Tag: Rory Lobb

UltimateFooty: Round 9 Positional Changes

After rounds 3, 6, 9 & 12 the drafting format of Ultimate Footy awards additional player positions to players that have had a role change in season. As always players are required to have played a minimum of 3 games to be eligible and to be playing the new position as their primary role in the side.

In total 10 players have gained an additional position, one player has gained back status, four gaining centre, one new ruck and five have picked up forward status. Let’s look at who they are and the relevance to your draft sides and leagues.

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Sam Mayes | Add Back

The former Lion Sam Mayes has forced his way into the Port Adelaide side and has scored pretty well in his three games for the pear. A top score of 92 last week and an average of 66 is a handy boost for owners that currently have him or those able to snag him off the waiver wire. For a reference, a 66 average ranks him 27th overall for backs and be ahead of teammate Darcy Byrne-Jones, Zac Williams, Hunter Clark and Jack Bowes.

Chayce Jones | Add Centre

The Crows are certainly in rebuild mode. The Winless Crows have turned their attention rightly towards the future. As a result, plenty of youngsters are getting opportunities. One of those is first-round selection, Chayce Jones. The Tasmanian born is now getting his chances through the midfield. However, as yet it’s not transferred into scoring with 46 his current season-high score and an average of 32. Given that scoring and 22% ownership, it’s relatively safe to say it’s only keeper leagues that have him.

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Matthew Kennedy | Add Centre

One of many former GWS Giants players that now reside at Carlton, Matt Kennedy has finally started to get the reward for effort and been granted a midfield role. Since working his way back into the side at round six, he’s been among the top Blues players to attend centre bounces. His average of 63 is more than enough to make him be a player on the forward bench or final forward spot if required. No surprises UF have granted him this new position.

Shai Bolton | Add Centre

The premiership Tiger has been increasing his midfield time every year. Now Shai Bolton has been forced to increase his time in the guts with injuries to Trent Cotchin, Josh Caddy and Shane Edwards choosing to stay home from the hubs. His value in keeper leagues has undoubtedly increased because of it and is a more than handy forward in single-season leagues. Usually, the addition of a centre status adds minimal value, however with some teams struggling to field 22 this DPP could be the saving grace for coaches.

Kane Lambert | Add Centre

For the second year in a row, the Tigers have been decimated by injuries to a plethora of star players. As a result, not only are they blooding some new players, but they have tweaked the roles of some more experienced hands to take on some greater responsibility. For Kane Lambert, his midfield time has increased nicely, and for those who own the forward, they’d have seen a scoring bump specifically in round five and six when he scored 100 and 105.

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Rory Lobb | Add Forward

Along with Sam Mayes, the addition of DPP status for Rory Lobb is probably the other significant gain for coaches. Unless your league is rostering two ruckmen on the field, then it’s a high chance that Rory Lobb is nothing more than emergency coverage for your first choice ruck. Now as a forward, he can become someone that boosts your scoring on field. A top score of 92 and a season-low of 44 are included in his seasonal average of 61. Ranked against other forwards, he’s now just outside the top 30 but is now ahead of Tom Phillips, Shai Bolton, Jack Gunston and the GOAT Gary Ablett.

Harley Bennell | Add Forward

As a centre only, Harley Bennell has been mostly irrelevant given his average of 45. It’s no surprise that only 35% of leagues have picked up the former first-round pick. Now as a forward he still sits well outside the top 100 averaging players in this line, but he moves into contention to atleast be used as an emergency option when named.

Luke Jackson | Add Forward

In a keeper or dynasty league, I think Luke Jackson is going to be a player. He shows good signs when given time to play through the ruck, however, as long as Max Gawn is playing his time and his scoring will be limited. Melbourne is desperate to get games into him; as a result, he’s spending the majority of the game as a key position forward. In single-season leagues, this position doesn’t do much but keepers it might just be enough to retain him on your list heading into next season. The future is bright, but like for any young ‘tall’, they’ll take time to develop.

Matthew Suckling | Add Forward

The Western Bulldogs could field an entire team of half-backs if they want. The club is stacked to the rafters with rebounders. As a result, the club needs to find a role for those not able to squeeze into the core backline crew. Matt Suckling won the lottery and has since been used across half-forward so that his damaging left boot can be used for quality inside ’50s. Back in round seven, he scored a 71 and coaches would be excited and the flexibility his DPP addition would make had it not been for one small problem. Last round he injured his hamstring early in the match and will miss the next month of footy.

