Essendon Football Club made a significant move in their 2022 draft by selecting Elijah Tsatas, a player highly regarded in his junior career. Tsatas, known for his attacking style in the midfield, has demonstrated an impressive ability to gather the ball both inside and outside the midfield. His speed and intelligence on the field made him one of the most coveted midfielders in his draft class.
Unfortunately, Tsatas faced a setback early in the season due to a knee injury that occurred in January and required surgery. This delay meant that his debut in the season was postponed, but once he returned, his performance in the VFL was nothing short of impressive. He averaged 25 disposals, 3.5 marks, and 4.2 tackles per game in his seven games at this level. His ability to consistently deliver multiple 30+ disposal games and achieve fantasy 100s, even while on managed game time, is a testament to his skills and adaptability.
These performances in the VFL were crucial, as they confirmed what was observed at the under-18 level – Tsatas’s capabilities were indeed translating well against more seasoned players. His transition from junior football to playing against men was seamless, indicating a promising future ahead in his AFL career.
Tsatas’s introduction to the AFL level came with four games, where his fantasy football scores were promising for a newcomer. In AFLFantasy, he averaged 64.2, with individual scores of 65, 86, 43, and 63. In SuperCoach, he averaged 55, scoring 41, 71, 53, and 49. While these numbers show room for growth, they are certainly encouraging for a player in his initial AFL outings given his lack of preseason and limited opportunities in the midfield.
A particular highlight of Tsatas’s season was his performance against the North Melbourne Kangaroos. In this game, his stat line was impressive: 22 possessions (7 contested, 15 uncontested), a disposal efficiency of 69%, 7 score involvements including a goal, 4 marks, 4 clearances, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, and 1 rebound 50. This game showcased Tsatas’s potential and ability to impact at the AFL level, indicating that he is a player to watch in the future.
The fantasy football landscape in 2024 calls for a strategic shift from the previous year’s trend of starting with 4-5 premium forwards. This season opens up the possibility of a different approach, where investing heavily in the top forward position may not be necessary. Instead, there’s a viable strategy to conserve salary cap space by not opting for players averaging over 90 in this position. This shift in strategy could be key to assembling a well-balanced and effective fantasy team.
Elijah Tsatas’ relevance in this context hinges on his potential role within the Essendon midfield. Last year, Essendon’s centre bounce attendances (CBA) were dominated by Darcy Parish at 81%, Zach Merrett at 74%, Will Setterfield at 62%, and Dylan Shiel at 46%. However, players like Jack Stringer, Ben Hobbs, Archie Perkins, Jye Caldwell, and Elijah Tsatas also participated in CBAs, indicating a dynamic and versatile midfield lineup.
To gauge Tsatas’ potential role in the upcoming season, preseason press conferences, practice matches, and early-season games will be crucial. These will provide valuable insights into the team’s midfield structure and how Tsatas fits into it. If Tsatas is involved in more than 40% of CBAs, his scoring potential could make him a significant asset for fantasy teams and our starting squad structures.
It’s important to note that Tsatas doesn’t need to score at a premium level in his second season to be valuable. His pricing is appealing: less than $50,000 more than Harley Reid in SuperCoach and just over $150K in AFLFantasy & DreamTeam. Given the current scarcity of reliable top-end forward premiums, Tsatas presents as excellent value and could be a strategic pick for the F3 or F4 slot in fantasy lineups.
While Tsatas seems like a solid option to consider, his midfield role and scoring of others in his price range during in the opening round will be the ultimate determinants of his necessity in your team. The success or failure of other mid-priced players in their respective opening rounds could also influence Tsatas’ ownership and viability as a fantasy option.
Elijah Tsatas should definitely be on the watchlist of fantasy football coaches. His role in Essendon’s midfield, pricing advantage, and potential scoring ability make him an intriguing option in the forward line, especially considering the current fantasy football landscape and strategy for the 2024 season.
Have you picked up on this theme in the 50 most relevant yet? Treat 2024 differently, including how you approach the year’s drafting strategies. It’s the early days of the preseason. Still, I’m leaning heavily towards attacking the middle-late parts of the draft with a bunch of potential high-end upside forwards who require an element or two to go their way before scoring enough to be fieldable.
I’ve got Elijah Tsatas in that range and will happily take him. It’s just a matter of time before he becomes a high-end draft scorer; we’ll wait and see whether it’s this year or not.
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Welcome back to our ’50 Most Relevant’ SuperCoach, AFLFantasy & DreamTeam Players Countdown series! We unveil the captivating fantasy potential of Jy Simpkin, the midfield maestro from the North Melbourne Kangaroos. Discover the hidden gems that could make Simpkin a fantasy sensation for you in 2024.
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
Jy Simpkin’s impact at North Melbourne extends far beyond his on-field performances. His deep commitment to the club is evident from his decision to extend his contract until 2029, showcasing a vision for the team’s future success and growth. Simpkin’s role transcends the boundaries of gameplay; he plays an integral part in nurturing young talent and offering guidance and leadership to emerging players.
His exceptional skill and leadership have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by multiple accolades, including his back-to-back wins of the prestigious Syd Barker Medal in 2021 and 2022 and a runner-up position in 2020. Simpkin’s contributions are pivotal in the midfield, highlighted by his high average in disposals per game and clearances, demonstrating his ability to control the ball in contested situations and his dominance in stoppages.
The 2023 season saw Simpkin play 18 games, a testament to his consistency and resilience despite facing a string of injuries. In AFL Fantasy, he averaged 75.7 points, reaching or exceeding 100 points in four instances. His SuperCoach average was slightly higher at 79.3, including three scores above 100. However, considering that his season was marred by three injury-affected games, including two concussions and a finger injury, is crucial. Excluding these games, his performance averages in both leagues show a notable increase: 88.4 in SuperCoach and 85.7 in AFL Fantasy, highlighting his potential and efficiency as a player.
Despite the setbacks due to injuries, Simpkin’s track record over the past seasons indicates a strong resilience, having missed only one match in the three previous seasons. His 2022 season further cements his status as a formidable player. In AFL Fantasy, he scored an impressive average of 95.5 points per game, including ten scores of 100 or more, and an exceptional average of 102.8 in the last ten games. Similarly, in SuperCoach, he averaged 85.5, with eight scores over 100 and an average of 97.7 in the last ten games.
His historical performance suggests he offers a significant return of around 25 points per game over the expected value for his price. This efficiency and reliability make him a valuable asset for fantasy football coaches looking to maximize value in their midfield selections this season.
