Tag: Fremantle Dockers

JLT Players of Interest: Fremantle Vs Collingwood

The Pies ventured over to Joondalup in WA to take on the purple warriors of Fremantle. There was quite a breeze blowing to one end of the ground which made for a clear scoring end. However, the focus for us was on the players and their roles.

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Fremantle

Andy Brayshaw: Looked good. Played midfield and got plenty of it. Might be an awkward price for some but in keeper leagues, he should be highly sought after.

Michael Walters: As promised all pre-season (and last pre-season, and the one before that…), Walters did get stints in the midfield. He did also play some footy up forward though and very likely that’s going to be his lot. A similar average to recent years beckons but could be one to jump on if Freo cop many midfield injuries. As per last year when in midfield, he scored quite well given his TOG.

Luke Ryan: Did take a few kick-ins (along with Wilson), although disposal wasn’t quite up to his usual standard. Potentially one to keep an eye on in SC.

David Mundy: As mooted in recent weeks, he played majority midfield for Freo. He wasn’t amazingly prolific but the role, at least in this game, was good. If he stays midfield there’s no reason to think he won’t end up near the better premium forwards in scoring this year.

Adam Cerra: Looked classy as always but didn’t get a heap of it. Seemed to be running through the midfield somewhat.

Brett Bewley: Could not be said to have had an amazing game, however, did have 13 disposals in only 39% TOG. One to watch further in JLT2.

Jesse Hogan: Coming back from injury, struggled through 2-3 quarters before being rested. Wasn’t limited to the forward 50 either, was often seen in midfield and even down back chasing the ball. Only had a handful of touched on the night however and went scoreless. Seems to have kept his roaming role from the Dees which bodes well for his scoring. Doesn’t seem quite fit enough at present to warrant a starting berth, however.

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Collingwood

Scott Pendlebury: You may have forgotten it but Pendles was in the All-Australian squad last year as one of the best midfielders in the comp. As he has been pretty much every year for more than a decade. The skipper was everywhere in this game, particularly early, and showed his usual class. May not be the upper-echelon fantasy premiums he has been in years gone by but he won’t be far behind. Will still be excellent value in drafts.

Steele Sidebottom: Sidey appears to have flowed from 2018 into 2019 without concern, appearing to have the ball on a string as he racked up 34 touches and a goal. Played basically wherever he wanted.

Brodie Grundy: Seemed slightly rusty but that is likely just due to us measuring him against his amazing standard. Still had 15 touches and 46 hitouts, albeit he was not really up against anyone (Sandi & Darcy being out, Grundy rucked against Lobb & Scott Jones). Nonetheless, nothing not to like here and if nothing else dispelled any suggestions that a pre-season toe injury was a concern.

Dayne Beams: Played midfield, got a lot of it, kicked a goal – basically just did Dayne Beams things. With Taylor Adams out for the first few rounds, it’ll basically be Adams out & Beams in for the Pies during that stretch. Business as usual.

Jack Crisp: A somewhat under the radar defender these days, Crisp kept his high scoring role from last year and had a good outing.

Jamie Elliott: Looked like he was back! Taking marks, kicking goals, almost refusing to celebrate – yep, this was the Jamie we’ve come to know and love. An excellent first outing for him and did not look hampered at all. Someone to consider as a mid-priced option.

Darcy Moore: By no means had the hoped-for monopoly on kick-ins (see Aish, Crisp, etc) but played well and got easily enough of the ball in his role to justify his SC price-tag.

Isaac Quaynor: Strong body for an 18-year-old will hold him in good stead. Looked confident and eager to get involved. Nonetheless, he is trying to break into a suddenly strong and settled Collingwood team (even with Dunn & Scharenberg out) and he may struggle to crack a game early. If named Round 1 though, could be a good rookie option for us.

#16 Most Relevant: Nat Fyfe

Nobody doubts his fantasy scoring pedigree, but there seem to be plenty of questions about how many games he plays. For me I think Nat’s going back to his Brownlow best!

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Nat Fyfe
Age: 27
Club: Fremantle Dockers
Position: Midfield

2018 Highest Score: 
144 Vs Gold Coast (AFLFantasy)
160 Vs Gold Coast (SuperCoach)

2018 Average: 
102.1 (AFLFantasy)
113.9 (SuperCoach)

SuperCoach Price: $618,100
AFLFantasy Price: $741,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $730,500

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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.

