THE FINALS are here and the stakes have been raised. And we're just talking about Draftstars.
Here's AFL.com.au's cheat sheet for the first round of finals, with three players from each finalist you should look at selecting for your daily fantasy contests over the weekend.
West Coast v Western Bulldogs, elimination final, Domain Stadium, Thursday night
West Coast
Matt Priddis (MID, $14,700): When it comes to the finals you don't mess around, and Priddis was the Eagles' highest scorer in their vital win over Adelaide in round 23 with 124 points. Is in a rich vein of form with five of his past six games bringing in scores above 100.
Josh Kennedy (FWD, $12,950): The Coleman medalist will be keen to atone for his last finals performance, when he was extremely quiet in the Eagles' Grand Final defeat. The goalkicker has averaged 92 in the past five weeks.
Dom Sheed (MID, $10,000): Sheed has made a big impact since returning to West Coast's midfield. His last game was his best, a 30-disposal and 99-point effort against the Crows. He comes cheaper than some of the premium midfielders but has been playing very well.
And while we're at it … Be careful if you're picking Jonathan Giles (RK, $7850). The ruckman came in and scored 90 points against the Crows to be a more than adequate replacement for Nic Naitanui. But it's a big call to expect him to repeat that on Thursday.
Western Bulldogs
Lachie Hunter (MID, $14,150): It was an unusually quiet game for Hunter the last time the Dogs played, when he notched just 70 points. But that will surely just be a blip on his impeccable 2016 record, having averaged nearly 104 points a week during the home and away season.
Josh Dunkley (MID, $10,150): We're here to help you find some cheaper 'roughies', and Dunkley could fit that bill. He was excellent for the Dogs in round 23 with 114 points and has enjoyed a more than solid debut season with an average of 80 points.
Matthew Boyd (DEF, $14,700): This could be the last time we see Boyd in a Bulldogs jumper. He's out of contract with his future unclear, but the All Australian has had another terrific season averaging 102. He has been a fantasy favourite for a long time.
And while we're at … The Bulldogs have made the brave call and picked Tom Liberatore (MID, $11,750) and you might consider him too. He could be a finals wildcard having not played since round 19.
Geelong v Hawthorn, qualifying final, MCG, Friday night
Geelong
Joel Selwood (MID, $14,400): The Cats skipper is a September specialist, and hits this finals series in top form. He has averaged 112 the past three weeks and every Draftstars midfield is stronger with him in it.
Sam Menegola (MID, $11,100): The Cats have found a good one in Menegola, who has broken into their senior team and starred from the start. Menegola picked up 110 points last game for the Cats and has averaged 95 in his six AFL games. What an effort.
Patrick Dangerfield (MID, $16,400): Speaking of good scorers, Dangerfield was the leading points getter in the competition for 2016. His average of 118 means you're getting an almost guaranteed ton every time he steps out onto the field. He's the finals performer you want.
And while we're at it … Look out for a bigger game from Mitch Duncan (MID, $13,050). The important Cat gathered just 74 points last round, well down on his 96 average.
Hawthorn
Shaun Burgoyne (DEF, $11,600): The veteran Hawk lines up for his 32nd final (second most in the history of the game) so definitely knows the caper in September. He warmed up with a brilliant 117-point game last week against Collingwood.
Isaac Smith (MID, $12,950): Smith was down on his regular output in the Hawks' win over Collingwood with just 74 points, but he will be expecting to get back to his 89-point average in the qualifying final. Smith is a key player and he has averaged 102 points in the past three rounds.
Jordan Lewis (MID, $14,750): In 12 of his past 13 games Lewis has reached triple figures, so he's as close to a sure bet as you can find. Another player who lifts on the big stage, the midfielder just finds the footy at ease. Way back in round one he scored 134 points against the Cats – his second highest score of the year.
And while we're at it … After a bit of a form revival later in the season, Bradley Hill (MID, $10,000) has dropped away again recently. His average is just 68 points over the past five rounds.
Sydney Swans v Greater Western Sydney, qualifying final, ANZ Stadium, Saturday afternoon
Sydney Swans
Tom Mitchell (MID, $15,100): In Sydney's star-studded midfield it can be difficult to get top billing but that's what Mitchell did in round 23. He gathered 138 points to lead the Swans' midfield brigade. He has averaged 106 for the season and is worth every dollar.
Lance Franklin (FWD, $13,200): Franklin lifts for the big moments and hits his finals series in great form after 140 points last round. Franklin is pricey and popular, but for a good reason: he could be a matchwinner in your Draftstars competition. Has averaged 103 the past three weeks.
Isaac Heeney (FWD, $10,550): The Swans had nine players crack the 100-point mark last round, with Heeney next best at 95 points. His overall season average isn't great, but over the past five games he's averaged 87 – which is a good score for a player of his price range.
And while we're at it … Tom Papley (FWD, $8600) won't bring in a huge score for you but comes very cheap and could fill a hole in your forward line if you've gone hard in other areas of the field.
Greater Western Sydney
Heath Shaw (DEF, $15,400): One of the Giants with finals experience, Shaw will have been waiting for this game to come for some time. He's a star off half-back and has averaged nearly 99 over the past five weeks, including his 99-point effort in round 23. He's reliable.
Tom Scully (MID, $13,550): The No.1 draft pick should be one of your first players selected from this game. His average of 96 points for the year makes him a premium midfielder, and he has kept to that level for most of the season. He gathered 112 points last game.
Jonathon Patton (FWD, $8300): Patton has hit form of late, kicking 11 goals the past two weeks. He can't be guaranteed to do the same this week against a quality Swans defence, but he has averaged 88 points the past three rounds. Key forwards come into their own in the finals.
And while we're at it … It was a quieter performance from Stephen Coniglio (MID, $14,600) last game with just 72 points, well down on his 103-point average. Have a good think about getting him in your side.
Adelaide v North Melbourne, elimination final, Adelaide Oval, Saturday night
Adelaide
Rory Sloane (MID, $14,750): This is more of a reminder that Sloane was suspended for the final home and away round. In case you forgot, Sloane has had an incredible season and is Adelaide's best scorer for 2016. He has averaged 106 points a game and is built for finals.
Matt Crouch (MID, $12,350): Crouch was Adelaide's highest scorer in its disappointing loss to West Coast in round 23 with 128 points. It was the fifth time in the Crows' last six games that he has scored more than 100. Finals games are hot but Crouch will be in amongst the action.
Rory Laird (DEF, $13,550): The Crows' forward line fell down against the Eagles two weeks ago but its backline remained busy. That was the case with Laird, who scored 95 points against the Eagles. Laird has hit triple figures four of his past five games.
And while we're at it … Tom Lynch was way off his best last game against the Eagles with just 48 points. That's nearly half of his 90-point average. We're backing him to return to form against the Roos.
North Melbourne
Brent Harvey (FWD, $12,450): This could well be Harvey's final AFL game, but he's going to start it in very good form. He's scored back-to-back hundreds and has his season average at 88 points. Expect him to play well.
Sam Gibson (MID, $12,600): Gibson isn't the most fashionable player through the midfield but his gut running puts him in a position to win plenty of the ball. He gathered 115 points last game – the most of any Roo against Greater Western Sydney – and has averaged 100 the past three weeks.
Jack Ziebell (MID, $13,550): Ziebell wasn't in great scoring form before his 110-point effort in round 22. But he followed it with 105 points against GWS in round 23, and will start September in good touch.
And while we're at it … It's hard to tell what performance we'll get from Andrew Swallow (MID, $12,000) this weekend. Two of his past three scores have been 127 points, but before that he went seven weeks without a century.
