THE END of the season is quickly approaching as we enter round 17, which means more decisions are to be made for Draftstars coaches out there.
We're here to help, so here are some tips on who to look out for (and who to avoid) when it comes to selecting your line-ups for Draftstars contests across the weekend.
Fremantle v Geelong, Domain Stadium, Friday night
We'd like to have Fremantle Brownlow medalist Nat Fyfe up for grabs on Draftstars, but that will have to wait until next year.
In the meantime, if you're looking for some Dockers to fill your squad, Michael Barlow ($14,600, MID/FWD) might be your man. He's been picked to return after missing last week with a finger injury and is averaging nearly 100 points a game.
It's hard to find too many other appealing players from the Dockers, but second-year midfielder Connor Blakely ($10,200, MID) is continuing to average more than 20 disposals a game and 74 Draftstars points a week.
The Cats will be keen to bounce back from last week's loss to the Sydney Swans and have a number of midfielders who will be keen to recapture their best form. At $17,400, Patrick Dangerfield is almost at an unattainable price to fit into your salary cap.
This means digging a little deeper and finding who might be best placed to have a big game: veteran defender Corey Enright ($12,950, DEF) has flown under the radar his whole career but might be worth a shot if he can keep up his 84-point average.
Richmond v Essendon, MCG, Saturday
It's important to look beyond the obvious in Draftstars. For instance, in last week's highest-scoring team, Richmond youngster Jason Castagna ($7700, DEF) featured with his 94-point effort. Not many would have picked that.
With that in mind, you might want to select the first-year defender this weekend. Other Tigers who catch the eye as consistent scorers, outside of the big names, include Shane Edwards ($11,200, DEF/FWD) and Brandon Ellis ($14,450, MID). First-gamer Oleg Markov ($11,100, FWD) had the biggest price hike of any player in the competition this week (up by $4700) after his 95 points on debut.
Draftstars has many different types of games. For instance, in the 'turbo' category, there is no salary cap but you need to pick one player from six different class categories. If you are up for the challenge of the turbo game in the Richmond and Essendon contest, we'd go with Bomber Zach Merrett ($16,550, FWD/MID) as your 'tier one' player.
In the third tier of the turbo mode, the consistent Craig Bird ($11,800, MID/FWD) presents as a good option after averaging nearly 80 points. You could go with just Bomber players in turbo mode and back them to outscore the Tigers, with first-year midfield sensation Darcy Parish ($10,750, MID) a good choice for the fourth tier.
Draftstars in 'turbo' mode allows you to ignore the price tags but limits you to one player in each salary range. Who will be your marquee option?
North Melbourne v Port Adelaide, Etihad Stadium, Saturday
Draftstars has many types of contests at varying buy-in levels, including head-to-head contests (with just two Draftstars coaches facing off), double up games (where nearly half the entrants will double their money) and multiplier games (where you can multiply your buy-in if you are in the winning field).
There is also the 'guaranteed' contest, where the prize pool is locked in, even if the game does not reach its maximum amount of entrants. This might take the fancy of coaches confident in their line-up.
Unfortunately there's nothing guaranteed about Port Adelaide this year, with the Power proving to be one of the most up-and-down teams in the competition. Star midfielder Robbie Gray ($14,300, MID) has had his moments, but he is still averaging 98 points an outing.
Sam Gray ($12,050, MID/FWD) goes under the radar a little more than his namesake but is averaging just eight points a game less, while Matthew Broadbent ($12,200, DEF) is a solid defensive option and Jasper Pittard ($12,700, DEF) has some attacking weapons.
A week after bringing in a huge score, Kane Mitchell ($9050, DEF) has dropped $3400 in price this week – the biggest fall of any player. If you back him to reach his best form against the Roos, he could be a steal.
North forward Jarrad Waite ($13,100, FWD) will return from injury and might be a good choice if he can maintain his 88-point average, while Todd Goldstein ($15,600, RUCK) and Jack Ziebell ($14,700, MID) are high-end picks. Second-gamer Ryan Clarke ($8350, MID) is worth considering after a 60-point and 21-disposal debut last week.
Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast, Cazaly's Stadium, Saturday night
The Bulldogs are one of the hottest teams in the competition. They play attractive footy, get loads of media interest and have some of the most exciting players in the game.