One key focus for the upcoming preseason is understanding the roles and team structure at North Melbourne, particularly given the challenges faced in 2023. Alastair Clarkson, the senior coach, missed much of his first season, which calls for a careful assessment of the team’s strategies and player roles moving forward. This doesn’t negate last year’s performances but suggests a cautious approach to interpreting them due to Clarkson’s limited involvement.
A consensus exists within the fantasy community regarding Luke Davies-Uniacke’s prominence in North Melbourne’s midfield, closely followed by the talented George Wardlaw. Wardlaw is known for his unique blend of strength, clearance capability, and tackling pressure in contests. However, the midfield dynamics still need to be explored and open to speculation beyond these two.
The central question is who will occupy the third to fifth rotations in centre bounces. Will the 2020 draftees, Will Phillips and Tom Powell, be given more consistent opportunities, given their sporadic yet promising performances? Tarryn Thomas, known for his excitement and explosiveness, has yet to capitalize on his opportunities fully. Colby Mckercher, a likely popular cash cow, also questions whether the Roos will integrate him as an inside midfielder.
Often overlooked is Jy Simpkin, the club captain, who has consistently been a key player in the midfield. From 2020 to 2023, he has attended a significant percentage of North Melbourne’s centre bounces. Last year, only Davies-Uniacke attended more centre bounces than Simpkin among North Melbourne midfielders.
While there’s a possibility that North Melbourne might increase responsibilities for younger midfielders, leading to Simpkin potentially moving back to the half-forward line, there’s also a strong argument for relying on Simpkin’s experience in the midfield as the team continues to develop. This uncertainty intrigues fantasy football, as hypotheses are tested and validated only as the preseason progresses.
In fantasy football, Jy Simpkin’s historical average score range of 90-95 points certainly holds value. Still, it prompts a critical question: is this enough, especially considering he’s priced in the mid to high 70s? To capitalize on his selection, Simpkin ideally needs to hit the 100+ mark. However, achieving a mid-90s average would still render him a profitable choice. This performance level would ensure a significant return on investment, making him a worthwhile pick for your team.
When evaluating whether Simpkin is the best option in his price range, it’s essential to consider not just midfielders but players across all lines. The key is to assess whether other players in a similar price bracket might offer a higher output. This comparison is crucial in maximizing the efficiency of your selections and ensuring the best possible team composition. It’s not just Simpkin vs all midfield mid-pricers; it’s the midprice structure available in all lines. Don’t get stuck with only thinking linearly.
Another aspect to consider is the flexibility that comes with selecting Simpkin. He’s not priced at a point where you’re locked into the decision. This flexibility allows for strategic moves – whether upgrading, downgrading, or switching to another mid-priced player delivering better results. This ability to adapt and pivot based on performance and trends is essential to maintaining a successful strategy.
Simpkin’s involvement in games during the early bye rounds of Best 18 is also a significant factor. His participation during these rounds can be a strategic advantage, maximizing cash generation and scoring options. This aspect of his selection adds another layer of value, contributing to both short-term gains and long-term team building.
While there are compelling arguments regarding Simpkin’s selection, his potential for high scoring and flexibility make him a candidate for your SuperCoach, AFLFantasy, and DreamTeam watchlists. His performance, especially considering his price point, positions him as a player who could offer our teams significant returns and strategic advantages this season.
One of the biggest differences in draft strategies from 2023 to 2024 is the lack of desire to spend significant early draft capital on forwards. The subsequent result means plenty of coaches might walk into the draft day with the mindset of heavily drafting in the midfield with their first dozen picks before looking elsewhere. This impacts Jy Simpkin because his drafting range (in terms of the round he typically goes) will be very draft-specific. He offers the potential of pushing a triple-figure average and potentially becoming your M4, but a more common selection spot will be him as an M5-M6.
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There was a four-year window in which Jack Billings was a popular consideration in our forward lines. Now, after a trade to the Melbourne Football Club, could Jack return to fantasy football relevance and be one of the best starting squad buys of 2024?
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
Fortunes can change quickly in football. Just asking St Kilda fans, on the 18th of November in 2013, they selected Jack Billings with pick three in the AFL draft. On the night, they were thrilled with the outcome. Years later, the club will rue that Marcus Bontempelli went a pick later to the Bulldogs or that Brownlow Medalist Patrick Cripps went off the board just over a handful of selections later.
Over the first eight seasons at the Saints, Billings was a staple part of the Saints forward line. His speed, goal sense and ability to get himself into damaging areas in the front half of the ground were highlights of his game. However, poor luck with injuries and form meant he only played eleven games at AFL level over the past two seasons.
A late trade to the Melbourne Football Club during the 2023 trade period could be the career revival he needs personally while also providing the Demons with some much-needed fresh avenues to goal inside forward fifty. Should he find his way back to fitness and form at his new club, Billings could be a player with an undeniable major upside entering 2024.
His 2023 scoring is a long way skinny of what he’s got in his scoring history. From his three games last year, He managed to scrap his average of just over 60 across the formats, including a green-vested game against North Melbourne in round 19. His average of 60.6 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam was a career low, while his 62.3 is his worst season of scoring since his debut year in 2014.
Contrast those scores and averages to what he delivered at his peak between 2017-2020. In those four seasons, he averaged 92.6, 80.6, 93.8 & 89 in SuperCoach. For AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, he averaged 94.5, 85.1, 98.5 and an adjusted average of 93.6 in 2020. Just as important during these four seasons was his game total. He missed just one match during that time, highlighting that while injuries have been part of his career, he’s shown that when he does have continuity in his body, he can score as a topline forward premium.
A scoring return to average 90+ is ideal, but given his price point, he doesn’t need to return that high on investment to become a worthwhile selection. It doesn’t need to go this high to return value. With him priced at 60 in AFLFantasy, 43 in SuperCoach and 42 in AFLDreamTeam, even a return near his averages of 2021-2022 should still provide enough upside. In these seasons, he averaged 83.2 and 75.3 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 82.8 and 73.6 in SuperCoach. A return to these numbers would see him generate the cash baseline required to make him a relevant selection in our starting squads.
After winning a breakthrough premiership in 2021, the Melbourne Football Club and its supporters will largely be disappointed with a pair of straight sets of finals. One of the core flaws in these years has been the inability to get the forward line functioning with any volume of predictability and consistency for each other. Melbourne believes they’ve been able to craft a forward line that, for 2024, should put some of those frustrations away.
