WE HAVE hit the bye rounds, so your options each weekend over the next three rounds are slightly limited – and it means making the right choice is even more important. Here's our Draftstars cheat sheet ahead of remaining games in round 11.
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Geelong v Adelaide, Simonds Stadium, Friday night
After a mini dip there for a week or two, it's good to have Patrick Dangerfield (MID, $17,150) back in top form. He followed his 156-point score in round 10 with a match-winning 125 points last week against Port Adelaide, including the final goal. He's ranked the 11th-best scorer this season – but Mitch Duncan (MID, $16,550) is the best-placed Cat in fourth position with a 119-point average.
Zach Tuohy (DEF, $12,300) has been a good recruit for Geelong this year and continues to show himself as a worthy Draftstars option with an average of 93.9 points, while Sam Menegola (MID, $14,000) also goes well with an average of 102.6. Other premium midfielders are regularly chosen ahead of him, so he could be a unique option.
Rory Sloane (MID, $16,600) couldn't be stopped in Adelaide's win over Fremantle last week with 157 points, lifting his season average to 118 points. We also hope you have been listening to our advice on Rory Atkins (MID, $13,250), who is moving up quickly as a must-consider midfielder. He gathered 130 points last week – his average is 100 the past five weeks.
Josh Jenkins (FWD, $11,000) came back into form with 113 points, and Jake Lever (DEF, $10,950) also scored 111 – both of the key position pair average just 67 for the season though, so don't be fooled into grabbing them. Brad Crouch (MID, $12,250) should be on the radar, however, with an average of 92 points and another triple-figure score last week.
Gold Coast v West Coast, Metricon Stadium, Saturday
Aaron Hall (MID, $16,150) was only going to be the Gold Coast player you could bank on last week and for those who did, well done. He collected 117 points in the Suns' loss to Melbourne and is averaging an excellent 107 points a game.
Brandon Matera (FWD, $11,400) also struck triple figures, but we give you a word of caution if you're thinking of picking the creative forward. It was Matera's first score above 75 since round four, so he's had a bit of a lean patch. Don't go picking too many Suns in your Draftstars side.
Among the top-scorers for West Coast last week were the regulars – Elliot Yeo (FWD/MID, $13,450) and Andrew Gaff (MID, $15,500) – and an unusual name in Lewis Jetta (MID, $9800). In just his third game of the season, the former Sydney speedster gathered 107 points. Credit to the few coaches who selected him, but it's hard to see him backing it up given his patchy form in recent years.
Ex-Hawk Sam Mitchell (MID, $14,450) was busy with 97 points as he continues his solid scoring form, while ruckman Nathan Vardy (FWD/RK, $9900) also put in a reasonable score given his price, posting 81 points. He could be worth a look if you are searching for a cheaper ruck option.
Greater Western Sydney v Essendon, Spotless Stadium, Saturday
Everybody's loving Toby Greene's (MID, $13,750) form this season, and so should Draftstars coaches. The All Australian forward picked up 114 points last week and proved the match-winner in the Giants' important win over West Coast at Domain Stadium.
Josh Kelly (MID, $15,500) scored his fourth consecutive ton with 111 points, while Matthew Kennedy's (MID, $9600) ability to rack up the ball and take marks makes him a young Giant to have a look at. He scored 93 last week, but is trending upward with an average of 79.7 over the past three weeks. He won't break the bank, so you have to keep that in mind.
David Zaharakis (MID, $15,850) is hot Draftstars property. The midfielder has had a brilliant three weeks, averaging 129 points in that period and proving his class. He will cost you a bit, but in this type of touch is worth it. After a slow start to the year he's now the club's fourth-leading scorer for the season.
Dyson Heppell (MID, $14,250) has regained his best form with 124 points last week against Richmond, while defender Michael Hurley's (DEF, $12,700) average has crept up to 89 points after an excellent bracket of games. In his 300th game, Brendon Goddard (MID, $15,150) will be one to watch, and will be keen to notch a huge total as he continues to score well this year.
North Melbourne v Richmond, Etihad Stadium, Saturday night
Luke McDonald (DEF, $10,900) led the way for North Melbourne in last week's win over Carlton with 117 points. He continues to grow his game, and has averaged 91 points over the past three weeks. McDonald has averaged 19 disposals a game this season.
Roos captain Jack Ziebell (MID, $14,500) was also excellent against the Blues with 114 points and is the best scoring Roo this season, while Shaun Higgins (FWD/MID, $12,350) picked up 112 points and has had a consistent season with five scores of 90 or above. Trent Dumont (MID, $11,350) found 94 points, and has averaged 80 the past five weeks to be another emerging Roo.
Dustin Martin (FWD, $15,850) loves playing against Essendon, so it was no surprise he was best afield last week with 133 Draftstars points. When Martin hits triple figures, he goes big: of his six scores above 100 this year, all bar one has reached beyond 122 points.
Running Tiger Brandon Ellis (MID/DEF, $12,350) was excellent in last week's win over the Bombers with 126 points – well above his average of 74 points – while Richmond bookends Alex Rance (DEF, $9900) and Jack Riewoldt (FWD, $11,450) also went well with scores in the 90s. Expect a better showing from Toby Nankervis (FWD/RK, $12,750) this week after slightly lowering his colours with 73 points last round.
Fremantle v Collingwood, Domain Stadium, Sunday
It has been a breakout season for Fremantle pair Lachie Weller (FWD/DEF, $11,400) and Connor Blakely (MID, $14,000) so far in 2017, with the duo the Dockers' best in last week's heavy loss to Adelaide. Blakely had 119 points and Weller gathered 109 against the Crows, pushing the speedy midfielder/half-back's average to nearly 85 for the past three weeks.
Another Freo youngster, Darcy Tucker (DEF, $9,800) was solid with 81 points – a good result for a player of his price – but it was a poor game from superstar Nat Fyfe (MID, $12,700), who picked up just 80 points. His average of 92 for the season means there should be plenty of other A-grade options placed ahead of him in your thinking.
There's probably more to like from a Pies' perspective. Steele Sidebottom (MID, $14,900) picked up 139 points last week against the Brisbane Lions and is in ripping form, while Adam Treloar's (MID, $15,700) average of 113 points make him a must-consider for your line-up.
Josh Smith (MID, $12,900) doesn't have the same profile as Treloar, but has become a handy scorer at a much lower cost. Smith collected 103 points last week to push his average to 85 for the season. Jamie Elliott (FWD, $11,400) had a season-high 102 points last week which lifted his average to 90 from the past three weeks, a good sign for the Pies.