AFL $20,000+ Cats v Swans Line-Up
As I sit here writing this, the odds for this game are dead even. The Swans are up against a Danger-less Cats, but the match is at Kardinia Park, where Geelong generally thrive. I’ve gone with a pretty even-handed line-up here with four Cats and five Swans. Wouldn’t be putting all your eggs in one basket in this contest.
Here is a team you may consider for the AFL $20,000+ Cats v Swans competition
Forward
Isaac Heeney ($11,900)
A down few weeks sees Isaac Heeney dip under $12k. The Heen-machine has posted back-to-back 70’s, with the Swan spending extended stints in the forward line last week. With Josh P. Kennedy out, Heeney should spend more time in the guts this week where he can win more footy. Danger being out will also be a factor, enabling the Swans to have more chance of getting on top in the middle.
Tom Papley ($10,450)
Tom Papley had an impressive game against the Hawks, nearly lifting his side over the line last Friday night. Papley booted three goals from his 17 disposals, posting his fourth Draftstars ton for the season. I reckon Papley provides significant value here considering he has scored 80+ in four of his past five matches, with his price impacted by his score of 53 a fortnight ago. Geelong’s small defenders aren’t exactly the best in the league, either.
Midfield
Luke Parker ($14,500)
Luke Parker surpassed 100 Draftstars points despite being tagged for periods of last week. Parker had just the 24 disposals but got involved on the defensive side of things, laying eight tackles to get his total to a solid 105. A Danger-less midfield could see the Swans get on top and this clash will suit Parker’s style of play. Should avoid the Scooter Selwood tag as well – I’d expect him to go to Hannebery instead.
Joel Selwood ($13,700)
Joel Selwood was tagged out of proceedings last week by Sam Kerridge, managing a paltry 59 Draftstars points from his 23 disposals. Perhaps more shocking was the fact he failed to lay a tackle, similar to his one tackle effort while he was tagged against the Hawks. The Swans have deployed George Hewett at times to do tagging jobs, but I think they will opt to go head-to-head against the Cats. There’ll be an extra 35 disposals to gather with Danger out of the side, so Selwood should be able to prosper. Too cheap to ignore.
Zak Jones ($9,500)
Zak Jones is also too cheap to ignore, as I found out last week when I selected him at the same price. This was the second week in a row we had nominated him, and in that fortnight he has scored 31 and 59… The old saying, ‘fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’ comes to mind. Doesn’t say anything about being fooled three times, though. Worth a punt.
Cameron Guthrie ($9,300)
Cam Guthrie has had a rather disappointing Draftstars month, failing to surpass 60 points in this period. Guth has posted three straight 50s, and the week before that was a dismal 31-point effort against Brisbane. However, I have a feeling that Guthrie will spend more time in the midfield with Dangerfield out of the side. He was played in the midfield seven weeks ago in the Cats matchup against the Eagles, racking up 25 disposals and 11 tackles on his way to 111 points. This is what he can produce with midfield time, folks.
Defence
Dane Rampe ($10,200)
Dane Rampe was above his usual output last week, scoring 92 Draftstars points against the Hawks. Compared to his average of 66 for the season, it is quite a jump. The thing is that lately, Dane scores either below 60 or above 90 (111, 54, 52 and 92 in his last four) which makes this pick a bit risky. Sydney do like to control the footy against the best sides, though, and after Hawkins display last week, Rampe may be used in more of an intercept role on Friday night.
Tom Stewart ($9,350)
Tom Stewart’s first game since returning from injury was nothing special, but his performance last week was his greatest Draftstars showing of his career. TStew had a career high 24 disposals on his way to his maiden Draftstars ton – raise the bat Tommy. He has earnt a selection in our sides from that I reckon, as he will take great confidence from last week.
Ruck
Zac Smith ($10,600)
Zac Smith benefitted from Patrick Dangerfield’s tackle on Matthew Kreuzer last Saturday night, able to ruck with ease against the Blues for the last quarter and a half. Zac won 33 hitouts and collected 23 disposals to amass a score of 110 points, also chiming in with a couple of goals. Smith’s recent form had been pretty poor before this showing, but his confidence should continue to grow up against Sinclair and Naismith in the ruck.
The Line Up
FWD: Isaac Heeney ($11,900)
FWD: Tom Papley ($10,450)
MID: Luke Parker ($14,500)
MID: Joel Selwood ($13,700)
MID: Zak Jones ($9,500)
MID: Cameron Guthrie ($9,300)
DEF: Dane Rampe ($10,200)
DEF: Tom Stewart ($9,350)
RUCK: Zac Smith ($10,600)
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