ANOTHER seasons means a whole lot more opportunities to win in Draftstars, which has returned for a second AFL year.
Here is AFL.com.au's cheat sheet for the weekend's remaining eight matches, with players you should be eyeing and some you may want to avoid. For more information, visit draftstars.com.au.
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium, Friday
The Roos are still searching for their first victory, but have already had some little wins in the first three rounds in discovering some emerging young players.
One of those is Braydon Preuss (RUC, $9000), who presents as a very good basement price big man for your line-up. Preuss scored 105 points last week and has averaged 87 in his first three AFL games. Can he keep it up?
Aside from the higher-priced Jack Ziebell (MID, $14,450) and Shaun Higgins (FWD, $12,450), young midfielder Trent Dumont (MID, $12,200) may be worth considering. He's averaged 80 points and 21 disposals this year.
Expect a good response from the Dogs after last week's loss to Fremantle. It's likely to start in the midfield, so Jack Macrae (MID, $15,200) is a solid option after starting his season with a 108-point average.
But if you think Macrae's cost is a little too steep for your $100,000 salary option with only nine players, teammate Tom Liberatore (MID, $13,350) may offer better value with a 103-point average.
Lin Jong (MID/FWD, $12,650) has flown under the radar a little but is a good Draftstars option given his 98-point average to start the season. Where everyone looks for Marcus Bontempelli (MID, $15,150), Jong could be a better choice given the price differential.
Melbourne v Fremantle, MCG, Saturday
Clayton Oliver (MID, $12,550) is almost the buzz player of the competition and his Draftstars numbers reflect that. Oliver is averaging 123 points an outing this year and ranks sixth in the AFL for points. Get him in if you can.
It's all about the youth at the Dees. Of their top seven scorers in Draftstars this season, Nathan Jones (MID, $15,000) is the only player to have completed four seasons at the top level. Alex Neal-Bullen (MID/FWD, $11,750) pulled in 141 points last week, while Jayden Hunt (FWD, $11,450) continues to excite.
Jack Watts (FWD/MID, $12,350) had to spend more time in the ruck last week with Max Gawn out with injury, so he could be a canny choice with more minutes (and responsibility) around the ball.
Bradley Hill (MID, $11,750) was electric in the Dockers' win over the premiers last week with 94 points, but can he continue like that? He has regularly been an up-and-down Draftstars scorer, so keep that in mind.
Consistent choices Nat Fyfe (MID, $15,300) and David Mundy (MID, $14,200) should perform well, while Aaron Sandilands (RUC, $12,000) might be a smart pick this round. The veteran big man has averaged 80 this season but will come up against a weaker ruck line-up so could take advantage of that.
Greater Western Sydney v Port Adelaide, UNSW, Saturday
Port Adelaide's return to form this season has come on the back of some brilliant efforts from midfield bulls Ollie Wines (MID, $15,600) and the man dubbed 'mini-Ollie', Sam Powell-Pepper (MID, $8050).
Wines is averaging 116 points a game – the most of any Power player – while Powell-Pepper comes at almost half his price but is averaging 74. Both are worth some thought as you select your midfielders.
Chad Wingard (FWD, $11,000) is a star but hasn't hit great heights so far this season, scoring just 59 in last week's loss to Adelaide. Wait until he starts to pick up his form before you grab him. Dan Houston (FWD, $8000) is a very cheap option that could fill into the last spot in your midfield after averaging 78 points a game.
Josh Kelly (MID, $14,200) headlines the group of Giants who should be on top of your wish list. The fourth-year midfielder is averaging 104 points a game and picked up 119 last week. Bring him in and keep him there as he won't let you down.
All Australian Toby Greene (FWD/MID, $13,800) is one of the better forward options out there, and is averaging 87 a game this year. His half-forward partner Devon Smith (FWD, $12,450) has also been excellent so far in 2017, picking up 95 points last week and averaging 89.
Carlton v Gold Coast, Etihad Stadium, Saturday night
Brendon Bolton's pre-season tip that Marc Murphy (MID, $14,000) would have a career-best year is looking like a good call. Murphy is the leading Draftstars player in the League after three rounds, averaging 136 a game.
His 145-point effort last week led the Blues to a surprise win over Essendon. In this sort of touch he's worth the hefty price tag.
The Bombers played Sam Docherty (DEF, $14,950) into form last week, with the sweeping defender picking up 96 points. He's still very expensive though, and others, like teammates Caleb Marchbank (DEF, $8750) and Lachie Plowman (DEF, $8700) might not be as reliable but could spare you some cash elsewhere.
Gold Coast got off the mark in a brilliant way last week, and Jarrod Harbrow (MID/DEF, $13,650) was a big part of that. In his first game of the season, the running half-back gathered 107 points. His dual position status adds to his appeal.
