AFL $25,000+ Eagles v Bulldogs Line-Up
The Bulldogs have had two nail-biting finishes in the past fortnight, and that could well become three with this Friday night blockbuster. The Eagles are fresh off a fantastic win at Adelaide Oval (wait… a win away from home?) and now return home to face the Bulldogs. They will hope they actually turn up this time, unlike the 2016 Elimination Final…
Here is a team you may consider for the AFL $25,000+ Eagles v Bulldogs competition
Forward
Josh J. Kennedy ($12,250)
Josh J. Kennedy has booted 24 goals after seven rounds, looming as the favourite to have another Coleman Medal around his neck at seasons end. Kennedy scored 81 Draftstars points last week against the Power and is averaging 86 points per game to date. Jack Riewoldt managed four goals against the Bulldogs defence in Round 7, and Kennedy is in good form, especially at Domain Stadium. It is going to be a close one and I can see JJK being the difference.
Nathan Vardy ($7,550)
Due to very few cheap options in the forward line and front line options elsewhere, I have been backed into a corner. Vardy has averaged a paltry 55 Draftstars points this season but coming up against Tom Boyd in the ruck (who I have also selected at a cheap price), he should win a decent amount of hitouts. Vardy has recorded 19 hitouts per game but just 20 in the past fortnight against Ryder and Sandilands, resulting in a reduction to his scoring. Should be able to get to 60, which is a solid score for his price.
Midfield
Luke Shuey ($15,450)
Luke Shuey is the most expensive player in this contest and he has a very good chance of being the highest scorer. Shuey has been in formidable form in 2017, averaging 117 Draftstars points, 30 disposals, six marks and six tackles per game. He has averaged a lazy 115 in his past three, although he failed to reach the ton the last time the two sides met. Don’t expect that sort of result on Friday night.
Jack Macrae ($13,750)
After a very slow start, Macrae got going in the second half last weekend to reach a respectable 96 points against the Tigers. Macrae is registering some good numbers this season, averaging 102 Draftstars points per game along with 26 touches and seven tackles. The wide expanses of Domain Stadium will suit Macrae perfectly, especially in a big game like this. Managed 116 points against the Dockers in Perth this season.
Liam Picken ($11,250)
Liam Picken had no luck the last time he travelled across the Nullarbor, scoring 33 Draftstars points after being concussed in the second quarter and failing to return to the field. Picken is currently averaging 82 points but in actual fact, he is scoring 91 points not including this injury affected total. The courageous Bulldog was fantastic in his last matchup against the Eagles, amassing a crucial 111 in their Elimination Final clash. Picken tends to excel in big games – the 2016 Grand Final being the best example of that – so I expect another strong performance.
Bailey Williams ($8,200)
Bailey Williams put in his best Draftstars performance of his career on Saturday night. The young Bulldog collected 23 disposals en route to 86 Draftstars points, causing his price to fluctuate from the $6k mark to $8.2. There isn’t many cheap midfield options who have the potential to excel besides Williams, so he looms as a good get. Should be full of confidence after his impressive effort last week.
Defence
Jeremy McGovern ($11,750)
Jeremy McGovern has been an absolute rock in defence this season, averaging 79 Draftstars points per game this season. The ‘Gov had an off fantasy game against the Power posting just 45 points, but I’m confident he can almost double this week. McGovern has scored 90+ in four of his seven matches, and considering the Doggies’ lack of potent forward options, Jeremy should be the intercept king once again.
Jason Johannisen ($10,850)
The peroxide blonde bombshell has been going about his business fairly well for the red, white and blue in 2017, averaging 84 Draftstars points per game. Johannisen was on fire in their Elimination Final matchup last season, scoring a whopping 117 Draftstars points from 25 disposals. The Eagles forwards may be keeping an eye on him, but JJ’s price tag is too good to ignore for mine.
Ruck
Tom Boyd ($8,550)
I raised Tom Boyd as a potential option for last Saturday’s contest and it paid dividends, with the big man scoring 95 Draftstars points – his highest total for the year. Previously averaging 49 points for the year, Boyd was much better around the ground against Ivan Soldo and Todd Elton, claiming 19 disposals and 25 hitouts. Boyd comes up against another meagre ruck duo on Friday night in Jonathan Giles and Nathan Vardy, who he should be able to get a reasonable score against. Good price too.
The Line Up
FWD: Josh J. Kennedy ($12,250)
FWD: Nathan Vardy ($7,550)
MID: Luke Shuey ($15,450)
MID: Jack Macrae ($13,750)
MID: Liam Picken ($11,250)
MID: Bailey Williams ($8,200)
DEF: Jeremy McGovern ($11,750)
DEF: Jason Johannisen ($10,850)
RUCK: Tom Boyd ($8,550)
Salary Remaining: $400
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