WE HAVE successfully navigated those pesky bye rounds, which means there's more players to consider from a Draftstars point of view this weekend. We're here to help with our cheat sheet for the remainder of round 14.
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Sydney v Essendon, SCG, Friday night
Credit to those who had Nic Newman (DEF, $13,550) in their sights at the start of the season. The Swan has had a terrific year, and last week led Sydney's scoring against Richmond with 112 points. The defender has averaged 92 points this year.
Tom Papley (FWD, $12,250) is another young Sydney prospect worth looking at. Some dodgy scores early in the year bring down his overall average, but the small forward has averaged 93 points in the past five rounds. Isaac Heeney's (MID/FWD, $14,050) average of 98 looks like tipping into triple figures soon too, so he might become a premium Swans pick.
The Bombers head to the SCG after their bye. Zach Merrett (MID, $16,500) is your A-grade choice in the red and black as the competition's second-leading scorer, but Brendon Goddard (MID, $13,900) and Dyson Heppell (MID, $15,250) are also averaging over 100 for the year and have played every game. They scream reliable.
David Zaharakis (FWD, $14,450) has overcome a slow start to the year and has averaged an elite 113 points in the past five games, while ex-skipper Jobe Watson (MID, $14,850) has averaged 106.8 in the same period to be a strong choice.
Collingwood v Port Adelaide, MCG, Saturday
Is it any wonder Collingwood's midfielders are all Draftstars guns? Taylor Adams (MID, $15,150), Scott Pendlebury (MID, $16,600), Steele Sidebottom (MID, $17,050) and Adam Treloar (MID, $16,300) all average over 100 points a game this season, and they have the brilliant service of Brodie Grundy (RK, $15,500), perhaps this year's All Australian ruckman.
Grundy is averaging 110 himself – making him the obvious ruck choice in the Draftstars competition and among the top 20 scorers in the AFL this season. NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Tom Phillips (FWD/MID, $11,400) has averaged 81.6 the past five rounds, so is worth a look as a second-tier midfield choice.
Ollie Wines (MID, $14,850) was the star for Port Adelaide last week with 119 points against the Brisbane Lions, his fourth consecutive triple-figure total. He's the form midfielder for the Power.
The Power filled their boots against the Lions, with Darcy Byrne-Jones (DEF, $10,150) among the surprises; he scored 99, well above his 66-point average. Robbie Gray (FWD/MID, $12,000) also did much better than his season average by managing 117 points, which was his first ton since round five against Carlton. Pick with caution.
Brisbane Lions v Greater Western Sydney, Gabba, Saturday
Lachie Whitfield (MID, $14,000) has been sensational since returning from suspension. The 2012 No.1 draft pick has averaged 104.6 points for the Giants in his five games back in the side, and is flying under the radar. Compared to more popular Draftstars choices Josh Kelly (MID, $16,200) and Dylan Shiel (MID, $14,300), Whitfield stacks up well.
The Giants head to the Gabba after their bye, which followed a surprise loss to Carlton. Expect Toby Greene (FWD/MID, $14,000) to bounce back strongly, while Jeremy Cameron (FWD, $12,000) has been quiet of late, averaging just 79 in his past three rounds. He's better than that, so look out Brisbane if he comes to play.
Dayne Zorko (MID, $17,000) keeps on keeping on. The Lion picked up a mammoth 157 points last week in Brisbane's loss to Port Adelaide, taking his average to 131 over the past five weeks. He hasn't dipped below triple figures since round seven, and even that was a pretty good effort of 97 points.
Three Lions with averages in the 70s – Sam Mayes (DEF, $11,750), Ryan Bastinac (MID, $10,800) and Ryan Lester (FWD/MID, $10,650) – all reached 100 last round, highlighting their solid prospects, while former Giant Jake Barrett (FWD/MID, $11,750) continues to score solidly for his new club. He gathered 77 points last week for an average of 75.
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, Saturday night
Tom Liberatore (MID, $11,700) made a strong return to the top level last week in the Dogs' loss to Melbourne, gathering 29 disposals and 109 Draftstars points in his first game since round eight. It was his best score since round one.
There were some unusual faces at the top of the pile last week for the Dogs, including Jordan Roughead (DEF/RK, $10,300), who gathered a team-high 116 points, and Zaine Cordy (DEF, $9400), who picked up 100. We probably wouldn't venture into round 14 with this pair despite their better showings last week. Mitch Wallis (MID, $12,100), who has averaged 89 in four games back from injury, is a safer bet.
Sam Gibson (MID, $12,800) led the way for North last week with 113 points, but is a second-tier Draftstars midfielder given his 85-point average. Jack Ziebell (MID, $14,400) has the highest weekly average of any Roo at 94 points a game, but they aren't the type of side that has plenty of go-to stars.
