AFL GRAND FINAL $100,000+ CHEAT SHEET
After 206 games and over 20 thousand minutes of football. 34,242 points scored and one pigeon bounced on. The emergence of an American Pie and one errant fist to the face of a young Docker, we find ourselves on the eve of the AFL Grand Final.
If you told me in March the Grand Final would be fought out by Collingwood and West Coast I would have scoffed in your face. The Pies are here after a 2017 season in which they finished 13th with nine wins and had their whole organisation questioned. They’ve overcome a wealth of injuries all year and are a true rags to riches story in 2018.
The Eagles are just perennially there or there about. They’ve got guns all over the field and their forward line is arguably the best in the game. Similarly to the Pies, they were ravaged by injury in 2018 and suffered the loss of star midfielder, Andrew Gaff, after a brain fade in the Western Derby.
On this final Saturday in September, the Eagles and Pies face off in one of the least clear cut deciders in recent memory.
Their qualifying final match-up was an instant classic and took a few significant moments to decide the game. One player will write their name into AFL folklore with an instant of brilliance that will lead their team to victory in this day of days.
Whoever you support, whatever you’re doing for the Grand Final, Draftstars has you covered. $100k on offer is our largest AFL competition and all you need to do to enter is submit one team. Open your app or login online and submit your team for a chance at the nearly $10k first prize.
Here is a team you may consider for the AFL Grand Final $100,000+ competition
Forward
Josh J. Kennedy ($9,560)
Last week, against the Dees, Kennedy returned to form in a display fitting of his stardom. He booted four goals and chalked up 96 DS points to be one of the best value players available. In the 2015 Grand Final, Kennedy had an absolute nightmare, going goalless. If there is anyone on the field that seeks redemption, its Josh Kennedy.
Liam Ryan ($8,290)
Flyin’ Liam Ryan is one of the most exciting players to watch at the Eagles. His preliminary final saw him take a hanger and break the game open early with a daring dash down the wing. In the WAFL decider in 2017, Ryan was best on ground. Clearly a big game player, expect him to back up his 78 points from last week.
Midfield
Luke Shuey ($13,130)
His last two weeks haven’t been his best outputs but you just feel like he is steeling for something bigger. He often stands up for the Eagles in big games and was one of the few Eagles who could hold their heads high after the 2015 loss to the Hawks. With some of his teammates stepping up, Shuey should have some more room to move this week and looms as a match winner.
Dom Sheed ($11,370)
This week, I’ve got the need, the need for Sheed. As the Eagles have since Andrew Gaff left the side. Since Sheed returned to the team after that fateful game between the Eagles and Freo, he has averaged over 90 DS points and proved integral to his sides success. Two scores of over 90 in the finals so far this week make Sheed a great value pick at just $11,370.
Jordan De Goey ($11,270)
De Goey has turned his career around in 2018. Earlier in the year, De Goey’s career looked in jeopardy after multiple off-field indiscretions. But, under the guidance of those around him, he has turned it around and his new attitude has been reflected on the field. Booting 45 goals in 2018, De Goey is one of the most important players in the Pies line-up and is one that could dictate the terms of the Grand Final.
Jaidyn Stephenson ($9,040)
The 19-year-old has enjoyed just about as successful of a season as anyone could hope for. He kicked 36 goals in 25 games on his way to a Rising Star gong and will now line-up in a Grand Final. The six pick in the 2017 draft has justified the faith Collingwood showed in him and will want to have an impact on the biggest stage of all.
Defence
Jeremy Howe ($10,290)
Howe has been one of the Pies best players for the past two seasons. Thwarting attack after attack, he has more than justified the Pies trade for him at the end of 2015. Noticed for his innate ability to take countless hangers, he is more than just a one trick pony. He has averaged almost 80 DS points this year and will need to stand up against the power of the Eagles forward line.
Jeremy McGovern ($9,590)
A back two comprising of two Jeremys just makes sense. McGovern won his third successive All-Australian jacket this year and is one of the great intercept defenders of the modern era. He’s in the top 10 of Norm Smith betting and truly does threaten to have a major say in what happens on Saturday, as he did in the qualifying final where the 89 points he scored was his best output since mid-July.
Ruck
Brodie Grundy ($17,220)
It is just impossible to go past Grundy when you look at the other ruck options available. Valued at $17,220, he costs a pretty penny but you can guarantee he will give you points. It is remarkable to think he has output less than 110 points just once in the past eight weeks and has 19 scores over that mark in 2018. He has had a remarkable season and will have a huge Grand Final too.
Written by Brin Duggan Follow @BrinDuggan
The Line Up
FWD: Josh J. Kennedy ($9,560)
FWD: Liam Ryan ($8,290)
MID: Luke Shuey ($13,130)
MID: Dom Sheed ($11,370)
MID: Jordan De Goey($11,270)
MID: Jaidyn Stephenson($9,040)
DEF: Jeremy Howe ($10,290)
DEF: Jeremy McGovern ($9,590)
RUCK: Brodie Grundy ($17,220)
Salary Remaining: $240
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
AFL