The flying forward Shane McAdam will add some much-needed versatility as a marking presence and increase the pressure measurements inside forward 50. Even with his inclusion alone, that forward line feels much more dangerous. Harrison Petty and Jacob Van Rooyen have shown they can create headaches for opposition stalls; in his day, Bayley Fritsch can be one of the most damaging medium forwards in the league. Kade Chandler has shown his strong footy IQ in front of goals and preventing the ball from departing the Demon’s forward line with high pressure. Meanwhile, Kozzie Pickett can deliver things just out of this world.
Walking you through the Demons forwards might feel like, on the surface I’m going down a meaningless rabbit hole, but that’s far from the case. Instead, I’m building the base to explain why Melbourne has targeted Jack Billings and how he can become a regular and a staple of this forward line.
At Melbourne, I see him sliding into his preferred role as a high half-forward who can use his elite skills and decision-making to impact the scoreboard and see up his teammates. With him getting the ball in uncontested spaces, he’s a dangerous option, and I can see Melbourne’s midfield feeding the play through him.
I’m convinced there is a role vacancy and a need for a player with Billings’ skillset in the Melbourne forward line. That alone is enough reason to pick him, given his historical scoring pedigree in SuperCoach, AFLFantasy & DreamTeam. But the further upside is that you’re not paying for him near that premium price point he’s shown he can score.
Does the number 1,260,000 mean anything to you about Jack Billings? It should. That’s the number of results in Google when you search ‘Jack Billings injury.’ Just in the past 12 months alone, he’s been forced to recover from a broken leg, injured hamstring and a broken thumb. Over the past two seasons, it’s clear that injury has ruined his ability to get continuity and consistency both in his body and his football.
I’m not opposed to starting players with a recent injury history, especially when they’re priced with significant value within them. However, you cannot ignore a player’s history. History doesn’t always repeat itself, but it creates a variable you must factor into selection. Players with a history of injuries, like Billings, would tell you that with each game played, the percentage of injury only increases.
In fantasy, that means that the risk of trading into him and copping the injury is higher than the risk of starting him and landing said injury. As a result, the better approach is to start with him and bank the games he plays and the subsequent scores/cash generated. And then, should an injury occur, you’ve already maxed out the potential and pivoted away via trade.
One caveat in the injury narrative to factor in is this. When a player has a poor recent history, if they suffer any setbacks in the preseason, you need to move away from them as a consideration. While a new season provides a clean slate, the moment you see that injury history appear, you must take the signals and fade interest before it costs you a ‘trade.’
One of the more interesting conversations/opinions I’m seeing in the community for the 2024 season is around the forward lines. With people sprouting, ‘You’ve got to pick someone, so why not player x.’ It’s used specifically in paying up for players who could perform/are expected to be premium players. While I understand that sentiment, one of the things that could be improved in the process is the need to understand what the conversation should be about. That is the surplus of potential value in our forward lines, both in the midrange and cash cow regions.
Already in the fifty most relevant, we’ve looked at two players, Zac Fisher and Connor Macdonald. But there is a mountain of other names in similar price ranges. You can throw in a few more, like Taylor Adams, Josh Rachele, Tom Lynch, and Nat Fyfe, depending on the format, who have all got the narrative that they could be a huge upside play in 2024. Throw in the cash cows of Shaun Mannagh, Chris Burgess, Harley Reid, Zane Duursma, Tom Emmett, Fin Macrae, Jai Culley, Jed Walter, Darcy Wilson, and Nate Caddy, who are just some of the names I expect will get plenty of games early.
When you look and see the volume of value that the forward line does present, It becomes a viable structure to avoid paying for ‘questionable’ or ‘high risk’ forwards in the starting squad when we’ve got comparable upside and lower price point risk. Jack Billings has a history of multiple 90+ seasons and is priced at 60 in AFLFantasy, 43 in SuperCoach and 42 in AFLDreamTeam. Alongside this are plenty of pathway avenues to allow a variety of parachutes.
Option One: Billings scores over 90 for the season and becomes a premium to hold for the season
Option Two: Scores with 5-10 points per game of the top-line forwards and becomes someone you hold until Melbourne’s bye in round 14.
Option Three: Becomes an early rounds trade asset sideways to the midrange forward that is delivering high-end scoring
Option Four: Become the pathway you trade down into the cash cow you missed without forcing a restructure.
Option Five: Due to Melbourne’s round-six bye, he can become the trade pathway to get into the forward you want, but have some concerns over role and scoring. For example, you can easily move Billings into Sam Flanders after the Suns’ round-three bye.
Option Six: Suffers an injury that forces you to use a trade. Depending on when this happens in season, he can be easily moved to a premium, breakout, or cash cow as needed.
The opening round is one of the unique elements of fantasy football this year. The result is we’ll have the opportunity to see eight teams play in a match that counts for AFL points before having to lock any players away into our teams. This means we’ll see significant player ownership variation between the end of the opening round and when the lockout takes effect.
For Jack to be seriously considered, he must have an outstanding match first in the opening round. Not just for his confidence but for his fantasy relevance. A sub-80 score for him and another midrange forward popping will immediately remove him from the starting squad considerations.
As a result of the opening round, his Demons will have the round six bye, meaning that in SuperCoach & DreamTeam, he’ll have only three price cycle movements. Will that be enough money generated to justify the trade-out at this point? Prior history would say no, but all it would take for him to generate significant coin is a few strong scores at the right round, and you can fly.
Over the years, Melbourne has been a fantasy-friendly scoring team. Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Max Gawn, and, in spurts, Angus Brayshaw have all been high-scoring and high-owned. But the reality is the top consistent scorers for the Demons come from players present at stoppages. Yes, they have forwards capable of putting on tons, but they hit their basement scores in the 50s the next week. So, for Billings to pop for us, we’ll need him to deliver a strong 4-6 weeks of consistent scoring with some ceiling for him to become a worthwhile selection.
The key thing to hold here is that Billings’s relevance here won’t just be about what he scores. But also about what the other forwards in this price range achieve early. This, as much as anything else, will determine his future.
If you start with him at best, you have a player with a historical pedigree who can score at the premium levels in a forward line with a low volume of top-end options. At worst, you spend a single trade and make the corrective move options right for you. For now, those decisions aren’t required. You can act on creating room on your watchlist for Jack and consider how he might enable you to succeed in 2024.
