50 Most Relevant Archives - Page 25 of 32

#28 Most Relevant | Toby Greene

Read Time:5 Minute, 39 Second

Toby Greene ended the season as one of the must-have forwards. Entering into 2020 with limited forward premiums can we afford to pass on him?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Toby Greene
Age: 26
Club: GWS Giants
Position: Midfield/Forward

2019 Highest Score:
146 Vs Sydney (AFLFantasy)
138 Vs Richmond (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
98.4 (AFLFantasy)
93.9 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $510,100
AFLFantasy Price: $730,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $711,600

Embed from Getty Images

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

It was a rollercoaster season for those owned Toby Greene in 2019. It started poorly after playing just one game he missed the following five matches with an injury. It wasn’t until round six that he was seen again. Thankfully the longer the season went, the better he got.

Primarily the reason coaches entered into the season with Toby was due to an injury impacted season in 2018 provided immense value on what he’d done over the previous few years.

In 2017 he played 16 of a possible 22 games and that year in AFLFantasy he averaged 91.4. That season he scored 100 or more in just four matches and didn’t drop his scores below 72 all year. While in SuperCoach he averaged 96.1, registered 5 tons, one of which was a 127 and had a season lowest score of 70.

Please make sure you note how strong that average is off such a small number of hundreds, this illustrates to us that although he may not have a consistently high ceiling, his scoring basement will rarely cost you a matchup.

The year prior (2016) was just as strong from a fantasy footy perspective but significantly better regarding games played as he missed just the one game for the season. That year in SuperCoach he managed 10 tons, 3 of which were over 120 and a seasonal average of 90.4. For AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he posted 8 tons and an average of 92.7

Back to 2019, in addition to an injury-interrupted start, he also was struggling to hit his points-scoring consistency. In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he was averaging 80 in first ten games of the year with just 2 tons. For SuperCoach he was averaging 77 with two scores over 100 also.

Round 17 at the MCG, the Giants injury crisis hit its peak. Already Callan Ward, Josh Kelly and tagger Matt deBoer were all out. However, it was also the infamous match the Stephen Coniglio injured his knee and scored a giant donut for coaches. These injuries forced the coaches hands, and Toby was thrown into the midfield.

Over the final six weeks, he scored: 144, 115, 126, 146 142 & 99 at an average of. 128. For SuperCoach he scored; 138, 112, 107, 134, 122 & 115 at an average of 121. That’s an increase avg of 48 points per game in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 44 in SuperCoach.

With the departure of a plethora of forward premiums this year Greene is now our second highest-ranked by averages available in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and sixth for SuperCoach.

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MY TAKE

Toby Greene doesn’t have a consistent history of playing every game. He misses alot of games, either through injury or suspension. Just this year he missed six games through injury and one with suspension Only twice in his eight seasons has he played 20 games or more.

If the history of missing games is the major obstacle to you selecting him then as such, I believe Toby Greene is someone you either have in your starting squads or not at all someone you look like an upgrade target. Even if he flies out of the gate averaging 95+ over the first eight weeks, the reason you chose not to start him will remain the same.

That being the likelihood of missing games has not changed even if he’s scoring ‘over’ your expectation. The longer he goes without missing games, based on history, the higher the likelihood of him missing games will increase. Yes, history isn’t always a matter of fact repeating, we’ve spoken at length this preseason about players that have a lousy history shouldn’t deter you from selecting them, but rather that you can choose them but do so knowing the possible risk associated.

A common theme across this seasons 50 Most Relevant is the discussion around how GWS structure that midfield. Already we’ve highlighted Callan Ward, Zac Williams and Tim Taranto this year, and each has that question. For Toby, does he retain that full-time midfield role with the injured stars returning? Unlikely, but given how strong he was through the midfield last year he should still keep a few rotations per quarter.

Many coaches will be starting Lachie Whitfield and Dustin Martin as their first two premium forwards. One thing I’m keen to observe in the preseason is with the value in the forwards and the lack of a clear third-best choice. Will coaches start three premium forwards? Some coaches may hesitate to start that structure for fear of running too heavy in the forwards and missing out in other lines.

One thing is for sure, is if Toby Greene is fit, he has a strong history to suggest he’ll do enough to put himself in the conversation of the top averaging forwards. The question is, will he play enough games to make it count?

DRAFT DECISION

It will be a fascinating year for how people approach drafting forwards this year? Given his rank based on last years averages, he’s going to be the lead forward (F1) for a coach. Once Lachie Whitfield and Dustin Martin are off the draft boards coaches will start to consider him. Some coaches might jump early and pick him in the third round. However, it’s more likely in the following two.

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#29 Most Relevant |Tim Taranto

Read Time:5 Minute, 22 Second

Tim Taranto had another breakout season in 2019. Has he got the ability to take it to the elite level this season?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Tim Taranto
Age:
Club: GWS Giants
Position: Midfield

2019 Highest Score:
156 Vs North Melbourne (AFLFantasy)
144 Vs Carlton (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
112.5 (AFLFantasy)
102.3 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $555,900
AFLFantasy Price: $835,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $813,600

Embed from Getty Images

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Tim Taranto was already devloping to be a superstar of the competition heading into 2019, coming off the back of an elite second year he averaged 91 in AFLFantasy for the season. It featured seven scores over the hundred marks including four over 110. While for SuperCoach he averaged 89 and posted 7 tons including three over 110.

