Every season after I conclude the 50 Most Relevant, we love to look back at some of the unlucky players to miss the countdown. Here are 10 Players Who Missed The 50 Most Relevant
Embed from Getty ImagesSam Docherty
12 months ago, Sam Docherty was one of the hottest names across fantasy football. After 5 rounds, he was averaging 121 in SuperCoach an adjusted 117 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam. His remaining 11 games got nowhere near this level, but it’s a reminder of his high scoring capacity. Was that due to role? The Carlton game style? Or just a natural regression as his body fatigued under a full season of condensed footy? Perhaps it’s a combination of a few of those elements.
With Adam Saad’s addition and the injury returning Nic Newman, we could see less opposition attention and great freedom of role to allow the Blues co-captain to flourish once again for 2021. If the planets align, he’s a genuine top 3 candidate in our defensive line.
Andrew Gaff
He’s more an AFLFantasy & DreamTeam selection than SuperCoach, but Andrew Gaff is one of the safest premiums going round. He regularly plays 20+ games every season and in DT/AF has been averaging 110 consistently.
The knock on him is probably his lack of ceiling, making him not a reliable captain option. But with that said, Gaff will thrive in return to full length matches.
Embed from Getty ImagesTaylor Adams
Coming off a career high SuperCoach average of 109 and an adjusted equivalent of 114 in AFLFantasy, Taylor Adams is no scoring slouch. But we’ve known that for seasons. Back in 2017, he averaged 114 in AFLFantasy and 107 in SuperCoach. So even without the departure of Adam Treloar, ‘TayTay’ has shown he can score
The issue has always been around his ability to play 20+ games. If he can do that again, he’ll be back up towards the top scoring midfielders in 2021.
Jaidyn Stephenson
The highly talented junior fell out of favour at Collingwood last year. And when Jaidyn Stephenson had the opportunity to bail out, he took it and headed straight to Arden Street.
In Collingwood’s Grand Final season of 2019, he averaged 80 across the formats. Not bad for a player who was predominantly used inside forward 50.
At North, the club has been vocal about their desire to play him through the midfield. Generally, when we get a forward eligible option, who’s playing in the midfield, that often turns into a good thing.
Embed from Getty ImagesIsaac Cumming
Maybe it’s a story of 12 months too early for Isaac Cumming being a key part of our fantasy football sides. The GWS Giants defensive unit has undergone an offseason overhaul, with Heath Shaw, Aiden Corr and Zac Williams departing the club. This opens up plenty of opportunities for the talented youngster.
Given the genuine question marks around cash cows, spending up that bit extra for his likely job security isn’t the worst idea if he shows scoring promise in the AAMI community series.
Become a Patron!Will Phillips
In a season where rookie security is looking even thinner than ever, North Melbourne’s Will Phillips might be worth paying the cash for. In 2019, Phillips averaged 22.1 disposals across his 10 NAB League matches and showed his class in the contest. Don’t expect Matt Rowell or Sam Walsh style fantasy scores, but he should be handy regardless.
Stephen Coniglio
Like Sam Docherty listed higher, Stephen Coniglio was one of the most popular starting squad options for 2020. However, he delivered a poor season by his lofty standards, including seeing the club drop him.
History suggests that ‘Cogs’ is a regular 105-110 midfielder across all the formats. And as the skipper for the club for his second season, he’s no doubt striving to get himself and his Giants back into the league’s top echelon.
Sometimes our recency bias makes us not consider the obvious jet standing right in front of us. Perhaps ‘Cogs’ will be the one that got away from fantasy coaches in 2021 who were too proud to consider him.
Embed from Getty ImagesToby Nankervis
The injury news of Rowan Marshall and Braydon Preuss has left fantasy coaches scrambling for a second ruck. For those not able to afford a ‘set and forget’ strategy, then ‘Nank’ is one of the better options.
The knee injury to Ivan Soldo means the Tigers will likely stay him as a sole ruck for the season, with various talls playing a supporting role. In 2017 & 2018, when the Tigers adopted this strategy, Toby averaged 86 & 89 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 88 & 98 in SuperCoach.
Last year in the semi, preliminary and Grand Final, he had a three game average of 134 in SuperCoach and 79 (98 adjusted) in AFLFantasy. If he starts the season like that, it’ll be an inspired selection.
In the opening three games of the year, the Tigers play Carlton (Pittonet /De Koning), Hawthorn (Ceglar/McEvoy) and Sydney (Sinclair/Hickey). It’s hardly a daunting three weeks.
Nakia Cockatoo
Pretty simple. He’s cheap, he’s got DPP and is currently injury free. If he’s named round one, he’ll be the most popular rookie priced player in starting squads.
Embed from Getty ImagesJordan De Goey
The departure of Adam Treloar has opened up some midfield minutes in the Collingwood side. Jordan De Goey has shown that when he’s allowed to attend centre bounces and play through the midfield that he’s one of the most explosive and dominant options in the game. A lack of endurance and also Collingwood’s need for goals have kept him often playing forward
All track watchers have spoken about his dominant preseason, and the club has spoken publicly about giving him a greater midfield presence. If he can get over his slight preseason injury setback, then he could be 2021’s version of Christian Petracca.
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