There’s a world where Jack Billings pushes the conversation for a top ten forward in 2024. As a result, he is worth a flying selection in the front part of the draft. Conversely, I see him scoring an average in the 70s and still being fieldable, but not a bonafide breakout pick. For those reasons, I’d be targeting selecting him with a selection now higher than F3, knowing that he’s got the potential to move either side of those variables.
With the forward line so unpredictable, I’d rather bank not just on the upside of Billings by going early on him. Rather, if he’s at the right spot for more, I’d happily take a few speculative options in the draft, hoping to jag one or two that pop.
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The players you pick and the structure you settle on with the forward line loom as one of the big decisions of the 2024 preseason. New Kangaroo Zac Fisher might hold the key that unlocks a successful start to the season. Here’s next up in our 50 most relevant.
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
One of the great things about fantasy football is that a player can move from obscurity to relevancy in the shape of a moment with the change of just one or two variables. When it comes to Zac Fisher, he’s had two things take place towards the end of 2024 that have ensured we must consider him relevant in classic and draft versions of all formats of the game.
The first of these variables landed in August, where, out of necessity, Carlton was forced to play him across half-back. The second was when he was traded from the Blues to North Melbourne. From the moment Zac Fisher got his opportunity to play as a defender for Carlton, it became apparent to the Blues and, ultimately, his new club, North Melbourne, that finally, he might have found a permanent home for the much-maligned player.
In his defensive debut against the Saints in round 21, he picked up 32 disposals, four rebound 50s, and four clearances and scored a season-high 108 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 126 in SuperCoach. The following fortnight, he played exclusively off half-back and scored 63 and 103 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 53 and 96 for SuperCoach. In this role, his kicking skills and ability to run and carry the footy up the field were displayed and greatly impacted his team.
Zac played 12 games at the AFL level last year; between rounds 1-12, he played eight matches, where he played exclusively across half forward. He averaged 60.5 in AFL Fantasy/DreamTeam and 59.6 in SuperCoach. While he did play half of the game in round 24 across half-back, he was thrown forward during the third quarter, so there is some variable impact on reading too much into the scoring data of that game.
That means between rounds 21-23, he has a three-round sample size of data in the role. He averaged a rolled-up 91.3 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam in these games and 91.6 for SuperCoach. That’s an increase in scoring in this role of 30.8 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 32 in SuperCoach when contrasting his first eight matches against what he did during these three games. It’s a small sample size of games, but it’s an encouraging trend for us to hold onto this preseason as we await matches in February.
Some players are just born to be strong scorers in fantasy football. Regardless of the role, they find a way to score and be relevant no matter where they are on the ground. Nick Daicos strikes me as someone who could still be a premium playing as a crumbling forward pocket. For others, they’ll only be relevant and worth consideration if the correct role is within their side. This is one of the central considerations to watch with interest in the preseason.
What role does Zac Fisher play inside the new-look North Melbourne Kangaroos? If he returns to the forwardline, where much of his career at Carlton? Or now, at his new club, will he pick up some of the defensive line vacancies left by the retirements of Aaron Hall and Jack Ziebell?
North Melbourne’s general manager of football, Todd Viney, spoke highly of Zac’s skill set when they landed him via a trade. He said, ‘His speed and decision-making with the ball in hand will be a great addition to our club.’ He added, ‘Zac has shown the versatility to play several roles across his 107 games, including as a small forward, off halfback and through the midfield.’
While versatility and flexibility to play multiple roles for your team are important in modern-day football, for us within the fantasy community, there’s only one role we want to see Zac in. Over the past three seasons, the fantasy community have lent heavily to select defenders at North Melbourne. A combination of game style and a high volume of ball inside their defensive fifty has meant that since 2021, we’ve seen multiple players deliver premium-level outputs.
Between 2021 and 2023, Aaron Hall played 37 games across half-back. He averaged 100.5 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 96.8 in SuperCoach, with a career-best season in 2021, where he averaged 108.9 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 105.2 for SuperCoach.
Former club captain Jack Ziebell was also a staple of the Roos defensive unit in both 2021 & 2023. In those seasons, he averaged 100 & 89.6 for AFLFantasy/DreamTeam. It was even stronger in SuperCoach, with averages of 107.6 and 89.5. And then, of course, there’s the outstanding debut year Harry Sheezel when last year he averaged 97.3 AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 99.5 in SuperCoach.
The most encouraging thing is that neither of these players held down a monopoly of scoring that prevented others around them from scoring. So, should Harry maintain the role he forged across 2023, there’s enough encouragement to suggest that he and Fisher could still score plenty of fantasy points without overly impacting the scoring outputs of the other.
Will North Melbourne continue this trend both in style and team structure? Or, as they continue a rebuild, will we see a development away from what we’ve seen over the past few years? It’s yet another variable to watch and consider over February as intra-club, practice, and preseason matches get underway.
It’s early days in the preseason, but a popular thread of team structural ideology is to spend more salary caps heavily on premium midfielders and then hunt for more value in the forwards. Understandably so. A combination of the following is the primary reason for it.
We’ve got potentially lower top-end ‘must have’ premium options, a potentially low-scoring threshold to be a topline forward this year and a plethora of breakout, fallen premiums and value selections. With these elements together, a player like Zac and many others in his range is so appealing in our start squads. And because of the many options in this range, you can easily move to the midprice forward that does pop if desired. We discussed the idea of asset trading in more depth when we kicked off the 50 most relevant with Connor Macdonald.
North Melbourne holds the round 12 by round, allowing you to have Zac help you through the critical multiple-byes rounds when you might need him the most. Even more helpful would be for him to be a prime candidate for gaining dual position status and become a DEF/FWD at this first allocation after round six.
Zac Fisher is someone that deserves consideration in your starting squad. Should he not hold down a core role across halfback, or we see North Melbourne evolve their style of play during the preseason, he can become someone you can easily fade interest in and turn your attention elsewhere.
One of the greatest variables that can change player rankings quickly in a draft is the timing of when you hold your draft. Do you do it early in February, before any preseason practice matches? Or is it done in the days before the start of the AFL season with all that game data banked? It can see a player who’d be ranked deep into the draft as an option to take inside the top 100 selections suddenly.
This variable could well decide the range of Zac Fisher in 2024. Should he maintain the role and scoring trend from those few games he played in defence at Carlton, he could easily deliver scoring that would place him in contention for the season’s top 10-15 forwards. Equally, should some variables change, he might end up unrosterable and drop into the player pool.
