After rounds 3, 6, 9, 12 & 15 the drafting format of Ultimate Footy awards additional player positions to players that have had a role change in season. As always players are required to have played a minimum of 3 games to be eligible and to be playing the new position as their primary role in the side.
In total 10 players have gained an additional position, three players have gained back status, two gaining centre, one ruck addition while four have picked up forward status. Let’s look at who they are and the relevance to your draft sides and leagues.
Levi Casboult (CA – F) add B
Like Liam Jones a few seasons ago the Blues are attempting to revitalise the career of a key forward with a role down back. I’ll keep it pretty simple for you on this addition. Warranted from UF, but no way is he a relevant pick up for you.
Shaun Burgoyne (HW – C) add B
In his history as a Hawk (and Power) player he’s held every position possible except as a ruckman, Silk gains back status, and with three of his last five matches returning scores of 82 or above it’s worth picking him up, especially if you find yourself light on for a last on-field defender or reliable bench cover.
Liam Stocker (CA – C) add B
A very simple inclusion here for the team at UltimateFooty, ever since his debut in round seven against the Roos he’s been used both deep inside defense and also off the half back line for the Blues. A foot injury has ruled him out for the next month, but after he returns from injury if David Teague (the guy who now coaches Carlton) allows him in to play in the midfield as he did in under 18 level then maybe in the final few weeks of the year he could be worth the pick up. Keeper league coaches I still think if he’s sitting there, and depending on how many you retain on the list then he may just be worth the space on your list.
Jack Ziebell (NM – F) add C
After five weeks into the season, he’d had just one score over one hundred and was averaging 66. However, since round 6 he’s had five scoes over the ton and two of them 140 or above. These increased scores have come off the back of a role change and him playing almost exclusively midfield. The addition of centre status adds to squad versatility, which if your playing in the bye rounds could be very handy.
Jy Simpkin (NM – F) add C
Like his skipper we’ve seen some changes in the Roos midfield match ups over the past 3-4 weeks. One of those has been seeing Jy getting some more midfield opportunities. Four of his last six games has returned scores of 77 or above. His real value is as a forward in drafts and depending on league and squads sizes could well be worth the pick up. However, like most centre additions this DPP gain is just squad versatility not increased relevance.
Noah Balta (RI – F) add R
He’s the Mr FixIt of the Tigers side this year playing roles up forward, down back and more recently in an increased ruck role since the injury to Tigers #1 ruck Toby Nankervis. While on first glance it may feel like an irrelevant gain it could be helpful in deep leagues that are playing two rucks on the field. To be fair, you wouldn’t wanna field him but a 40 is better than a 0 as bench cover.
Brett Deledio (GWS – C) add F
This is probably the biggest potential DPP inclusion for this batch. While on current scoring form he’s averaging a measly 71 in her past five and only two scores north of 80 all season it’s not all doom and gloom. While Lids as a fantasy footballer is a shadow of his Richmond years he’s still got the potential to be an on-field scoring forward that could jag you some helpful 90+ scores if his body holds up. Certainly worth a waiver wire selection if he’s in the draft pool.
Zak Butters (PA – C) add F
This is a long overdue inclusion but it’s the right call from UltimateFooty to award this. A seasonal average of 60 certainly isn’t setting the world on fire but for deep leagues and especially keeper and dynasty leagues this just further adds to his long term value.
Ed Richards (WB – B) add F
Six of his ten games this year have seen him score 45 or below really tells you where this second-year kid’s scoring is at. In time he’ll be a very good player and popular among drafters for seasons, but this year isn’t it. The move forward hasn’t given his scoring any boost.
Oskar Baker (ME – C) add F
After struggling to find the speed of his first game of AFL against the Eagles with a score of 31, his past three weeks of scores (72, 87 & 76) have been more than serviceable. The addition of forward status means for coaches he should be at least someone your aware off as a forward, that said he’s not someone I’d be using a waiver wire priority on.