Last year from his 15 games played he scored 9 AFLFantasy/DreamTeam tons with 7 of those were over 115. For SuperCoach it was even stronger as he delivered eleven matches where he scored over the hundred, 9 of which were over 110. Between rounds 2-10 he went on a nine-week scoring bender in SuperCoach with his lowest score being a 101 and an average of 131. During that same period of time for AFLFantasy/DreamTeam, he averaged 117 and didn’t drop a score below 91. The year prior he played 21 games and averaged 97 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and scored 8 tons, with 6 of them over 120.

For SuperCoach his 2017 seasonal average of 108 complied with 12 scores over one hundred included 7 over 120. During that season Fyfe’s role was marginally different to some of the previous years as he was used not just as a resting forward like Dustin Martin but as a key forward for large chunks of the game. When he was released back to a predominant midfield role over the final 5 games of the year he averaged 108 in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam and 130 in SuperCoach.

It’s still 4-5 years ago but doesn’t mean we should discount or forget his phenomenal SuperCoach seasons from 2014 & 2015. During the 36 games, he played of a possible 44 he scored 30 tons and averaged 123. If your curious while not as dominant in terms for AFLFantasy it’s 24 tons and an average of 103.

MY TAKE

Fremantle had one of the busiest trade periods of the club history. They sent midfielder and fellow 50 Most Relevant player Lachie Neale to Brisbane and recruited key forwards Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb. All three of these player movements are crucial to Nat Fyfe.

Since the retirement of Matthew Pavlich, the Dockers have lacked someone with a genuine forward presence that could provide them with avenues to goal and as often seen Fyfe was used for large chunks of the game playing as a forward. The recruitment of these two key targets means Fyfe will only ever be used to rest forward and not have to play forward.

On top of the forward line gains, they’ve lost one of the best clearances players in the league. Adam Cerra and Andy Brayshaw will no doubt become starts of the competition and essential cogs of the midfield, but as second-year players, they can’t cover the load. The primary responsibility in the midfield lands on Fyfe’s shoulders and with the forward line sorted his skills and time need to be invested inside the midfield and as such his time in the middle should increase in contrast to previous years.

The only compelling case you can create for passing on Nat Fyfe is his durability. Only twice 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. Coaches that are not selecting him need to be aware of the potential risk, especially for SuperCoach, also have risk associated.

The risk for coaches passing on him is because if you choose not to own him because of durability concerns, I believe he cannot be an upgrade target at all. If he averages 123 over the first seven weeks (for example) if the only reason you’re passing on him as a starting squad is an injury and durability concern, then you can’t upgrade to him. The durability question still exists, and the likelihood of injury based on history is now higher than it was seven weeks earlier and you missed those scores. While it feels like you’ll be damned if you do and damned if you don’t with Fyfe I know, I always prefer to own guys with massive ceiling and scoring consistency and cop any trade I may have to make along the way.

Currently, he’s starting in my SuperCoach and AFLFantasy sides and only a preseason injury will change my plans. For DreamTeam I’m actively looking to see what changes I can make to squeeze him into my structure.

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DRAFT DECISIONS

Depending on the format you play that will determine how quickly he’s off the draft board. If it’s a SuperCoach format, he’s safely gone in the first round and will be somebody’s M1. While in AFLFantasy he’s a strong M2 and probably taken in the 3rd or 4th round. While not the more prominent scorer in this format in contrast to SuperCoach he is a big name and as such doesn’t last long in any draft format.

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Round Table: Fremantle

The Dockers haven’t had a great time of late in the AFL but a productive off-season saw them gain some much needed role players. Is this the season they turn things back around? It’ll be fascinating to see just much much of an impact the new-look lineup can make.

Either way, there is a case to argue that Fremantle could be very relevant for the various AFL Fantasy formats. So for each coach, we pitched a few categories to see who we’re all keeping an eye on this preseason – a player to lock in now, an expected breakout contender, the best cash cow, an interesting left-field option, and a sneaky name to file away for a value draft pick.

These are the Fremantle players on each Panelist’s watchlist right now:

The Lock:

Jimmy: It’d be easy enough to nominate Fyfe but I’ve also currently got Luke Ryan locked into my SC and can’t see him going anywhere.

