AFL $50,000+ Sunday Line-Up

We have a few interesting clashes for this Sunday, headlined by the undefeated clash at Adelaide Oval between the Crows and the Tigers. Have a feeling that one may be a bit of a blow out, though… Melbourne’s ruck dilemma presents some tantalising cheap options, and there is certainly no shortage of stars for this Draftstars Sunday contest.

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Here is a team you may consider for the AFL $25,000+ Sunday competition

Forward

Tom Hawkins ($11,600)

Hawkins eyes would have absolutely lit up when the teams went up at 6:25pm on Thursday, seeing ‘Ben Reid (managed)’ under Collingwood’s changes. Similarly, he would have been okay with seeing ‘IN: Lynden Dunn’. Hawkins is in remarkable goal-kicking form, dobbing 18 snags in the first five rounds. Scored just 54 Draftstars points last week, but he should bounce back against a shaky Collingwood defence.

Cam Pedersen ($8,500)

Welcome to fantasy relevance, Cam Pedersen! Due to Melbourne’s ruck crisis, Cam Pedersen is now the Dees number one ruck – who would have thought. Expect Cam to be in the middle most of the day with stints up forward. Despite being unlikely to win many hit-outs, it means his scoring potentially is set to rise from the norm. He is good around the ground, and should be able to impact the contest at ground level.

Midfield

Joel Selwood ($16,450)

A classic Selwood game last week. Simply outstanding. The Cats skipper reached a herculean total of 175 Draftstars points, gathering 43 disposals and laying nine tackles in a best on ground display. Selwood has been somewhat of an Etihad specialist this year, but I still expect the star to tear it up on the G’ this Sunday. Lowest score this year is 99 points.

Scott Pendlebury ($14,650)

Pendles played a rare stinker last weekend in the Pies’ ANZAC Day loss, even coming out publicly and saying it was one of the worst games of his career. He posted similar on his Instagram story, and I quote, “I’m not injured, I just played s***”. Honest words, and I expect him to respond in true Pendlebury fashion. Surpassed the 110 Draftstars point mark in the first three rounds and I can see him doing it again against the Cats.

Rory Atkins ($11,300)

Guess who’s back, back again. Shady’s back, tell a friend. Yep, I am sure you have seen Rory Atkins ‘interesting’ haircut over the past week. It worked alright for him, though, racking up 29 disposals and a goal against the Suns, scoring 85 Draftstars points. I can see the Crows getting on top of the Tigers comfortably on Sunday, and when Adelaide are flying, so is Atkins. Scored 114 points in their flogging of the Giants, and he has the potential to go large again this weekend.

George Horlin-Smith ($8,300)

George Horlin-Smith registered his best score of the season last week against the Saints, posting 81 Draftstars points from his 27 disposals. It is the first time this year GHS (this acronym doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it?) has gotten over 20 disposals, which bodes well for his confidence going forward. There are plenty of talented players going at it in the middle of the MCG this Sunday but I can see Horlin-Smith pulling out a solid score for us Draftstars players.

Defence

Michael Hibberd ($11,850)

I don’t think anyone expected Michael Hibberd to return in the way that he did on Monday night. In his first game since 2015, Hibb had 27 disposals and scored 97 Draftstars points. Melbourne really looked to get the ball in his hands the other night, and he also stood up with his ability to intercept the footy. His trademark kick was on display, kicking the ball with 66% of his disposals. Up against his old side at his favourite ground Etihad Stadium, he should fare well.

Curly Hampton ($9,200)

Curtly Hampton played far and away his best game for the season against the Suns, amassing 119 Draftstars points. Hampton eclipsed the 20 disposal mark for the first time this season with 21, and also laid 10 tackles and booted two goals. As I mentioned earlier, Adelaide should get the chocolates fairly easy against Richmond, which should allow Hampton to reach a solid total again.

Ruck

Tom Bellchambers ($8,050)

I can’t believe I’m about to say this… okay… here goes. Bellchambers is a Draftstars bargain this week. Coming up against Cam Pedersen (yes, I’ve chosen him too) and Jack Watts in the ruck, he should have an absolute field day in the hit-outs department. Not a bad assignment for your first game in nearly two years. Bellchambers hasn’t played an AFL game since Round 10, 2015, where he had three handballs and 16 handballs before being subbed out at half-time… If he performs this badly on the weekend, I probably won’t be writing these previews anymore.

The Line Up

FWD: Tom Hawkins ($11,600)

FWD: Cam Pedersen ($8,500)

MID: Joel Selwood ($16,450)

MID: Scott Pendlebury ($14,650)

MID: Rory Atkins ($11,300)

MID: George Horlin-Smith ($8,300)

DEF: Michael Hibberd ($11,850)

DEF: Curtly Hampton ($9,200)

RUCK: Tom Bellchambers ($8,050)

Salary Remaining: $100