The AFL Finals series has almost concluded, meaning that the next big item on the AFL calendar is the 2020 Trade Period. This year, it seems more than ever before we’ll have our biggest player movement ever.
As always, Patreons you’ll get an exclusive player by player breakdowns and reviews of each move and the fantasy footy impacts.
However, before we get to the trade window commences, I (MJ) want to look at five realistic player moves that as fantasy footy coaches we’d love to see.
1) Jackson Hately | TRADED TO ADELAIDE
The former first round draft pick has already declared his intention to be traded to the Adelaide Crows. His primary drive behind the move is around increased AFL opportunity, something the club will happily hand out. His arrival at the club is a huge boost for the rebuilding side. Even if Brad Crouch stays at the Crows, Hately offers a new dimension to the midfield.
At 190cm he’d become the Crows tallest midfielder and his ability to impact the contest on both the inside and outside of the contest will be a new weapon to the footy club. His personal best SuperCoach score (108) came this season against the Bulldogs. That same game he scored 80 in AFLFantasy, but his best ever score came the year prior against the Dockers where he posted an 84.
He’ll be priced at an average around 60 across all formats and is certainly a viable stepping stone in 2021.
2) Will Brodie | TRADED TO ESSENDON
Essendon is in desperate need of an inside bull. Gold Coast is in desperate need of freeing up some salary cap. It really is a trade made in heaven. The former top 10 draft pick has been passed over by the club’s recent acquisitions via the 2019 draft and trade period.
In 2019, he played eight games including the final six matches of the year. During that time he managed 20+ disposals in five games. From a SuperCoach perspective over those games, he scored: 120, 88, 90, 68, 19 and 110. Similarly, in AFLFantasy he scored 142, 68, 83, 97, 42 & 113.
If he’s priced at his 2020 average of 45 in AFLFantasy and 34 in SuperCoach he’ll demand selection.
This hasn’t been announced but makes a lot of sense. Make it happen Essendon!
3) Braydon Preuss | TRADED TO GWS
It will forever be one of the most baffling trades of all time. Why Preuss would choose to leave North Melbourne where he was second string to Todd Goldstein only to move to Melbourne to be the same behind Max Gawn still baffles the mind.
The retirement of Sam Jacobs has opened up an opportunity and recently Braydon has stated his desire to be traded to the Giants.
4) Zac Williams | FREE AGENT TO CARLTON
Yet another player that’s already indicated that this move to happen. The speedy half backer has been offered a Godfather deal from Carlton with the promise of more midfield time. This move has potential huge positive fantasy footy implications.
Over the final few months of the 2019 AFL season the Giants got hit with an injury curse bad. At one time or another, they were missing Callan Ward, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and tagger Matt de Boer. When now current captain Coniglio got injured Zac’s role moved from the halfback to playing through the midfield.
In the final 11 games of the year, he posted an average of 103 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and scored seven tons including three over 120. While for SuperCoach he averaged 107 and posted 8 tons including a season-high 143 against the Kangaroos. In terms of scoring differential for pre and post-injury that’s +19 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and +13 in SuperCoach.
The role carried through the AFL Finals, during which he averaged 91in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 101 in SuperCoach.
If he can deliver similar numbers in the midfield at Carlton he’ll be a highly popular defender in 2021.
5) Alex Witherden | TRADED TO ESSENDON
The departure of Connor McKenna and also Adam Saad have opened up some opportunities across half back for the Essendon Football club. Just two seasons ago Alex Witherden was one of the hottest properties in fantasy football with multiples years averaging 80+. Over the past few seasons, Alex has found himself on the outer of the best 22 as his occasionally poor decision making has let him down in crucial moments.
However, his ability to win plenty of the ball, provide some offesnive drive and more than useless defensive aspects mean he’d be a welcome addition to the Bombers. In his six games this year he showed he’s still got the fantasy friendly game style too.
If he wound up at Essendon, he’d be a serious preseason watchlist.
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