Tag: Fremantle Dockers

SuperCoach Player of the Decade | Fremantle Dockers

We’ve decided to look at who I believe has been the best SuperCoach performer from each AFL club over the past ten years. Here’s who I believe it is for the Fremantle Dockers.

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Nat Fyfe

You can’t get much more a sure thing in SuperCoach dominant player than Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe. Ever since his second season in the AFL Fyfe has continually delivered premium scoring seasons. In his second season (2011) he held forward eligibility and ended up playing 21 games, scored 15 tons, including seven over 120 and averaged 108. Those scorers made him one of the best forwards available that year.

Since then Fyfe has been a SuperCoach scoring machine. From 2013 onwards his lowest seasonal average is 105, and he’s had four seasons averaging over 110 including a 119, 122 and 123.

Nat Fyfe became an uber premium in 2014. That season he averaged 122 was one of one only five players who average over 115 that season. His 18 games consisted of 16 tons and nine over 120 including a 171 against the Blues. To this date, surprisingly, that’s still his career-best score.

In the first of his two Brownlow medal years (2015) he was the highest averaging midfielder with 123. What even more impressive is that he finished the year 14th for total points and missed four games that seasons through injury. That year he posted 15 tons, and 10 of them were over 120.

During the past four seasons, he’s averaged 105, 108, 113 and last years Brownlow medal season averaging 119.9. Last year he had just three games where he failed to ton-up, and he scored over 120 on twelve separate occasions.

Over his career, Fyfe has missed plenty of footy through injuries. However, in the past three seasons, he’s had two seasons where he has played 20 games or more. Hopefully for him, and the Dockers this games frequency continues.

Who Missed Out

Across the decade the Dockers had a sublime scoring ruck in Aaron Sandilands. For multiple seasons across the decade, he was one of the most dominant scoring rucks in the land. Between 2010 -2015 he had five seasons averaging over 100, the lowest being 107. What ultimately hurt Sandi’s potential to win was his lack of availability. Between 2010-2019 he had just three seasons where he played over thirteen games and had three seasons where it was under a total of 8 games played. Nat Fyfe certainly isn’t the picture of durability, but in contrast to the big ruckman, he looks pretty durable.

Matthew Pavlich opened the decade as the most dominant Docker for SuperCoach. As a forward, he averaged 99, 105 and 111 and missed just four games between 2010-2012. Sadly after that era ‘The Pav’ was in the twilight of his career and after 2012 failed to average over 86 for the rest of his career.

Since debuting in 2005, David Mundy has been a warrior for the Fremantle footy club. Between 2013-2015 his lowest seasonal average was 102, while his 2015 year he averaged 113 and scored 18 tons from his 21 games. Beyond those three seasons, he just had one other year where he averaged over 100. Sadly that’s just nowhere near the territory of Fyfe.

In Michael Barlow’s seven seasons as a Docker, he managed to average over 110 in three separate years. That included his famous debut year where he posted a career-high 116 from 13 games. Added to these years, he boasts an additional three years averaging between 93-98. Meaning in just one season at Fremantle did he not average over 93. Barlow is a strong, consistent SuperCoach performer, but is a few tiers below the current Dockers captain.

Since Lachie Neale had his breakout season in 2015 (104), he’s been a picture of scoring consistency and durability. In his final four seasons as a Docker, he averaged 104, 112, 109 and 111 while missing just the one game of AFL. Sadly his career-best season average of 121 happened last year as a Lion, making it not count towards his Fremantle tally.

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#16 Most Relevant | Nat Fyfe

It was a disappointing season for the Fremantle Dockers. However, for Nat Fyfe, it was the season that saw him win his second Brownlow Medal. Will the cavalry come for him in 2020 and will it impact his scoring?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Nat Fyfe
Age: 28
Club: Fremantle Dockers
Position: Midfield

2019 Highest Score: 
133 Vs Carlton (AFLFantasy)
154 Vs Hawthorn (SuperCoach)

2019 Average: 
104.9 (AFLFantasy)
120 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $651,600
AFLFantasy Price: $779,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $758,700

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WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Nat Fyfe is one of the premier midfielders in the league. No matter where on the ground he plays he’s unmatched in almost every area of the game. Inside the contest, he’s a bull, in the air he’s strong and imposing and to top it all of when need he’s a daunting presence inside forward 50 for any defender to stop him.

