AFL

The AFL Super Saturday slate for Gather Round, Round 5 of the 2023 AFL Premiership Season, offers us a very fun three-game slate to play daily fantasy AFL. We kick things off at Adelaide Hills as North Melbourne attempt to keep their fairy tale start to the season going agains the Brisbane Lions. Next we move to the Adelaide Oval where a big matchup between two famous Victorian clubs will be held between Essendon and Melbourne. Then the night cap will see Port Adelaide hosting the Western Bulldogs in what should be a finals-like match.

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In addition to previews for each and every slate this season, Daily Fantasy Rankings will continue with our AFL Resources page. This section provides you all the data you need to build your best line-ups. It includes daily cheat sheets for Draftstars, Player Correlation tables, Player Out tables, Scores Against tables, Tagging information, statistical breakdowns and much more!

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North Melbourne vs Brisbane at ADELAIDE HILLS (BRI -27.5, Total 160.5)

Essendon vs Melbourne at ADELAIDE Oval (MEL -21.5, Total 157.5)

Port Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs at ADELAIDE Oval (PTA -13.5, Total 153.5)

Weather

Adelaide - Early rain, then a shower or two. 20 degrees.

Looks like we could be in for plenty of rain on this Saturday slate with all games being played in and around the Adelaide region. Keep an eye on forecast and conditions as lock approaches and I would consider leaning towards wet weather players if we see up to 15mm as predicted. That means, rucks, inside midifelders, players who love a tackle. Lay off the outside types.

Where to Attack?

AFL Data Tools

North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs and Essendon all look like potential teams to target for defenders on this slate. The rain could play the spoiler as half backs rely on outside uncontested possessions, but looking at playing the Lions defenders, or the Power defenders in the late game, could have a lot of fantasy scoring potential.

AFL Data Tools

It is no real surprise to see North Melbourne giving up the fourth most points to forwards this year. Obviously for one of the worst teams in the league, this is a trend that has continued on from last year when they won the spoon. I’d expect the fact they are giving up over 5 points above league average to continue to climb as the season goes on, and in this matchup Brisbane are over 27 point favourites. 

The Western Bulldogs continue to get carved up by forwards this season, particularly key forwards. Through three games they are giving up over 7 points per player above league average and if you isolate the top three scorers at the position forwards are scoring 88 points per game.

Game Script – Brisbane stacks – backs, midfielders and forwards

VALUE PLAYS

Darcy Tucker ($8,430) had a great start to his career in his first full game at North Melbourne last week posting a 79 point game. He will likely get limited opportunity sprinkled in through the inside midfield, but spends most of the time on the wing. Tucker has shown ability to score in the past as a midfielder and looks to be still under-priced for the role he will play this season.

MID-PRICED PLAYS

Scott Lycett ($10,570) should be a nice point of difference on this slate. He draws one of the best matchups in the league against Tim English who is once against giving up 104 points per game this season to the opposition's number one ruck (second most in the league), and given the rain I expect there to be plenty of opportunity for ruck contests in this matchup where Lycett should have the advantage. Now if you are not keen to roster Lycett, I understand. I mean, it is Scott Lycett. I would pivot to Brodie Grundy again who looks to be his old fantasy monster self again with Gawn still out with injury.

Jason Horne-Francis ($9,780) is getting plenty of opportunity through the midfield this season at Port Adelaide and has already shown 90+ point upside. I love him in this matchup as a contested ball winning mid in what should be wet and slippery conditions. 

Ollie Wines ($12,860) is in a similar role and reasoning as Horne-Francis. Wines has had the media heat put on him this week and has been playing well below his usual output. I think we see a huge bounce back game in this matchup. It is gather round, in his home town and the conditions should suit his game play. It is rare that we would get Wines at this price point and he has shown GPP winning upside in recent years.

Both Wines and Horne-Francis are lining up in a significant number of centre bounces for the Power this year.

PREMIUM PLAYS

Josh Dunkley ($15,630) is another midfielder who should excel in the wet conditions. He has not carried on his fantasy scoring output that he had at the Western Bulldogs last season so we get him at a price point under $16k. This matchup should be an elite spot for him to return to form against North Melbourne and if the rain comes all the better.

Suggested Draftstars Lineup

Draftstars

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