Champion Data – AFL Finals Best Buys
Looking to bolster your own line-up? Here’s a few best buys to consider.
Adelaide vs Greater Western Sydney
Rory Laird (Defender) – Adelaide Crows – $13,750
Laird racked up a career-high 40 disposals when he last came up against the Giants in Round 1, also top-scoring for Adelaide with a season-high 142 points. He has been a reliable scorer at Adelaide Oval all season, scoring 100+ points in eight of 12 games – averaging 106 points which ranks third overall. A safe Draftstars pick.
Zac Williams (Defender) – Greater Western Sydney – $12,300
With two 100+ point scores in his past four interstate trips, Williams looms as a cut-price Draftstars pick. He was one of the Giants’ better performers in a Round 1 loss against the Crows at Adelaide Oval, finishing with 27 disposals, seven marks and 106 points.
Matt Crouch (Midfielder) – Adelaide Crows – $15,100
Crouch has personified consistency this season, reaching 27 disposals in every match – ranking second for disposals behind only Tom Mitchell. Scoring 90+ points in 10 of 12 games at Adelaide Oval, he ended the H&A season in style, averaging 37 disposals, six tackles and 117 points from Round 20.
Geelong Cats vs Richmond
Patrick Dangerfield (Midfielder) – Geelong Cats – $17,300
Dangerfield’s ability to pile on the fantasy points more than justifies his Draftstars price. He finished with 30 disposals, 10 tackles and 130 points when he last faced the Tigers in Round 21 and is every chance of emulating those numbers on Friday night. Just pick him and enjoy the show!
Shaun Grigg (Midfielder) – Richmond – $14,250
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Dustin Martin, then Grigg is the answer. Grigg leads the Tigers for handballs and also ranks second for disposals and uncontested possessions and third for marks. He also finished the H&A season full of running, scoring 153 and 123 points in his final two games.
Joel Selwood (Midfielder) – Geelong Cats – $13,250
Selwood returns from injury after missing the final three rounds of the H&A season. Expect him to hit the ground running, finishing with 30 disposals and 108 points when he last faced Richmond in 2016. Selwood dominated in last year’s finals series, scoring 103 and 166 points in that order.
Sydney Swans vs Essendon
Jake Lloyd (Defender) – Sydney Swans – $12,300
Lloyd reached 20 disposals in each of his full games this season to highlight his ball winning ability. Adding to his appeal are the kick-in duties, taking 109 for the season, 76 more than any other Swan. More importantly, 27 kick-ins have been to himself which are gold from a fantasy point of view.
Zach Merrett (Midfielder) – Essendon – $15,800
Merrett’s form interstate this season has been exceptional, averaging 119 points – ranked equal-third in the league. When he last travelled to the SCG in Round 14, he dominated, finishing with 33 disposals, six tackles and 120 points. Merrett also booted a career-high four goals in Round 23 and enters this match in top form.
Dan Hannebery (Midfielder) – Sydney Swans – $13,250
Hannebery has found plenty of the ball against Essendon since 2014, averaging 29 disposals from four games – ranked third at Sydney. He also finished with 29 disposals when the sides last met in Round 14. Hannebery was outstanding in last year’s finals series, averaging 28 disposals, seven tackles and 102 points.
Port Adelaide vs West Coast Eagles
Brad Ebert (Midfielder) – Port Adelaide – $13,850
No Port Adelaide player has scored more points at Adelaide Oval this season than Ebert – amassing 59 more than anyone else. His game is built around relentless tackling, applying 87 from 12 games – 36 more than any other Port Adelaide player. Ebert scored 113 points when he last faced West Coast in Round 7.
Dom Sheed (Midfielder/Forward) – West Coast Eagles- $11,250
Since Round 11, Sheed leads the Eagles for points scored in games interstate and looms as a decent Draftstars choice at a bargain price. Scoring at least 88 points in all five games, he averages a respectable 101 points, to go with 26 disposals, six marks and three tackles.
Patrick Ryder (Ruck/Forward) – Port Adelaide – $13,450
With Nic Naitanui out of the side, ruckmen have dominated against the Eagles all season. This brings Ryder into the Draftstars mix this week, especially after scoring 115 and 110 points respectively against the Bulldogs and Suns to end the year, two sides without a recognised ruckman.
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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