2019 was a strong personal season for the Fremantle captain. He was awarded his third club best and fairest, recognised as captain this year of all Australian side and won his second Brownlow Medal. Individual accolades like this will see him go down in history as an all-time great.

From his 20 games he averaged 30 possesions, 18 of them were contested, went at 70% efficiency, averaged eight clearances a game and five inside ’50s. Across the entire AFL, he ranked third for contested possessions, sixth for clearances and tenth for total disposals.

In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he was ranked 15th for all midfielders ending the year with an average of 104.9. It featured fourteen scores over the ton, with seven of them over 120. Along with a high frequency of hundreds, he rarely let owners down with a poor score. Just twice throughout the season did he dip below 75.

Despite missing two games in the season, he ranked eighth in SuperCoach for total points of all midfielders and is one of only three available that averaged over 120 last year. In 85% of games last year (17) he scored one hundred or more. Of those 17 tons, 12 of them were over 120, and an insane six were 140 or higher. Across the season he had only three games where he didn’t reach triple figures and ended the season averaging 120.

Take a look at his scoring consistency in terms of averages since 2013.

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MY TAKE

The further up the list of the 50 most relevant we get, the harder it is to dismiss selecting a player. More often than not, now it will be personal preferences’ or small variables that create the reason for non-selection.

Based on previous history coaches who play AFLFantasy/DreamTeam would attempt to build the case that Nat Fyfe doesn’t score beyond ton frequently enough to start him. While it is true he’s playing style lends itself to more rewards in SuperCoach he’s far from someone to discount.

In a fourteen game stretch last year between round 6-21 he averaged he 109 and had only three games that he didn’t post a ton. Yes, it’s not a full season, but with a seasonal average of 105 (ranked 15 for midfielders) he’s shown he’s capable of scoring well enough that when you time the run, he’s a genuine candidate.

The only compelling case you can create for passing on Nat Fyfe is his durability. Only three times across his career has he played 20 games or more and is yet to complete a full season. While it is a concern, it shouldn’t be a complete deterrent to starting with him.

Whatever side of the selected coin you land on, you have an element of risk with Fyfe, especially in SuperCoach. Should you choose to select him, the risk is that the durability concern becomes real and your forced to either trade or use your bench cover on field. The alternate side is that his scoring is so strong he’s one of only a handful of midfielders capable of scoring multiple 140+ over an extended period and taking a season away from you.

In SuperCoach, it’s a classic case of risk vs reward and the risk you’d prefer to be on the side of will inform your decision of what’s right for your team.

Don’t forget, 12 months ago Brad Crouch was ‘injury-prone’ and had never played 22 games. He had no problems doing it in 2019. Just because someone has a history, it doesn’t automatically dictate their future. Should it inform your decision? Absolutely! But not determine it. 

DRAFT DECISION

In SuperCoach, Fyfe is a natural first-round selection. This year if you have a late range pick, there is every chance he’ll fall to you as some may be turned away due to his durability concerns. Gosh, he might be available on the turn early in the second which would be a steal.
In AFLFantasy formats, I think the earliest you’ll have to jump for him is the third round. He could drift into the early fourth, but his name value let alone scoring potential would be a reason he doesn’t slide any further. A Strong M2 candidate and wouldn’t be the worst M1 if you’d locked away two superstar selections in the defence, forward or ruck line.

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AFLFantasy Preseason Watchlist | Fremantle Dockers

Lewy & Checkers from Lane Kicking are back with their take on some Fremantle Dockers on their AFLFantasy watchlist.

