The Australian Football (AFL) season has resumed following a pause after just one game, and this weekend is Round 7. This article will take a look at the three matches lined up from Friday night into Saturday morning on DraftKings’ main slate.
The first game starts at 11:45 p.m. ET late on Friday night as the Brisbane Lions (4-2) visit the GWS Giants (3-3). The next game starts at 2:35 a.m. ET early Saturday morning and features the Gold Coast Suns (3-3) taking on the Sydney Swans (2-4). The final matchup showcases the reigning AFL Premiers, the Richmond Tigers (3-2-1), who are hosting the North Melbourne Kangaroos (2-4).
After taking a look at the stats and matchups, here are the targets that I think are set up for success on this three-game slate.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: AFL $35K Saw Tooth [$10K to 1st]
Forwards
Stud
Hugh Greenwood ($6,800), GCS at SYD - Greenwood leads the AFL in tackles by a comfortable margin with 50 in his first six games. After attending the University of New Mexico and pursuing a basketball career for a while, the Tasmania-native enjoyed four successful seasons with Adelaide before requesting and receiving a trade to Gold Coast this season. He put up an impressive 103 DKFP in last week’s match against Melbourne with 12 tackles, nine handballs and nine kicks to go with a behind and four marks. He has at least 68 DKFP in four of his six games and offers a high ceiling against the Swans.
Others to consider: Toby Greene ($6,700), Tom Papley ($5,700)
Value
Cam Rayner ($4,800), BRI at GWS - Rayner had his first multi-goal game since the restart last week against Geelong on his way to an impressive 77 DKFP. He added a season-high six marks to go with five tackles and 12 disposals (eight kicks, four handballs). He has been consistently involved with at least 47 DKFP in all but one of his matches this season, making him a fairly safe play against the Giants with the upside he showed last week.
Izak Rankine ($3,700), GCS at SYD - Rankine made his AFL debut last week and earned an AFL Rising Star nomination. There is one of those nominations handed out each week to a standout performer who is under 21 years old and has played under 10 games before the season. Rankine was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft but missed last season due to injury. The 20-year-old didn’t disappoint with three goals, three behinds, three tackles and 12 disposals on his way to 65 DKFP. With Matthew Rowell (shoulder) sidelined, Rankine should stay very involved and get another chance to impress against the Swans.
Others to consider: Charlie Cameron ($4,400), Jason Castagna ($4,000)
Midfielders
Stud
Jy Simpkin ($7,300), NOR at RIC - Simpkin has 88 DKFP or more in four of his past five contests as a key contributor for North Melbourne. The 22-year-old chips in a goal or behind from time-to-time but gets most of his fantasy production from his disposals. He has been very consistent with 23-to-26 disposals in every game since the restart and has a high floor and a high ceiling against Richmond.
Others to consider: Lachie Neale ($9,500), Touk Miller ($7,100), Dayne Zorko ($6,300)
Value
Kamdyn McIntosh ($4,800), RIC vs. NOR - With Richmond missing some important pieces in the midfield, McIntosh has stepped up lately and seems to be earning more time. He had 24 disposals (14 kicks, 10 handballs) last week against the Swans, adding five tackles and two marks to total 82 DKFP. He’s mostly a defensive midfielder, so there isn’t a ton of offensive upside. However, he can be a very solid distributor for a good team in a favorable matchup, so he’s a solid sub-$5K value to consider.
Dylan Stephens ($3,900), SYD vs. GCS - Like Rankine, Stephens had a very successful AFL debut last week. He helped the Swans with 10 kicks, a handball, a behind, five marks and four tackles from his spot in the midfield for an impressive 65 DKFP. Stephens was the No. 5 overall pick in the National Draft in 2019 and looks ready to contribute meaningful minutes for the Swans, who need as much help as thy can get after sinking to 17th on the 18-team AFL Ladder.
Others to consider: Jack Graham ($5,500), James Rowbottom ($4,500)
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Defenders
Stud
Callum Mills ($6,600), SYD vs. GCS - With the Swans beat up and struggling, their defense has had to step up and carry more of the workload. Mills rose to the occasion last week against Richmond with a season-high 125 DKFP on 23 kicks, six handballs, nine marks, four tackles and even a behind. Mills normally isn’t quite this involved but has been solid all season with over 70 DKFP in four of his five games since the restart. He gets most of his work from marks and tackles while also showing good distribution out of the back.
Others to consider: Nick Haynes ($7,100), Jasper Pittard ($5,300)
Value
Charlie Ballard ($3,500), GCS at SYD - The Suns are stacked with young, unproven talent and should be in a good spot against the Swans. Ballard is trying to show himself as part of that young corps. Ballard had a season-high 63 DKFP in last week’s matchup with Melbourne, highlighted by 13 kicks and seven marks. He has over 50 DKFP in three of his four games this season and will be a solid selection if he gets another start Saturday.
Others to consider: Robbie Tarrant ($4,800), Sam Collins ($3,900)
Ruck
Stud
Todd Goldstein ($8,500), NOR at RIC - Goldstein continued to be one of the top fantasy ruckman last week with a 108-DKFP performance against Essendon. He is averaging an impressive 34 hit-outs per match and added 19 disposals (13 kicks, six handballs) and a goal last week. He has scored a goal in three straight contests now and has over 90 DKFP in four of five games since the restart. Richmond will be without its normal starting ruckman with Toby Nankervis (ankle) still sidelined, so it should be a good matchup again for Goldstein.
Other to consider: Jarrod Witts ($6,700)
Value
Shane Mumford ($4,500), GWS vs. BRI - Mumford has started the past few games for the Giants at ruckman and can provide some salary relief on this slate if you can’t afford to pay all the way up for Goldstein. Mumford had 16 hit-outs, five disposals and five tackles for 45 DKFP against Port Adelaide last week and will look to continue his production while Sam Jacobs ($4,700) has been sidelined. Mumford doesn’t have the same offensive potential as Goldstein but has shown that he can be an affordable alternative even after his return from retirement.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: AFL Showdown $35K Saw Tooth [$10K to 1st].
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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.