It's everyone’s favourite time of the AFL season (not) - the dreaded bye rounds have struck and that means just two AFL games for us this Sunday.
First up, Melbourne will play Fremantle at the unusual setting of TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs. That will be followed by an intriguing match up between Gold Coast and Essendon. Both matches will have big implications for finals chances so there's plenty to play for!
Draftstars have trimmed things up for the Sunday contest with a $50,000 main event along with their usual variety of alternate contests:
- AFL $50,000+ Sunday
- AFL $5,000+ Sunday High Roller ($150 Entry)
- AFL $3,000+ Sunday Mini ($2 Entry)
The AFL Star contest is back for 2024 and Draftstars are offering the biggest prize pool in Australian DFS history with a $1 million guaranteed final with $250,000 top prize! There are qualifiers and satellites running for every AFL match, while there will also be a sprinkling of qualifiers across other sports such as NRL and NBA.
Meanwhile the 1000 AFL Target contests are set to return to Draftstars for the first time since 2018. Enter the contest and hit the 1000-point barrier with your team to scoop the jackpot!
Betting Markets
Melbourne ($1.48) vs Fremantle ($2.67)
Line: Melbourne -11.5
Points: 150.5
Gold Coast ($1.69) vs Essendon ($2.18)
Line: Gold Coast -5.5
Points: 167.5
If you’re looking to bet on the AFL this season, then you can bet with PlayUp by using the same account that you have at Draftstars. PlayUp are Australian owned and offer an strong range of AFL betting markets and offers, including Same Game Multis.
Additionally, we have a full AFL Betting Previews for every game where we provide our best bet for the game as well as a great value Same Game Multi!
Weather
Alice Springs - Mostly sunny, 19 degrees
Gold Coast - Partly cloudy, 23 degrees
Two great travel destinations for AFL this Sunday and no issues with the weather. Game on!
Where to Attack?
The largest trend among these teams is in the ruck where Max Gawn will be a popular pick for Melbourne. Max has been incredible this season and smashed out a monstrous 152 last week. He’s up against Freo who have one of the worst records in the league in the ruck, giving up over 10 points above average with a combination of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson this season.
A smaller trend this season is both Fremantle and Melbourne both concede slightly above average points to opposition defenders. They do play against each other on this slate which does make it a trickier trend to exploit. Freo have been loving the kick-to-kick in the back half in recent weeks, so expect to see that continue.
Gold Coast and Essendon have been pretty close to average in most areas of the ground this season. Both teams are restrictive in the ruck, however Jarrod Witts is a late out and been replaced by Ned Moyle, so that could open up opportunities to look at with your Draftstars lineups.
Game script: Melbourne ruck, Melbourne/Fremantle defenders
VALUE PLAYS
Ben Long ($7,010) has been in good form recently and plays his 100th game this week which is often extra incentive for players to kick you the ball! Gold Coast have a number of budget options on this slate, but Long has a three-game average of 66.7 which is good value at his price point.
Elijah Tsatas ($7,650) is a top draft pick having gone at #5 in the 2022 draft and he might just be starting to find his feet with an extended run in the senior side at Essendon. Tsatas looks the goods and he’s gone 61 and 63 in his last two matches. As long as he avoids the sub vest, he should get a good role in the middle and is a strong chance to go well.
MID PRICED PLAYS
Sam Durham ($11,860) has been a revelation this season for the Bombers and he’s quickly becoming one of my favourite players to watch with his relentless pressure and attack on the ball. Durham has yet to break through with a massive fantasy score but he has averaged 80 across his last six with three 90+ scores. He has a good tackling base which provides a good floor, so if he can pick up a few more disposals or start to hit the scoreboard, then the tons are just around the corner. Buy early.
Christian Salem ($13,570) has returned really well from injury with 93 and 133 in his two games back. Salem has had opportunities in the midfield, and with Oliver and Petracca both a little down this season, there’s a chance for someone else to step in to fill the gap and get fed by the dominance of Max Gawn. Salem will quietly fly under the radar of the opposition and looks a good price for a ton-plus.
PREMIUM PLAYS
Luke Ryan ($16,860) has been racking up huge numbers recently with Fremantle intent on kicking it to him at every opportunity, even if it’s sideways or backwards. He's also taking plenty of free kick outs from full back! Ryan has scored 144, 126, 105 and 161 in his last four and gets another favourable match up here against the Dees who concede above average points to defenders. Ryan will have every opportunity to collect plenty of cheap touches.
Max Gawn ($16,890) is the first picked for my teams this Sunday after an incredible game last week where he monstered Rowan Marshall to score a massive 152. Gets a great matchup here against Freo and although Sean Darcy will body him more in the ruck contests, Gawn should be too nimble getting around the ground. Expect him to go large once again.
Suggested Draftstars Team
AFL Fantasy Cheat Sheets