MJ: It feels safe, vanilla and predictable but Nat Fyfe is one of the best AFL midfielders going around. With the acquisition of some key forwards over the trade window the need for him to play as a ‘tall forward’ is gone. Added to this and the departure of their #2 midfielder in Lachie Neale means I can’t see a world where Fyfe isn’t spending an increased midfield role. The only question mark is does he play 20+ games?

Rids: Nathan Fyfe – no Neale. Freo landed 2 fwds in the trade period. What does this mean? Fyfe is no longer needed fwd for large stints. More mid time = more pts!

Tim: Nat Fyfe The guy is almost unstoppable when fit and has been a Supercoach dynamo. Very likely misses some games as always but with Neale gone, Hogan and Lobb in and Fyfe typically seeing 40%+ ownership, it’ll be dangerous to leave him out.

Fox: Nat Fyfe. SC lock, 10-20 points underpriced, a serious captain option, 3 scores over 150 in 2018 seals the deal for me, has to be seriously considered in all formats.

The Breakout

Jimmy: Matt Taberner starting to show some serious signs of his potential last season, and I suspect he will now really enjoy playing as the third lead-up tall alongside Hogan and Lobb.

MJ: Last year it was a member of the Brayshaw family that was one of the best breakouts of the year and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the family tradition continues on with Andy Brayshaw having a stellar second season. Someone has to fill the void left by Neale, step up mini Gus!

Rids: Adam Cerra. This kid is a super talent. Reminds me so much of Pendlebury. Watch for his JLT role. He is fwd only for 2019 so one to monitor.

Tim: Adam Cerra. Brayshaw was the bigger ball winner in juniors but Cerra looked like class in 2018 and it’s unknown how Brayshaw comes back from his broken jaw.

Fox: Adam Cerra has only played the one year but looks all class, 21 games at 60 including 5 under 30 in DT, definitely gets more mid opportunity this year.

The Cash Cow

MJ: If he’s fit and named round one you can’t pass on Harley Bennell.

Jimmy: Can we trust Harley Bennell? If he can earn himself a round one berth, he becomes very hard to resist at a basement price.

Rids: Brett Bewley. This guy was drafted to play round 1. Just needs to stay on the park thru the off season.

Tim: Luke Valente. Ball winning draftee. Enough said!

Fox: Brett Bewey looks the type Ross Lyon is going to talk about in his pressers, went 25 disposals in the VFL and has running ability.

The Unique

Jimmy: Reece Conca. Ok, hear me out. Brought straight into the leadership group in a team needing midfield experience. Generally scored around 80ish most weeks as a part-time midfielder at Richmond and I wonder if he hasn’t yet seen the best of him yet.

MJ: I’m all in on Luke Ryan this year if he is allowed to maintain his role as a designated kick-in option. Last year he took over 40% of the sides kick-ins but rarely ever played on meaning just on this scoring column alone he should jump substantially. Already averaged 90 as a unique SuperCoach defender last year and I think he’s going 100+ this year.

Rids: Jesse Hogan needs to be monitored for 2 reasons. The new rules of 666 might mean Hogan could have more of a lead up role than in previous seasons. The second reason is mid time. Not sure he wont get rotated into the mids at Freo when required. If he does his output could easily be top 10 as a fwd.

Tim: David Mundy is listed as a forward and scores well every year.

Fox: Jessie Hogan had an inconsistent 2018, priced at 90, if he gets a run through the midfield and some consistency going he’s easily a 100 point plus forward.

The Draft Smokey

Jimmy: Brett Bewley. The Tim Kelly that Fremantle has when Fremantle can’t have Tim Kelly. Will be available towards the end of most drafts, so make sure to load up.

MJ: I’d be going the late draft handcuff on Aaron Sandilands and Sean Darcy. Both score well without the other playing and can certainly pump out a 80+ average safely if not more.

Rids: Connor Blakely might slide in a few drafts. He is def one to keep an eye on. No Docherty means that Blakely could easily be in the top few for defenders for 2019.

Tim: Luke Ryan. On the up as a composed, ball winning defender.

