Champion Data – AFL R3 Team & Best Buys
Need a hand picking your team? Looking for best buys? Champion Data is here to help.
The gang at Champion Data has entered the following team into this round’s salary contest.
Defenders
Nic Newman – Sydney Swans – $6,400
Jackson Thurlow – Geelong Cats – $7,550
Midfielders
Tom Rockliff – Brisbane Lions – $17,400
Tom Mitchell – Hawthorn – $16,000
Sam Powell-Pepper – Port Adelaide – $7,700
Harley Balic – Fremantle – $6,400
Forwards
Lance Franklin – Sydney Swans – $14,400
Sam Reid – Sydney Swans – $8,650
Ruck
Max Gawn – Melbourne – $15,400
Salary Remaining: $100
Looking to bolster your own line-up? Here’s a few best buys to consider.
Defenders
Heath Shaw – Greater Western Sydney – $15,150
With Gold Coast struggling to get the ball anywhere near its forward half, it was no surprise to see Shaw post such a dismal score. He should get among the points this week against North Melbourne, a side he has scored 123, 128 and 99 points against in that order since 2014.
Kade Simpson – Carlton – $14,750
Simpson doesn’t have two shockers in a row, hence, I’m expecting a swift response. He scored more points against Essendon last season than any Carlton player, scoring 99 and 123 points. Since 2012, he averages 25 disposals, six marks, three tackles and 102 points against the Bombers.
Forwards
Lance Franklin – Sydney Swans – $14,400
I’m expecting Buddy to deliver on the big stage this week in what will be his 250th AFL game. He comes up against Collingwood, a side he has averaged four goals against across his career – his equal second-best record against any team. He starred last Friday night with four goals and 127 points.
Jack Gunston – Hawthorn – $13,150
Only Tom Mitchell scored more points than Gunston (115) last week as he bounced back. Coming up against the hapless Suns on Sunday, he’ll be looking to build on that performance. Gold Coast has conceded the second-most points to key forwards this season which makes Gunston a super buy.
Midfielders
Tom Mitchell – Hawthorn – $16,000
Mitchell’s average of 34 disposals against Gold Coast is his best record against any side. In 2016, he recorded 33 disposals, 14 tackles and 132 points in his only game against the Suns. He has fitted in like a glove in Hawthorn’s midfield, ranking No.1 in the AFL for disposals and second for handballs.
Luke Hodge – Hawthorn – $14,000
No Hawthorn player has scored more points against Gold Coast since 2014 than Hodge, recording 40 more than the next best player. Averaging a healthy 123 points from four games, he has posted scores of at least 120 in all but one game – with a high of 131.
Luke Shuey – West Coast Eagles – $15,200
Shuey continues to fly under the radar after averaging 118 points from his opening two matches. He has taken his defensive game to a new level, averaging a career-high eight tackles. He is also averaging more than 30 disposals for the first time in his career and should continue to score heavily.
Dom Tyson – Melbourne – $14,750
Tyson came into the side last week and smashed out 146 points – the second-most of any player for the round. He should once again benefit from Melbourne’s high disposal game plan – with the Demons ranking No.1 in the AFL for disposals and uncontested possessions after two rounds.
Sebastian Ross – St Kilda – $14,200
With Jack Steven sidelined and David Armitage still missing through injury, the onus will now fall on Ross to provide the Saints with first ball use from stoppage. Ross has been a steady scorer at Etihad Stadium since the start of last season, ranking third at the club for points scored behind Steven and Riewoldt.
Rucks
Stefan Martin – Brisbane Lions – $13,900
Martin has relished rucking alone in 2017. He comes up against a St Kilda side that has conceded the second-most points to ruckmen already this season. He has a terrific recent record at Etihad Stadium as well, scoring 130 and 102 points respectively from his past two games, with the latter score coming against St Kilda.
AFL SCORING SYSTEM
Kick = 3 points
Handball = 2 points
Mark = 3 points
Tackle = 4 points
Free Kick = 1 points
Free Kick Against = -3 points
Hit Out = 1 point
Goal = 6 points
Behind = 1 point
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AFL