Round 3 of the 2025 AFL Premiership Season gets underway with Essendon hosting Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium. The Bombers have been under the microscope this week after a 10 goal loss to the Crows on the weekend brought them to 0-2 to start the season. On the other hand, Port Adelaide come into this game fresh off a big win against Richmond that looked to put their season back on track after Round 1. Both sides will be desparate to get a win here and we should be in for a hotly contested game.
As always, this is all about the daily fantasy and this massive Thursday night game draws another massive $70,000 prize pool at Draftstars in it’s main contest. In addition, there are a variety of alternate contests:
AFL $70,000+ Bombers vs Power
AFL $5,000+ Bombers vs Power High Roller ($150 Entry)
AFL $3,000+ Bombers vs Power Mini ($2 Entry The AFL Star contest is back again for 2025 and Draftstars are once again offering the biggest prize pool in Australian DFS history with a $1 million guaranteed final with $250,000 top prize! There are qualifiers and satellites running for every AFL match.
Betting Markets
Essendon ($2.24) vs Port Adelaide ($1.66)
Points: 183.5
Line: Essendon -6.5
If you’re looking to bet on the AFL this season, then you can bet with PlayUp by using the same account that you have at Draftstars. PlayUp are Australian owned and offer a strong range of AFL betting markets and offers, including Same Game Multis.
Additionally, we have a full Essendon vs Port Adelaide Betting Preview where we provide our best bet for the game as well as a great value Same Game Multi!
Where to Attack?
Essendon have had a very rough start to the season and we are seeing that they are getting taken apart through the midfield and their defenders are also struggling to keep their opponents in check.
Last week the Bombers conceded multiple 110+ point games to three of the Crows midfielders, and if the Power get on top this week we can expect a similar performance from their middle (given what we saw last week against the Tigers). This is leading to a Power midfielder stack.
Furthermore, the talls for the Crows last week absolutely dismantled the Bombers smaller back line. Port Adelaide will have a similar opportunity to take advantage up forward, especially if they are dominating the middle of the ground.
Game Script – Port Adelaide midfielders and forwards
VALUE PLAYS
Ben Hobbs ($7,530) has had a season to forget like the majority of the Bombers players this year. However, with Elijah Tsatas out and no midfielder coming in as a direct replacement this week we can hopefully expect a significant uplift in opportunity in the midfield for Hobbs. Tsatas attended 23 centre bounces last week that will have to soaked up by someone and Hobbs looks to be the first option left in the side. He has shown ability to hit over 10x at this price point in the past.
Zach Reid ($6,000) makes for a solid floor score in a single game slate at the minimum price point. He has posted scores of 51 and 63 in his first two games this year, and in a two-team matchup that would a strong return at this price and allow for spending up on multiple premium midfielders.
MID PRICED PLAYS
Nick Bryan ($9,950)… the ruck situation is almost a process of elimination on this slate. With the Power bringing in Ivan Soldo, it makes it very difficult to select Jordon Sweet at $12k, or Soldo at just under $11k if they are going to be splitting duties. Bryan is the cheapest ruck on the slate and he will get the biggest slice of the ruck role out of him or Draper, with Bryan attending 27 centre bounces last week en route to 72 fantasy points.
PREMIUM PLAYS
Connor Rozee ($15,980) has been the head of the snake for the Power, especially with Butters out. He racked up 145 fantasy points last week to back up his 112 point game in Round 1. The Bombers midfield has been getting taken apart this year with the Crows having their three midfielders top the 110 point mark last week.
Jye Caldwell ($15,360) has been one of the few shining lights for the Bombers this season. His Round 1 performance against Hawks was dominant and then he backed up last week with a 97 point game in a huge loss. Caldwell leads their team in centre bounces and has the ability score against the flow as an inside player.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