Given the projected low-scoring threshold at the top end of forwards, I can see community members jumping on early and selecting him as highly as their F2. If someone wants him there, that’s fine. That feels high for me, and I’d be more comfortable taking him at an F3 spot at best, treating the forwards with a little more speculation, and picking some flyers later on draft day.
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A big buzzword of every fantasy football preseason is ‘value.’ Cam Guthrie has the historical backing to give coaches plenty of score upside and deliver fantastic value. While many won’t be talking about him yet, he will be one of the most relevant players in 2024.
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
After Geelong’s breakthrough Premiership with the lovingly dubbed ‘retirement home’ list in 2022, the football club fell immediately in 2023. The primary contributing factor was injuries to multiple key players which meant before schedule the next generation of Cats started taking some more central figures in the side. The result was the club’s worst ladder position since 2003. Cameron Guthrie’s season probably best reflects that of Geelong’s fortunes.
His season hit its first hurdle in round six, where he was subbed out of the Grand Final rematch against the Swans, complaining of a toe injury. After surgery in June, the club was confident he’d be able to play late in the season; however, after an impressive return via the VFL in mid-August, the club chose to put him on ice for the final few weeks of the season.
Before his season-ending injury, Cam still managed to put up his season-high and only AFL Fantasy/DreamTeam ton of the year with 111. He also posted two additional scores over 90 on the way to a season-ending average of 86.8. Over in SuperCoach, it’s a very similar stat line: one ton, two additional scores of 90+ and an average of 83.6.
Cam’s scoring potential is on full display in the two prior seasons. During the 2022 season, he scored ten tons across the formats, three over 120 and averaged 95.8 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 99.2 in SuperCoach. In 2021, he averaged 109.9 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, posting sixteen tons, four over 120 and just one score under 80. Meanwhile, for SuperCoach, he averaged 113.2, scored fifteen tons, eight over 120, and fell under 80 in two matches.
He’s priced at an average of 84 in AFLFantasy, 75 in SuperCoach & 78 in DreamTeam. Depending on the format, his potential 25-40 pints per game is based on his 2024 price and his career-high year of 2021.
When considering if Cam Guthrie is the right player for your starting squad, you need to consider four primary considerations for you to process before either selecting him in your starting squad or fading your interest. The first is his role in the Cats midfield; the second is Geelong’s opening fixtures; and lastly, there is the overall structural importance of midprice players for fantasy in 2024.
The Geelong Football Club are in an interesting position. Last year, they had the most players of the AFL club attend a centre bounce. Thirty players (including rucks) went through there. Do they still allow some older crew to lead the midfield pack? Or do they phase them out in favour of the younger crew? Cam Guthrie (31), Patrick Dangerfield (33), Tom Atkins (28), Jack Bowes (25) and new mature-age recruit Shaun Mannagh (26) are all over 25. Then there’s the young brigade 22 under Tanner Bruhn, Mitch Knevitt, Max Holmes, Jhye Clark & George Stevens.
Arguably, there’s not just a role but a need for him. That role is as a midfielder present at centre bounce, not just a wingman who gets his hands on it at stoppages. In 2023, he averaged 58% attendance at CBA; in 2022, it was 65%, and in 2021, it was 68%.
How heavy do Geelong lean into this rebuild? They still have a powerful forward line with Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Tyson Stengle and Oli Henry. Any backline with Tom Stewart and Sam DeKoning will be hard to score on. But are the Cats prepared to ‘waste‘ some legend’s final years and let the next generation take the wheel? Thankfully, as the preseason evolves, we’ll get great insight into how Geelong will function as a midfield core this year.
Whenever you start a midprice/breakout player, you want to be rewarded with a favourable role and a fixture that could allow for that scoring upside. Geelong has that fixture, taking on many more favourable scoring matchups using 2023 data. Here’s who they play over the opening six weeks of the season:
Round One | St Kilda (GMHBA)
Round Two | Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Round Three | Hawthorn (MCG)
Round Four | Western Bulldogs (Adelaide Oval)
Round Five | North Melbourne (GMHBA)
Round Six | Brisbane (Gabba)
Do we need players priced in this range in 2024? Historically, we’d be looking at players in this range with this scoring pedigree of Guthrie. He’s priced at an average of 84 in AFLFantasy, 75 in SuperCoach & 78 in DreamTeam. That’s a potentially strong output upside. However, the games are different in 2024, with four of the first six weeks scoring a best 18. Because of this, the conversation around our team structures will be of significant interest and difference this preseason.
How should we structure our sides this year? Is a more ‘traditional’ approach of guns and rookies the best play? Should we max out the scores on premiums and maximise the best cash generation from more rookies? Or do we still need some players in this middle range that can score like a premium but do some with some financial upside both in dollars saved and in money generated?
Ultimately, if you do jump onto Guthrie, you’ve got three core outcomes that can work out for you. Firstly, you see him get that midfield role in the preseason and start with him. He returns to his 100+ average and, in doing so, nets you that twenty points per game of value, gets you a season-long midfield premium, and ensures you’ve got a flying start to round out your squad.
Option Two: he doesn’t quite live up to the forecasted scoring, but in doing so, he becomes a trade asset that you move early into the season. He can then be moved with a single trade into the guy having a flying start. For example, last year, Will Setterfield was the fast money many delivering bumper scoring at a discounted range. With an asset player like Guthrie, you’re doubling down on the possibilities without damaging any structural integrity in other lines.
And lastly, and potentially a new way of playing the game with these early byes/ best 18 early fixture weeks is using Cam Guthrie as an in-season runner trade. How coaches approach the variable of the opening round will no doubt be a strategic conversation that fills up plenty of processing time from now until early March. With all formats confirming that while the format will only ‘officially’ start in round one, the player’s price movement will be impacted by what a player scores in the opening round. In essence, you’ll get two price movements for the price of one.
This creates a strategy loophole that bold coaches can potentially exploit. We’ll be given a ‘free hit’ to view a player’s performance, role and fantasy scores and get a small indicator of what we might see unfold before the formats ‘officially’ commence and lockouts/trades start to become activated. A player like Josh Kelly, given his scoring ceiling history over his career, is the perfect type of person to consider early on, particularly in AFLFantasy, where you’re often only using early trades as correctional movements.
