AFL Round 24’s feature matchup this Thursday night is a good old fashion dead rubber. Essendon, the fifteenth placed team, will host old rivals Carlton, the 12th placed team. No chance of finals, only pride on the line and the motivation to not get any serious injuries. Expect bruise free footy, but love that for high scoring fantasy games.
As always this is all about the daily fantasy and this Thursday night game 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+ Bombers vs Blues
AFL $5,000+ Bombers vs Blues High Roller ($150 Entry)
AFL $3,000+ Bombers vs Blues Mini ($2 Entry)
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AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round 24 Essendon vs Carlton
AFL Fantasy Round 24 Essendon vs Carlton: Where to Attack?
Ok, targeting the Bombers is about as good as it gets in the AFL right now. Across all positions they are sitting in the top range for points conceded over the past 10 games. Starting with the middle, Essendon are giving up the third most points in the league at over 7 points per game above league average. Then we move to key forwards where they are giving up over 5 points per game above league average (also the third most in the league). To make the forward positions more attracting the Blues are just under 24 point favourites in this matchup. The absolute cherry on the sundae for this matchup is the backline where the Bombers are giving up the second most points in the league to designated kickers and the most in the league to general defenders. Can you say full blown Blues stack?
On the flip side, Carlton are giving up 5 points per game above league average to key forwards and above league average to all back positions including wings and attacking half backs.
Game Script – Carlton forwards, midfielders and backs
AFL Fantasy Round 24 Essendon vs Carlton: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Isaac Kako ($6,850) has yet to really pay off in the last two games but he continues to see opportunity in the Bombers midfield. He has attended over 70% of the centre bounces over the last two games. Anytime a player is in that role at the near minimum he stands out as a play for me on a single game slate.
Hudson O’Keefe ($6,000) makes for an interesting play on this single game slate given he is valued a the minimum price point and will have two clear advantaged roles. Firstly playing as a key forward against the Bombers should provide ample scoring opportunity and the Bombers have been giving up the third most points in the league to talls in this position. Then, while chopping out in the ruck he will have another solid matchup. O’Keefe has been attending over 20% of the Blues ruck contests and the Bombers are giving up the fifth most points in the league to rucks this season.
AFL Fantasy Round 24 Essendon vs Carlton: Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Harry McKay ($12,340) is the obvious starting point for Blues forward stacks. Without Curnow in the lineup he becomes the clear number one target and has been in solid form as the season has started to wind down averaging over 95 points per game from his last three contests including a 122 point game last week against Port Adelaide.
AFL Fantasy Round 24 Essendon vs Carlton: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Patrick Cripps ($14,700) should destroy this current Essendon makeshift midfield. They have no one in the lineup who will be able to match him for size and strength. He has been averaging over 105 points from his last three games and 97 from his last six outings.
Mason Redman ($13,580) should get plenty of opportunity in this matchup against as the Bombers are expected to be on the back foot all game. With the ball down that end, Redman will take the majority of the kick outs and the Bombers will likely over possess the ball in the backline. Last week Redman demonstrated his upside with a 143 point game against St Kilda, but has also consistently been above 90 points for four of his last five games.
Heres our Suggested Draftstars Lineup for Essendon vs Carlton
Weather Report for Thursday 21st August
19 degrees and sunny… perfect football weather.
AFL Betting Markets Round 24 Thursday
Essendon ($3.82) vs Carlton ($1.27)
Points: 166.5
Line: Carlton -23.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Previews and Betting Tips for each match. Our experts break down each individual game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
