Before rounds 6, 12 and 18, the gang at Champion Data add some new DPP into the game. After round 18 concludes on Sunday, the first list of names and positions will be released. Historically, players need a minimum of 35% to be considered for a new allocation in a new position. So, we have in-season DPP additions for the first time in SuperCoach & DreamTeam history. For AFLFantasy coaches, you are an old hand at these. So let’s see which players are locks, close or no chance of getting DPP.
Embed from Getty ImagesADD DEFENDER
Harry Himmelberg
I never thought I’d do a ‘DPP’ write-up for Harry Himmelberg; he seemed destined to always be a tall target inside the Giants forward line. However, in rounds 10 & 11, he was thrown into a key defensive position under a new coaching regime. To his credit, he’s looked very good there, and his scoring has taken a considerable bump. Even the return of Nick Haynes and Phil Davis has done little to move him from the role. He looks a genuine premium and is someone you can lock in for DEF/FWD status.
Brady Hough
He’s likely no longer in your classic team and even less likely in your draft team, so many won’t get too excited by this addition. However, with the Eagles cavalry starting to return, it won’t shock me to see Brady Hough squeezed out of the West Coast lineup. But keeper and dynasty league coaches might be paying a little more attention. Hough has looked at home across the Eagles halfback flank, and his round 11 score of 99 against the Bulldogs shows that he can score well within the teams structure and style. So depending on the depth of ‘keepers’, be may be worth a stash on your list.
Andy McGrath
During the preseason, Andrew McGrath was one of the most hyped players. As a midfielder, his average in the mid to high 80’s is less than ideal in drafts, let alone in classic. However, with the potential inclusion of defensive DPP being added, he does become a player of interest in drafting formats. His run off the halfback before some injuries hit was starting to look like a promising fantasy footy role.
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Tom Atkins
The role change of Tom Atkins has been sudden and obvious at Geelong over the past six matches. Over this stretch of games, he’s attended 29%, 73%, 73%, 83%, 77% & 54% of centre bounces for the Cats. Tom’s hard at it contested nature has thrived as a centre bounce midfielder, and his scoring has increased as a direct result. The addition of midfield status might not help you on field scoring in drafts, but if he holds this role, he will be selected on the field in your backline given the good scores.
Bailey Williams
What a surprise, but Luke Beveridge has given a player a role change! All jokes aside, Bailey Williams has taken his opportunity on the wing. With the absence of Lachie Hunter, he has owned the wing for the past few months. His true value to his owners is he can be played as a backman. However, squad versatility is always helpful, and so should this DPP land; it’ll be another layer of potential versatility within your team.
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Jeremy Finlayson
Two things. First, the addition of ruck status for Jeremy Finlayson is an absolute lock to happen. Since round 11, he’s been the primary ruckman for the pear and had multiple games where he’s attended north of 70% centre bounces. Second, how the Power continues to use him over Sam Hayes is beyond me. Hayes has his shortfalls, but so does Finlayson in the ruck. Port Adelaide has been lucky that the decision to play Jeremy over Hayes hasn’t cost them a game… yet!
Become a Patron!Mason Cox
Ever since his debut as a Magpie, Mason Cox has spent some game time in the ruck. But over the past six weeks, it’s been increasingly evident. In the past four weeks, he’s attended an average of 44% of Collingwood’s centre bounces. Even without the impending return of Brodie Grundy within the next week or two, he’s not someone to consider trading into in classic or draft formats.
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Wayne Milera
It’s been a tough run over the past few seasons for Wayne Milera, but he seems to have finally gotten confidence and strength back into his body. Since getting back into Crows side over the past month, he’s been deployed as a half-forward. I like this role and the use of his skill set. With Jordan Dawson and Brodie Smith playing the primary ball users across half-back and Jake Soligo and Jackson Hately holding down the wings, it’s as a forward the greatest opportunity for his skills can shine. So much has been made about Adelaide’s poor inside 50 entries over the past few years; by having Wayne as a half-forward, we should see this increase in better entries. He’s only played 6 games for the year, so while the positional data os sufficient he hasn’t played enough games to qualify.
Griffin Logue
A DPP gain that’s not fantasy relevant for us but is a warranted add if the gang at Champion Data feel inclined. Griffin Logue was initially deployed as a forward after the Dockers underwent a calamity of injuries to their key position forwards. However, he did a good job bringing the ball to the ground and applying defensive pressure on the opposition’s best interceptor he’s been given a great opportunity in the role. Again, it’s not a beneficial fantasy gain but a factual one.
Lachie Jones
Port Adelaide fans have been calling for Lachie Jones to get a strong run at the AFL level for a while. The pear has found the best place to give him this opportunity has been to use him as a forward. His trademark physicality has been on display, and while he’s not scoring massively, it is a DPP gain that’s warranted.
Nat Fyfe
Plenty will be calling for it, but Nat Fyfe has played just three games, and the minimum qualifying amount is ten at this stage of the season. He won’t get it as much as Fyfe is certainly being used as a primary forward.
Become a Patron!Sam Walsh
Fantasy coaches have come to understand more in 2022 that players starting position at centre bounces play a significant role in a player being DPP eligible. Sometimes without being at the games to watch the ground and how players have been coached to set up, it’s hard to notice this. However, the TV stations covering his games have quickly said that Walsh is starting inside the forward 50 under the 6-6-6 rule and then pushing up into the contest as an extra midfielder.
Over the year, Walsh is averaging 54% of centre bounce attendances and just 47% in the last seven weeks. What’s not factored into CBA’s is when a player starts on the wing, which Walsh has done, especially in the first few months of the season. So I’d suggest it’s more doubtful than probable that it gets MID/FWD status. But if he does, it’ll be a positional change that will shake up the team’s ideal best on-field forwards.
Jack Billings
Much like Fyfe above, Jack Billings is spending plenty of time forward but won’t be eligible due to him playing insufficient games.