He’s also got a strong recent scoring history against Collingwood, who the Giants face in the opening round. His last three scores against the Magpies, including the Giants 2023 preliminary finals loss, are 106, 113 & 116 in AFLFantasy and 110, 116 & 115 in SuperCoach. GWS then take on North Melbourne & West Coast in the following two rounds. Both are amongst the easiest teams to score against using 2023 data. If Kelly comes out of the gate firing, you could see a significant boost in cash generation and a player who’s a legitimate VC option.
It’s here you could flip Kelly, take the cash he’s generated, and turn him into Guthrie just before the Cats fixture opens up to be equally as fantasy-friendly between rounds four and six. The challenge with starting with a strategic play like this is you’re banking a trade with no guarantee you’ll be able to take the offramp. All it will take is some unplanned variables of multiple injuries/suspensions, and suddenly, your plans hit a frustrating stall.
The beauty of the preseason is you need to spend it not married to a strategy or a structure but to use it to test and trial multiple approaches. The outcomes of the opening round, let alone the preseason matches, will significantly affect how your team looks heading into the season’s first round. For now, place Cam on your watchlist. If his midfield role unfolds the way I forecast, he’s someone to consider this preseason.
The summation of Cam Guthrie’s last three seasons is key to where we should rank him. The last three years of averages (2021-2023) rolled up is 97.5 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 98.7 in SuperCoach. That’d be a great outcome if he could deliver that level of scoring output.
Based on a roll-up average, that’d place him just outside the top thirty midfielders using 2023 data. The potential positive is you should be able to target him with your M5 selection, potentially even M6, with the upside of being an M2 if he can return to his 2021 scoring era. More realistic is you get M4 returns on a M5 pick.
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We can get obsessed about the next ‘breakout in the preseason.’ Nothing inherently is wrong with that. But we should also be looking at those who’ve had significant regression that could present the same level of upside. It’s why Callum Mills is still a highly relevant fantasy football prospect in 2024 despite his injury.
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
2023 was a challenging year for Callum Mills and, understandably, for the fantasy football coaches who had high hopes for him. A midseason calf injury, a juggle of roles, and a post-season marred by shoulder surgery – it was a tough run. Yet, as we stand on the brink of a new season, it’s evident that Mills is a phoenix ready to rise from the ashes.
Despite a statistical dip in possessions, clearances, marks, tackles, goals, and overall fantasy scoring, Mills’ resilience shone through. His AFLFantasy/DreamTeam average was a respectable 84.1, featuring eight scores above 90, while in SuperCoach, his 87.7 average, with eleven scores above 90, highlighted his latent potential.
Dig deeper, and you’ll uncover the hidden gems of his season. Take, for example, his final game of the year: a staggering 30 possessions, 12 tackles, 8 marks, and a goal. This performance alone netted him 155 points in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 143 in SuperCoach, a testament to his undoubted talent.
Mills’ scoring volatility last year can largely be attributed to his fluctuating roles – from being a central player in some matches in the midfield to a peripheral figure in others. Furthermore, in two games where he was forced to don the red vest impacted his averages significantly. His average would likely have been in the mid-low 90s without these injury / vest-affected anomalies.
Flashback to just a year prior, and Mills’ prowess was undeniable. In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, he boasted an average of 111, outscoring renowned players like Touk Miller, Jack Steele, and Zach Merrett. His SuperCoach performance was equally impressive, with an average of 116.7, ranking him among the top scorers in this format. Fourteen scores over 100 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, fifteen in SuperCoach, with several soaring above 120 and even reaching the heights of 214 against Hawthorn. These numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re a testament to his exceptional ability when playing in the midfield.
As we approach 2024, Mills is not just a player to watch but a goldmine of potential for fantasy football coaches. The discrepancies in his recent performance have significantly undervalued him, making him an irresistible prospect. His proven track record in the midfield positions him as a contemporary fantasy football legend. The message is clear: disregard his recent setbacks. Callum is a player who demands respect and serious consideration for your team. His comeback story could be the cornerstone of your fantasy football success this year.
One of the great variables in fantasy football relevance is health. We know it intuitively in the community, but a player’s availability is one of their greatest abilities. With Callum Mills, his scoring capacity or even role aren’t the primary reasons nobody is discussing him this preseason. Rather, it’s his availability.
In September of last year, it was revealed that the Swans Co-Captain could miss a large chunk of the coming season after requiring shoulder surgery. While some corners of the AFL community believe he could miss the entirety of the season, since the revelation of his injury, the forecast length of time missed seems to be more promising to be back somewhere in the front half of the 2024 season.
One of the most common mistakes I see coaches make during the preseason is that they spend months thinking about the initial thirty players and little to no time thinking about their team’s trade cadence or player trade considerations during the year. Furthermore, the talk all preseason is about ‘chasing value’ but very quickly goes out the window as coaches start trying to trade and ‘pay up’ to get premiums in.
It’s why Callum Mills, even should he miss the opening round (which sounds all but certain), is still very relevant for us as an upgrade target. It’s the perfect spot to make his season debut in round ten. There, he plays the Blues and the Bulldogs and walks straight into the Swan’s week off on the bye. Then, from round thirteen, should he pass all the eye tests physically, you can get a player with 110 proven potential at his discounted price, which is currently approximately thirty points per game of value.
Targetting him as an upgrade during the season allows you to also look at the Swans structure and to see how John Longmire chooses to use him. Over the past few years, he’s been moved to plug holes across key position defensive posts and the wing. But the off-season inclusions of Joel Hamling and James Jordan should minimise the need to use him as the ‘gap filler’ when he does return.
Barring a miracle, Callum won’t be ready for round one and should be someone you fade in your starting squad because of this. But monitor him during the opening months of the season. If he has confidence in his shoulder and that midfield role receives no volatility, then trading into Mills isn’t just an option. It might be essential!
Several variables surround the likely outcome of where Callum Mills is drafted. When your league draft is will determine a lot, as will what returning timeline information has been revealed by the club. The other primary variable is the depth of your league’s benches.
The outcomes of these pieces of information will ultimately determine whether he achieves the unfathomable and is left to super late on draft day right through to seeing him get taken inside the first 30 midfielders off the board.
The upside with Mills is that it will eventually become undeniable value on draft day, and the question shouldn’t be, will you take him, but when?
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Happy New Year, and welcome back to the 50 most relevant! Kicking off the annual countdown is one of my favourites in Connor Macdonald. For some, he’s a name you’ve never considered; for others, he’s someone they wish we didn’t cover. Either way, the cat is out of the bag! Let’s leap into the start of the 2024 50 most relevant.