The injury to season-long injury to Callan Ward forced him to step up into a mainstay in that midfield. And while Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly also failed to play every game, Taranto becomes the centrepiece of the midfield.

Averaging over 28 possessions a game he rates elite in the league for Tackles, clearances, contested possessions, uncontested possessions and inside ’50s. Not bad for someone who only ticked over 50 games during last year.

From an AFLFantasy/DreamTeam perspective last year he increased his averages by 22 points per game from his 2018 numbers. Finished as the fourth-highest total points scorer of the season behind Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar and Jackson Macrae. Of midfielders, only Jackson Macrae, Adam Treloar and teammate Josh Kelly had a higher seasonal average. From 22 games he had fifteen scores over 100, 7 of these were over 130 and

During the finals series, he scored 113, 66, 122 and 117. In addition to his frequency of hundreds and high ceiling, he had only five scores below 93 all year, nothing below 75.

In SuperCoach he increased his average by 14 points per game from his 2018 average. Taranto finished as the 22nd best points scorer of the season and an average 102 He scored a 100 in 59% of matches (13), and four of these were captaincy good numbers of 130 or higher. In the AFL Finals series, he further enhanced his reputation with SuperCoach scores of 124, 68, 109 and a massive 143 on Grand Final day.

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MY TAKE

Beyond winning the premiership, everything went right for Tim Taranto last year. While as fantasy coaches we would never wish injuries on anybody, it did force Leon Cameron to adjust his plans. Including in the moves, the need became to find a replacement for Callan Ward after suffering a season-ending knee injury.

What we don’t know, and it’s relevant heading into this season is what impact does the inclusion of his former skipper have on the sharing of fantasy points for Tim and the other midfielders? Would it have made any difference last year or not to his scoring? We can throw out hypothesis and scenarios, but the answer it short is we will never know.

The question marks around the points share of the GWS midfield will mean many will be scared to use him in their starting squads. The key will be to watch the roles, rotations and game style of the Giants during the preseason matches. Also, factor in who (if any) of the stars are missing from that midfield as it could skew your perspective of reality.

For AFLFantasy/DreamTeam scoring, while I hear the concern, I’m unconvinced that he will be impacted substantially. I see him as a perfect unique candidate. He’s coming off the back of 112 in his third season of AFL. Already in this format, he’s among the elite premiums. If his ownership is super low, I could be tempted to adjust my starting squad an include him.

Taranto finds himself in the positively rare position in that he will never get tagged from the opposition. With Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly in the side you cannot choose to try and negate his influence om the contest and let those three roam free. Yet another positive for those keen on picking him.

In SuperCoach he will likely be an upgrade target with players like his new skipper Stephen Coniglio priced lower who will probably average higher in 2020.

Double T is one of my favourite players in the league and wouldn’t surprise me if for the third season in a row we saw a drastic point-scoring spike.

DRAFT DECISION

Ranked last year in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam by averages as a top-four midfielder it’s crazy to think that Tim Taranto might slide beyond the first round. If he replicates his 2019 form, he’ll be a top tier midfielder for the season. If I have a selection late in the first round, I’d be seriously considering him. Surely he’s off all draft boards by the time each coach has made a second selection.

In SuperCoach formats he’ll be selected later given his scoring wasn’t as prolific. That said he’ll start to fly off the draft boards in a similar time to Tim Kelly, Matt Crouch and potentially even a sliding Elliot Yeo. Ranked by average as the 25th midfielder coaches will start to consider him as their M2 if they go look to lock away another line early. Coaches might aim for him as an M3 for those who like drafting midfielders early. I expect between rounds 4-5 he starts appearing as a candidate to be selected.

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#30 Most Relevant | Lachie Neale

Read Time:5 Minute, 11 Second

Last year Lachie Neale was one of the top-scoring midfield premiums, will he do it again in 2020?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Lachie Neale
Age: 26
Club: Brisbane Lions
Position: Midfield

2019 Highest Score:
162 Vs Richmond (AFLFantasy)
190 Vs Richmond (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
104.7 (AFLFantasy)
121.2 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $658,500
AFLFantasy Price: $777,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $757,100

Embed from Getty Images

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

One of the most significant surprises at the end of the 2018 season was the trade of Lachie Neale. However, it proved a great success for him and the Brisbane Lions. He won All Australian honours and equal third in the Brownlow with 26 votes behind Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe.

In his debut season as a Lion he averaged 30 possesions, 16 of those were contested and went at 78% disposal efficiency. He ranked third for total disposals in the league and led the competition in contested possessions with over 15 a game. He was clearly in first place with him amassing 15 more than Clayton Oliver who was in second place. Neale also led the league for Clearances and had 21 more than Patrick Cripps who’s ranked second.

In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he finished the season with an average of 105 It featured 11 scores over 100 and five scores over 130. Playing 22 games ensured he finished 12th for total points and was 14th for all midfielders in terms of averages.

