Tag: Ultimate Footy

Ultimate Footy | Free Agency Pick Ups | Round 19
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Read Time:3 Minute, 27 Second

This week’s list looks at a couple of hard nuts from the Crows, plus a son of a gun Swan whose recent role change could make him a late season breakout candidate.

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BACKS:

Jake Kelly – Adelaide
% owned – 63%
2021 average – 66.4

In his 6 years at AFL level, Kelly’s best fantasy average has been 67, making him an unlikely selection for a fantasy squad. Despite that, Kelly has actually had a decent year thanks in part to Adelaide’s desire to possess the footy in the back half and, of course, the ball being down that end of the ground often.


Kelly’s best scoring asset is his marking, averaging 5 a game this year and taking an equal career high 12 a couple of weeks ago against Essendon. Also in his favour, is his kick to handball ratio as he has opted to kick the ball over twice as many times as he has handballed.


It’s certainly not an exciting pick, but Kelly is averaging 99 from his last two games, and has only scored under 60 four times this year (if you exclude round 1 when he was knocked out in an infamous clash with Patrick Dangerfield).

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FORWARD:

Nick Blakey – Sydney
% owned – 63%
2021 average – 56.5

Some astute fantasy coaches would have had Blakey on their watchlist for season 2021 as the highly touted young Swan had a taste of the midfield in 2020 and was a 3rd year breakout candidate. With the likes of Gulden, Warner and Campbell emerging and starring for Sydney in the early rounds, Blakey struggled to impact as a midfielder and eventually lost his place in the side.


After various stints in the VFL and as the medical sub, Blakey was brought back into the senior 22 a few weeks ago and given a new role, playing off half back. The role change had an instant impact as Blakey recorded season high numbers for disposals and marks (19 and 6) and the Swans had a massive win over the Eagles.


Blakey continued in the same role the next week in another impressive victory over the Bulldogs, recording similar numbers and then again on the weekend in the come from behind win over the Giants.
Sydney are 3 from 3 with Blakey in this role and he is averaging 74 in that time, making him an appealing option for the run home.

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Harry Schoenberg – Adelaide
% owned – 69%
2021 average – 65.2

Since debuting in round 10 last season, Schoenberg has played every game available for the Crows which shows he has taken to the big time well, albeit, playing for a bottom side. Playing forward of the ball with stints in the midfield, his fantasy scores have been reasonable for a second year player averaging 17 disposals but not good enough to be in our sides.

The last two weeks have made me take notice, however, as the future star has added tagging to his skill set. Two weeks ago, Essendon’s Darcy Parish was doing as he pleased against the Crows collecting the footy 16 times in the first half.  Schoenberg was moved onto Parish for the second half and completely shut him down restricting him to just 3 touches in the second half whilst collecting 8 himself.


This role didn’t necessarily mean more midfield time for Schoenberg but was a likely confidence booster as he went on to post his career best score the next week against West Coast scoring 113 thanks to 24 touches and 6 tackles. He is averaging 98 in his last two games and looks set for a big finish to the year.

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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Ultimate Footy | Free Agency Pick Ups | Round 14
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Read Time:4 Minute, 57 Second

This is a very tough week for unique free agents as we have 8 teams on the bye in what is, thankfully, the final week of byes. This week’s list is made up of players that could be one-week wonders in your side, stepping in to cover for one of your premium players missing. They either have a favourable match up or are in a fleetingly rich vein of form but are likely to be kicked back to the bench or free agent scrap heap next week. And if they end up being keepers, then that’s a bonus but I wouldn’t count on it. Enjoy, and good luck!

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DEFENDER

Trent McKenzie – Port Adelaide
% owned – 57%
2021 average – 76

The addition of Aliir Aliir and a fit and healthy Ryan Burton into Port Adelaide’s back 6 meant that despite playing all but 2 games last season, McKenzie was on the outer for the first half of 2021. He did get his chance in round 10 and has made the most of it playing every week since.

In those 3 games, McKenzie has averaged 7 marks a game and has opted to kick instead of handball at a very fantasy friendly rate. Of his 51 disposals, 46 have been kicks! This stat has been helped by the fact that McKenzie has taken the most kick ins for Port in his 3 games and like a true fantasy player, has played on 100% of the time.