Brendon Ah Chee | Add Forward

Playing as a crafty small forward, Brendon Ah Chee is starting to play some consistent football at the West Coast Eagles. Currently, he’s been selected in 7% of leagues and given his average of 37 and three scores over 40 it’s understandable why coaches haven’t jumped at the chance to own him as a centre. Honestly, there should be better forward options in your player pool even with this new position. Pass!

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UltimateFooty | Possible DPP Changes | Round 9

After rounds 3, 6, 9 & 12 the drafting format of Ultimate Footy awards additional player positions to players that have had a role change in season. At the conclusion of the round we’ll confirm with you exclusively which players WILL gain a new position, but before then here are some players we believe would be in consideration for obtaining a new positional status.

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Jackson Hately | Add Back

He could be one of the significant gains should UltimateFooty allow this to happen. Jackson Hately has struggled for games at the Giants but over the past month has found himself more regularly inside the GWS side. While not playing exclusively across half-back, his time in a defensive role has drastically increased and his average of 56 moves from being irrelevant as a forward to a potential starter/bench option for backs.

Callum Ah Chee | Add Back

The former Gold Coast Sun Callum Ah Chee was brought into the Lions outfit to add some speed and class off half-back. Since breaking into the Brisbane side, he’s certainly delivered that. While his average doesn’t sound exciting, it still would place him as a potential depth player in your league.

James Harmes | Add Back

Was in contention in the last batch of DPP’s three weeks ago and has continued his role as part of the Melbourne defensive group. A top score of 64 and an average of 55 isn’t something you can field through your midfield, however, as a back could be enough to make it on your ground if not certainly be some defensive insurance.

Jay Lockhart | Add Back

Playing as a lockdown defender and only once score over 40. The DPP allocation is there, but his scoring isn’t. pass

Sam Mayes | Add Back

The former Lion has forced his way into the power side and in the past three weeks has looked at home across half back and up across the wings. An average of 66 including a season high score of 92 puts him right in the mix to sneak on field in most teams backlines. A handy DPP pick up if this is awarded.

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Shai Bolton | Add Centre

The premiership Tiger has been increasing his midfield time every year. Now Shai Bolton has been forced to increase his time in the guts with injuries to Trent Cotchin, Josh Caddy and Shane Edwards choosing to stay home from the hubs. His value in keeper leagues has certainly increased because of it and is a more than handy forward in single-season leagues.

Cam Rayner | Add Centre

Another that for keeper leagues has drastically increased his relevance and value. The former #1 pick has developed his tank more this year to be able to push up more consistently up the ground and play significant time on the wing. Like Bolton, and any other player gaining centre it doesn’t add scoring to coaches sides, but rather flexibility.

Michael Gibbons | Add Centre

Last year the fantasy football community was hoping that the VFL midfielder star would get his chances in an undermanned Carlton midfield. It didn’t eventuate in 2019, but in 2020 ‘Gibbo’ has forced his way into the Carlton midfield and playing a significant support role to Patrick Cripps.

Matt Kennedy | Add Centre

Like his teammate above, Matt Kennedy is getting plenty of time through the Carlton midfield. He’s been a handy pick up off the waiver wire for astute coaches.

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Oscar Allen | Add Ruck

With Nic Naitanui taking the lead ruck role the Eagles have often used another tall as the relief ruck. West Coast turned to Oscar Allen to help bring some support. This year he’s averaging career-high hitouts a game and providing viable support to NicNat.

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Dayne Zorko | Add Forward

A few small niggling injuries might have been the thing that cost the Brisbane captain from picking up a position this previously. Regardless, Dayne Zorko has had a drastic role change in 2020, spending plenty of time-based inside forward 50. The Lions midfield is heavily centred around Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons and then a floating cast of thousands which includes Zorko, McCluggage, Berry and Rayner amongst others. While Zorko is still spending time in the midfield, it’s, without doubt, he’s inside the Lions forward 50 a lot. His season average of 66 isn’t astonishing, but scores of 72, 78 & 88 over the three weeks heading into round 9 is a definite scoring increase.

Rory Lobb | Add Forward

The Fremantle big man has spent the majority of the season playing a split role with Sean Darcy. What might not bode well is early in the season Rory Lobb was forced to ruck solo when Darcy went down injured. However, over the past month, it’s been much closer to a 50\50 split especially without Jesse Hogan playing up forward. Whether this split of time is enough in UltimateFooty’s eyes is enough will ultimately determine if he’s awarded DPP.

