0
0
While North Melbourne missed out on the big free agency fish in Andrew Gaff you’ve got to give some credit to the list management team. They identified several key issues and targeted players who could add some speed, outside run and carry and some class finishing and the inclusion of Aaron Hall will certainly help in some of those areas.
It was in the final few months of 2015 were saw the fantasy footy emergence of Hall, prior to this point he’d be a handy half forward who added some goal sense but was largely fantasy irrelevant. However, a forced move into the midfield meant in his final 7 games of the year he averaged 112 in SuperCoach and 106 in AFLFantasy. The trend continued on in 2016 where from his 17 games he averaged 95 in SuperCoach and a fantastic 105 in AFLFantasy. 2017 was still solid all be it a small step backwards in scores with his 19 games returning a SuperCoach average of 92 and AFLFantasy 98. Last year the wheels fell off, a mixture of form, low defensive pressure and injury ruined his season leaving him to play just the 6 games and average in the 70’s across all formats.
When Aaron is at his best, he’s using his speed and dare to break open the game from stoppages and congestion and also being used as a link up runner. If he can get back to his best, and if he’s given the midfield opportunities then Hall presents potentially huge value on investment as he’s likely 20-35 points per game underpriced.
My big question mark isn’t so much on his fantasy scoring potential, but on what impact does his inclusion along with Polec and Tyson into the midfield have on the Roos midfield synergy? Multiple new and experienced faces coming into the same side and at the same time, we saw this play a big factor in Port Adelaide last year, and it will take time for this new midfield group to gel and find a rhythm. Does this impact Hall’s fantasy scoring? I’m not sure, but I will be watching the preseason closely.