BREAKOUT: Andrew Brayshaw – $516,000 (MID/FWD)

Third year for the former Pick 2, we are hoping he can show a similar break out to his brother Angus who went from a 77 average to 105 back in 2018. Averaged 25 touches at U/18 level, has posted averages of 67 and 70 in his first two seasons and we are hoping some more midfield will allow a player of his talent reach his true potential. Having FWD DPP puts him very high on our potential break out list and could be a dangerous one to snare in draft leagues

TRACK: Connor Blakely – $555,000 (DEF)

Was set to be one of the most selected defenders last year after posting back to back averages of 91 in 2017 and 2018, but a high grade hamstring tear early in the pre-season kept him on the sidelines until Round 9. We are hoping with a full pre-season under his belt, Blakely can resume his position on the half back flank and get his average back up into the 90s and be a very handy under-priced premium. Just keep an eye on his position during the pre-season as he was rotated in the midfield in 2019 which did see a drop in his scoring, but the natural development of young mids Brayshaw, Cerra and Banfield will hopefully see him back in defence.

ROOKIE: Caleb Serong – $256,000 (MID)

While we expect all three of the Dockers first round draftees to have some impact this year, Serong holds the most fantasy value in his game. His ability to play on the ball, as well as rotate forward and impact the scoreboard should see him get some early game time. He averaged 24 touches and 100 fantasy points at U/18 level last year so he could be a handy little money maker

UNDERDOG: Brett Bewley – $367,000 (FWD)

Normally if anything we see a drop off in numbers from the mature aged draftees in their second year, but keep a close eye on Bewley. Priced at an average of just 54, he played most of his first year on the half forward flank, but looks primed to move up the ground and hopefully take up the vacant wing position left by Ed Langdon. Was racking up very tidy numbers in the WAFL, is known around the club as one of the hardest workers on the track and has taken out both 2km time trials this pre-season. We think if given time on the wing he could get his average up and above the 80s which would make him a very handy cash cow for your F5 or F6

#23 Most Relevant | Michael Walters

With the departure of many popular forwards, is Michael Walters now primed to be one of of our best premiums this year?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Michael Walters
Age: 29
Club: Fremantle Dockers
Position: Midfield/Forward

2019 Highest Score:
143 Vs Port Adeliade (AFLFantasy)
158 Vs Port Adelaide (SuperCoach)

2019 Average: 
93.4 (AFLFantasy)
100.7 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $547,200
AFLFantasy Price: $694,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $675,600

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WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Our forward lines have taken a beating this year. The majority of last seasons top ten forwards are no longer available. Travis Boak, Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Billings, Rowan Marshall, James Worpel, Josh Dunkley and Tim Kelly are all gone! While many top options have departed, one of them has stayed.

Last year Michael Walters was 11th in the AFL for goals (40), 20th for score involvements, 16th for tackles inside forward 50. He averaged 22 possessions, seven score involvements, four marks, four tackles, four clearances, four inside 50’sG:

In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he’s currently ranked fourth by averages. Only Lachie Whitfield, Toby Greene and Dusty Martin had better seasonal averages. However, with all those players missing multiple games last year, Walters is the highest total points scoring forward available.

Last year he averaged 93, had six scores of 100 or more, four over 110 including a 143 against Port Adelaide. In addition to these tons, he had seven scores between 90-99. Across 22 games last year he also showed his high scoring floor with only two scores sub 70 previous years.

SuperCoach was an even better result. He’s currently ranked as the second-best forward by averages with Lachie Whitfield the only ahead of him. He’s also one of only three forwards who have an average over 100. Topping it off he’s ranked as the Top scoring forward for total points and is a clear 150 clear of Issac Heeney who is second.

Across 2019 in SuperCoach he hit the ton in twelve of his 22 matches. Six of his tons were over 120 including a six-goal game and 158 scores against Port Adelaide. In addition to his twelve tons, he had three additional matches between 90-99. Like in AFLFantasy, he barely gave owners a poor score with his two scores dipping below 70 all year.

If you believe the Dockers are heading up the ladder and will improve the number of wins then based on last years data that should air in the scores of Sonny. In wins last for AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, he averaged 103.9 as opposed to 86.2 in losses. A differential of 17.7. The trend is even more noticeable in SuperCoach with an average of 120.7 in victories as opposed to 86.9 in losses. A differential of 33.7.