Champion midfielder Gary Ablett (MID, $15,350) responded with a season-high 138 points, while David Swallow (MID, $11,100) looks back to his best after 120 points. Touk Miller's (MID/DEF, $13,250) efforts can sometimes be overlooked but the third-year player has averaged 99 points this year. He's worth a look without quite the premium price.
Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval, Saturday night
Essendon couldn't stop Carlton's midfield from running riot last week, and Adelaide presents an even bigger challenge.
Rory Sloane (MID, $16,200) is in brilliant form, collecting 139 points in last week's Showdown win and averaging 120 for the season. You can almost lock him in for another triple-figure score against the Dons, who don't generally tag.
His teammate Richard Douglas (MID/FWD, $12,250) comes at a much lower cost and scored 112 last week, while forward duo Taylor Walker (FWD, $12,200) and Tom Lynch (FWD, $13,800) both hit the century mark against the Power.
A year out of the game hasn't hindered Dyson Heppell's (MID, $14,750) ability to score, with the Essendon skipper averaging 122 points a game so far in 2017. Zach Merrett (MID, $17,450), too, has kept up his form so far and is worth his huge price, while it might be a good time to grab Orazio Fantasia (FWD, $11,200) after a poor game last round.
David Zaharakis (MID, $13,950) doesn't come cheap but has struggled so far this season, averaging just 78. Wait until he starts lifting his numbers before selecting him.
Collingwood v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, Sunday
There are many types of Draftstars games available to play, with coaches able to select the 'salary' mode (when they have to pick nine players within the $100,000 cap), the 'turbo' format (when they pick six players from different tiers) as well as a traditional 'draft' version of the game where there is no salary cap.
Our tips are generally in line with the salary mode, with the biggest challenge sometimes completing your squad in the price range. It means you might have to take some lesser known but well performing players ahead of the big names.
So when you're looking at Collingwood's midfield, the likes of Adam Treloar (MID, $17,000), Scott Pendlebury (MID, $16,250), Taylor Adams (MID, $16,150) and Steele Sidebottom (MID, $15,600) jump out as options. But dig a little deeper and Tom Phillips (MID/FWD, $11,150) might also be worth a look with an average of 82 points so far this season.
St Kilda's best player and former captain Nick Riewoldt (FWD, $16,550) picked up a mammoth 137 points last week in a virtuoso showing. But he's one of the most expensive players in Draftstars, so do you look elsewhere in the red, white and black?
If so, Dylan Roberton (DEF, $11,300) has been the Saints' leading scorer so far with an average of 90 points. New recruit Jack Steele (FWD/MID, $11,800) has also been a solid addition for the Saints averaging 80, including a 92-point game last year.
Brisbane Lions v Richmond, Gabba, Sunday
It's almost impossible to go past Dustin Martin (MID/FWD, $16,500) here. Everyone else will pick him and there's every chance his domination will continue. Being able to select Martin as a forward or midfielder is a bonus.
As for the other Tigers worth a look, Trent Cotchin (MID, $14,950) is in great form and Toby Nankervis (RK, $10,450) has been a popular pick in the ruck. New recruits Dion Prestia (MID, $14,000) and Josh Caddy (MID, $12,850) are yet to set the Drafttstars world on fire, averaging 81 and 65 respectively.
The Lions' midfield duo Tom Rockliff (MID, $17,250) and Dayne Beams (MID, $14,050) are back to their best form with both averaging more than 113. Lewis Taylor (FWD/MID, $9950) has also averaged 82 points and 18 disposals to start this year well. Taylor might be a unique choice.
Ruckman Stefan Martin (RK, $14,250) is running hot. He is averaging 116 points in the first three rounds – the second most of any ruckman in the competition.
Hawthorn v Geelong, MCG, Monday
All eyes will continue to be on the Patrick Dangerfield (MID, $17,550) and Joel Selwood (MID, $15,850) combination, as they should: on average the pair will drag in about 243 points on Monday.
But Mitch Duncan (MID, $14,800) has really stepped up in the early stages of this season, averaging 109 points a game. He's a match-winner in his own right and costs a nice chunk of cash less than Dangerfield. Second-year player Sam Menegola ($13,550) has also been excellent, and is averaging 102 points. He could give your line-up a unique player.
The Hawks are yet to notch a win this year, but the acquisition of Tom Mitchell (MID, $16,250) has proved more than valuable. The former Swan is leading the Hawks for Draftstars points with an average of 122 a game.
Another new face for the Hawks, ex-Crow Ricky Henderson (MID/DEF, $12,600) has been sturdy under pressure, averaging 88 points a game. He comes at a good price too, so might be a nice choice for your backline in particular.
