Marvel Stadium is set to play host to the Western Bulldogs and Essendon as they embark on their Round 5 battle this Friday night. Whilst the Dogs sit in last spot in the top eight, albeit on the same number of points as the Bombers, it’s percentage that separates the two teams on the ladder. Hoping to knock the Luke Beveridge coached side off their perch is the Brad Scott led team who have equally been hard to read in 2024, so buckle up for what promises to be an entertaining watch.
Draftstars continue to offer massive prize pools with the Friday night main draw worth $60,000 to go along with their usual variety of alternate contests that are available for your choosing for whatever floats your boat.
AFL $60,000+ Bulldogs v Bombers
AFL $5,000+ Bulldogs v Bombers High Roller
AFL $3,000+ Bulldogs v Bombers $2 Mini
AFL $2,000+ Bulldogs v Bombers Fiver
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
Western Bulldogs ($1.42) vs Essendon ($2.90) Odds thanks to PlayUp
Points: 172.5
Line: 16.5
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 a strong range of AFL betting markets and offers, including Same Game Multis.
Additionally, we have a full Bulldogs vs Bombers Betting Preview where we provide our best bet for the game as well as a great value Same Game Multi!
Weather
Melbourne
Cloudy, high chances of showers in the southeast suburbs, medium chances elsewhere with light winds likely as well.
Where to Attack
On paper I think our best bet is to focus on the battle in the guts, there are some big-bodied names that pop out straightaway, but I think the lesser-known stars mightn’t attract as much attention and therefore create scoring opportunities off the back of that. I think it’s easy to also suggest that in fantasy going with the hot hand is not a bad remedy to follow, definitely something we’ve aimed to follow below.
Value Plays
Sam Darcy ($8,860) immediately catches the eye at a price well under par considering the strides he has taken this year. As versatile as he is, expect him to play forward and present as a long option target against an undersized Essendon back six.
Jake Stringer ($8,820) looms as an undervalued play coming up against his old side where he’ll be searching to make a statement. More than capable of what he has shown so far in season 2024, happy to throw my support behind him.
Mid-Priced Plays
Cody Weightman ($9,800) has been a livewire of late hitting the scoreboard on a regular basis which makes this choice a no-brainer. Seems to be playing with confidence and the scores have looked after themselves ever since.
Premium Plays
Andrew McGrath ($12,860) has been in scintillating fantasy form averaging 91.5 points as one of the Bombers prime movers off the half back flank. No reason to suggest a drop off is imminent after the hot start to 2024.
Bailey Dale ($12,810) is another run and gun player that most of his sides foray forwards are generated through. Similar to McGrath, a mature head they love getting the ball into the hands of to be creative in transition.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
Cheat Sheet
AFL Projections Data – Bulldogs vs Bombers - Downloadable File (.xlsx)