He was even stronger in SuperCoach. A career-high average of 121 featured 17 scores over 100. Of those seventeen tons, ten were over 120, and a massive seven over 140. Make no mistake about it, in this format of the game he’s a good captaincy option. Neale finished the season ranked fourth for total points scored and averages. He’s also the second-highest ranked midfielder behind Jackson Macrae who scored only 42 more points in 2019.

Neale also holds one of the best durability records of all midfield premiums. Having missed only two games in the previous six years coaches selecting him will be confident that he is consistent and low-risk selection.

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MY TAKE

Everything went right for Lachie Neale and his owners in 2019. However, in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam scoring formats, I still have my concerns that he can join the elite scorers and average 110. His average of 105 and five scores over 130 can use some mask an ugly part of his scoring. Between rounds 5-14 he posted just 3 tons and averaged 92.4. That’s a crucial nine-week stretch that probably cost owners a rankings charge.

The reason for his lower frequency of tons is in the way he builds his points. As a clearance and contested ballplayer, Neale is often the first touch player for his team. As such, it’s usually his elite hands that are the key to breaking open the game. However, handball happy players often aren’t the elite premiums midfielders. This isn’t a problem in SuperCoach given the awarding of points for scoring is weighted to a style of gameplay for him.

Is he still suspect to the tag? Last year, Lachie Neale started to show signs that tags don’t impact him as much. That said he still had his scores affected when he was tagged by Seb Ross (79) and Touk Miller (74 (DT/AF and 85 SC). Both of these games are passable basements when tagged. The only game that would be cause for concern happened in the Semi-Final loss to the Giants. Matt de Boer shut him down to score 58 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 47 in SuperCoach.

The positive for Neale is that Dayne Zorko is equally as likely to be the target of the opposition for the tag. Notable taggers that he could face early are Ben Jacobs in round 2, George Hewett in round six and Touk Miller in round 10.

He has the first week off of the multi bye. He shares the week off with premium midfielders in Zach Merrett, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff and Patrick Dangerfield.

Not many SuperCoach midfielders can average over 120 and play 22 games. Nat Fyfe, Josh Kelly and Patrick Cripps are all likely top 8 midfielders and can push the 120 average, but have a history of missing multiple games most seasons.

I like him in SuperCoach. I don’t forecast much of a scoring dip, as such owning a midfielder than can 120 and play 22 games are hard to pass on. I own him currently and will keep him there all year barring injury. In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, I’ll keep an eye on him as an upgrade target.

DRAFT DECISION

In SuperCoach formats of the draft, he’s a natural first-round selection, and you can build a case he’s one of the first midfielders off the board.
In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam scoring, I’m less bullish on him than others. I’d happily take him at M2 in the third round of a draft. However, I don’t rate his scoring as highly as others, so you’d likely miss him if you hoped to draft him there.

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#31 Most Relevant | Josh Dunkley

Read Time:5 Minute, 41 Second

Over the final few months of the season, not many midfielders could match the scoring of Josh Dunkley. Does he retain this midfield role in 2020?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Josh Dunkley
Age: 23
Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Midfield

2019 Highest Score:
189 Vs Melbourne (AFLFantasy)
202 Vs Melbourne (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
111 (AFLFantasy)
116.5 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $632,400
AFLFantasy Price: $824,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $803,100

Embed from Getty Images

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Winning a premiership in your first season is hard to top. However, from a personal perspective, it was Josh Dunkley’s most complete season so far. He averaged 28 possessions a game, 14 of these contested, seven score involvements and4 inside ’50s. Across the league, he was ranked 6th in the league for tackles, 11th for total disposals 19th in the league for contested possessions.

That was after a slow start. Over the opening six weeks of the season, Dunkley spent his time primarily as a forward.

From a fantasy footy perspective, he was averaging 77 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 85 in SuperCoach. Across all formats, he failed to raise the ton during this time. Thankfully it didn’t stay this way for the whole year. From round seven onwards he was released into the midfield and with stunning scoring results.

In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam DT over the final sixteen matches, he scores 14 tons, 9 of them were above 120, and 4 over 140 and an average of 123 after the move.

It was an even stronger return in SuperCoach. From the final 16 matches after the midfield move he posted 14 tons, eight were over 120 and four over 150. One of these was when Dunks joined the elite SuperCoach history with his score of 202. He had only two scores below 100, with his lowest 88. In terms of average, he went at 127 after the move.

Crazily he offers some growth on the starting price. Which is insane to think of when we talk about the player who is ranked 5th for total points in all formats

You can draw the line clearly that the Dogs were a better side once that midfield unit of Marcus Bontemopelli, Jack Macrae and Dukley was leading the charge. When Dunkley played forward, Bulldogs were two wins and four losses. However, once he moved into the midfield, they went ten wins and six losses.

When the Doggies won, he was dominant on the fantasy scoreboard too. In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he averaged 121.4 in wins as opposed to 98.7 in losses. A differential of 22.7. For SuperCoach he averaged 129.1 in victories and 101.3 in losses with a differential 27.8.

Josh Dunkley is far from a one-season scoring wonder. In 2018 he showed that when he’s allowed to play as a midfielder, he is one of the best fantasy scorers going around.

During the final nine games of 2018 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, he averaged 112 and scored seven tons, five of them were over 110, and his lowest score was 96. For SuperCoach he averaged 115 and scored seven tons, three of them were over 130, and his lowest score was 86.