Fremantle does have a relatively good opening few months of football. The possibility of them winning four games in the eight weeks is possible. Over the first eight weeks, they play – Bombers (A), hawks (H), Demons(A), Suns (H), Roos (A), Cats (H)Eagles (H) Crows (A). A handful of victories here could kick start scoring season of Sonny and your fantasy footy side.

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MY TAKE

One of the most intriguing narratives of this year will be the different strategies coaches employ for the forward line. With the vast majority of last seasons best departing, we find ourselves left with a significant dilemma in our forward lines. Beyond new inclusions Lachie Whitfield and Dustin Martin it appears we have no clear third in line, let alone a top five. The variance and potential outcomes inside our forwards look one of the most open in years. On first glance that could be daunting and concerning, however, I see it the complete opposite.

With less ‘must picks’ through this line it should make coaches look more left of centre at some players and hopefully add some uniqueness to the game. With so many questions in our forward line, I am confident about one thing. Michael Walters will not play as a full-time midfielder this year. Not because he can’t, but rather it’s because he is an elite small forward. If the Dockers are any chance of winning ten games or more this year, it won’t be because ‘Sonny’ never played forward.

All that to be said, I do believe while he won’t play exclusive midfield, he will play through that line predominantly. The Fremantle football club has lost Ed Langdon and Brad Hill through last years Trade Period. Both bring speed, experience and class to a midfield that now looks very slim. Thankfully for the club, Michael Walters has those qualities in spades and at 29 will add some experience to support Nat Fyfe.

With the outgoings of some experience they’ve topped up nicely in the draft, but none of them is the immediate fix. However, they could hold the key for releasing Sonny up the ground more regulalrly. Liam Henry is creative classy on both sides, has terrific goal sense and is the closest replacement you’ll ever get to Michael Walters. Fellow top 10 selection Caleb Serong is a competitive animal that’s damaging inside forward 50 as well as being a polished midfielder who’s clean hands and composure will add a new element to the dockers.

The addition of these two I believe will allow Sonny to play up to 80% of game time through the midfield, and as such we should see his scoring in all formats of the game place him right in contention as a top-five scoring option.

In the limited trade formats of SuperCoach & DreamTeam if I were starting three premium forwards, then I’d seriously factor in Michael Walters as a starting squad option. Or perhaps if you believe Dusty might slow like previous seasons, then he could be the F2 you need to get ahead.

I believe Michael Walters will be a top-five scoring forward for us across all lines, and as such needs to be firmly on our preseason watchlist.

DRAFT DECISION

In every draft, I see Lachie Whitfield and Dustin Martin as the first two forwards off the draft board. Both of these stars will go inside the top 15 picks in all drafts. What forwards go next, and where will vary in many drafts. For me, Michael Walters looks to be one of the safest 90+ averaging forwards we’ll get this year, as such I can see him getting picked as early as a late third-round pick as coaches will be desperate to lock away a strong F1. 

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#37 Most Relevant | Stephen Hill

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

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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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#41 Most Relevant |Connor Blakely

I’m giving you one last chance, Connor! It’s the make or break year of fantasy relevance for this Fremantle Docker. Will 2020 be his year?

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Connor Blakely
Age: 23
Club: Fremantle Dockers
Position: Defender

2019 Highest Score: 
104 Vs Carlton (AFLFantasy)
105 Vs Collingwood (SuperCoach)

2019 Average: 
74.7 (AFLFantasy)
75.7 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $411,500
AFLFantasy Price: $555,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $540,700

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WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Twelve months ago Connor Blakely was one of the preseason darlings of the fantasy football community. Lachie Neale had just departed the club, and many were speculating that after biding his time as a half back, that a move into the midfield was inevitable.

