AFL $25,000+ Cats v Bulldogs Line-Up
Simonds Stadium is back bigger and better than ever and this match looms as an exciting one. Geelong have been absolutely awful over the past three weeks but they always perform their best at Kardinia Park. The Dogs on the other-hand are looking good despite a heap of injuries (again). Arch rivals by mascot, this should be a Nathan Krakouer.
Here is a team you may consider for the AFL $25,000+ Cats v Bulldogs competition
Forward
Caleb Daniel ($11,150)
Caleb Daniel’s match last Friday night replicated a ying-yang. Daniel had just the four disposals to half time but somehow ended the match with a lazy 30 touches and 101 Draftstars points. Damn, Daniel. Averaging 80 Draftstars points for the season but 93 in his past three, giving him tremendous value in my eyes. The helmet-headed young gun should continue this purple patch against the Cats, having already facing this axe this season.
Tom Hawkins ($9,950)
Tom Hawkins has been in brilliant goal scoring form, snagging 31 majors for the season. However, he is averaging just the 76.5 Draftstars points this season with only three 80+ totals. The Bulldogs defence had no answers for West Coast’s major goalkicker last week, with Josh J. Kennedy having nine shots on goal for 3.6. Hawkins is generally more accurate than that, so he should be able to put at least six through with those kind of opportunities. The Tomahawk loves playing in Geelong and I reckon he’ll get another bag to his name.
Midfield
Patrick Dangerfield ($14,750)
Patrick Dangerfield has underperformed so far in 2017, averaging 108 Draftstars points per game. Danger made Kardinia Park his home last season, and he ventures there for the first time this season on Friday night. An out and star for under $15k is bargain basement stuff, and I don’t want to be the one to pass on him if he goes berserk. BUYER BEWARE: The Doggies have said they will look to lock down Dangerwood this week. Probably fair enough considering he scored 135 against them last year.
Jack Macrae ($13,850)
Jackson Macrae has been incredibly reliable this Draftstars season, scoring between 92 and 116 Draftstars points in all eight matches. Now that’s a good standard deviation. Macrae top scored for the Bulldogs last time they faced Geelong at Kardinia, scoring 112 points from 31 disposals. Pretty fine effort in a 57-point defeat. I’d expect the Bulldogs to get a lot closer this time and I’d expect Macrae to ton up again.
Mitch Wallis ($10,600)
First off, it is great to see this man back in action after that horrific injury last year. Mitch Wallis has returned to the Bulldog side, and should play Tom Liberatore’s role in the middle after the Bulldog’s selection BOMBSHELL. In fairness, he did have just the eight disposals (1 kick last week). Wallis should be raring to go for his first AFL match of 2017, and he is coming in somewhat discounted. Averaged 80 Draftstars points last year.
Clay Smith ($9,100)
Clay Smith’s season has been a bit of a mixed bag, exceeding the 70 mark on three occasions but also putting up scores of 37 and 50. Smith is averaging 65 Draftstars points per game and has only had one multiple goal-scoring game this season. Seeing how the Cats defended last weekend – as in, failing to defend at all – I’m confident that Smith can get on the end of a couple. Small forwards Orrraaaazio Fantaaasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti both booted three majors against the Cats.
Defence
Jason Johannisen ($12,000)
It is difficult to believe Jason Johannisen was priced below $11k last week. Another solid performance saw his price rise $1.2k, claiming 26 disposals including 22 kicks. JJ tends to kick instead of handball which is great for Draftstars, and is still fairly underpriced at $12k. The speedy Bulldog is averaging 85 Draftstars points this season and his teammates love getting the ball in his hands. I suspect David King will be mentioning his run down the Geelong Highway (ie. Through the middle of the ground) post-match in the ‘War Room’.
Bailey Williams ($8,650)
Bailey Williams has been somewhat surprising since his 49 Draftstars points in Round 1. Williams put in a 23 disposal effort the following week and last week managed 14 against the West Coast, scoring 86 and 57 points respectively in the past fortnight. We are a bit short of cheap options in defence, so it is best to put your trust in Williams rather than a key position defender.
Ruck
Tom Boyd ($9,550)
I feel like I pick this bloke every week. He has excelled in his last two matches though. Boyd comes up against Zac Smith and Rhys Stanley on Friday, not exactly the most formidable ruck duo in the competition (admittedly, much better than his opponents Nathan Vardy and Fraser McInnes last week). Provides the most value given he is the sole ruckman for the Bulldogs.
The Line Up
FWD: Caleb Daniel ($11,150)
FWD: Tom Hawkins ($9,950)
MID: Patrick Dangerfield ($14,750)
MID: Jack Macrae ($13,850)
MID: Mitch Wallis ($10,600)
MID: Clay Smith ($9,100)
DEF: Jason Johannisen ($12,000)
DEF: Bailey Williams ($8,650)
RUCK: Tom Boyd ($9,550)
Salary Remaining: $100
AFL SCORING SYSTEM
Kick = 3 points
Mark = 3 points
Handball = 2 points
Goal = 6 points
Behind = 1 point
Tackle = 4 points
Free Kick For = 1 point
Free Kick Against = -3 points
Hitout = 1 point