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MY TAKE

As long as Marcus Bontemeppelli and Jack Macrae are in the side, he’s zero chance of receiving a tagger. That’s a positive that many premium midfielders don’t have in the modern game.

One of the things that helped the Dogs win them the premiership in 2016 was the versatility and flexibility of their players. The negative for fantasy coaches is when players are used in multiple roles unpredictably it can be challenging to have confidence in the selection of a player, especially if one of those secondary roles isn’t fantasy-friendly.

The most significant question mark surrounding Dunkley isn’t his scoring capacity but instead whether or not he’ll have the role that he so well played towards the conclusion of 2019.

Twelve months ago, when Dunks was in the fifty most relevant, he was coming off the back of a storming end of the year. Many believed he was a lock for that midfield role, however, as we know that didn’t eventuate the whole season. Now entering into 2020 it feels like deja vu. Despite him being a genuine candidate to be the top scorer in all formats, the question mark about his role is as real now as it was twelve months ago.

You could build a case that he’s a has more risk now in a selection than he did 12 months ago. As a forward last year, the chance of him not getting midfield time meant that when he got the 70-80 scores, it didn’t hurt as much. Besides, you were only paying for him at an avg in the early ’90s. Now, he’s a premium midfielder who’s starting over 110-115 average. A forward role early would cripple your starting squad scores.

He’s got plenty of competition for spots in our midfield. Across his multi bye round, it’s stacked with significant premiums. Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch, Rory Sloane, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto, Josh Kelly and Callan Ward.

There are risks involved in selecting him, and to be fair, almost every player has an element of risk. That being said, I’m confident in choosing Josh Dunkley in 2020. The Bulldogs looked phenomenal at the end of last season, and the tight midfield of Macrae, Bont and Dunkley was a core reason for the success.

It’s not very often you can argue a guy priced at over 110 is substantial value, but with this selection, you can. I believe Josh Dunkley will average over 120 in 2020. Because of that, I’m starting him.

DRAFT DECISION

He’s an M1 selection in all formats of the game and top 10 selection in drafts.

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#32 Most Relevant | Devon Smith

Read Time:4 Minute, 55 Second

He established himself as a premium forward in 2018. However, his 2019 was crushed with injuries. In 2020, is Devon Smith‘s value too good to pass up on?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Devon Smith
Age: 26
Club: Essendon Bombers
Position: Midfield/Forward

2019 Highest Score:
101 Vs Melbourne (AFLFantasy)
102 Vs Melbourne (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
79.4 (AFLFantasy)
68.7 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $335,800
AFLFantasy Price: $720,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $516,00

Embed from Getty Images

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

2019 was a difficult season for Devon Smith. The year started with an elbow injury in February at training the impacted his preseason. He managed to squeeze seven games in before he succumbed to his troubling knee and was required to miss the remainder of the season.

Even before the injury, the then highly owned MID/FWD wasn’t returning scores that owners were expecting. In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he had only one score over 100 and an additional two scores over 80 going at an average of 79. For SuperCoach just the one score over 100, this was also his only score over 80. He ended the season with a disappointing average of 69.

Smith was rotating through the midfield and half-forward similar to 2018, but his fantasy output mirrored a drop in all scoring lines. He dropped an average of four possessions a game, one mark and almost three tackles a game.

What fantasy footy coaches are excited about is that at his price point he’s massive value if he can return his 2018.

That season in SuperCoach he averaged 96.8 from 22 games. He scored eleven tons, four of them were over 120; also, he had four scores between 90-99. The scores were even stronger in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, He averaged 106, posted twelve scores over 100, six of those were over 120 including a 150. Additionally, in eight matches he scored between 90-99. That wasn’t a typo. Devon had only two scores drop below 90 all year.

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MY TAKE

A major discussion point for fantasy coaches around Devon will be about if 2018 an outlier? Both from scoring and injury perspective. As yet he’s been unable to play 22 games outside of that year. However, between 2014-2105, he missed only three games overall.

In terms of scoring potential, 2018 is far from a one-off. Between 2014 -2017 his seasonal averagers for AFLFantasy/DreamTeam are: 94, 86, 80 & 81. While for SuperCoach it was scores of 90, 87, 81 & 79.

In both DreamTeam or SuperCoach he’s priced well beneath these scores, currently ranked for averages just outside the top 50 forwards for averages in DreamTeam. In SuperCoach he doesn’t even make the top 100. If he can get near those scores, let alone his 2018 year, then he should prove an excellent selection.

As a starting squad option in AFLFantasy, he is a huge pass. Given he’s priced almost identically to Dustin Martin, I cannot see how you can start him. He presents no value, so you’re picking him to score near or identical at his 2018 season.

In AFLFantasy we have two trades to use or lose each week he is a genuine upgrade target if he shows he can return scoring near an average of 100.

What do you need to see in the preseason to select him? In a word, tackling. The thing that aided his best scoring season was an extremely high tackle count. That year he broke the record for tackles in a season at an average of 8.5 a game. Across the Marsh preseason games, the indicator that he’s near his scoring potential will be around his pressure acts. If these are present, that’ll give me the confidence I need to pick him.