Sadly, we never got to see this much-hyped move. He severely injured his hamstring, which required surgery. It meant he would miss a minimum of three months of football. It wasn’t until mid-May in the Dockers round nine match against the Bombers that we saw him at the elite level. Across his fourteen games this year his role was never fully settled floating between a rebounding half-back, occasional inside midfielder and even at times a small lockdown defender.

From a fantasy perspective, the injuries and occasional role moves meant we had an inconsistent scoring season from Connor. Just one AFLFantasy/DreamTeam ton for the season, and four additional scores over 90. For SuperCoach only the two scores of 105 and an average in the mid-’70s.

The positive of an interrupted season is he could present value for potential owners. Even without a discount, he’s priced 17 points beneath his 2017 and 2018 averages for AFLFantasy/DreamTeam. While for SuperCoach he’s priced 14 points under his personal best average of 89 from 2017.

2017 was a career-best fantasy footy year for Connor Blakely. For SuperCoach he averaged 89, scored nine times of 100 or more, three of them over 120 and twice he had a run of four consecutive hundreds. In the same season for AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, he averaged 91, had seven scores over 100 including three of 134 or higher.

The following year, he averaged 91 again for AFLFantasy/DreamTeam with just five scores in triple figures. For SuperCoachers, he averaged 85 and had only the four scores over the ton. Given what he’s done previously, he shows enormous potential for coaches prepared to select him.

When talking about scoring, there are two types of potential. Firstly, there is proven potential. Someone that has been there, done that. And for whatever reason is priced beneath what he’s shown as his capacity. The other is someone who could or even should be based on a forecast of possible scenarios. Connor Blakely isn’t someone that could or should be able to score well. Instead, he is someone we know can and does when he gets on the field and has the right role.

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MY TAKE

There are plenty of potential upsides when looking at Connor Blakely. Unlike others, he doesn’t need to move into the midfield to score 100’s. We have multiple seasons of data that suggests he’s as capable as scoring off the half-back. That said, I have my reservations. 

Until we get to see the preseason matches, I find it increasingly difficult to select him with confidence. I have so many questions about how Fremantle will structure up on all lines, what game style they’ll employ and what if any impact that will have on his fantasy game. 

Does he have a role in the new look Fremantle midfield? He was drafted as an inside midfielder. Does he move into the guts? Beyond Nat Fyfe as the centrepiece, there are still so many questions as to how it could look. I expect Michael Walters to have plenty of time in the guts, along with Reece Conca. Then which developing talent gets the bulk of the time? Is it Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Mitchell Crowden, Luke Valente, Tom North, Darcy Tucker, Brett Bewley, James Aish or the man that kicked off the 50 Most Relevant Blake Acres. It’s just too early to know. 

There is the possibility he stays part of the core backline unit. However, the inclusion of Hayden Young will change the dynamic of that back six and in the right way. Young’s ability to intercept and then distribute the ball with pinpoint precision will only advance the Fremantle Dockers. However, will that aid or hurt Blakely? Only time will tell. A fit Connor Blakely is in my mind part of the Dockers best 22. However, what role he plays I’m not confident.

As much as I have questions on role, the biggest red flag when considering Connor Blakely is his durability. In the past five seasons, his games played tally reads like an Ashton Agar batting card: 15, 17, 13 & 14. A players historical durability shouldn’t be a sole reason not to select a player. Twelve months ago people would’ve said the same about Brad Crouch, yet he went on to play 22 games last year. The year before it was Devon Smith, and before that, Taylor Adams.

Every year someone finds a way to break the cycle and gets a full season of footy. Will 2020 be that year for Connor? My encouragement would be, if you rule him out of your starting squad for the reason of injury risk, then you should not target him as a trade target. If injuries are the only reason you avoid, the potential for injuries based on history only increases with every game played.

I’ll be watching the preseason gameplan of Fremantle and role of Connor Blakely very carefully this preseason. He’ll stay on my watchlist, but in AFLFantasy I’m more interested given the potential of upside at his low price and the ease of being able to move him on with two trades a week.

DRAFT DECISION

When your draft happens and what role he has will determine where he’s ranked for many coaches. If I had to make a judgement call right now, I’d be looking to target him no earlier than as a D3 across all formats knowing that the best-case scenario is he’s a D2 with the worst case he becomes a bench cover option.

