AFL $20,000+ Saturday Line-Up

After two blockbusters night games to start Round 2, Saturday probably won’t deliver in the same vein. Brisbane vs Essendon in awful conditions looms as one of the worst games of the modern era (maybe even worse than that Richmond vs Collingwood first half) and there is likely to be a couple of blowouts. Nonetheless, it’s footy and we’re glad its back.

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Here is a team you may consider for the AFL $20,000+ Saturday competition

Forward

Josh J. Kennedy ($13,850)

Josh Kennedy began his pursuit for a third straight Coleman medal in emphatic fashion, booting 7 snags against North Melbourne last weekend. His effort yielded 126 Draftstars points, and it might just be repeated against a Saints side who is very poor on the road. The Coasters gave St.Kilda an 103 point thumping in their meeting last year at Patersons Stadium, with JJK booting a lazy five goals – all in the first quarter – and scoring 96 points. Another seven isn’t out of the question for the sharp shooter.

Riley Knight ($7,100)

Was known last week as the late in for Taylor Walker, but Riley Knight has managed to remain in the Crows line-up after a decent showing. Knight managed 71 Draftstars points from his 18 disposals, even bobbing up to score a couple of goals as well. The youngster is as cheap as they come in Draftstars and I see him as a value selection, considering he played just the one game last season due to injury. Who knows – he might just be our Knight in shining armour.

Midfield

Tom Rockliff ($17,300)

This guy could nearly hit a Draftstars double ton this weekend and if he does, thank me later. The ‘GABBA will be in shocking nick (how will they prepare it for the Ashes in November?) on Saturday night and expect it to be a scrappy affair – the kind of conditions that suits Rocky to a tee. Scored 127 last week from 37 disposals as well, putting to bed any word that he won’t be spending as much time in the guts. He is a tackling machine and as we know, he racks up disposals at will. Worth every penny of his $17,300 pricetag this week, for mine.

Dyson Heppell ($14,600)

Ugly, wet weather games equal ripping Draftstars points potential for inside midfielders who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Have included Dyson Heppell for the same reason as Rockliff. While the Dons skipper excelled in dry conditions last weekend, he will have no trouble getting plenty of it and laying tackles in the wet. Heppell amassed a monster total of 156 points against the Hawks from his 34 disposals, seven tackles and three goals, and I can see him going large yet again. The rain may wreck his hair a little, though.

Tim Taranto ($8,350)

We suggested young Tim last week and pumped up his tyres, only for him to return a score of 38… This hasn’t scared me off, though, as I rate the GWS young gun as one who can register a solid total this week. Coming up against the lowly Suns at Spotless Stadium, Taranto should have more of an impact than he did against an imposing Adelaide side. Had a bit of stage-fright last week, but then again, we all have at some point in our lives.

Andrew McGrath ($8,150)

The number one selection of last year’s draft surprised many on the weekend, posting a great score of 96 for his discount price. The Canadian had 22 disposals and five tackles in defence, with his tackle numbers and overall class suggesting the wet will not hinder his scoring. His JLT indicated he may not be a great Draftstars option, but after his imposing Round 1 performance, I’m backing him to hit 70+ again this week.

Defence

Heath Shaw ($15,400)

Have a bit of a Draftstars man-crush on Heath Shaw, because I’m not sure he actually knows how to handball. Shaw had 23 disposals on the weekend with 21 of those being kicks, scoring a solid total of 86 Draftstars points. I can see him going absolute bananas at Spotless Stadium on the weekend against Gold Coast, who he amassed 132 points against last year at the same venue. Should kick his way to 100+ Draftstars points at least on Saturday.

Curtly Hampton ($6,850)

Curtly Hampton’s first game back was decent without many thrills, posting a decent Draftstars total of 66 points. For mine he is just warming up, and a strong JLT suggests he has the potential to post an 80-90. Considering his price, this is bargain basement stuff. Had just the 11 disposals last weekend and nearly got to 70, so I like his chances as a cheap selection considering his higher disposal numbers during the pre-season.

Ruck

Jonathan Giles ($8,050)

The journeyman ruckman returns for the Eagles after an injury to Drew Petrie last weekend. Giles has been named as ‘ruck’ for the weekend with Nathan Vardy on the bench, which is a sign to me that Giles will do the majority of the rucking. Hickey is a solid opponent to combat but he isn’t in the best form after getting absolutely monstered by Max Gawn. There isn’t a household ruck really to select for Saturday’s contest – besides Stefan Martin against McKernan in the wet – so I’m going to back Giles in to deliver a 70+ total. Martin should go large, but I made the executive decision to go Shaw and Giles over Martin and another cheap defender.

The Line Up

FWD: Josh J. Kennedy ($13,850)

FWD: Riley Knight ($7,100)

MID: Tom Rockliff ($17,300)

MID: Dyson Heppell ($14,600)

MID: Tim Taranto ($8,350)

MID: Andrew McGrath ($8,150)

DEF: Heath Shaw ($15,400)

DEF: Curtly Hampton ($6,850)

RUCK: Jonathan Giles ($8,050)

Salary Remaining: $350