AFL $20,000+ Hawks v Swans Line-Up
Last time these two sides played, Sydney were languishing at 3-7 in 15th place, while the Hawks were 4-6th in 16th. How times change. Since that loss, the Swans are now the ‘form side’ of the competition, and are arguably one of the favourites to take out the flag. The Hawks are fresh off a win at Domain, and beat the Swans despite being priced at about $6 to win in Round 10.
Here is a team you may consider for the AFL $20,000+ Hawks v Swans competition
Forward
Lance Franklin ($14,050)
Jerker Jenkins has been in some pretty formidable form of late. The key forward is averaging a modest return of 81 Draftstars points for the season, but has gone at an impressive 98 points per game across his past seven games. This is including four tons and a 98, with three of these 10+ totals being amassed at Adelaide Oval. The ageing talls in the Cats backline will be tested, and I’d expect Josh to get on the end of a few snags (66% of which will be joe-the-goose goals).
Blake Hardwick ($8,750)
Blake Hardwick has slotted in nicely to the Hawthorn defence and has put together a solid Draftstars season. The youngster is averaging 61 Draftstars points per game, with his effort last week being his best for the year. Hardwick posted 87 points, amassing a career high 21 disposals and using his lethal left boot on 17 occasions. Should be full of confidence after this performance and an 80+ score would be excellent for his price.
Midfield
Josh P. Kennedy ($14,850)
JPK comes in a touch cheaper after a couple of sub-100 scores in the last fortnight. These latest scores of 86 and 92 broke his run of seven tons on the trot, but I can see the Swans skipper rising to the occasion ahead of his 200th game. Also, the Hawks traded JPK to Swans #neverforget. I selected this bloke the last time these two sides played and he didn’t disappoint, churning out a score of 112 Draftstars points from 33 disposals and six tackles. Expect something similar on Friday night.
Ricky Henderson ($11,700)
It’s worth being a bit Ri(s)cky in this caper, and I’ve decided to do so in the form of Henderson. The Hawks recruit has probably exceeded expectations from both an on-field and a Draftstars perspective this season, averaging 22 touches and 89 Draftstars points per game. He was very good last week, racking up 19 possessions and booting two goals on his way to 103 points. May just continue on from his impressive performance last week.
Zak Jones ($9,500)
I mayyyy have suggested to pick this guy last week, and I may be putting him in my line-up again… For those that weren’t paying attention to their Draftstars last week, Zak Jones did what can only be described as soiling himself. Jones managed just the 31 points, claiming nine disposals and failing to lay a tackle. This is the same bloke who scored 90 a fortnight ago, and 119 against the Hawks earlier in the year – his highest score for the season. Too good to refuse at that price.
Conor Glass ($8,150)
Irishman do things a bit different to us Aussies – like spelling the name ‘Connor’ with one ‘N’ – but those that venture from Gaelic football pick up the game very quickly. Same can be said for young Conor Glass, the closest lookalike of Josh Thurgood the Hawks have seen. Glass registered 63 points from 15 disposals last week, and looked to be a man his teammates weren’t afraid to give the ball to.
Defence
Daniel Howe ($11,350)
Daniel Howe has been a revelation for the brown and gold as a defensive stopper in 2017. His stints as a lockdown player in the guts has also seen his Draftstars form lift, posting two tons in the past month and going at 92 points per game. I’d expect Howe to sit on JPK (hopefully not considering he is in this write-up)/Hannebery/Parker on Friday night, which means he will be present in the guts for the majority of proceedings.
Heath Grundy ($8,950)
The few times I have thrown Heath Grundy into the mix, he has delivered as a fantasy option. Who would have thought. One problem though: he scored just 25 Draftstars points last time he played the Hawks… This would absolutely destroy your contest if he does this again. But he is coming off good form, scoring 46 and 35 in his pa-. Nup. This is just gut feel from me here. Did have scores of 86, 77 and 93 before that, though
Ruck
Ben McEvoy ($12,300)
Big Boy McEvoy has the pleasure of being called by Brian Taylor on Friday night. Rumour has it he has been receiving less calls from him since Orazio entered BT’s life, so I am sure this will give him an extra lift on Friday night. He is also playing two average tap ruckman in Sinclair and Naismith, so the choice is a pretty easy one here. Sinclair played the best game of his life last week and scored 117, while McEvoy has surpassed this figure three times this year.
The Line Up
FWD: Lance Franklin ($14,050)
FWD: Blake Hardwick ($8,750)
MID: Josh P. Kennedy ($14,850)
MID: Ricky Henderson ($11,700)
MID: Zak Jones ($9,500)
MID: Conor Glass ($8,150)
DEF: Daniel Howe ($11,350)
DEF: Heath Grundy ($8,950)
RUCK: Ben McEvoy ($12,300)
Salary Remaining: $500
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