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#50 Most Relevant | Blake Acres

For years Blake Acres has shown he has the potential to breakout. At a new club is 2020 finally his time? Let’s kick off the 2020 fantasy footy season of the 50 Most Relevant.

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Blake Acres
Age: 24
Club: Fremantle Dockers
Position: Midfield/Forward

2019 Highest Score: 
96 Vs Melbourne (AFLFantasy)
105 Vs Hawthorn (SuperCoach)

2019 Average: 
67.5 (AFLFantasy)
70.7 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $384,400
AFLFantasy Price: $501,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $488,200

Blake Acres is a new recruit for the Fremantle Dockers. PIctured is Blake at the Dockers HQ in Cockburn. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper The West Australian

WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Long-time players of SuperCoach, AFLFantasy & DreamTeam will be familiar with the potential of Blake Acres. After being drafted at pick 19 in the 2013 AFL draft, the West Australian native has shown glimpses of his potential.

As a junior, the versatile modern-day midfielder drew comparisons early in his career to Sydney’s Josh Kennedy and Adelaide’s Bryce Gibbs. What makes Acres such a damaging player is his versatility. He posses the ability to play as a ball-winning inside midfielder, outside runner and even a third tall forward target.

At St Kilda, Blake Acres was denied opportunities to play significant minutes as a midfielder. He’s been stuck behind the likes of Seb Ross, Jack Steele, Dan Hannebery, Jack Billings and to a lesser extent Luke Dunstan all getting a role ahead of him.

On the occasions, he was allowed to use his hulking frame through the midfield his fantasy numbers showed plenty of promise. In 2018 his opening five scores in SuperCoach were 144, 90, 97, 92 & 107 averaging 106. He finished the SuperCoach season averaging 88. 

In AFLFantasy it was 124, 92, 77, 83 and 100 with a five-game average of 95.2. At the end of 2018, he managed a total of twelve matches and averaged 81.

Across last season he continued to show promise with AFLFantasy scores of 96 (Melbourne), 93 (Hawthorn), 92 (Melbourne) and 91 (Carlton.) These numbers were more superior in SuperCoach with a 105 (Hawthorn), 103 (Melbourne), 102 (Carlton) and 99 (Western Bulldogs).

Sometimes your key strength (which for Acres is his versatility) can go against you. Instead of being allowed to find a home inside the St Kilda midfield he was used by the coaching staff to plug gaps in the side. This made it difficult for him to find a rhythm in a roll as well as impact his fantasy football output.

Thankfully for prospective owners, we have two positive out of this. Firstly the move to Fremantle could not have been to a more perfect club who are needing to bolster the midfield. Secondly, he’ll be priced significantly cheaper than what he’s capable of delivering. In AFLFantasy Blake starts the 2020 season priced 13 points less expensive in contrast to his 2018 season. For SuperCoach it’s 18 points below his personal best season.

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MY TAKE

Fremantle has done the opposite of Acres firmer club St Kilda. The club has allowed established players to depart and will head to the draft to top up the list. With the departures of Brad Hill and Ed Langdon, outside midfield opportunities have arisen at the club. Lachie Neale departed twelve months ago, and David Mundy is a further year older. The Dockers must look to the future stars of the club, and Blake Acres must take the opportunity in front of him.

Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra could be given large amounts of responsibility in the midfield to support skipper Nat Fyfe. Michael Walters should also move into an even more dominant midfield role too. Given damaging small forward Liam Henry was taken in the draft.

Acres could be a perfect fit inside the contest for the Dockers. If he can get his body right, he could be a genuine fantasy candidate if he maintains his forward status again.

Role in the team is the key to his relevance. If played as a midfielder (inside or out) this he must be on the Preseason watchlist. Best case scenario is he’s a keeper. However, to make him an excellent selection, he needs to go 85 or higher in AFLFantasy and 90+ in SuperCoach. As always with stepping stone and breakout candidates, you need to save a trade as an upgrade. It is just in case they don’t deliver on the best-case scenario.

