FootyBets.aiHawks vs Bombers DraftStars DFS Preview: Who Locks Into Your Lineup at the MCG?
The rivalry heat turns up at the MCG this Saturday as Hawthorn's fast-paced ball movement collides with Essendon in a crucial clash. With both midfields primed for a fierce, stoppage-heavy battle on the big stage, DFS coaches are spoilt for choice across the board. Expect a fast, physical blockbuster where tackles, marks, and inside-50 entries translate to massive DraftStars scores.
Here is a breakdown of the key players our FootyBets.ai engine is locking in across the board:
The AI Core Locks
- Jai Newcombe (Hawthorn, MID – 10/10 lineups): The ultimate inside engine. 'Duke' thrives in high-pressure MCG clashes, racking up contested disposals, clearances, and tackle points for fun. Projected for a slate-topping 94.3 points, he’s your set-and-forget captain candidate.
- Sam Durham (Essendon, MID – 10/10 lineups): Essendon's powerhouse midfielder continues to elevate his game. Durham builds his 92.0 projected points on pure work rate—combining transition marks, inside-50 deliveries, and goal-scoring flare.
- Will Day (Hawthorn, MID – 10/10 lineups): Hawthorn's ultimate connector. Day seamlessly rotates through the middle and wing, piling up kick-mark stacks that translate directly into dynamic fantasy output (projected 91.9 pts).
- Mabior Chol (Hawthorn, RUC – 10/10 lineups): A 100% feature in our AI models, Chol offers tremendous scoring output at RUC. His forward-half hitouts combined with multi-goal upside (projected 66.1 pts) make him an elite glue guy.
- Jaxon Artemis (Essendon, DEF – 10/10 lineups): The young Don is providing crucial structural value. Artemis racks up effortless rebound disposals and uncontested marks off half-back, consistently delivering a solid 55.0-point floor.
Quick Position Guide
- RUC: Mabior Chol (Hawthorn) — Unanimous 10/10 AI lock for hitout and goal upside.
- DEF: Mason Redman (Essendon) — Rebounding weapon capable of breaking the slate with kick-ins and mark stacks.
- MID: Will Setterfield (Essendon) — High-volume tackle and clearance machine (projected 91.5 pts) appearing in 50% of top lineups.
- FWD: Jack Ginnivan (Hawthorn) — Featured in 8/10 lineups (84.5 pts projection) with huge goal-scoring ceiling and sneaky tackle pressure.
Scroll down to unlock FootyBets.ai’s exact Top 10 optimal lineups for Saturday’s MCG blockbuster!