Lachie Hunter ($15,400, MID) is having a brilliant year and is worth his salary at an average of nearly 110 points. Jack Macrae ($15,300, MID) also averages 101 points and would be a slightly unique pick beyond the star-studded options.
But while the Bulldogs seem to be everyone's second favourite team, the Suns last week proved to be excellent for Draftstars coaches around the country.
In the highest scoring team of the week (which had $5,300 spare), Jarrod Harbrow ($10,150, MID), Peter Wright ($9500, FWD) and Touk Miller ($10,500, FWD/MID) all featured and all scored 119 or more points.
The Suns have again been hit with injuries – rule Gary Ablett (shoulder surgery) out of your consideration for the rest of the season.
Adelaide v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval, Saturday night
The big question in this game revolves around Travis Cloke: can he do it again? Cloke ($11,450, FWD) scored 121 points last week against GWS, in what was his first three-figure total of the season.
His average is just 77 points but he could be a matchwinner for your team in last week's form. We'll leave it to you, but we'd be hoping for one more 100+ game before banking on Cloke.
James Aish ($8550, DEF/MID) scored only 58 points last week but is a cheap pick and is gradually improving at his second AFL club, while Brodie Grundy ($14,050, RUCK) continues to show why he is worth consideration in your ruck position.
The Draftstars competition allows for numerous contest options, but if you're keenest on the 'single' clash using only Adelaide and Collingwood players, then you'll need to choose your forwards wisely because the Crows have so many in-form options.
Be it Tom Lynch ($13,750, FWD), Josh Jenkins ($12,050, FWD), Eddie Betts ($11,650, FWD) or even skipper Taylor Walker ($11,500), any of the Crows' spearheads could salute with a bag of goals. Make sure you get the right one (or two!).
Brad Crouch ($12,300, MID) is also back in the Crows' line-up and starting to hit form. He could be a good buy after hitting his top score of the year last week (113 points).
Carlton v West Coast, MCG, Sunday
The Chris Judd Cup is up for grabs at the MCG, and there'll also be plenty on the line for Draftstars coaches. Remember, there are many variations of games you can play, with different levels of buy in. You can also play in free contests.
Scott Lycett ($13,250, FWD/RK) could be a good ruck choice from this game and the Eagles big man is averaging 87 points a game. Elliot Yeo ($12,450, DEF/MID) is also an option for two parts of the ground with a steady 85-point average.
The Blues have been served well in the midfield by Ed Curnow ($14,600, MID), who is averaging 103, while former Crow Matthew Wright (FWD/MID, $12,300) has been a solid pick-up for Carlton and is averaging 86 a game.
St Kilda v Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, Sunday
Jack Billings ($12,250, FWD) returns to St Kilda's line-up after an ankle injury saw him dropped to the VFL, and he comes back in great form. The skillful 20-year-old gathered 45 touches and two goals (or 174 Draftstars points) in the VFL last week.
From the Demons, Jack Grimes ($10,000, DEF) might be a good pick-up in your backline. Grimes scored 140 points in his first game of the year in last week's win over Fremantle and has moved up to a role on the wing, where he can find more of the ball.
Big man Max Gawn ($14,950, RUCK) will cost you a bit but performs every week, and Jesse Hogan ($12,750, FWD) kicked four goals last week and seven the last time he played the Saints.
Brisbane Lions v Greater Western Sydney, Gabba, Sunday
We expect the Giants midfielders to run amok at the Gabba on Sunday, but then again, we thought the same thing against Collingwood last week. Oops.
This is the final game of the weekend, but it might also be your first game – such is the flexibility of daily fantasy sports like Draftstars to pick and choose which games you want to play in. If you sense a Sunday afternoon Lions slaughter, then you might want to load up on Giants and try your luck.
Stephen Coniglio ($15,500, MID), Callan Ward ($14,900, MID), Dylan Shiel ($14,700, MID) and Tom Scully ($14,200, MID) are all premium options worth considering from the Giants, along with Josh Kelly ($13,150, MID).
The Lions can produce quality scorers as well, despite their battles near the bottom of the ladder, and first-year midfielder Rhys Mathieson ($9600, MID) will continue to push towards that status with more experience. Mathieson gathered 70 points last week to keep his average at 70 in his opening four games.
