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The Australian Football (AFL) season has resumed following a pause after just one game, and this weekend is Week 5. This article will feature plays from Friday night and Saturday morning’s DraftKings slate, which includes the four games that start throughout the night.
The action starts with the Sydney Swans (2-2) taking on the West Coast Eagles at 11:45 p.m. ET Friday night. Early on Saturday morning, the action continues with the Gold Coast Suns (3-1) taking on the Geelong Cats (2-2) at 2:35 a.m. ET. The final two games on this slate both get started at 5:40 a.m. ET. One features the only undefeated team in the AFL, the Port Adelaide Power, who are taking on the Brisbane Lions (3-1). The other 5:40 a.m. ET game will feature North Melbourne Kangaroos (2-2) taking on the Western Bulldogs (2-2)
After taking a look at the stats and the matchups, here are the targets that I think are set up for success on this four-game slate.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: AFL $40K Sticks [$10K to 1st]
Forwards
Stud
Brandon Parfitt ($6,800), GEE vs GCS - Parfitt has only played two games for the Cats this season, but he has already proven his fantasy usefulness as one of the top forwards. He has the flexibility to drop into a midfielder role as well if you want to go with another top forward, but you should definitely consider Parfitt for your lineup in one spot or the other. Most of his fantasy value has come from his huge tackling numbers. He had 10 tackles and 94 DKFP in his first game and followed that with nine tackles and 88 DKFP in his second contest. He also has averaged 16.5 disposals per game, making him a strong option to consider since he is averaging over 90 DKFP per game, even though he only has scored one goal. The Cats are one of the toughest home teams in the AFL, and Gold Coast has been a solid matchup for opposing midfielders.
Others to consider: Brad Ebert ($7,300), Jy Simpkin ($7,100)
Value
Charlie Dixon ($5,500), POR at BRI - Dixon had a massive game with six goals against the Eagles last week on his way to 105 DKFP. Dixon has long had the potential to be a star as a key forward for the Power but had failed to live up to the his hype due to an assortment of injuries. The 30-year-old’s emergence as a goal-scorer has been one of the chief reasons Port Adelaide is undefeated, and he’ll look to keep things rolling in a marquee matchup against Brisbane.
Others to consider: Sam Gray ($4,400), Steven Motlop ($4,400)
Midfielders
Stud
Josh P. Kennedy ($7,500), SYD at WCE - Kennedy has been very consistent in the middle for the Swans with at least 19 disposals in each of his four contests this season and a goal in each of his two most recent games as well. He produced 102 DKFP in a strong showing in Round 3 against North Melbourne and followed that with 95 DKFP even though his team struggled in a 39-67 loss to the Bulldogs. Kennedy has elite upside and is in a favorable matchup against the Eagles, who have allowed the fourth-most DKFP in the AFL to opposing midfielders this season.
Others to consider: Lachie Neale ($9,300), Luke Parker ($8,100)
Value
Quinton Narkle ($4,800), GEE vs. GCS - Narkle was left out of the lineup for Round 4 but will return to the unit as a replacement for Tom Atkins, who has been ruled out due to a rib injury. In his most recent game, Narkle played well with 18 disposals (seven kicks and 11 handballs) along with a pair of marks and four tackles. He finished with a solid 64 DKFP in that game and was even better with 78 DKFP in the season-opener before the hiatus. He has nice upside for a player under $5K and should be involved as he rejoins the lineup against Gold Coast.
Others to consider: Brandon Ellis ($5,900), Callum Ah Chee ($4,500)
Curious about when major leagues and events will return? Check out our DraftKings Sports Calendar for the latest updates.
Defenders
Stud
Dan Houston ($5,700), POR at BRI - Houston is a rising star in the Power defense and another key reason for their strong start to the season. The 23-year-old has been very good in his two most recent games, producing 79 and 82 DKFP. His stat lines were almost identical in the two games with around five marks and five tackles to go with 18 and 19 disposals. He and his mates will face a tough test on the road in Brisbane, but I think they’ll be up to the task, and even if not, Houston has the potential for good return on value.
Others to consider: Caleb Daniel ($6,200), Darcy Byrne-Jones ($6,000)
Value
Jeremy McGovern ($4,000), WCE vs. SYD - McGovern has missed the Eagles past two games with an ankle injury and a suspension due to striking Alex Sexton in Round 2 against Gold Coast. He is expected to return in Round 5 against the Swans and is a nice option at this price since he had 52 and 46 DKFP in his first two games this season. He’ll help fill in for his teammate Will Schofield, who is out serving a suspension for this matchup. McGovern has been one of the defenders on the All-Australian team in four straight seasons, so getting him at a bit of a discount is a situation to take advantage of.
Others to consider: Jake Kolodjashnij ($3,800), Charlie Ballard ($3,400)
Ruck
Stud
Jarrod Witts ($7,300), GCS at GEE - Witts is coming off a dominant game against 0-4 Fremantle in which he had 38 hit-outs along with eight kicks, four handballs and five marks for 94 DKFP. He gets another great matchup in this contest against Geelong, who has allowed the fourth-most DKFP to opposing ruckman in the AFL. Witts is one of the better young options at the position and his rise has helped Gold Coast win three straight since their return to action.
Value
Nic Naitanui ($5,300), WCE vs. SYD - Naitanui is in a good matchup against the Swans, who have lost their top two ruckman to injury after both Callum Sinclair (knee) and Sam Naismith (knee) suffered injuries in the past week. Naitanui has been very steady with over 50 DKFP in each of his three games since the restart, and the time off and abbreviated games seem to be alleviating the workload on his knees, which have been a source of issues for him in the past.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: AFL Showdown $40K Sticks [$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.