Fremantle has the week off in round thirteen, meaning he’s a potentially strong candidate to run into the byes before upgrading him. It’s not a pretty listing given that Geelong, Essendon, Port Adelaide, West Coast, St Kilda and Brisbane are the teams coming off the round twelve bye. That said you could target someone like Devon Smith, Gary Ablett, Jack Steven, Jack Darling and maybe even Robbie Gray.

There is plenty of upside about Blake, but coaches need to go into this selection with eyes wide open. As he enters into his seventh AFL season, he’s yet to play more than 19 games in a single season. Injuries have been cruel to him with no continuous injury pattern occurring.

He also has come from a side with one of the shallowest midfield groups, where he was unable to secure a permanent position. He’s no certainty at Fremantle just like he was at St Kilda.

I’m keeping a sharp eye on his preseason, however, right now he’s a strong candidate to start in my AFLFantasy side and consideration in the other formats should I look for a breakout candidate at F3/F4.

DRAFT DECISION

His draft range will be wide given were people rate him and when your draft is held. The key in your draft is being really clear in your ranking of him and making sure it’s based on your average projection not on what he did last year.

For some, that’ll put him in the high 80’s and others he’ll be a super late-round pick up. Personally I’d feel comfortable taking him as a forward 4 position knowing that he could either breakout and become your F2.

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Patreon Only | Trade Review | Brad Hill

Impact on the new club: 

Ever since the retirement of Leigh Montagna, the Saints midfield has looked very one-paced. The exception to the rule was club champion, Jack Steven. With his trade to Geelong, the club needed an injection of speed and outside class. 

Brad Hill personifies these qualities, and it’s evident based on his 2019 statistics. Last year he rated elite for: metres gained, effective kicks, rebound 50’s, uncontested possessions, kicks and goal assists. 

He, along with a fit Dan Hannebery should provide St Kilda with the outside skill and running needed. This should enable their inside midfield brigade the outside support required and forward line the opportunities to create scoreboard pressure.

Impact on the old club:

His departure along with Ed Langdon’s move to Melbourne leaves a significant gap in the Fremantle midfield. Both players were the primary outside speed, carry and polish. Their absence will create opportunities for others.

Fremantle must now look to the upcoming draft and the players existing on the list to replace the outside midfield losses. Michael Walters could move more into the midfield. His class and speed would be a welcome addition outside of stoppages. Adam Cerra is a classy user of the ball and needs to use into the midfield, a role on the wing could be a great move.

Connor Blakey and James Aish both played in the midfield as juniors and could be given chances to evolve from the backline. Depending on what the Dockers pick up at the draft will also have an impact on who gains midfield opportunities.

Fantasy Summary: 

For the majority of his AFL career, Brad Hill has been irrelevant as a fantasy football option. The exception was his first season as a Docker back in 2017. 

That year he was forward eligible and averaged 93.6 in AFLFantasy including eight scores over 100. For the fantasy coaches that owned him that season, especially late in drafts found themselves with great late value. Since then he’s averaged 80 & 88 in AFLFantasy and 78 & 84 in SuperCoach. 

With Hill coming off a season averaging in the mid 80’s he will be selected in the majority of draft leagues. Depending on the squad depth it will be as an emergency cover selection or a final on-field spot.

Patreon Only | Trade Review | Blake Acres

Impact on the new club: 

Fremantle has done the opposite of St Kilda of the Dockers. The club has allowed established players to depart and will head to the draft to top up the list. With the departures of Brad Hill and Ed Langdon, outside midfield opportunities have arisen at the club. Besides, David Mundy is a further twelve months older, and the Dockers must look to the future stars of the club. 

Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra must be given large amounts of responsibility in the midfield to support skipper Nat Fyfe. Michael Walters should also move into an even more dominant midfield role too. If the damaging small forward academy selection Liam Henry is taken in the draft.

Acres could be a perfect fit inside the contest for the Dockers. If he can get his body right, he could be a genuine fantasy candidate if he maintains his forward status again.

