AFL Round 17’s Friday night offers us a unusual two game slate headlined by an absolute blockbuster at the MCG between the two biggest rivals in AFL history Carlton and Collingwood. Despite the giant gap between the two teams on the ladder, as always this will be hotly contested game as everyone will be up and about for the game. Then we head west for a clash between West Coast and GWS Giants at Optus Stadium, which may offer us less from an entertainment standpoint but more from a daily fantasy perspective.
As always this is all about the daily fantasy and this massive Friday night slate draws another massive $50,000 prize pool at Draftstars in their main contest. In addition, there are a variety of alternate contests:
AFL $50,000+ Friday at Draftstars
AFL $5,000+ Friday High Roller ($150 Entry) at Draftstars
AFL $3,000+ Friday Mini ($2 Entry) at Draftstars
AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round 17 – Friday Night
AFL Fantasy Round 17 – Friday Night – Where to Attack?
The first game is very challenging to breakdown for fantasy targets. Both Collingwood and Carlton are restricting opposition fantasy scoring this season. This is no real surprise for the Magpies given they are sitting on top of the ladder, and they therefore are giving up the second fewest points in the league to both key and general forward positions and below average points to inside midfielders. The only position on the ground the Magpies are giving up above average points to is general defenders and this is at less than 1 point above league average
Carlton give up above average points to inside midfielders this season at just over 1 point per game above league average, but interestingly are holding attacking defenders to the second lowest fantasy points in the league and this is typically not an area where the Magpies rack up scoring anyway.
The second game opens up more opportunities with West Coast currently sitting last on the ladder and giving up the most points in the league to key forwards and over 4 points per game above league average to inside midfielders (fourth highest in the league). The Giants on the other hand absolutely starve defenders across all roles giving up the least points in the league in total to this section of the ground.
Collingwood inside midfielders and forwards, Carlton backs
GWS Key forwards and defenders
AFL Fantasy Round 17 – Friday Night – Our Value Fantasy Picks
Clay Hall ($7,720) had somewhat of a breakout game last week against the best team in the league getting substantial minutes in his natural role as an inside midfielder. He paid off with a 79 point return a near minimum pricing. This week his price point has gone up but if he continues to see 40% centre bounce attendances he is still too cheap.
Aaron Cadman ($9,890) is completely set and ready to rip the league to shreds. This is an elite matchup for him with Hogan out of the lineup, meaning he will get all the opportunity and West coast being the worst defence in the AFL against key forwards. It was only two games ago he put up 122 points against the reigning premiers Brisbane so you can imagine what the ceiling might be in this contest.
Harry Rowston ($9,750) has been finally playing in the midfielder these last two weeks at over 60% of centre bounces and notched up back to back scores of 83 and 75. With that role continuing this should be a solid matchup at his price point.
AFL Fantasy Round 17 – Friday Night – Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Kieran Briggs ($11,780) return to the lineup against the best matchup in the league for rucks. West Coast are giving up a massive 11 points per game above the league average over the last 10 weeks and Briggs is priced nicely in the mid range here, and should easily touch the 100 point mark in this matchup.
Jamie Elliot ($10,820) should be able to take advantage of the Blues backline who despite their poor season, have been restricting forwards from a fantasy scoring perspective. Their key backs are the backbone here - I expect Elliot to take advantage of this as mid to small forward in what will likely be a big Magpies win going off recent Carlton form.
AFL Fantasy Round 17 – Friday Night – Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Finn Callaghan ($15,850) is priced nicely in this range for a premium mid and takes on one of the worst midfields in the competition on this slate. He has topped the 100 point mark in four of his last five games and has a season high of 121 points, which will be in play in this matchup.
Heres our Suggested Draftstars Lineup for AFL Fantasy Round 17 – Friday
Weather Report for Friday 4th July
Melbourne - 14 degrees and partly cloudy, no issues for fantasy.
Perth – 17 degrees and partly cloudy, perfect weather for footy!
AFL Betting Markets Round 17 Friday
Carlton ($4.45) vs Collingwood ($1.21)
Points: 160.5
Line: Collingwood -27.5
West Coast ($3.66) vs GWS Giants ($1.29)
Points: 165.5
Line: GWS Giants -22.5
