AFL $50,000+ Tigers v Blues Cheat Sheet
The 2018 AFL season will be under way with the traditional opening game of Carlton vs Richmond. The Blues struggled last year, finishing 16th and we all know how the tigers ended up. It is fair to say that this game looks one sided, but there appears to be a lot of value in the cheap Carlton players. With a huge $50,000+ up for grabs including a cool $5,000 for coming first, start your season the right way by getting a team in before 7.25pm AEDT.
Here is a team you may consider for the AFL $50,000+ Tigers v Blues competition
Forward
Josh Caddy ($12,000)
Caddy was a revelation last year for the Tigers, adding a bit of grunt in their forward line as the de facto second tall option. Caddy finished last season averaging over 74 DS points, which is exactly what he averaged the year before when he was with Geelong. Caddy should provide a reliable avenue to goal for the Tigers as their star forward jack Riewoldt may be blanketed by the rapidly improving Liam Jones. As well as this, he can pinch hit in the midfield, which is a good way of boosting his scoring potential.
Jason Castagna ($7,200)
Players like Castagna will be the barometer for the Tigers this season in their quest to go back to back, whether he can retain his hunger and intensity around the football and provide the intense pressure that suffocated teams last season will dictate whether or not the Tigers will prosper or fall away in 2018. Castagna is a great cheap option as he can kick goals as well as lay tackles, which Is Draftstars gold. Hopefully Castagna can start his season with a strong showing.
Midfield
Dustin Martin ($15,450)
Martin just about had the perfect season last year, finishing with a premiership, Brownlow Medal and Norm Smith Medal. He was truly the best player in the league last year and will be striving to prove that was not a one-off outlier, but rather a new norm. Martin averaged 111 DS points last season and you can expect a similar output from his here against the Blues.
Patrick Cripps ($13,450)
Cripps is a contest ball bull who will be looking to stamp himself as one of the best young talents in the competition this season. Cripps was close to averaging 100 DS points last year in a season that was cut short due to injury. Hopefully there are no last effects from it and he can pick up where he left off.
Matthew Kennedy ($9,750)
One of the best deals done in last year’s trade period, Kennedy joined the Blues from the Giants. Kennedy was on the fringe for the Giants but will get plenty of opportunities in the Blues midfield. Kennedy is a good contested ball player who will thrive in Carlton’s overly defensive game plan. He looks like excellent value.
Paddy Dow ($7950)
Carlton are unveiling their first-round draft pick from last year in the opening round after he showed some glimpses of brilliance in the JLT Series. Dow should get a good run in the midfield as well as some time up forward. First gamers rarely score well, but at his salary, he is worth a punt.
Defence
Nick Vlastuin ($10,500)
With the injury to Bachar Houli, Vlastuin will be required to play a more attacking role off the half back line, providing some run and carry. Vlastuin is an underrated member of the Richmond team and is extremely consistent, he averaged 67 DS points last year, but he should be able to exceed that in this game.
Aaron Mullett ($9,950)
Coming across from North Melbounre, Mullett will look to play the Sam Docherty role across half back for the Blues. Mullett has a booming left foot which the Blues will look to utilise when rebounding from the back line, which is where the ball will most likely be for long periods of the game. Mullett should see his salary increase in the future, which means that it is a good time to pick him now.
Ruck
Toby Nankervis ($12,700)
With his opposite number, Matthew Kreuzer, coming into this game under an injury cloud, Nankervis should be able to dominate this matchup. Nankervis is a solid ruckman who excels around the ground. He averaged an impressive 87 DS points last season, which you can expect him to replicate here. Nankervis will most likely ruck solo in this game, which makes him the obvious choice for this game.
The Line Up
FWD: Josh Caddy ($12,000)
FWD: Jason Castagna ($7,200)
MID: Dustin Martin ($15,450)
MID: Patrick Cripps ($13,450)
MID: Matthew Kennedy ($9,750)
MID: Paddy Dow ($7,950)
DEF: Nick Vlastuin ($10,500)
DEF: Aaron Mullett ($9,950)
RUCK: Toby Nankervis ($12,700)
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