ONLY three rounds remain before finals, so Draftstars coaches should be at the top of their game. But if you need some help, here's our round 21 cheat sheet with everything you need to know about the weekend ahead. For more information, visit draftstars.com.au.
Western Bulldogs v Greater Western Sydney, Etihad Stadium, Friday night
A season-defining match for both sides to kick off round 21, and let's start with the turbo format, where you pick six players – each from a different tier.
There are some mighty tier one options, but it's hard to overlook Josh Kelly for his high-scoring potential, especially given he rarely plays a bad game. Sticking with the Giants, Stephen Coniglio has returned from injury with a vengeance, so we're going to back him in to maintain his hot pace as our tier two player.
Shane Biggs is low profile, but in red-hot form in defence for the Bulldogs – averaging 106 points – and we prefer him in tier three over inconsistent pair Heath Shaw and Zac Williams. Tier four is murky, but you know what you're going to get from Tom Scully, so we're going with the hard-running midfielder.
Tackle-happy Dog Tom Liberatore is due for a big performance at tier five, while Jacob Hopper, in his second game back, has plenty to prove down the stretch and is a value tier six option.
Sydney v Fremantle, SCG, Saturday
Teenager Sean Darcy (RK, $12,400) returns from a freshen up and should rack up the hit-outs and points as the Dockers' No.1 ruck option. His worst scoring effort was 75, so he is as safe as a house this week.
Make consistent young Swan Isaac Heeney (FWD, $11,400) a priority for your forward line and there are some quality midfield options from this match if you're looking to spend big. Lachie Neale (MID, $15,400) and Nat Fyfe (MID, $15,800) are both averaging 113-points-plus in their past three outings.
The round 20 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee, Luke Ryan (DEF, $13,700), is the defender you want – with a combined 264 points in the last two weeks – and is a must-play until he cools off.
Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, Saturday
All aboard Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield here despite their exorbitant respective price tags of $16,000 and $16,650. Their bad games are rare and their big games are mammoth, so find the cash for both if you can.
It might be worth taking a punt on defender-forward Harry Taylor ($10,150), who will have a larger role in Tom Hawkins' absence, while Scott Selwood's (MID, $14,350) tackling prowess makes him a Draftstars weapon.
You can't really go wrong with Zach Tuohy (DEF, $11,400) if you slot him into your defence and he had a tidy return of 96 points against Sydney despite the Cats battling overall.
Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast, The Gabba, Saturday
There is a new-found consistency to Jack Martin's (FWD, $12,650) work this year and he is a forward in demand at a reasonable price who can churn out triple-digit scores. Don't sleep on ex-Crow Jarryd Lyons (FWD, $13,900), either, although there is some risk given the hit to your salary cap.
One man you should seriously consider is Dayne Zorko (MID, $14,500), whose ability to unleash huge tallies is matched by very few players. The danger is if he is tagged, because he totalled just 48 and 45 in rounds 17 and 14 when a defensive job was done on him.
Daniel Rich (DEF, $12,250)'s rocket-launching kicks could be on high rotation in a match the Lions will fancy themselves in. Has booked back-to-back 100-plus scores and is worth riding again.
Essendon v Adelaide, Etihad Stadium, Saturday night
We will take any excuse to pump up Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (DEF, $9800) and it is good timing after his MCG heroics a week ago. He managed five tackles and three goals against Carlton in amassing 92 points, his second-best effort of the year.
The stats-accumulator himself, Adelaide's Tom Lynch (FWD, $13,300), is always worth consideration and his price is quite reasonable after a quieter patch leading into last week's 101-point outburst. Another reliable source of points is Richard Douglas (MID, $12,600), who is guaranteed multiple tackles each week and wins lots of the ball.
No.1 draft pick Andy McGrath (DEF, $10,000) returns from a spell and should be a solid, cheapish option, as long as you don't expect for triple digits. His highest score is 99, but he will have enjoyed the rest. As far as rolled gold options, Dyson Heppell (MID, $15,800) averages 100.1 points and has been above that in each of the last three rounds.
West Coast v Carlton, Domain Stadium, Saturday night
Matthew Kreuzer (RK, $14,000) should be a popular choice this week against the Eagles' weakened ruck corps. Ignore his season-low round 19 tally, when he was concussed in Patrick Dangerfield's tackle, and he has not been below 70 all season and has cleared 100 11 times.
Ball magnet Andrew Gaff (MID, $12,950) rounded back into form the past fortnight after a quiet match against Collingwood and looks one of the bargains of the round. Routinely racks up 30 disposals and has four 120-plus-point performances.
You can bank on Bryce Gibbs (MID, $14,600) scoring big, too, while Dom Sheed (MID, $12,200) is averaging almost 10 points more than his season standard of 87.9 in the past three rounds.
Melbourne v St Kilda, MCG, Sunday
A finals spot is up for grabs here, so there will undoubtedly be heroes and villains out of this one. With that in mind, we love reliability and few deliver that more than the Demons' red-headed tyro Clayton Oliver (MID, $15,050), who has not scored below 81 all season. He has some hot competition at that price, but consider him.
If looking for value and taking risks are your thing, then Cameron Pedersen (FWD, $8800) might be for you, especially with teammate Jack Watts banished to the VFL. Expect a featured role and possibly a return to the five-week stretch where he averaged 101.2 in Max Gawn's absence.
Jack Billings (FWD, $12,800) has the potential for huge performances and is fresh from 119 points against West Coast, while tackling machine Jack Steele (FWD, $13,250) has 12 tackles and 124 points in the same contest.
Hawthorn v North Melbourne, University of Tasmania Stadium, Sunday
Why not keep backing in James Sicily (FWD $12,650), given his torrid seven-game run as a defender? He has four 100-plus-point scores and an average of 94 in that period, which would be more if not for his ankle injury that kept him to 53 against Geelong.
Taylor Garner (FWD, $10,750) has enjoyed a breakout campaign and is becoming increasingly dependable, with three scores of at least 82 in his past four appearances. Ben Cunnington (MID, $12,000) can be boom or bust, but could be a difference-maker for you.
If Carlton's Matt Kreuzer is too expensive for you, turn to Hawk Ben McEvoy (RK, $12,350) for your ruckman and you are unlikely to be disappointed.
Port Adelaide v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval, Sunday
The other man to contemplate for your ruck spot is Power's Paddy Ryder (RK, $13,550), whose gap between his best and worst is narrow in 2017. Can score big, but the appeal here is the low risk.
We all love Robbie Gray ($13,350), whether he's playing up forward or through the middle, and there should be points aplenty regardless of the scenario. He has been particularly strong in the last three rounds, averaging 103.7.
The Pie who jumps out is Alex Fasolo (FWD, $10,300). He was one of the few Collingwood players not to dine out on North Melbourne last week, but before that string together six scores ranging from 70 to 103. You can't get all the big guns, so think of 'Fas' when the money starts drying up.