Fox: Andrew Brayshaw was pretty much eased into 2018, more minutes and some natural Brayshaw development will see that 66 point average increase significantly

So! Who makes the cut for you in each category? Have your say on Facebook,  Twitter or Instagram

#50 Most Relevant: Harley Bennell

Welcome to the 50 Most Relevant list of 2019 where I look at who I believe are the most relevant players in all salary cap formats of the game. To kick off the 50 I’ve started with a potentially highly controversial selection in Fremantle’s Harley Bennell. 

PLAYER PROFILE


Name: Harley Bennell 
Age: 26
Club: Fremantle Dockers
Position: Midfield

2018 Highest Score: Did Not Play
2018 Average: Did Not Play

SuperCoach Price: $167,700
AFLFantasy Price: $236,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $199,600

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WHY IS HE RELEVANT?

Harley Bennell is priced as a cash cow, make no mistake about it. When it comes to our money making cows there are two major concerns you have. Firstly, job security.  Something that can destroy the momentum of any fantasy coaches season is when their cash cow is in and out of the side and not consistently making money week in week out for 6-10 weeks. One of the great unknowns with many first and even some second year players is their security to stay in the side week in week out. Who cares how good they can score, but if they’re not in the team they won’t be making you any money.  The beauty of Bennell is if fit (yes it’s a big if I know) is that he’s clearly inside the Dockers best 22.

The second key with cash cows is scoring potential. No point selecting a guy who’s in the best 22 if he plays a role or shows limited potential to score north of 50 consistently. While it’s great to have a ‘pulse’ on your team a 35 every week won’t generate you any cash that gets you closer to upgrading your side. With Bennell, the scoring potential question is already spoken for. Just take back a look at his early career at the Gold Coast Suns.

For AFLFantasy and DreamTeam coaches between 2012-2015, his seasonal averages were between 84-92. For SuperCoach he’s actually averaged over 100 before in a season (2015) while the 3 seasons prior his lowest average was 95. Even in his debut season, he averaged in the high 60’s in every format, something that given his price point coaches in 2019 would gladly take. 

Sometimes when we don’t see a player often we can forget the talent they possess, and talent is something Harley has in spades. At his best, Bennell is marvellous to watch with his class, skill and speed resulting in him showing glimpses that he can be one of the competitions most dangerous players.

At age 26 he still has (theoretically) plenty of years left in him, and if he can get his body even 80% back to it’s potential it’ll go a long way in helping the improvement of a Dockers midfield unit that is entirely built around Nat Fyfe.

MY TAKE

Job Security (check), Scoring History (check), what’s the concern? Plain and simple, his body! Only once since entering into the AFL (back in 2011) has he played more than 15 matches in a season. It gets worse, since joining the Dockers he’s played just the 2 games in 3 seasons and both of those were the final 2 matches of the 2017 season. Time and time again throughout his career at Fremantle calf injuries have been more common than not. Even at WAFL he’s barely been sighted. His best return was 2018 where he had managed 11 games with an average of 15 disposals a game. 

Here’s the thing, if he gets through the preseason relatively unscathed,  and plays some time through the midfield in the JLT matches, and is named round 1 can you select him? Absolutely, yes! You do not need him to play 22 games, not even 10-15. All you need from any cash cow is a 6-week window of consistent footy for you to be able to generate the cash you require. The best case scenario is he plays well beyond that and keeps scoring relatively well but by round 8 you can move him on to a premium of your choosing. Worst case scenario he does get injured mid game and cost you 30-40 points of possible scoring, makes you no money and requires a fix-up trade to a cash cow that you missed. If you’re OK with the reality of the risk the potential reward is more than worth it.

It requires plenty of ‘IF’s’ to happen, but for fantasy coaches, one of the worst things you can do in January is be closed in your opinions about a player especially one who’s shown he can seriously play. Fingers crossed we see him out there, I’d love to select Harley Bennell again in my side and hopefully, this is the year for him and us fantasy coache! 

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DRAFT DECISIONS

In both a seasonal or keeper league Harley is someone that will largely go through and won’t be selected. For many, his injury history and even WAFL scoring numbers may deter many coaches from even seriously looking at him. For mine, depending on the depth of the draft squads I wouldn’t be opposed to using my final round selection on him in a draft. A fit Bennell is full of promise, and given most final picks in a draft get thrown out quickly to the waiver wire the possible upside and minimal risk is more than worth considering. 

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Will you be starting with him?
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