Impact on the old club:

St Kilda has made significant changes to the squad during the trade period. The club has moved on Jack Steven, Josh Bruce along with Acres & brought in five new players. With both Brad Hill and Zak Jones running through the midfield group.

Regardless of the potential, he’s shown the trades made by the saints have offset the Acres departure. When he did play, he didn’t appear to have either the endurance or confidence of the coaching staff to get a defined midfield role. Acres was left to play minimal midfield minutes and used as a role-playing forward.

Fantasy Summary: 

At St Kilda, Blake Acres was denied opportunities to play as an inside midfielder. He’s been stuck behind the likes of Seb Ross, Jack Steele and Luke Dunstan all getting a role ahead of him. On the occasions, he was allowed to use his hulking frame through the midfield. His fantasy numbers showed plenty of promise. 

In 2018 his opening five scores in SuperCoach were 144, 90, 97, 92 & 107. In AFLFantasy it was 124, 92, 77, 83 and 100. 

Moving to Fremantle, they desperately need support for Nat Fyfe, and under a new coach, Blake could thrive if given the opportunities. Currently priced 13-15 points per game under what he achieved in 2018, so if he retains forward status, he looms as a genuine breakout candidate.

JLT Players Of Interest: West Coast vs Fremantle

The JLT Western Derby: Rushton Park in perfect conditions. There was plenty of pressure on display early with a scrappy hard-fought encounter and plenty of contested ball. The Eagles started to assert their ascendency in the second quarter and blew Freo away with a polished display in the last half, albeit by just the 51 points. The Fyfe-less Dockers lacked leadership and appeared a ship without a rudder at times. Major and significant fantasy outs were Fyfe, Blakely, Sandilands and S Hill for Freo and JJK, NN and Cripps. Francis Watson also missed and was played in the 2’s

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West Coast Eagles

Dom Sheed: the dominant alpha mid out there who racked them up at will and ends the JLT Alphabet Cup with a lazy 79 disposals,15 clearances, 17 inside 50’s, 21 score involvements, 12 marks, 5 goal assists and 2 goals, all from just the 2 games. Throw that on the back of his 2018 finals form and we have a seriously cheap pod to consider.

Shannon Hurn: the General patrolled the defensive half and marked everything that came his way, took kickouts and is more than a solid fantasy option.

Elliott Yeo: played a mixed forward/mid role with 72% tog, will be a nice pod in 2019

Jack Darling: on the rise and shows plenty in the way he presents and hits up, unfortunately, has been lacking some finishing skills which would certainly make him a decent salary cap forward option, still a very decent option in draft leagues

Jack Petruccelle: started with a creative dribble goal and showed plenty of speed and creativity, became very lively as the Eagles got on top, worthy of a rook bench spot lock

Willie Rioli: the slippery dominant forward who got thrown into the midfield for a couple of stints in the 3rd quarter, knocked out a 147 SC and 120 DT on the night and is priced at just 59 and 53

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Fremantle Dockers

Andrew Brayshaw: 22 disposals, 6 tackles and 5 clearances, following in the footsteps of his brother Angus, is 2 Brayshaws too many to start within AFL fantasy in 2019?

David Mundy: Fantasy forward option, didn’t do his chances any damage tonight with a solid fantasy game, but does Fyfe back take a slice of his pie?

Luke Ryan: Underwhelming tonight, and didn’t play a major role in the kick-ins.

Jesse Hogan: presented well, copped an early blow to the ear before half time, looked one of the better Dockers on the night

Sean Darcy: was opposed to Hickey and started well but went downhill just as quick as Freo did, don’t even think about risking your R2 on him, not this year anyway

Adam Cerra: played forward for 3 quarters and was “fantasy crap” in that position, fortunately wiser heads prevailed at 3 quarter time and we finally got to see a taste of how good this kid is in the midfield

Brett Bewey: played half a game in the 2’s earlier before getting a late call up which probably doesn’t go well for him getting a Round 1 gig, played the last half and got involved with 8 disposals