Rowan Marshall | Add Forward

The arrival of Paddy Ryder has seen his time in the ruck diminish from last season where he carried the load solo. Much like Lobb above, the percentage threshold is the only thing that might stop him getting forward status. He’s playing that role at times, but is it enough? If it is, it’ll be a massive addition as he’ll become atop ten averaging forward given his average of 74.

Aaron Hall | Add Forward

The emergence of Jy Simpkin into the Roos midfield has limited the opportunities of some including Aaron Hall. He’s found himself while getting some midfield moments being used predominantly as a high half-forward option. As a centre, he’s not scoring amazing, but as a forward, it’s a different story. 

WHO PICKED UP DPP LAST TIME?

Marsh Community Series Review | Dockers v Blues

An interesting fantasy game this one – there were plenty of watchlist players running around for their first formal match practise of 2020. To start with however, here’s a list to keep in mind of important players who didn’t play:

Fremantle: Fyfe, Hill, Mundy, Walters, Pearce, Wilson, Hayden Young

Carlton: Betts, Cripps, Marchbank, McGovern, McKay, Murphy, Petrevski-Seton

So when reviewing players, their role, their performance & the match just keep the above in mind.

Rory Lobb

Lobb needs mentioning because he had such a big game, however there are some important things to note. The first is that Darcy didn’t play the second half due to a precautionary injury resting (per coach afterwards he should be fine) & the second is that Kreuzer didn’t play the second half either (Kreuze looked good in the first half too) so Lobb basically played ruck against Pittonet for half a game.

Having said that, he looked much better than Darcy in the first half anyway. He was more mobile, took more marks, looked more dangerous – it wouldn’t surprise if Freo again play Lobb as their main ruck and leave Darcy in the WAFL at times as happened last year. It makes for an interesting dynamic for draft leagues.

Andrew Brayshaw

Brayshaw played midfield and he got a lot of it when he was on. An excellent sign for those keen on him as a breakout ‘forward’ this year. Keep in mind the above players who didn’t play though so it’s hard to read anything definitive into his role & likely scoring just based on this game. He does look to be on the up though.

Blake Acres

Per Brayshaw above, had the midfield role we were hoping for (he’s another ‘forward’ this year) however, again, look at the list of outs above. We’ll want to see this role and output again in their 2nd match when Fyfe, Walters, Mundy etc are back.

Please read our full preseason take on him from the 50 Most Relevant Series here.

Connor Blakely

It’s like a record on repeat here – per Brayshaw & Acres above, Blakely certainly played a lot around the ball and through the midfield. Once again though, we need to see who stays in there when everyone’s playing. I will also note that his disposal wasn’t quite as clean as the other two, although he’s certainly a big lad in there and knows how to find it.

Please read our full preseason take on him from the 50 Most Relevant Series here.

Adam Cerra

Cerra certainly played a good chunk of the game in midfield and looked very solid. He was also around half-back at times. A clean ball user who was going at a high disposal efficiency throughout, he’s someone they’ll want to give the ball to as well. Role will be important when we get to the next praccy match again though.

Lachie Schultz

Probably too awkwardly priced to really be of note, it was still a really good game from the young forward. His disposal and decision making weren’t always clean but he got involved and threw himself into contests. Four goals straight was also an excellent return.

Caleb Serong

Looked really good, clean and promising. Probably too much in the midfield depth chart ahead of him to be worth his price tag this year but one for the future certainly.

Sam Walsh

Just the lazy 28 touches for Walsh in this game – obviously going to have the 2nd year Blues… But seriously, he looked as good as ever in this game. Too high a price to really be salary cap relevant this year but he will be in future years.

Sam Docherty

Let’s be honest, this is the Carlton player that most fantasy footy players wanted to see in this game. Given his discounted pricing & his previous averages, fitness & form were things that needed ticking off. Well, he’s certainly back to fitness – playing pretty much the whole game (albeit he suggested post-game that he did cramp late).

As for form? He did seem rusty early however grew into the match as it went on and really started to get some of those mark-kick combos in defense and up onto the wing. An excellent first up game for him all things considered.

Please read our full preseason take on him from the 50 Most Relevant Series here.

Mark Pittonet

Had a decent game but only played the 2nd half and that up against Lobb & High Dixon in the ruck. Kreuzer looked really good in the first half so doubtful that Pittonet plays unless Kreuzer gets injured (which, let’s be honest, does happen from time to time). A cheap ruck option for us but unless he’s named Round 1 it seems a premium price too far at this stage.