NRL Saturday Draftstars Round 1, 2026: DFS Preview and Projections

Morgan Winslow

Published: March 5, 2026 7:06 AM ET

NRL Saturday Draftstars Round 1, 2026: DFS Preview and Projections

The NRL Saturday Draftstars Round 1 contest is set to kick off on March 7, 2026, at 5:30 PM AEDT. This event offers an exciting opportunity for fantasy sports enthusiasts to engage in daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests. To aid participants, key data and player projections have been compiled to streamline the decision-making process for optimal fantasy line-ups.

Key Matches in the NRL Saturday Slate

The NRL Saturday Draftstars slate features a series of highly anticipated matches. Understanding the match-ups is crucial for selecting your fantasy team effectively. Players can leverage analytical tools designed to deliver detailed insights for each participant on the roster.

Cheat Sheet Overview

An accurate cheat sheet is essential in helping players navigate their selections. Here’s a snapshot of some key players along with their respective salaries and projected points:

Stud: Nicholas Hynes (CRO) – $18,340, projected points: 60.1, Pts/$1K: 3.3
Value: Noah Martin (CAN) – $9,210, projected points: 39.7, Pts/$1K: 4.3
Fade: Daine Laurie (CAN) – $11,440, projected points: 4.1, Pts/$1K: 0.4
Cheapie: Arama Hau (GOL) – $8,760, projected points: 33.4, Pts/$1K: 3.8

Player Value Metrics

In DFS, understanding player value is vital. The “Pts/$1K” metric helps players gauge the potential output relative to salary. A better ratio signifies higher value, allowing team managers to identify players who might exceed their salary worth.

Positional Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of player projections by position:

Outside Backs (OB)

Stud: KL Iro (CRO) – $15,510, projected points: 52.7, Pts/$1K: 3.4
Value: Keano Kini (GOL) – $10,830, projected points: 40.2, Pts/$1K: 3.7
Fade: Tom Trbojevic (MAN) – $17,450, projected points: 42.3, Pts/$1K: 2.4
Cheapie: Sebastian Kris (CAN) – $9,450, projected points: 32.7, Pts/$1K: 3.5

Half/Hooker (HH)

Stud: Nicholas Hynes (CRO) – $18,340, projected points: 60.1, Pts/$1K: 3.3
Value: Jake Simpkin (MAN) – $13,420, projected points: 49.6, Pts/$1K: 3.7
Fade: Daine Laurie (CAN) – $11,440, projected points: 4.1, Pts/$1K: 0.4
Cheapie: Joey Walsh (MAN) – $8,000, projected points: 11.7, Pts/$1K: 1.5

Forwards (FWD)

Stud: Hudson Young (CAN) – $18,560, projected points: 57.7, Pts/$1K: 3.1
Value: Noah Martin (CAN) – $9,210, projected points: 39.7, Pts/$1K: 4.3
Fade: Zac Hosking (CAN) – $16,130, projected points: 31, Pts/$1K: 1.9
Cheapie: Arama Hau (GOL) – $8,760, projected points: 33.4, Pts/$1K: 3.8

Conclusion and Strategy

When assembling your NRL Saturday Round 1 roster, consider starting with a value player such as Noah Martin. For those seeking high-scoring potential, Nicholas Hynes is an ideal candidate. If budget constraints are a priority, options like Arama Hau are valuable.

Conversely, Daine Laurie appears to be a less favorable choice based on projections. Participants should exercise caution when including him in multiple line-ups.

The NRL Saturday Draftstars slate closes at 5:30 PM AEDT. Make your selections and enhance your fantasy line-ups using the innovative tools available at Filmogaz.com.