Devon doesn’t need 30 disposals a game to score well. I’d prefer him not to. The perfect statistical game both he and fantasy would be looking for is 20-22 possessions, 3-4 marks, 1-2 goals and 6-7 tackles. If we got that, he’d provide a valuable role for the Bombers and turn in close to premium numbers as a forward.

In SuperCoach and DreamTeam at his price point, I find him near impossible to pass on. In AFLFantasy, he’s an upgrade target.

DRAFT DECISION

Devon Smith could be one of the steals of the draft. He has the potential in AFLFantasy/AFLDreamTeam drafts to score as good as players like Dustin Martin and Michael Walters. Given he’s ranked well outside the top 20 forwards on average he could slide in some leagues. I’d love to use my F3 selection on him, but in all honesty you’ll more likely need to use an F2 selection if your desperate to own him .

SuperCoach leagues he slides even further, but given the salary cap formats preseason hype he should go well before his average ranks him. I’d be laughing if I got him as an F4, and wouldn’t be shocked if he drffted that late.

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#33 Most Relevant| Tom Stewart

Read Time:4 Minute, 31 Second

He’s one of the most consistent and underrated premium defenders available. Is Tom Stewart the perfect point of difference for your starting squad?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Tom Stewart
Age: 26
Club: Geelong Cats
Position: Defender

2019 Highest Score:
124 Vs West Coast (AFLFantasy)
124 Vs GWS (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
95 (AFLFantasy)
98.1 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $533,200
AFLFantasy Price: $705,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $686,800

Embed from Getty Images

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

It’s incredible to think that four years ago Tom Stewart was roaming around for South Barown in the Geelong Football league. Since being drafted by the Cats, he’s become a vital member of the backline and played sixty-one of possible sixty-six home and away games

He’s arguably the modern-day prototype defender. He can play small or tall, intercept or lockdown and can rebound out of the cats defensive 50. Last year he ranked elite in the league for rebound 50’s uncontested marks and disposals.

In SuperCoach he finished the season with the second-most points behind Jake Lloyd. He had the seventh-highest averages (98.2) of all defenders and was scoring at an average of 1.2 points per minute. From his twenty-two games, he had eight scores of 100 or higher, three of these were 120 or above. Stewart does possess a ceiling, but it’s his consistently high basement that adds to appeal. Last season he dipped his scored below 80 in only three games, but never below 74. For a player than had such a high scoring season he also had crazy low ownership. In SuperCoach only 20% of coaches owned him.

For AFLFantasy/DreamTeam Tom Stewart also had a phenomenal season. For total points of defenders, he was ranked the fourth-best with only Jake Lloyd, Rory Laird and Jack Crisp scoring above him. While for averages he ranked sixth. Across the season he posted eight tons including three that were 110 or higher. His scoring consistency was also on display in this format with only two scores below 80 all season and a seasonal low of 73

His yearly scores were sensational, and he was a picture of consistency. He was the perfect value option to start the year, especially in SuperCoach. However, take a look at these pre and post-bye splits. He didn’t disappoint regardless of when you jumped on.

Tom Stewart is a strong premium candidate in 2020, and while coaches clamour for more prominent names or breakout options, he might slide under the radar again. He looms as a potential consistent point of difference in your starting squad.

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MY TAKE

One of the age-old debates among fantasy coaches is around what’s more relevant to you? Is it to have a player with the high scoring ceiling? Or someone who might not possess the frequent high score but is a picture of consistency? The simple answer is you need both in your side.

Tom Stewart does have a ceiling, but honestly, it’s not that frequent compared to other premium defenders. The attraction is that his scoring deviation is minimal and that he provides a relatively safe selection in our backlines. For what it’s worth, players like this often make better starting squad selections than upgrade targets.

Regardless of if you believe he’s an upgrade target or a player to commence the season with, he’s got an excellent multi bye round. In terms of premium defenders, only Shannon Hurn can lay genuine claims of being a premium apart from Stewart. Other breakout candidates who could become premiums from this round are Alex Witherden and fellow 50 most relevant inductee Dan Houston. All three all have some level of uncertainty about their scoring potential in 2020. Stewart has age on his side and has no role concerns. He’s arguably the best defender available from this multi bye.

Over the past two seasons, he’s been incredibly durable and missed only one game in previous two seasons. However, this preseason hasn’t entirely gone to plan

A slight cause for concern is that since returning from the Christmas break, he’s returned to the club in the rehab group. He’s suffering from a groin complaint and will slowly build his running base over the coming weeks. At this stage, he’s not expected to miss any of the preseason matches.

His ownership numbers last year were under 30% across all formats last season. Across the fantasy community, he’s got little to no preseason hype. Should he be fit, Stewart could be the perfect unique in your starting side.

DRAFT DECISION

He’ll be the first defender off the board for a coach in the draft. The question will be in what round does he go? If I haven’t got a defender and I’m entering into the fourth or fifth round, there is a good chance he’s still on the board.

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#34 Most Relevant | Izak Rankine

Read Time:4 Minute, 31 Second

He’s one of the most exciting prospects to ever come through the under 18’s in years. After an injury-interrupted debut season at the Suns Izak Rankine is ready to shine on the brightest stage.