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
Experiencing the thrill of identifying a fantasy football gem that few others spot and then seeing your insight validated is unparalleled. In 2024, Connor Macdonald of Hawthorn could very well be that breakout forward of the season.
At 20 years old, Macdonald shows promise as a potential long-term midfielder for the Hawks, displaying a commendable balance between offensive and defensive play. Known for his dynamic style, he effectively propels the ball into the forward 50 and is pivotal in transitional plays. Although drafted as a midfielder, he has found his footing in the forward line, contributing significantly to the new, youthful Hawthorn lineup.
Chris Newman, formerly coaching with Hawthorn in 2023 and now back with Richmond, praised Macdonald’s versatility in the club’s season review. He noted Macdonald’s exceptional runs, stamina, and ability to adapt to multiple positions – from midfield to wing – highlighting his significant growth in just his second year.
When scouting for players poised to ascend to the next level, it’s essential to spot subtle indicators of a potential surge in scoring. Macdonald showed several such signs throughout 2023. For instance, in round thirteen against Brisbane, he amassed 28 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals, and scored 91 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 113 in SuperCoach.
Again, in round twenty-one, with 18 disposals, 9 marks, 3 tackles, he exceeded 90 points across all formats. Two weeks later, he tallied 104 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 95 in SuperCoach with 19 disposals, 8 marks, 4 tackles, and 2 goals. These performances highlight his ability to score well across multiple statistical categories. Imagine his heights with consistent, combined efforts in these areas.
Macdonald’s scoring improved as the 2023 season progressed, and his consistency stabilized. From an average of 67.8 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 61.4 in SuperCoach over the first five games, he jumped to an average of 86.6 and 82, respectively, in the final five matches.
While it’s risky to emphasise this trend too much, it underscores his potential for significant value in a forward line lacking top-tier premiums. Based on his performance in the last five games, he could offer an additional 16 points per game in AFLFantasy and potentially rank in the top 10 forwards based on average. In SuperCoach, this translates to a 19-point-per-game upside, positioning him well within the top 20 forward averages.
However, one should cautiously interpret these statistics. The intent here is to emphasize two points: the scarcity of elite forwards across formats and how Macdonald’s late-season form, albeit not the highest scoring range, makes him an increasingly relevant choice. Macdonald achieved these scores without significant time in the Hawks’ midfield. As a draftee known for his inside midfield capabilities, he attended more than 10% of centre bounces in only one game all season.
Hawthorn’s tight midfield rotations last year suggest a need for more players to step up alongside Will Day and Jai Newcombe. The team’s focus on developing Macdonald’s versatility is evident, enhancing his skills as a winger/forward in 2023, which could catalyze his move into a more rounded footballer.
His potential was not just a glimpse in 2023 but evident during his draft year. In the NAB league, he averaged 30 touches, seven marks, and five tackles per game, translating to an AFLFantasy average of 121 points. Scouts and draft watchers recognized him as a high-accumulating, stoppage-dominant player.
Macdonald’s fantasy pedigree, evident from his junior days and his growth in the AFL, positions him as a legitimate choice for your AFL Fantasy/DreamTeam and SuperCoach sides as he enters his third season.
As the 2024 AFL Fantasy, DreamTeam and SuperCoach season approaches, coaches face a unique challenge in the forward line. This year, the absence of forwards with high averages presents an opportunity to think outside the box, and Connor Macdonald emerges as a potential game-changer in this new landscape.
Navigating through the scarcity of high-averaging forwards, Macdonald stands out. His midrange positioning in a landscape devoid of the usual high-scoring stalwarts makes him a beacon of value. In a season where average scores are the norm, Macdonald’s potential to outperform his peers shines even brighter.
Flexibility is key, and Macdonald embodies this. As a mid-priced forward, he’s not just a player but a tactical asset. The ideal is he obviously becomes a premium forward, and as possible as that is, that’s not the only avenue to success. He can easily be upgraded to a premium player if he maintains a solid average up until the Hawks round 15 bye. This versatility makes Macdonald a vital component in any strategic fantasy plan.
Historical trends in AFL Fantasy/DreamTeam and SuperCoach show that mid-priced forwards can offer significant returns both as quick money makers or as season-long premiums. Players like Jack Ziebell, Aaron Hall, Darcy Macpherson and Taylor Walker have been valuable in early rounds in past seasons.
Macdonald not only holds the promise of strong early-season performance, making him a smart investment, but with a simple single trade, it can be used as a pathway to the stepping stone, which is firing without having to amend your squad’s structure.
The probable lowered average scores among forwards this season mean Macdonald doesn’t need to reach astronomical heights to succeed. This lower threshold for success enhances his appeal, transforming him, now an average of 85 over the opening half dozen to dozen games is arguably a gigantic success.
There’s also exciting potential for Connor in terms of role expansion. Everyone in the preseason is always set for #MoreMidfieldTime, but should the rumours of him gaining more midfield time eventuate, then he could significantly increase his scoring potential. Remember, last year he barely cracked the Hawks midfield. Imagine the upside should he get even a consistent run of 15-25% CBA’s per game.
Each season requires a different strategy, and while last year’s focus was on premium forwards, this year’s winning formula seems to lie in identifying high-value players inside the forward line. Macdonald, with his current pricing and potential, fits perfectly into this strategy and allows multiple pathways for owners to pursue depending on his scoring.
Pre-season analysis is crucial. Monitoring Macdonald’s role and performance in the pre-season can provide early insights into his potential for a breakout year. These indicators can offer a significant edge in fantasy leagues.
Connor Macdonald represents more than just a player; he’s a strategic choice in a year where identifying high-value players is crucial. His potential for consistent performance, coupled with the unique dynamics of the 2024 season, makes him an essential consideration for any coach looking to gain an edge. In a landscape where finding value is key, Macdonald might just be the piece that completes your winning fantasy puzzle.
Connor Macdonald presents as an intriguing prospect in drafts, likely to be picked as an F4, yet he harbours the potential to deliver F2-level performances. This positioning offers a tantalizing upside with little to no discernable downside.
Macdonald’s current trajectory’s worst-case scenario seems to be maintaining his existing average throughout the coming year. Should this occur, it still leaves him as a valuable asset, albeit one that might eventually find his way back to the waiver wire. However, his demonstrated ability to enhance his game and the lack of risk in selecting him make Macdonald an astute pick, especially for coaches looking to capitalize on the value and upside in their lineup.
