A cracking day of AFL action awaits us this Sunday, highlighted by one of the biggest games of the year as the Blues will face the Hawks in a virtual cut-throat elimination final at a chockablock MCG. These powerhouse AFL clubs are sitting 8th and 10th on the ladder so absolutely everything will be on the line as they desperately cling onto the hopes of a potential finals berth.
The Saints will take on the Tigers in the second match of the day, before another important one sees the Bulldogs look to win away against the Crows to wrap up Round 22.
Draftstars continue to offer massive prize pools with the Sunday main contest worth $50,000 along with their usual variety of alternate contests
- AFL $50,000+ Sunday
- AFL $5,000+ Sunday High Roller ($150 Entry)
- AFL $2,000+ Sunday Mini ($2 Entry)
The AFL Star contest is back for 2024 and Draftstars are offering the biggest prize pool in Australian DFS history with a $1 million guaranteed final with $250,000 top prize! There are qualifiers and satellites running for every AFL match, while there will also be a sprinkling of qualifiers across other sports such as NRL and NBA.
Betting Markets
Carlton ($1.90) vs Hawthorn ($1.90)
Line: Carlton -0.5
Points: 173.5
Richmond ($4.05) vs St Kilda ($1.23)
Line: St Kilda -24.5
Points: 162.5
Adelaide ($2.94) vs Western Bulldogs ($1.39)
Line: Western Bulldogs -15.5
Points: 169.5
Additionally, we have a full match previews for all Round 22 action where we provide our best bet for the game as well as a great value Same Game Multi!
Weather
Melbourne - Sunny, 18 degrees.
Adelaide - Sunny, 20 degrees.
It’s going to feel like a summer’s day in the Southern states with glorious sunshine for us on Sunday. Let’s play ball!
Where to Attack?
The Tigers and Saints might be a juicy game to attack on this slate from both ends of the ground. Both teams have been exploitable this season. The Saints continue to give up massive fantasy points to opposition defenders in what has been the most reliable fantasy trend of the past two seasons. However Richmond have also been pretty terrible in that regard as well. In fact, the Tigers leak points all over the ground, in particular on the wings and through the midfield.
The ruck is another position with a number of favourable matchups on this slate. Reilly O’Brien gets a good matchup against a leaky Tim English, while Lloyd Meek will fancy his chances against Marc Pittonet. The third clash will pit Rowan Marshall against Toby Nankervis. Marshall is the most expensive player on the slate, and while Nank is usually a tough matchup, he gave up 150 to Xerri last week.
Game scripts: St Kilda stacks, Richmond defenders
VALUE PLAYS
Sam Banks ($6,000) looks a tidy option at minimum price. Coming off scores of 59, 65, 49 and 54 over the last month, Banks is starting to find his groove and is presented with a good matchup against the Saints. The Tigers have a few soldiers out, so there should be plenty of opportunity for Banks to improve further.
Daniel Curtin ($7,250) / Zac Taylor ($7,250) are both in play here at a value price. Surely the Crows play the kids now? Taylor has had a decent crack at some midfield minutes and has scored 86, 78, 40 and 64 in his past month which is solid at this price. However Curtin really hasn’t been given much opportunity at AFL level in his debut season. Curtin has scored 91, 111 and 87 in his last three SANFL appearances, and might just need the opportunity. Watch out for the sub announcements prior to the match.
Caleb Daniel ($7,250) is playing for his career right now. Does Bevo lump him with the sub again? Surely he gives him a run at it after donning the vest the last two weeks. A big watch on team announcements prior to the game, but if Daniel is not the sub, then he’s too cheap to ignore for someone with proven fantasy potential.
MID PRICED PLAYS
Callum Wilkie ($10,970) / Josh Battle ($10,560) look a lethal combination in the Saints backline against a leaky Richmond side. Wilkie had a 129 five weeks ago and then another 100 two weeks ago against Essendon. Can be hit or miss but can join in some chippy-chippy fun in the back half. Battle perhaps doesn’t have the same ceiling but he has been consistent and his last two weeks have produced 94 and 90. Good correlation to link them up together.
Nick Vlastuin ($10,890) is at a similar price point if you want to look at the other end of the ground. Has a high of 122 earlier in the season, but more importantly, looks to be hungry again with scores of 83, 99 and 80 the last three weeks. Has taken the second most kick-ins for the Tigers this season. Best matchup in the game against the Saints and should go well.
PREMIUM PLAYS
Jack Steele ($15,530) hasn’t looked 100% at times during the season, but recent weeks would indicate that he’s getting back to his best. Has scores of 108, 112, 133, 105 and 112 in his last five which is the sort of consistent scoring we’ve come to expect from Steele. Has a great matchup against the bottom-of-the-table Tigers and should be able to run wild.
Adam Treloar ($16,790) has had an amazing All-Australian season with some massive scores. Averaging 111.9 for the season and has scores of 116, 125, 149 and 121 in the last month. With Bont reportedly a little sore, there might be more responsibility on Treloar to be busy in the middle - not that that’s any different to most weeks. Loves his hands on the Sherrin and should get plenty of it against what might be a younger Crows midfield.
Suggested Draftstars Team
AFL Fantasy Cheat Sheet
