Champion Data – AFL R18 Team & Best Buys

team best buys

Need a hand picking your team for AFL R18? Looking for best buys? Champion Data is here to help.

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The gang at Champion Data has entered the following team into this round’s salary contest.

Defender

Zach Tuohy – Geelong Cats – $11,000
Ciaran Byrne – Carlton – $7,500

Midfielders

Zach Merrett – Essendon – $15,700
Dan Hannebery – Sydney Swans – $13,300
Jordan De Goey – Collingwood – $11,000
Jack Bowes – Gold Coast Suns – $8,200

Forwards

Dom Sheed – West Coast Eagles – $11,100
Lewis Young – Western Bulldogs – $8,650

Ruckman

Jarrod Witts – Gold Coast Suns – $12,900

Salary Remaining: $550

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Looking to bolster your own line-up? Here’s a few best buys to consider.

Defender

Michael Hibberd – Melbourne – $12,900

With a three-round average of 93 points, Hibberd looms as smart Draftstars selection this round. He exceeded the 30-disposal mark for the fourth time this season last round against Adelaide, finishing with 32 disposals, five marks and 105 points. Hibberd averages 27 disposals from six games at the MCG.

Shaun Burgoyne – Hawthorn – $12,550

Burgoyne has scored 114 and 107 points respectively from his past two matches interstate. In his most recent match at Domain Stadium in 2016, he tallied 25 disposals, three marks, eight tackles and 123 points. He ticks plenty of boxes in Draftstars.

Dylan Roberton – St Kilda – $11,800

Roberton is way under the odds in Draftstars this round based on his output. He has been the clear standout in matches interstate for the Saints, averaging a career-high 24 disposals, six marks and 97 points. He has scored 100+ points in two of his four interstate trips.

Midfielders

Bryce Gibbs – Carlton – $17,000

The last time Gibbs travelled to Queensland in Round 13, he racked up a massive 194 points. He’s unlikely to reach that lofty height this round against the Lions, but he remains a super Draftstars choice nonetheless. Gibbs has a three-round average of 130 points.

Jack Macrae – Western Bulldogs – $15,900

Macrae’s average of 31 disposals against Gold Coast is his highest against any AFL side, further enhancing his Draftstars appeal in Round 18. He has returned some massive point hauls at Cazalys Stadium, scoring 168, 143 and 95 in that order. He enters this round’s clash with a five-round average of 109 points.

Zach Merrett – Essendon – $15,700

With six players racking up 100+ point scores against North Melbourne last round, Merrett should once again be among the points this Saturday. After managing just 78 points in his most recent match at Etihad Stadium prior to last round, Merrett was rampant against St Kilda – scoring 144 points.

Dayne Zorko – Brisbane Lions – $15,650

Zorko was lackluster last week against the Tigers with just 48 points. The last time he dropped below 50 points, he returned strongly the following week, gathering 124 points. Zorko finished with 27 disposals, three goals and 125 points when he last faced Carlton in Round 21, 2016.

Midfielder/Forwards

Sam Menegola – Geelong Cats – $13,700

With Patrick Dangerfield likely to miss this round’s Adelaide clash, Menegola may be afforded more midfield time as a result, hence, making him a smart fantasy choice in Round 18. Menegola ranks second at the Cats for tackles per game and in the top five for both disposals and uncontested possessions.

Isaac Heeney – Sydney Swans – $12,750

Heeney has been a model of consistency at the SCG this season, scoring 113, 122 and 90 points in that order from his past three appearances. He is thriving in a more permanent midfield role, ranking third at the Swans for centre bounce attendances since Round 12 behind Luke Parker and Josh P. Kennedy.

Rucks

Shane Mumford – Greater Western Sydney – $12,250

With the Giants involved in the most stoppages of any side in the AFL, Shane Mumford is a worthy Draftstars pick. He comes up against the Tigers this round, a side that is the second-easiest to win a hitout against. Mumford is coming off a season-high 112 points in Round 17.

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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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