Finally, this week he comes up against his old side, Gold Coast, who are down on confidence and last week against Fremantle, allowed the likes of Luke Ryan, James Aish and Darcy Tucker to take 30 marks between them, all on the way to solid fantasy tons.

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MIDFIELD

Jai Newcombe – Hawthorn
% owned – 59%
2021 average – 87

What a whirlwind few weeks it has been for 20 year old Newcombe. He went from being one of VFL side Box Hill’s best players, to joining an AFL list, to debuting on a Friday night and setting a record for most tackles by a debutant in AFL history laying a whopping 14. His disposal tally was much more modest at 13 but the fact that he attended 16/25 centre bounces shows Hawthorn are not afraid to throw the kid in the deep end.

Teammate Worpel attended 1 more centre bounce than Newcombe but will miss this week’s clash against Essendon through suspension meaning the new Hawk will have every chance to build on his impressive debut.

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RUCK

Jonathon Ceglar – Hawthorn
% owned – 63%
2021 average – 68.8

What a time to put in a career best performance (and 2nd highest fantasy career score) for Hawthorn’s perennial back up ruckman. Watching youngster Ned Reeves take his spot and play very well in it must have lit a fire in Ceglar and he is a perfect candidate for a one week spot in your side if you own one of the many ruckmen on the bye this week.

Reeves was a late out on Friday night paving the way for Ceglar to come in and surprisingly dominate against one of the competitions hardest ruckman to play on, Tom Hickey.  He recorded the most hit outs on the ground with 35 whilst collecting 20 disposals and kicking a goal in what was a complete performance. It is just the third time in his career that he has recorded 20+ disposals in a game.

Reeves appears to have recovered from him ankle problem but it is hard to see him pushing the veteran back out this week at least. They are up against Essendon this week who in their last two outings have allowed ruckmen to score well. Before the bye, Chol hit a 97 against them in the Dreamtime game, and the week before that, Naitanui posted a handsome 117.

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FORWARD

Steven Motlop – Port Adelaide
% owned – 62%
2021 average – 67.3%

At his best, Motlop is an excitement machine that loves finding the footy but unfortunately for Port fans (Geelong ones too), his worst is the complete opposite of that. It is this hot and cold fluctuation that makes it hard to pick Motlop in any fantasy format but it does make him a great candidate for a one week gig in your squad as he comes up against the struggling Suns this week.

Port have won 5 games by over 30 points this year and across those games, Motlop has averaged 84. In the remaining 7 games which have been a mix of wins by less than 30 and losses, he has averaged 55.

Now, does this mean Motlop only plays well when Port Adelaide beat up on sides, or does it mean Port Adelaide only play well when Motlop is up and about? I’ll let smarter minds than mine work that out, but what I do know is, if you think Port will beat Gold Coast by more than 5 goals this week, get Motlop in!

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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UltimateFooty | Free Agency Pick Ups | Round 13
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Read Time:2 Minute, 52 Second

Just the three players again this week due to it being the second of three bye rounds.  Making the list are a couple of players fresh off the bye last week that have the potential to help your side in the second half of the year, particularly a North midfielder who could’ve been on his way to his first 100 average season if not for a bad injury in the pre-season. Speaking of injury, also on the list is a much-loved Collingwood forward who returned from a broken leg with a bang!

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BACKS

Riley Bonner – Port Adelaide
% owned – 37%
2021 average – 62.5

After 19 games in each of 2018 and 2019, Bonner was limited to 9 games last year as pressure for spots in the backline heated up. He was picked for round 1 but we then didn’t see him in the seniors again until round 9 when an opportunity arose in the shape of a Dan Houston injury. His game was unspectacular but crucially, it was enough for him to hold his spot when Houston returned the next week.
Before the bye, Bonner put together a solid game in the win against Fremantle recording 20 disposals and taking 9 marks and should grow in confidence with every game he plays.

