Tag: Allir Allir

Ultimate Footy | Free Agency Pick Ups | Round 8

Plenty to look at this week including a forgotten Blue on the injury comeback trail and two players in their first seasons at new clubs. Plus, two midfielders who have been around a while and both recorded career high disposals on the weekend.

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DEFENDER

Aliir Aliir – Port Adelaide
% owned – 70%
2021 average – 72.4

Aliir has not missed a beat since joining the Power in the 2020 trade period, slotting seamlessly into the back 6 as a tall interceptor. Tall defenders don’t typically score too well in the fantasy world, but this season has seen those who read the play well take plenty of marks. Aliir is averaging 7 marks a game (3 intercept marks) and a career high 17 disposals making him worthy of a spot in your side.

Nic Newman – Carlton
% owned – 69%
2021 average – yet to play

Newman has had a tough run with injuries in the last 18 months, playing only two senior games since 2019. In that season, which was his first at the Blues, he averaged 93 and looked every bit the ball magnet we thought he was in his first two seasons at the level as a Swan. After another long setback on the eve of this season, Newman made a successful return in the VFL on the weekend and will be close to AFL selection. Grab him now before anyone else does!

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MIDFIELD

James Cousins – Hawthorn
% owned – 54%
2021 average – 81

For various reasons, Cousins has been unable to cement his position in Hawthorn’s best 22, playing just 25 games since his debut in 2017. Originally listed as a rookie, Cousins has looked very capable at the level but has too often been squeezed out by the likes of Mitchell, O’Meara and Worpel. He was made to wait for his opportunity this season with his first look being as an unused sub in round 5 but he has now played the last two rounds and looked good. He was particularly impressive in the big loss to St.Kilda recording a career high 27 disposals and attending 18 of 32 centre bounces. His job security is shaky but his scoring potential is strong.

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FORWARD

Jack Higgins – St.Kilda
% owned – 66%
2021 average – 63.1

A prolific midfielder in his junior years, Higgins has been required closer to goals more often than many thought this season, as a spike in midfield minutes had been expected at his new club, St.Kilda. His fantasy scoring has been dependant on hitting the scoreboard with his two best scores of 86 and 90 coming from 4 and 3 goal hauls respectively. Another clear pattern that has emerged is Higgins’ scoring in wins versus losses as his average score in the Saints’ 3 wins is 74 and his average score in losses is 55. It’s not a huge discrepancy but it adds some insight to your decision making. If you think St. Kilda will turn their season around from here, grab him!

Kayne Turner
% owned – 2%
2021 average – 62.4

At the time of writing, Turner was only in 2% of teams which speaks volumes of his fantasy relevance in recent years, but his DPP status as a forward makes him someone to at least keep an eye on. Tasked with some tagging roles this year has seen his midfield time increase and whilst his scoring hasn’t spiked considerably, his performance on the weekend grabbed my attention. A career high 27 disposals along with 6 tackles and a team high 25 centre bounce attendances (up from 8 the week before) makes Turner an interesting watch from here.

AAMI Community Series Review | Power Vs Crows

It was a one sided affair in the mini showdown. The Power controlled the tempo of the game and, as a result, dominated the possession and the scoreboard. Here’s my review of the AAMI Community series match between the Power and the Crows.

Rory Laird

Confirmed his midfield role. If you like him then lock him in. Will be a top 3 defender.

Rory Sloane

Sloane looked okay, but a veteran like him and a player of his ability doesn’t break a sweat in preseason games anyway. Personally, I think age is catching up to him, and his midfield rotation may become volatile as the season goes on if he’s on your side though he only needs to have a good first 6 weeks.

Jordan Butts

Took 5 marks as a key position defender. Won’t be a large scorer but the ball will be in his area plenty. With thin defensive stocks Butts has put his hand up as an option.

James Rowe

Got involved in the play and pushed high up the ground to find the footy. Lock for R1 and great job security. Scoring a question mark.

Reilly O’Brien

Took things easy. If Crows get belted every week, he’ll be attending plenty of centre bounces as the Crows #1 ruckman.

Lachie Sholl

Quiet first half but scored 60 of his fantasy points after half time. Nicks will look to use a young crow as he pumps experience into a young Adelaide group. Awkward price, though, and Adelaide will not be a fantasy friendly enough team to warrant it.

Andy McPherson

Quality player and found plenty of the footy in adelaides defensive 50. Another that’s awkwardly priced as I believe he’s more of a stopper than accumulator.

Brodie Smith

Took the kick-ins and the Crows continually looked to use him and his booming leg to gain metres forward.

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Ollie Wines

A very good, contested game that doesn’t always necessarily translate to fantasy scoring. This game did but I’m not sure wines has the consistent ceiling or upside to consider as a starting option

Allir Aliir

Took intercept marks at Will and given how thin defensive stocks are could actually be an option at his price. Hard to do it though with how poor Crows I50s were and not playing Adelaide every week. Port picking both Jonas and Clurey does point to Aliir being there intercept marking defender but scoring will be volatile and role could rotate based on opponent.

Karl Amon

Will go to the next level in 2021. Attended more centre bounces than previous years which has been the messaging out of port Adelaide throughout the preseason as well. Really interesting pick that has a lot of upside – but it’s unnecessarily risky with other safer options priced similarly or less.

Zak Butters

Will see a large uptick in centre bounces and being high up the ground. Fills every stat line and his inclusion into the port midfield could see him breakout in 2021. He’s a high impact per possession player, and his best footy performances may not always translate in fantasy though. He’s a great pod to consider starting this year.

Miles Bergman

Plenty of uncontested marks were up for grabs today, and Bergman was a beneficiary of that. Looked at home across half back and extremely composed with the footy. Likely to play R1 on that performance.

Orazio Fantasia

He had extremely high PPM as he scored 73 in the first half before being rested in the second. Handy DPP of F/D and a low salary cap price make him an intriguing option to start this year. Scoring will be volatile, but he does have a little bit of fantasy game about him.

Lachie Jones

Ready to play but won’t be a large accumulator. He won’t score enough to warrant his price but he will be an excellent player one day

Connor Rozee

Port have confirmed he will be having footy surgery. No longer an option

Dan Houston

Another ACS hype player. Took advantage of playing a bottom 4, young side, in a preseason game. If you were already keen on him, it’s a great confirmation of your own thoughts; however, if he wasn’t on your radar before, he shouldn’t be now.