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Izak Rankine
Age: 19
Club: Gold Coast Suns
Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $123,900
AFLFantasy Price: $170,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $160,900

Embed from Getty Images

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

It was a season of frustration for former top-three draft pick Izak Rankine. Last season he lit up the preseason but suffered a serious hamstring injury which saw him miss the start of the year. A setback in the injury delayed his return, until Round 13 where he made his NEAFL debut. Unfortunately, a hip complaint saw him miss games before returning to play the final few games of the season.

In those matches, he averaged eleven disposals, two marks, four tackles and three inside ’50s. Not bad for a guy who was given limited match minutes recovering from a horrible run of injuries.

If you have spent any time observing the under 18 talent over the past few years, you’d be aware of the rare skills of Izak Rankine. The matchwinner possesses the extraordinary abilities to make even the most accomplished elite defender look foolish. He has lighting quick acceleration, is incredibly agile, is composed with ball in hand and adds swarming pressure without it.

At the under 18 championships playing for South Australia across 2017-2018, he averaged 17 disposals, four marks, two tackles and a couple of goals per game. While in the SANFL during his draft year in 2018 from ten matches he averaged 14 disposals, four marks, two tackles, two inside 50’s an over a goal a game.

It’s relatively simple if Rankine is fit he’s playing for the Suns. And if he’s playing, he’s irresistible to pass in our starting squads.

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MY TAKE

The most important factor when it comes to our cash cows is job security. While we need scoring potential from them, unless they are playing and regulalrly, they will not generate the cash required. Izak Rankine provides arguably the best job security available to us of all basement price cash cows. Barring an injury interruption in the preseason, he’s a certainty to feature in the Suns round one side.

Twelve months ago he was already a popular starting squad selection, and that’s with him being priced as the third-highest cash cow. With him missing the season, he now finds himself priced as a basement priced cash cow. If you were keen twelve months ago, you have to be again in 2020.

In terms of role in the side, he will likely start as a forward with the occasional midfield minutes. It’s partly as he needs to improve his endurance to be able to play fulltime midfield. Additionally, he’s so damaging inside forward fifty and as the Suns look to increase their scoring a player of his calibre will only help.

Due to a forecasted primarily forward based role as such his scoring ceiling will be linked to his ability to hit the scoreboard. As such, we could see some significant weekly deviation in his scoring. The potential upside here is that even if he has low score one week, he’s likely to restart the cash generation within the next week or so with a stronger score. Also, with the Suns having the final week in the multi bye rounds he can be chosen to be one of the last forwards upgraded over the season.

Some might be turned off by selecting him due to his injury history from 2019, but at his price point and likely high ownership numbers, the risk is non-existent in going against picking him.

Unless a stronger four or five basement cows in the forward line present themselves with equal job security and more substantial scoring potential, I think the decision is simple. If Rankine is fit, he’s playing for the Suns. And if he’s playing, he’s irresistible to pass in our starting squads.

DRAFT DECISION

When it comes to keeper leagues, he’s a fantastic long term prospect. However, like any new talent, they are often valued at their potential to the current coach rather than what they have achieved. Therefore, you’ll likely be initially overpaying to get him in a trade from the current owner. In a seasonal league, he’s a late-round pick at best as is someone that I’d not want to have to play on the field.

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#35 Most Relevant | Bachar Houli

Read Time:4 Minute, 50 Second

2019 was a personal best season fantasy season from this now two-time premiership Tiger. Can he back it up again in 2020?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Bachar Houli
Age: 31
Club: Richmond Tigers
Position: Defender

2019 Highest Score:
144 Vs Essendon (AFLFantasy)
142 Vs Melbourne (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
103.2 (AFLFantasy)
105.2 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $571,600
AFLFantasy Price: $766,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $746,100

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WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

It was a sensational year for Bachar Houli which was capped off winning his second premiership. However, from a personal perspective, it was one of his most excellent seasons. He earned All Australian selection and career-best statistics. He averaged 28 possesions and six marks per game. Houli is rated elite in the league for rebound ’50s, uncontested marks and uncontested possessions.

From a fantasy perspective, it was also a year of personal bests. In AFLFantasy he ended the year ranked fifth for all defender for total points. Not bad for a guy who missed three matches. In terms of averages, he ranked third behind Lachie Whitfield and Jake Lloyd and averaged 103. In twelve occasions, he scored over the ton, with five of those being over 120.

His season was even stronger in SuperCoach. He finished the year as the eighth for overall points, remember that’s with missing three matches. For all defenders, he averaged fourth behind Lachie Whitfield, Jake Lloyd and one gamer wonder Trent McKenzie. His average of 105 for the year was a career-high of 105. It featured thirteen scores of 100 or more and of those hundreds five over 120. Houli finished the season in hot form with seven consecutive tons and an average of 115 in those final weeks.

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MY TAKE

In 2019 Houli’s favourite ground to play at was the MCG. Last year in SuperCoach he had just one game at the venue that he didn’t score 100 or more. For AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he had ten tons and the lowest score of 80. If your curious, for 2020 Houli has only three games before the bye (round three, five and eight) this year that he’s away from the G. Post-bye he has only five games total there.

