Tag: Michael Walters

Marsh Community Series Review | Eagles Vs Dockers
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Read Time:3 Minute, 30 Second

It a late afternoon game at Joondalup the Dockers took the Pre Season Derby win over the Eagles by a miserly one point 55 v 54 after a late and spirited fight back.

The Eagles had the game on their terms early playing a high possession kick/mark brand which magnified a few defenders stats, especially that of Liam Duggan’s 32 disposals and 12 marks.

It looked a laydown misere for the Eagles entering the last quarter before a strong fightback by Fremantle, as the tempo lifted albeit for last 10 minutes with both teams appearing keen to get a win.

Chief outs: West Coast: Darling, Allen and Cole Fremantle: Ryan, Aish, Mundy, and the injured Pearce, Hamling, and Acres.

Nat Fyfe:

A game-high 14 contested, owned by 36% in SC and unlikely to drop off this performance, 11 CBA’s and some time forward for his 115 SC points.

Andrew Brayshaw:

If this guy isn’t in your team or not on your watchlist as a forward you’re doing it wrong. He had 25 disposals, 10 contested, 8 tackles, 14 CBA’s priced at 70 in DT and 71 in SC, went at 1.3 PPM in AF for his 120 points.

Adam Cerra:

A tough one to get a gauge on imho, will definitely be unique but will he deliver, had 17 disposals with just the 5 CBA’s, Darcy Tucker may just be ahead of him atm for more midfield time.

Michael Walters:

If he gets enough midfield minutes he will be a very good pick in 2020. Sonny had a sensational 3rd quarter, the problem is he is a very dangerous forward and Freo lack what he brings to their offence. Regardless of the splits, he will definitely end up one of the top forwards of this year.

Lachie Schultz:

A lively forward rook who a few of us may have started in 2019. Unfortunately, his price has blown out in 2020 but he might need to consider after his 2 decent pre-season games and our shortage of low priced rooks atm.

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Serong and Sturt:

Two rookies to consider if they get named Round 1, with limited game time it’s going to be tough for them.

Stephen Hill:

He was taking the kickins in the absence of Ryan and setting up some creative plays. However, the problem is he’s been diagnosed with some quad awareness and is off for scans this week.

Conner Blakely:

‘Connie B’ didn’t play in the main game but responded to his axing with a BOG in the curtain raiser for Peel Thunder v The Eagles, will that be enough to start Round 1?

Elliot Yeo:

A game-high 33 disposals, 15 CBA’s, 7 tackles, was the top-scoring AFLFantasy player with 126 and he went at 1.4 PPM. His first 7 disposals were kicks but he let himself down a little with 18 of the next 26 disposals being handballs. Kick the ball Elliot.

Andrew Gaff:

Just the 4 CBA’s in his 32 disposals but ended up being the highest SC scorer on the ground with 133 points, also only owned by 2% in SC, an excellent unique option.

Tim Kelly:

He’s a fantastic addition in the midfield for the Eagles, wait until he gets his burners going, 29 with 8 contested, will be one of the best for the Eagles in 2020 imho.

Jarrad Brander:

A fwd/def rookie played a defensive wing type role and looks to have cemented a Round 1 spot, we need these guys.

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Nic Naitanui:

The usual type of game from Naitanui. Low time on the ground with plenty of points. Nic posted a 100 in SuperCoach, 64 in AFLFantasy. NicNat is currently the 14th most expensive ruck in SuperCoach, can you go there as your R2? He’s in 13% of SC teams.

Dom Sheed:

He was too good not to get a mention, played forward a bit and finished with 23 disposals and 2 goals, 99 SC. Champion Data will be looking very closely into his Fwd/Mid splits early in the year. I’m already expecting a Fwd Status addition in AF and UF

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#23 Most Relevant | Michael Walters
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Read Time:6 Minute, 19 Second

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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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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JLT Players of Interest: Fremantle Vs Collingwood
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Read Time:3 Minute, 51 Second

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.

About Post Author

CP Writers

mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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