AFL $25,000+ Saints v Giants Line-Up

The Giants are playing in their second Friday night match in as many weeks – what is this madness? While Etihad will be expecting 12,000 fans to flood through the gates, this match will be a very intriguing contest. As is generally the case, there are plenty of Draftstars options who can go large. On a sidenote, a little milestone for me: the first time I’ve managed to utilise all of the $100k salary cap.

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

Forward

Devon Smith ($11,350)

Devon Smith has been solid without setting the world on fire in 2017, averaging 86 Draftstars points per game this season. Interesting stat – he has scored 67 in three of his six games. Can’t see him scoring that in this one, though, especially after his 21 disposals, seven tackles and 96 points last week. There are whispers that Smith may want to join the Cats, so he will surely want to show he can perform well in Melbourne…

Tim Taranto ($8,450)

The Tarantula© played his best AFL game to date against the Bulldogs, tackling ferociously and getting his hands dirty in the contest. It showed, posting 82 Draftstars points – his best effort for the season. Last weekend’s match was also his first 20+ possession tally in the seniors. Taranto appears to be comfortable at AFL level now and should be more likely to reach this kind of total more often.

Midfield

Jack Steven ($14,550)

The Draftstars star didn’t have the best start to the season, with injury and poor form keeping Steven under 100 Draftstars points in his first three games. Until last weekend that is. Steven went absolutely bananas, recording 36 disposals, eight tackles and 133 Draftstars points against the Hawks. Admittedly, he is coming up against a much better side on Friday night, but Jacky boy’s home is Etihad Stadium. His haircut and disposal efficiency certainly isn’t elegant, but I’m backing him to be at his ball-winning best against the Giants.

Seb Ross ($14,000)

Sebastian has been a Draftstars revelation this season (besides Round 1). Since his paltry score of 42 against the Dees, Ross has averaged 109.8 points per game including four tons. He scored 127 points in his last outing against the Giants, racking up 29 disposals and laying nine tackles. Ross has exceeded the 30 possession mark in his last three matches, and I’d expect him to do it again this weekend.

Callan Ward ($11,550)

While the previous two midfielders are in some sort of Draftstars form, Ward hasn’t looked like it all year. He is still getting reasonable numbers – reaching 25 disposals in all but two games in 2017 – but is yet to reach the fabled Draftstars ton. Have included him quite a few times thinking surely he will turn it around. He hasn’t, and his price continues to fall. I can’t see this form continuing however, and think he is too hard to pass up at $11.5k.

Matthew Kennedy ($8,600)

This is another fella who I included last Friday who let me down. Cheap options in the midfield are scarce, so I’ve put my faith in Matthew Kennedy once again. The thing about Kennedy is that he can tackle his way to a solid score, averaging seven tackles in his past three games along with 15 disposals. If he manages to snag a goal or two, he should be able to get that 70+ score we are after.

Defence

Jimmy Webster ($10,300)

Jimmy Webster has been in good form of late, averaging 88 Draftstars points in his past three games. This is thanks to two tons against Collingwood and the Hawks, scoring 101 and 102 respectively. The young Saint has received greater freedom in the back 50 along with Dylan Roberton (who I couldn’t sneak into this lineup, unfortunately), making him a relevant Draftstars player now. Loves to kick, so is suited to under the roof.

Jake Carlisle ($8,500)

Carlisle’s hands must have super glue on them, because nothing seems to slip through. Like Webster, Carlisle has fared better in this three-week patch, averaging 66.7 Draftstars points including two 80+ totals. The former Bomber will certainly be required to take some intercept marks with the Giants kicking to the likes of Cameron, Patton and Lobb on Friday night, and I can see him getting another decent score.

Ruck

Shane Mumford ($12,700)

Shane Mumford has been a bit of a Draftstars favourite of mine this year, Mummy has averaged 89 Draftstars points this season, including 90, 102 and 104 in his past three. He comes up against either Billy Longer on Friday, who he should be able to swat away at ruck contests like a fly. When Mumford is in form his tackle numbers rise, averaging five tackles in his past three games. A lazy 53 hitouts (equivalent to 53 points) in his past three as well. Lock.

The Line Up

FWD: Devon Smith ($11,350)

FWD: Tim Taranto ($8,450)

MID: Jack Steven ($14,550)

MID: Seb Ross ($14,000)

MID: Callan Ward ($11,550)

MID: Matthew Kennedy ($8,600)

DEF: Jimmy Webster ($10,300)

DEF: Jake Carlisle ($8,500)

RUCK: Shaun Mumford ($12,700)

Salary Remaining: $0