AFL $25,000+ Giants v Bulldogs

Considering the last edition of Giants vs Bulldogs was arguably the best game of 2016, this next instalment has me very excited. Much better finishing your final day of work for the week knowing that a good game is on, instead of another Port Adelaide vs Carlton that we saw last week. No shortage of talent in these teams, so it is worth getting amongst the $25,000 Draftstars game on Friday.

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Here is a team you may consider for the AFL $25,000+ Giants v Bulldogs competition

Forward

Toby Greene ($12,900)

The Greene-machine has booted 17 goals in his five games this season, returning a Draftstars average of 86 points per game. He is generally better against worse teams, but 2017 has seen a more consistent Toby on display, posting 91 points from three snags against the Power a fortnight ago. He managed just the 77 despite four goals last week in the Battle of the Bridge, but I expect Tobes to bounce back.

Sam J. Reid ($8,850)

Sam J. Reid has been a pretty solid performer in his four games in 2016. Reid has booted a goal or more in all of his games along with 14 disposals and 70 Draftstars points. With very few cheap options on offer, Reid looks to be one of the best of them. You’d be happy if he pulls out a 70-point effort and if hits the 80 plus mark, even better.

Midfield

Luke Dahlhaus ($14,500)

After failing to hit the ton in the first three rounds (stranded on 99 in Round 1), Dahlhaus has gone BANG, BANG! Dahlhaus posted 111 and 130 points against the Roos and Lions respectively, and looks to be in red hot form. He is still priced below the $15k mark, which makes him bargain basement in my eyes.

Callan Ward ($12,850)

Callan Ward hasn’t been in the best form to start the year, failing to hit the ton in 2017 (like Dahlhaus, he has also registered a 99). During the regular season last year, Ward posted a mammoth 139 Draftstars points against the Doggies. This suggests to me that he provides plenty of value for his price tag, as there is only so long the GWS co-captain can underperform. Surely he turns around against his old side, surely.

Clay Smith ($10,400)

Clay Smith has responded well since returning to the senior side in Round 4, and I rate his chances of getting onto a couple tomorrow night. Smith absolutely turned it on against the Giants in the Prelim Final last year, scoring a monster 140 Draftstars points from 26 disposals, eight tackles and four majors. He seems to lift for big games – as evidenced by his huge finals series last year – so Smith could score well above what his price suggests.

Matthew Kennedy ($7,350)

As I said before, there really is a lack of cheap options in this game. Probably because the only young players are already guns. This isn’t to say Kennedy isn’t a young gun, though, as he has already shown some impressive signs to date. Kennedy scored the 89 Draftstars points last week in what was one of his best performances for the Giants thus far. Averages 70 points per game like Reid, and is every chance of hitting this sort of score again. Value.

Defence

Heath Shaw ($14,000)

This man had one of the best Draftstars performances of ALL TIME against the Bulldogs last year. Heath really proved he couldn’t handball on that occasion, racking up a lazy 38 disposals (including just the two handballs) and 176 Draftstars points. While I don’t think Heater is gunna chuck up another score like this, this effort last year showed the Doggies don’t really care if Shaw gets cheap touches in the back 50.

Bailey Williams ($6,300)

I’m glad young Bailey has been included in the side because it allows me to have a better first defender than I did before. Williams is by no means a prolific scorer, managing a modest 50 Draftstars points from his six games last year. This did include two 60+ scores though, and if he gets to this he certainly justifies his $6.3k price tag. Brought into the side for Shane Biggs, the youngster will be keen to keep his spot in the 22.

Ruck

Shane Mumford ($12,800)

In all honesty, I thought Mummy was a bit cooked going in to this season. He has proved me wrong and then some, finding himself in a purple patch over the past fortnight. Mumford has scored two successive tons, averaging an enormous 53 hitouts over the past two weeks. I expect Mummy to send Tom Campbell to the cleaners this weekend in the hit-out department. Stefan Martin had the 49 hit-outs against him last weekend, so 50 isn’t out of the question for the big boy.

The Line Up

FWD: Toby Greene ($12,900)

FWD: Sam J. Reid ($8,850)

MID: Luke Dahlhaus ($14,500)

MID: Callan Ward ($12,850)

MID: Clay Smith ($10,400)

MID: Matthew Kennedy ($7,350)

DEF: Heath Shaw ($14,000)

DEF: Bailey Williams ($6,300)

RUCK: Shaun Mumford ($12,800)

Salary Remaining: $50