MIDFIELD:

Trent Dumont – North Melbourne
% owned – 70%
2021 average – 58

Dumont’s average has increased every season of his career (if you account for shortened quarters in 2020) without ever having a true breakout. If this trend continued, 2021 was going to be the year Dumont averaged 100+ but a serious calf injury wrecked his pre-season and most of his season so far. North Melbourne were rightly cautious in how they brought Dumont back to AFL level, but it was a seemingly endless wait for those that drafted him.
He made his return in round 9 in his side’s first win of the year against Hawthorn and has now put 3 games together. None of these performances scream “pick me” to the fantasy world but this is the same guy that hit 5 scores over 90 (112 adjusted) last season. Coming back from a rest thanks to the bye, Dumont will be a real steal if he gets his fantasy career trajectory back on track.

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FORWARD:

Jamie Elliot – Collingwood
% owned – 55%
2021 average – 67.3%

Now THAT is how you return from a long term injury! The oft injured Elliot returned from 10 weeks on the sidelines with a resounding best on ground performance in Collingwood’s tight win over Adelaide. He kicked 6 goals straight playing predominantly forward but also had spurts in the midfield, attending 6 centre bounce attendances.
Elliot unfortunately has a long history of injuries having missed the entire 2016 and 2018 seasons but this time, he was returning from a broken leg sustained in round 2 and not anything hamstring or ankle related which are just some of the ailments that have plagued his career.
I wouldn’t expect 6 goal hauls every week, but a 70+ average from here on is very realistic as he has comfortably hit that in his last 5 or so seasons (when he gets on the park).

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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UltimateFooty | Free Agency Pick Ups | Round 12
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Read Time:3 Minute, 8 Second

Just the three players this week as we enter the dreaded bye rounds meaning we only have players from 12 sides to look at it. Making the list is a couple of Saints who have been in and out of the side plus a long time Tiger favourite who offers understated consistency for your midfield.  

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BACKS

Nick Coffield – St.Kilda
% owned – 68%
2021 average – 66

Taken with pick 8 in the 2017 Draft, Coffield started to look the part in 2020 playing every game bar 1 and averaging 62 (78 when adjusted for normal length games). Expected to elevate his game further in 2021, Coffield has been emblematic of St.Kilda’s up and down season, with both he and club performing below expectations.
An impressive 23 disposal, 12 mark performance against Richmond netted his only ton of the season but that was preceded by a meek 10 disposal effort against West Coast where he put up his lowest score of the season with a 38 making it hard to get a read on him.
Coffield was omitted in round 9 and spent a couple of weeks in the VFL to work on his deficiencies, but has now returned to the senior side and will surely be better for the experience and now build on his 2020 form.

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Midfield

Shane Edwards – Richmond
% owned – 63%
2021 average – 77

Like a fine wine, Edwards has gotten better with age and is on track for a career best average in his 15th season! The fact that his current average of 77 would be a career best shows that the veteran Tiger has never been one to trouble the fantasy scoreboards, but he has been consistent this season and is good enough to be the last player across your midfield. Expect him to return to the side this week after missing the last few weeks with an ankle injury and help push Richmond’s quest for a third consecutive flag.

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Forward

Mason Wood – St.Kilda
% owned – 8%
2021 average – 61

Time is ticking for Wood to reach his unfulfilled potential as he is yet to establish himself in the best 22 in his first season at St.Kilda which is his 8th season in the AFL. So far in 2021, the former Roo has added 5 games to his career tally but has only taken the field 3 times as he was the unused medical sub twice and then came on as the sub in round 8 collecting 5 disposals in minimal game time.

The two full games he played were in round 3 when he had little impact in a big loss to Essendon and then again on the weekend in the win against his former side when he scored his first fantasy ton since round 6, 2019.
He achieved this thanks to a 3 goal haul but also by laying 4 tackles and taking 8 marks. With the right role, he can be a great pick up for the Saints and the fantasy draft world.

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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UltimateFooty | Free Agency Pick Ups | Round Four
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Read Time:4 Minute, 51 Second

Hi team, Jordox here!

One of my favourite parts of fantasy footy is nabbing a free agent off the waiver wire before anyone else does and watching him turn into a gun scorer for my draft sides. Each week I’ll bring you some names to consider for your Ultimate Footy side that will hopefully give you the edge you need. To be eligible, a player needs to be available as a free agent in at least 30% of Ultimate Footy leagues.