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Get ready for an exhilarating ride into the world of SuperCoach, AFLFantasy & DreamTeam as we gear up for the 2024 season, brimming with endless possibilities and the tantalizing chance that this could be your year to clinch fantasy glory! Introducing the 50 Most Relevant.
From this moment until the season kicks off, you’ll dive into an ocean of player statistics, experiment with countless team configurations, and likely adjust your fantasy lineup several times daily. Here at the Coaches Panel, our mission isn’t to dictate your strategy but our player selections. Instead, we’re here to arm you with top-tier insights, enabling you to make well-informed choices for your team.
Every year at the Coaches Panel, we kick start the preseason with our annual series, the 50 Most Relevant. This series isn’t a random collection of players or predicting who the top 50 scoring players will be in 2024. Instead, we cast a wider net, analyzing players across various salary cap formats. We consider the elite premiums, mid-prices, stepping stones, and cash cows to identify those who might be crucial in propelling us towards fantasy football success.
What makes a player stand out in the realm of salary cap formats? It’s a blend of factors: their initial price tag, potential for high scores, consistency in performance, the role assigned by Champion Data, and the new opportunities that have emerged during the offseason. These are just some elements that collectively define a player’s relevance in your fantasy football journey.
In the early preseason, success in fantasy football hinges on thorough research, engaging in open-minded dialogues, and recognizing potential strategies at your disposal.
Beginning January 1st and over the next 49 days, join me as I reveal who I believe are the 50 most relevant players in the salary cap formats of SuperCoach, DreamTeam, and AFLFantasy, presented in a comprehensive, unified list.
This countdown will feature daily articles, podcasts, videos, and projections for drafting ranges in single-season and keeper leagues. For those eager for early access to our ’50 Most Relevant’ podcasts, a special invitation awaits you on our Patreon. Sign up as a breakout or premium tier supporter and gain access to the podcasts a day before everybody else.
I’m excited to embark on this journey of fantasy football discussions with you over the coming months and eagerly await your thoughts on the 50 Most Relevant players for 2024.
Nick Daicos – I spent the opening month of 2023 without Daicos and it was horrible. Never again. I don’t care about the early bye or the early Finn tag, he’s in from the start this time.
Lachie Whitfield – Always a frustrating figure due to trading into him at the worst times. His average jumps up to 97 without the sub affected round 1 score, and is value for a guy who hasn’t averaged under 90 since 2016.
Jordan Ridley – Jake Kelly’s arrival a couple years ago was supposed to give Ridley a fantasy bump but it didn’t really eventuate. I’m more optimistic with the arrival of Ben Mckay this time and I think there’s a 90+ season in Ridley coming at some stage.
Keidean Coleman – The grand final was a sign of things to come and Daniel Rich has retired. Should be a popular pick.
Zac Williams – Remember this guy? Bargain if fit.
Nick Coffield – 2nd club and 2nd chance to make a fist of his AFL career. Great value if he gets a gig.
Daniel Curtin – Plays round 1 and will score better than Michallaney did this year.
Josh Gibcus – Rookie priced and will play every game in 2024. Won’t score a lot, but cash gen will be decent enough, especially with the rules around opening round.
Errol Gulden – Another player I hated not owning for the first part of 2023. Keen to start him this time.
Tim Taranto – He’s either under-priced if you look at his first half of 2023 or over-priced if you look at his second half. It really depends how you see it, but I think in his 2nd year as a Tiger, he’ll go huge again.
Andrew Brayshaw – Super consistent and even though slightly down on his 2022 numbers, I except him to go big in 2024.
Zak Butters – Looked unbelievable at times in his breakout season and is poised to improve again.
Neil Erasmus – Speculative pick but his 2023 average of 52 doesn’t really tell the story of his heavily sub-affected fantasy season. If he can secure a spot in the 22 and shrug the vest, he has 30 points upside.
Colby McKercher – Will be very popular.
Ryley Sanders – Another popular cash cow at this stage.
Jeremy Sharp – Will be a very profitable starting cow if named round 1.
Jhye Clark – Loved what I saw from him in his one quarter of footy this year. Cats will look to give him plenty of opportunity. Shaun Mannagh – Mature aged recruits always catch my eye this time of the year.
Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy – It took me several years and a significant price decrease to finally go set and forget with these two. Everyone knows why Grundy is value but Gawn went at an average of 113 once given sole ruck duties this year.
Nicholas ‘Loophole‘ Madden – A popular captain option last season and he can sit at my R3 for now.
Jackson Macrae – The Smith injury sealed it for me. Hard to see him hurting us at that price.
Taylor Adams – Lots of ifs for Adams but he can be in the top handful of forward scorers and is a bargain based on this.
Zac Fisher – It’s sounding like this half back role at North could be happening. Previous players in that role include Aaron Hall, Jack Ziebell and Harry Sheezel…
Jack Billings – When he plays, he scores. A fresh start at the Dees could be just what he needs.
Harley Reid – Doesn’t have to score huge, his job security is enough of a reason to pick him.
Orazio Fantasia – Pretty hard to ignore at his price, but the likelihood of him playing round 1 isn’t great.
Billy Dowling, Brayden George – Just placeholders for the time being but both will be considered at points next year.
After watching some of my fellow panellists drop their AFLFantasy team, MJ started bugging me for a team. I didn’t want to do it, but we’ve done Coaches Panel enough that I know there are only two ways to shut him up. One, just cave and give him what he wants. Or second, and my preferred, remind him of the 2017 AFL Grand Final result. So, whatever, here it is.
I’m not like MJ, and going to spend 30 minutes explaining my team to you. But here’s some thought about some of the players.
Everyone keeps complaining about the forwards, fine, whatever. But the lack of discussion around Jack Billings is disappointing. The kid can play and might just be the best of the mid-range guys.
If Zac Fisher has the role that Jack Ziebell or Aaron Hall previously held, you’ll want to start him and save yourself the in-season trade.
Something has to change at Port, and they’ve got a former Brownlow medalist playing outside of his strengths on the wing. Get him back into the midfield, and there’s a huge upside for scoring in AFL Fantasy.
I might have six Kangaroos on my side, but Jy Simpkin could be the best of the bunch. When fit, he is a walk-up 90+ scorer.
Lachie Whitfield is a fantasy stud! While everyone is picking Nick Daicos I’ll look elsewhere to the guy who’s flying under the radar.
That’s it; I’ve got nothing else unless MJ decides to pad this article out with more nonsense. Enjoy
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