Gabba Blockbuster: Lions vs Blues DraftStars Masterclass

Friday night footy heads to the Gabba for an absolute ripper as the Brisbane Lions lock horns with Carlton. Expect a fierce, highly contested battle under the lights, with plenty of fantasy points up for grabs for those willing to get their hands dirty. With both midfields absolutely stacked with superstars, this clash is going to be a goldmine for DraftStars coaches.

Our FootyBets.ai algorithm has crunched the numbers, and a few key names are standing out as absolute locks. Lincoln McCarthy and Cam Rayner appear in every single optimal build. McCarthy brings a reliable floor through elite defensive pressure and intercept marks, while Rayner’s explosive burst through the middle guarantees contested touches and the chance to slot a couple of snags.

In the engine room, you simply can't ignore Lachie Neale (projected 107.4 pts) and Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps (88.7 pts). Neale is a certified ball-magnet primed to rack up 30+ disposals and plenty of center clearances. Meanwhile, "Crippa" will do what he does best: feast on the inside ball with huge tackle numbers and contested possessions. Throw in Lions big man Sam Draper dominating the hit-outs and following up at ground level, and you've got a formidable fantasy core.

Position-by-Position Quick Tips:

• DEF: Lock in Lincoln McCarthy for his reliable output, but if you're chasing a massive ceiling, veteran Dayne Zorko (projected 108.2 pts) is your man to rack up cheap rebounding disposals.
• MID: Anchor your squad with Neale or Sam Walsh, but don't sleep on Bruce Reville to gather the outside ball as a savvy, high-frequency point of difference.
• RUC: The algorithm heavily favors Sam Draper over Marc Pittonet to command the ruck contests and lay key tackles.
• FWD: Back in Harry McKay to take plenty of contested clunks inside 50 and hit the scoreboard for the Blues.

Ready to take out the prize pool? Check out the Top 10 optimal lineups generated by our FootyBets.ai engine below!