Ruckman Todd Goldstein (RK, $13,400) has lost plenty of value this year across the season but still averages 91.7 points a game, so could be worth a go against the Dogs' rucks.
West Coast v Melbourne, Domain Stadium, Saturday night
There were six Eagles to surpass the 100-point barrier in last week's win over Geelong, but the one that took the eye was the highest scorer – Sam Mitchell (MID, $14,800). His 117-point tally was the most of his season. Is he about ready to explode back to his better scoring days in the second half of the year for West Coast?
Liam Duggan (FWD/MID, $8500) was excellent, scoring a season-high 84 points, and he looks headed for better things. Midfielder Dom Sheed (FWD/MID, $12,750) is already there after scoring 112 against the Cats in a confident display. He averages 86 a game and wouldn't be a bad one to jump aboard.
Melbourne made the reigning premiers look ordinary last week, and a player who has to come under Draftstars consideration is Michael Hibberd (DEF, $12,850). The former Don picked up 100 last week – pushing his average to 93.6 over the past five rounds.
Jack Viney (MID, $13,150) was down on his regular output with 74 points (well below his 95-point average), but Cameron Pedersen (FWD/RK, $11,800) gathered 96 points to keep up his 96-point average over seven games in the Dees' senior line-up.
Geelong v Fremantle, Simonds Stadium, Sunday
It hasn't been much of a season from a Draftstars perspective for Cam Guthrie (MID/DEF, $10,900), but last week the Geelong midfielder gathered 111 points against the Eagles – which was his best score of the year and the first time he has passed 100.
Patrick Dangerfield's (MID, $17,000) 116 points against the Eagles maintained his 116-point average, while Mitch Duncan (MID, $14,950) has elevated himself into the elite with nine scores of 100 or more this season. Expect Zach Tuohy (DEF, $12,050) to bounce back from his 72-point game last week to be closer to his 92-point season average.
Lachie Neale (MID, $13,900) heads the list of Fremantle prospects worth thinking about for your 'salary' Draftstars line-up, and the on-baller's average of 100 would fit nicely as one of your midfield choices. Bradley Hill (MID, $11,650) is another top-end pick who should catch the eye with an average of 94 points.
Fremantle heads to Geelong after having a bye last week, so should be fresh. Connor Blakely (MID, $13,000) is emerging as a consistent and reliable midfield option from the Dockers with a season average of 87, but for better value Nat Fyfe (MID, $13,350) is only slightly more expensive than Blakely, and is far more likely to be a match-winner for you.
Richmond v Carlton, MCG, Sunday
Trent Cotchin (MID, $15,500) has had a terrific season, averaging 104 points a game but somehow going a little unnoticed. It's probably because most of the limelight has been shone on Dustin Martin (MID, $16,750), who picked up his eighth century from 12 games last weekend with 100 points against Sydney.
Defenders David Astbury (DEF, $10,150) and Dylan Grimes (DEF, $8150) scored well above their respective averages last weekend, but it's hard to back them in to go again given their history of low scores. Dion Prestia (MID, $12,900) gathered 86 points and might be ready to get back to his best scoring in the second half of the year.
Last weekend was all about Bryce Gibbs (MID, $17,750). The Carlton star picked up a huge 194 points against Gold Coast, pushing his season average to 117. It's hard to see him again nearly cracking the magical double ton this week against the Tigers, but he's worth picking on form alone.
Sam Docherty (DEF, $16,850) will set you back significant coin if you want him in your defence, but for a little cheaper Kade Simpson (MID/DEF, $14,400) could take your fancy from the Blues. The veteran collected 137 points last week and is averaging 100 in his 15th season.
St Kilda v Gold Coast, Etihad Stadium, Sunday
If there's a more underrated midfield Draftstars option than St Kilda's Seb Ross (MID, $14,900) right now, we've missed him. Ross' 115-point tally against North Melbourne last week was the ninth time in his past 11 games he has hit triple figures. His consistency makes him a player you need to consider.
Jack Billings (FWD, $12,700) has become something of a barometer for the Saints and picked up 105 points last week, while Nick Riewoldt (FWD, $14,350) showed he remains a brilliant forward choice with 106 points. Riewoldt is averaging a remarkable 97 points.
The Suns were disappointing last week against Carlton, but Jarryd Lyons (FWD/MID, $14,150) has been anything but. The former Adelaide Crow has averaged 98 points in his first season as a Sun, and last week picked up 105 points. David Swallow (MID, $11,950) might be getting closer to his best scoring days after 90 points last week.
The man to watch will be Gary Ablett (MID, $16,900). In his milestone 300th match, the all-time great should be hard to contain, particularly after being tagged closely last week and held to 91 points – his lowest score since his 70-point effort in round two and the first time since then he has dropped below 108. Look out.
