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The Australian Football (AFL) season has resumed following a pause after just one game. This article will feature plays from Thursday morning’s DraftKings Showdown slate between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues, which is set to begin at 5:40 a.m. ET. The game was moved from Saturday to Thursday and also relocated to Marvel Stadium, which is owned by the AFL and is typically the home field for both these clubs. It had been originally scheduled for MCG, which would have given the Blues a little more of an advantage. Both teams come into this match 2-2 in their four games.
The AFL is new to all of us at DraftKings, so it’s important to do you research. Make sure you check out the info page below in order to better understand the rules and scoring and how it translates to fantasy.
After sifting through the stats, here are the targets that standout to me in this matchup.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: AFL Showdown $50K Sticks [$10K to 1st] (CAR vs STK)
For more on the rules and fantasy scoring setting for your lineups, visit the DraftKings AFL Information page.
Forwards
Stud
Dan Butler ($6,000) - Butler has multiple goals in three of his four games this season and has posted 80-plus DKFP in each of those contests. He also had a solid 14 disposals (10 kicks, four handballs) in his most recent contest, showing he can provide good numbers in other categories besides just goals. The matchup is slightly better for the Saints than the Blues, so grabbing the 24-year-old who will be playing in his 50th AFL match at just $6K makes a lot of sense.
Other to consider: Jack Martin ($6,500)
Value
Levi Casboult ($5,200) - Casboult is similar to Butler in that he collects points from his other work in addition to his scoring potential. He had 14 disposals (12 kicks, two handballs) to go with three goals in his most recent match for an impressive 94 DKFP. His past two contests have been excellent and he’ll look to hit that ceiling again. He is coming off a career-year in 2019 and looks ready to continue to be a key part of Carlton’s offense moving forward.
Others to consider: Tim Membrey ($4,900), Ben Long ($3,900)
Midfielders
Stud
Jack Steele ($8,200) - Midfielder is a key position both in the flow of play and from a fantasy perspective, and Steele is a one of the best the Saints have to offer. He had a season-high nine tackles in his most recent game against Richmond, moving him up to fifth in the league in that stat. He also added 21 disposals (10 kicks, 11 handballs) for 98 DKFP. He has over 80 DKFP in all three contests since the restart
Others to consider: Jack Billings ($8,000), Marc Murphy ($7,200)
Value
Will Setterfield ($4,700) - Setterfield had a good game after the restart with 63 DKFP against Melbourne but struggled against Geelong, producing only 24 DKFP in his next contest. He bounced back in a big way, though, against Essendon with 64 DKFP on 18 disposals (10 kicks, eight handballs), three marks and two tackles. He has excellent upside if he stays that involved for the Blues, who will have a little different look with Zac Fisher ($4,100; ankle) available for the first time since the restart.
Others to consider: Ed Curnow ($6,600), Dan Hanneberry ($5,200
Curious about when major leagues and events will return? Check out our DraftKings Sports Calendar for the latest updates.
Defenders
Stud
Sam Docherty ($9,300) - Docherty is over $3K more than any other defender in this matchup, and it’s easy to see why when you check out his game log. He had his best performance of the season in a tough matchup against Essendon his last time out. He ended up with a massive 32 disposals and eight marks for 110 DKFP. The Blues’ co-captain has put up at least 95 DKFP in three of his four games this season and is one of the top defenders in the whole AFL. He’s a big spend, but if you can make his salary work, he could definitely return value since he will likely be one of the top fantasy point producers in this matchup.
Other to consider: Hunter Clark ($6,000)
Value
Josh Battle ($5,100) - Battle moved from a key forward to a key defender last season and quickly became one of the Saints’ best producers at the position and even earned a Rising Star nomination. Battle posted 66 DKFP in his first appearance of this season with 16 disposals and six marks, in a very strong showing that helped the Saints knock off the reigning Premiers, Richmond earlier this week. He is a very versatile piece for the Saints and could actually see time at both ends of the field depending on how the game plays out.
Other to consider: Jake Carlisle ($4,400), Callum Wilkie ($4,000), Jarryn Geary ($2,900)
Ruck
Stud
Rowan Marshall ($7,700) - Rowan had a season-high 89 DKFP against Richmond, highlighted by 25 hit-outs and a pair of goals along with 15 disposals. He will be in a tough matchup against the Blues but is still worth paying up for if you have the salary available.
Value
Marc Pittonet ($6,800) - The matchup is a better one on paper for Pittonet, who has been very good in all three games since the restart. His best performance featured 36 hit-outs against Geelong, but he can also contribute in other areas with at least two tackles and double-digit disposals in each of the three games he has played since the restart. “Mr. Worldwide”, as he’s known since his name sounds like the artist Pitbull, is actually my favored play at Ruck, especially since he comes a little bit cheaper than Marshall.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: AFL Showdown $50K Sticks [$10K to 1st] (CAR vs STK).
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.