive double-header for Round 20. First, Melbourne battles Geelong in a blockbuster clash at the MCG, before eyes turn west for a fiery Western Derby as Fremantle host West Coast at Perth Stadium. With top-eight implications and local bragging rights on the line, expect huge fantasy scores across both contests.
Here is how our FootyBets.ai algorithm is building lineups for Friday night.
The Core Staples
- Jack Steele (MELB, MID – Proj: 100.0): Locked into 10/10 AI lineups. Steele’s relentless work rate in the engine room and tackle-heavy game make him the absolute heartbeat of Friday's builds.
- Luke Jackson (FRE, RUC – Proj: 109.7): Featured in 9/10 optimal setups, Jackson boasts the highest projection on the slate. Derby lights bring out his best, and his ability to impact around the ground and hit the scoreboard gives him an elite fantasy ceiling.
- Oliver Dempsey (GEEL, MID – Proj: 87.7): Another 10/10 AI selection. Dempsey’s hard running on the wing and knack for scoreboard impact ensure a rock-solid floor with plenty of upside at the MCG.
- Jay Polkinghorne & Jhye Clark (GEEL, FWD – Proj: 61.9 & 58.6): Both Cats feature in 100% of our top models. They provide crucial structural support in the forward line, allowing you to fit high-end ceiling players elsewhere.
- Jake Bowey & Trent Rivers (MELB, DEF – Proj: 100.9 & 86.1): Melbourne’s bounce-back run off half-back is a goldmine. Bowey hits a triple-figure projection while Rivers features in 6/10 builds, making Dees defenders a mandatory stack.
Position-by-Position Quick Tips
- RUC: Luke Jackson is the dominant consensus pick, but slipping Max Gawn (107.9 proj) into your Ruck spot offers a monster contrarian pivot if you're chasing low-ownership leverage.
- DEF: Target the rebound zone. Jake Bowey and Jordan Clark (95.6 proj) will collect plenty of uncontested footy out of the backline.
- MID: Jack Steele is a set-and-forget lock. Pair him with Tim Kelly (87.8 proj), who always turns up for the heat of a Western Derby.
- FWD: Don't overthink it—lock in Geelong's value duo of Jay Polkinghorne and Jhye Clark to solve a notoriously tricky forward slate.
Ready to enter your contests? Check out the AI's Top 10 optimal DraftStars lineups below to lock in your winning combinations!