For years he’s dominated in the VFL, after a trade to Gold Coast he now finally will get his chance to show he belongs at the elite level.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Anthony Miles
Age: 26
Club: Gold Coast Suns
Position: Midfield
2018 Highest Score:
78 Vs Port Adelaide (AFLFantasy)
90 Vs Port Adelaide (SuperCoach)
2018 Average:
78 (AFLFantasy)
90 (SuperCoach)
SuperCoach Price: $342,000
AFLFantasy Price: $425,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $390,500
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
During the AFL Trade period, Anthony Miles made his way to his third club after previously spending five seasons at Richmond and two years at GWS. During the trade period, Miles made it clear that the primary reason for his departure from the Tigers was to play more consistent AFL footy. Something that he had done over his first three seasons at the club but in the past two years others at Tigerland had passed him by limiting him to just 6 AFL games in the past two seasons.
Between 2014-2016 Miles was a central piece to the Tigers midfield unit averaging 89, 87 and 86 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam. During those seasons he showcased a fantasy ceiling with eighteen scores over one hundred including many over 110. In SuperCoach his fantasy output was even stronger with season-long averages of 99, 97 & 89. While these numbers are from several years ago it demonstrates that when given a chance to play at the elite level consistently he can score incredibly well and given that he’s priced at someone with an average in the range of someone in the mid 60’s he presents a minimum value of a 20 points per game increase.
Last year he got just the one AFL game and scored 78 in AFLFantasy and 90 in SuperCoach. For him to slide into the midfield unit so quickly in a Richmond side that has famously been delivering low fantasy footy numbers gives us further confidence of what he can do at his new team. In the VFL last year, Miles averaged 29 disposals, four marks, four tackles & 5 inside ’50s. By the end of the year, he was jointly awarded the VFL’s best and fairest player along with Michael Gibbons and also won his second straight Guinane Medal as Richmond’s reserves best and fairest.
It was the critical talls in May and Lynch that were the most prominent departures from Gold Coast during the trade period but another area the side have been lacking in winning the centre clearances. Last year the Suns ranked last averaging 11.3 centre clearances a game and over one hundred less than Melbourne who was rated #1 in the league. Miles walks straight into the Gold Coast midfield unit and will instantly provide support to Touk Miller and David Swallow and improve this area of the side drastically.
MY TAKE
Every season fantasy coaches have multiple stepping stone options across all lines, and 2019 is no different. Already in the 50 Most Relevant from the midfield we’ve discussed players like Tom Liberatore. Miles like Libba is someone who offers plenty of value and has the potential to score like a premium over a substantial period, the dilemma facing coaches is which player/s is right for you.
At his price, he doesn’t need to be someone you keep for the year, but rather is someone that can generate income and score actively for you and then upgraded to a fallen premium as soon as desired or at the bye round. For me, the logic you use to consider one midprice option needs to be used for all these players and given what Miles can do historically and what he’ll be required to do at his new side means if your looking for a stepping stone midfielder he must be considered.
While he may not have the same level of the ‘proven’ 100 averages over the years at AFL level as others around his price point do, he does come into the year with no injury history, fitness concerns or role queries as the others do.
Everything needs to be considered when selecting these stepping stones and factors such as a players bye round can be crucial. The added benefit of choosing Anthony Miles is that his bye round is the final (round 14) of the multi-bye rounds means you can safely utilise him through the first 2 MBR’s. At round 14 then upgrade him to a midfield premium coming off the bye such as a Lachie Neale, Angus Brayshaw, Adam Treloar or Elliott Yeo all of whom we’ve spoken about in the 50 Most Relevant as potential top 10 averaging midfielders.
I have Miles starting in my SuperCoach & AFLFantasy sides as I think he offers way too much value to pass on and should safely average between 85-95 across all formats.
DRAFT DECISIONS
He offers plenty of upside but depending on the quality and knowledge of the coaches in your league that will determine how late you can let him slide into your draft. For me if you landed him at M6 that would be perfect, although to secure him you may need to jump a little earlier. Somewhere between rounds 12-15 I’d be happy to select him.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Do you believe he is fantasy relevant?
Will you be starting with him?
Have your say at our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
WANT EARLY ACCESS?
Want access 24 hours early to the 50 Most Relevant podcasts? Join our Patreon and get ahead of the Crowd!
Become a Patron!NEXT UP…
Tune into our Facebook page at 9pmEDST for a clue