With Alex Rance shock decision to retire it seems unlikely that the Tigers will mess with the core defensive six that got it done in 2019. Houli (among others) roles from last year should carry on again into this new season.

There are plenty of things to factor into deciding if Houli is the correct decision for your side. One of those is the variable around the bye round that he sits. As a round 13 multi bye round we have plenty of popular defensive premiums from this group of six sides. Possible candidates include Jake Lloyd, Sam Docherty, Luke Ryan as well as Connor Blakely and Jack Crisp who’ve both already been revealed in the 50 Most Relevant. How you rank Houli alongside these names might give you the answer to if he’s the right selection for you or not.

As the club returned from the Christmas break, Houli was seen doing laps away from the main group. According to the club, he’s on track to play the Marsh preseason matches.

Speaking of injuries, he hasn’t played a full season since 2015. That and the fact that it’s taken til being 31 years old for he produced a personal best season. These two factors combining might, for some turn you away from selecting him.

Here’s the thing. Given his early fixture and his injury history, Bachar Houli is a starting squad only option. Even if he flies out of the gate, the reasons for trading too him become contradictory to why you initially passed on him. Like others who have an injury history, while it can change if that ‘history’ is the reason you do not start, then it also becomes the reason you should not upgrade to him. The mindset being, even if posting good scores his ‘chance’ of injury increases with every match played. Therefore, with injury history and fixture, it’s a start of pass on him.

One final thing. When it comes to his injury history, don’t forget last year he ranked 5th overall points in AFLFantasy for defenders and 8th in SuperCoach and missed three games. Even if he does miss games early on, our starting squads is generally when we have more playing bench options than ever. So covering him, shouldn’t be a problem. If you believe he will score similar to last year, then it’s a hard player to pass on.

DRAFT DECISION

He’s a number one defender for someone in there team in all formats. The question will be, what round does he go. He’s unlikely to be selected inside the first twenty selections, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him off the board in some leagues as a late second-round pick. Equally, I wouldn’t be shocked if some were turned off by his age and injury history and let him slide down a few more rounds. Personally, if I see Houli available at my pick in the fourth round, it’ll be impossible for me not to select him.

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#36 Most Relevant | Marcus Bontempelli

Read Time:4 Minute, 48 Second

The Bont has been a fantasy footy favourite since breaking out in 2015. Last season he found another gear, can he go even better in 2020?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Marcus Bontempelli
Age: 24
Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Midfield

2019 Highest Score:
139 Vs Brisbane (AFLFantasy)
166 Vs Brisbane (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
104.6 (AFLFantasy)
114.7 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $623,000
AFLFantasy Price: $777,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $706,500

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WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Ever since breaking out in the 2015 season, Marcus Bontempelli has been featured in many of our sides.

Over the past four seasons, Bont has always been relevant but hasn’t been able to consistently score the big numbers that have forced him into our sides as a genuine topline premium.

Between 2015-2018 his AFLFantasy/DreamTeam averages offered minimal deviation. During those four seasons, he averaged 92, 98, 100 and 92. Similarly in SuperCoach, it’s an average of 102, 107, 105 & 104. If you look in-depth in these seasons, you’ll see that when he’s allowed to play predominantly as a midfielder, he’s capable of averaging over long stretches in AFLFantasy 110+ and 120+ in SuperCoach.

Historically, Bontempelli has been viewed more as a SuperCoach option than other formats. That has merits given his game style is rewarded more in that scoring style. However, last year he proved to be not just a healthy SuperCoach option but a reasonable premium option in all formats.

It was a personal best year from Marcus. He rated elite in the league for clearances, contested & uncontested possessions, disposals, inside ’50s and goal assists.

Last season in SuperCoach he ended the season ranked sixth overall for total points and tenth in terms of averages. Only Jackson Macrae, Josh Dunkley and Lachie Neale scored more points than him that are midfield eligible From 22 games he averaged 114, had thirteen scores of 100, nine of those tons were above 12, and an insane five went 140+.

Across AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he ranked thirteenth for overall points scored and averaged more than Patrick Cripps, Stephen Coniglio and Dayne Zorko. He averaged 114, had thirteen scores over 100, and six of those were above 120. Just like in SuperCoach, his AFLFantasy/DreamTeam ceiling is matched with his consistently strong scoring basement. Only twice all season did he scoring drop below 80.

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MY TAKE

One of the previous reasons for not starting him was due to the inconsistency of his role. Marcus was often required as a marking forward. Last year, this wasn’t as prevalent with the then continued development of Aaron Naughton, Josh Scache and even Sam Lloyd meant he wasn’t forced to play inside forward 50. It should be further enhanced in 2020 with the inclusion of Josh Bruce. In means, it should Bont have forward minutes it will be more about resting their star midfielder rather than needing an additional forward target.

In addition to a high scoring frequency of hundreds, healthy basement and ceiling is that he rarely misses a game. The durable midfielder has missed only three games in the previous four seasons. The reason for the miss of games was he got his appendix removed. History suggests that he’s a strong candidate to play every game in 2020.

