FootyBets.aiHawks vs Pies at the 'G: AI Locks & Daily Fantasy Blueprint
Saturday footy returns to the MCG as Hawthorn’s high-octane youth brigade takes on Collingwood’s seasoned finals campaigners. With plenty of open space and high transition play expected, fantasy points will be flowing freely across all four quarters.
Our FootyBets.ai model has crunched the numbers, and here are the core studs lighting up the optimal builds:
The AI Core Locks
- Josh Daicos (DEF | Projected: 110.8 pts | 10/10 lineups): Running the wide MCG wings and sweeping off half-back, Daicos is our model's undisputed top selection. Expect a massive haul of uncontested marks and elite distributor numbers.
- Jai Newcombe (MID | Projected: 104.8 pts | 10/10 lineups): Hawthorn’s midfield bull thrives in big MCG fixtures. His clearance work, contested pill extraction, and ferocious tackling give him one of the highest ceilings on the slate.
- Jack Crisp (MID | Projected: 84.3 pts | 10/10 lineups): Crisp brings unmatched consistency. His ability to churn out meters gained, defensive pressure acts, and double-digit contested touches makes him a set-and-forget anchor.
- Daniel McStay (RUC | Projected: 73.8 pts | 8/10 lineups): Selected in the ruck slot across the majority of optimal teams, McStay’s aerial contest work around the ground paired with dangerous forward marking makes him an efficient fantasy piece.
- Connor Macdonald (MID | Projected: 92.7 pts | 7/10 lineups): Sneaking into seven optimal teams, Macdonald's high-workrate link play, goal assists, and scoring capability inside 50 provide huge upside.
Position-by-Position Cheat Sheet
- Defenders (DEF): Anchor your backline with Josh Daicos. If you want a high-ceiling pivot, Jarman Impey (108.5 pts) is primed for heavy rebound stats.
- Midfielders (MID): Build your engine room around Jai Newcombe and Jack Crisp, while Connor Macdonald offers great point-scoring punch.
- Rucks (RUC): Daniel McStay gets the nod for flexibility, but don't overlook Darcy Cameron (104.7 pts) if you're chasing raw hitout dominance.
- Forwards (FWD): Target pressure and goal-kickers—Dylan Moore (79.0 pts) and Lachie Schultz (72.6 pts) bring the tackling heat and scoring power needed to hit value.
Scroll down to check out all Top 10 AI-generated optimal DraftStars lineups for Saturday's clash!