The biggest concern over previous years, and even entering into the new season is around his role. Luke Beveridge has been known to love versatility in his players, and it can often see their roles change in-game as well as for weeks on end. Generally speaking, when the Bulldogs are winning they rarely make significant role changes. So if you’re bullish on the Dogs having a strong year, then potentially he’s a good fit for your side. In terms of new ‘additions’ to their core midfield group it’s only Libba that

The other variable coaches must consider is how you view him through the lenses of the different midfield premiums on his bye round. In round fourteen, we have plenty of popular options. Including Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto, Stephen Coniglio, Tom Mitchell, Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch and his teammates in Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley. That’s a list of some of the most popular and high scoring midfielders available to us in 2020.

One consideration to factor in is that with so many useful options from that multi bye round week, his ownership percentage could be very low come the first lockout. Should it be in the single figures, he might be the perfect point of difference for your side.

If you’re not starting him, he certainly needs to be a player that’s tracked as a potential upgrade target. It looks good for another year for the Bont and his owners.

DRAFT DECISION

If I was playing a SuperCoach format than Bont will be going in a draft as someones likely #1 midfielder. While he may not be a lock for the first round, I can’t see a world where he slides beyond the second.

In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he’ll be available a few rounds later as he’s more of an M2 selection. That would mean he’s likely to in most draft around the fourth round.

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#37 Most Relevant | Stephen Hill

Read Time:4 Minute, 39 Second

Injuries have been cruel to Stephen Hill in the past few seasons. Is 2020 the year the former #3 draft pick bounces back into fantasy relevance?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Stephen Hill
Age: 29
Club: Fremantle Dockers
Position: Defender/Forward

2019 Highest Score:
51 Vs Hawthorn (AFLFantasy)
53 Vs Hawthorn (SuperCoach)

2019 Average:
37.6 (AFLFantasy)
39 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $190,600
AFLFantasy Price: $428,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $245,100

Embed from Getty Images

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Safe to say it has been a difficult past few seasons for Stephen Hill. He suffered back-to-back calf and quad injuries. The talented wingman also sustained a minor hamstring strain just as a return to AFL was close. Sadly for Freo and Hill, he managed only three matches in 2019 after playing thirteen the year prior.

Like many players that have featured in the 50 Most Relevant, while injuries are not wished upon anybody, they do create potential value for money selections. And for SuperCoach and AFLDreamTeam especially, that’s certainly the case.

When a player misses alot of football, we the footy fan and fantasy coach can quickly forget about just how quality the player is. Stephen Hill, when fit is a sublimely talented player. He offers a rare combination of elite speed, classy ball user and an elite decision-maker.

Between 2014-2016 we saw the scoring potential of Hill. In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he averaged 84, 90 & 91. While for SuperCoach he averaged 96, 95 and 89.

The positive news for coaches is that he’s currently enjoying an injury-free preseason. Before going on Christmas break, he told reporters that he’s been getting through training well.

HIll said to the club website that “Throughout the pre-season, I’ve been doing a lot of sprint work and I feel like my running hasn’t changed too much. “I’ve still got my speed and my endurance, so I feel fine, and hopefully, I can bring that speed into games.”

This is the sort of news potential owners have wanted to see. Here’s hoping he keeps having an injury-free and robust preseason.

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MY TAKE

Stephen Hill offers us two things that most cash cows priced under $250,000 cannot. Firstly, he provides us with job security. Say what you wish about the need for the Dockers to blood youth, but that will not be at the extent of a Hill if he’s fit. He offers experience and a class in the midfield that is desperately crying out for it. If he’s healthy, even under a new coaching regime, he plays

Secondly, he offers us proven scoring potential. Often players under $250K are players that have played less than a handful of games and there scoring potential is predominantly unknown. It isn’t the case with Stephen Hill. He’s capable of averaging in the 80-90 range.

The beauty of him at his price is he doesn’t need to do that to be worth starting. AFLFantasy it’s a little higher and is priced awkwardly. AS such you’ll want to feel more confident in his scoring potential than in other formats.

Twelve months ago, one of the best cash cows we had was Connor Rozee. One of the things that made him so valuable was the flexibility of being able to select him in either your forward or defensive lines. While you don’t choose someone based on having FWD/DEF DPP it certainly adds a higher value to him.

The risk with selecting Hill isn’t about job security, or for the most part, scoring potential. Instead, it’s about whether his body will allow him enough games played to be a good cash cow for us. With Freo having the round thirteen week off, he can be held up till this point and then using his DPP move him onto a forward or defensive premium.

Honestly, a minimum of 6-8 games at the 60+ range will mean he’s more than done his job as a cash cow for DreamTeam and SuperCoach. Getting him until the bye round would be excellent, but you may not need him that long.

The reason for not picking Stephen Hill is relatively apparent. His durability of late has been weak. Just three games last year and has only played sixteen of a possible past forty-four matches available.

Hill is an injury risk, but so too are many players. At his price point, the risk is almost non-existent. Remember, he doesn’t need to score like a premium to make his selection worthwhile. You could build a case that it’s riskier to start Docherty than Hill.

In SuperCoach and DreamTeam if he’s fit, I find it very difficult to build a case not to start him. In those two formats, I have him in my side. AFLFantasy, at this stage, I’m more than likely to pass and look elsewhere.

DRAFT DECISION

A very, very, very late selection. And that’s at best. Maybe his DPP is enough to get you over the line if you need some versatility with your benches.

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