Still nothing of interest in the ruck line and slim pickings in the midfield but plenty of options elsewhere including a defender turned midfielder at Geelong who is an early nominee for tagger of the year!

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Defenders


Mark O’Connor – Geelong
% owned – 24%
2021 average – 76.7

The speedy Irishman has been a solid defender for the Cats for the last few years without ever really showing much in the way of fantasy scoring. In fact, before this season he had only ever collected 20 touches or more in a game twice. But in round 2, Chris Scott tasked him with tagging the reigning Brownlow medallist, Lachie Neale and he did a stellar job.

This week, he tagged another Brownlow medallist in Tom Mitchell and again won the battle clearly, recording a career high 26 touches and 8 tackles whilst attending more centre bounces than any other player on the ground with 20 out of 23. He is averaging 91.5 in this new role and is likely to gain DPP status as he has now attended 86% of centre bounces in rounds 2 and 3 after attending zero in round 1.


Jackson Nelson – West Coast
% owned – 59%
2021 average – 74.7

Nelson has been around for a while now and has slowly increased his fantasy average and flirted with UF relevancy, but this year looks to have solidified his spot in the back 6 at the Eagles. He scored a nice 91 in the AAMI Series clash against Fremantle and on the weekend just gone, joined in the kick-mark feast against Port Adelaide.

He took 10 marks on the way to 25 touches (21 kicks!) and his first fantasy ton, not including the adjusted 115 in round 18 last year. West Coast like the ball in his hands as he has taken the 2nd most kick-ins this year behind Hurn, playing on 100% of the time.

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Midfield

Oliver Florent – Sydney
% owned – 69%
2021 average – 78.7

The Swans first pick from the 2016 draft has been building steadily for the last few years learning from the likes of Parker and Kennedy and alongside a host of young Sydney stars, is now getting ample midfield opportunities. Still playing predominantly as a transitional half forward/winger, the exciting Florent has now attended 30% of centre bounces this season.

He had a career high 29 touches and a nice fantasy ton on the weekend against the reigning premiers and is only going to get better from here.

Paul Seedsman – Adelaide
% owned – 59%
2021 average – 80.3

There wasn’t a heap to choose from in the midfield this week so this one is a bit of a hit and hope but Seedsman is quietly putting together a decent season on the wing for the Crows averaging 6 marks a game. The veteran has never really reached his fantasy potential due to injuries and form issues across his career, but he is exciting to watch in full flight and would sit comfortably as your last midfielder.

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Ruck:

Nothing to see here again, try again next week!

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Forward:

Jack Silvagni – Carlton
% owned – 18%
2021 average – 59

Now in his 6th season, this son of a gun is starting to look a more commanding figure, not unlike his old man. He looked excellent in the AAMI Series match against the Saints scoring 90 thanks to 3 goals and 4 tackles and looked to be backing it up in round 1 against the Tigers sitting on 40 before injury ended his night just before half time.

Thankfully he only missed the one game and returned on the weekend with an equal career high 18 touches, scoring 78 and contributing strongly to Carlton’s first win of the season.

Peter Wright – Essendon
% owned – 51%
2021 average – 60

Crisis creates opportunity as they say and with injuries to young gun Draper and veteran Phillips, the Bombers’ ruck stocks were in crisis last week, leading to an opportunity for a role change for Two Metre Peter. Brought across from the Suns in the off season to play as a key forward and pinch hit in the ruck, Wright played permanent ruck on the weekend and looked solid.

He had the most centre bounce attendances on the ground winning 19 hit outs on the way to scoring 76 (albeit against weak opposition in McKernan and Carisle). The Bombers made a mess of the Saints so even though Phillips is now off the injury list and young Nick Bryan is edging closer to a debut, Wright looks to be the number 1 ruck at Bomberland for the time being.

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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Ultimate Footy | Free Agency Pick Ups | Round Two
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Read Time:4 Minute, 28 Second

Hi team, Jordox here!

One of my favourite parts of fantasy footy is nabbing a free agent off the waiver wire before anyone else does and watching him turn into a gun scorer for my draft sides. Each week I’ll bring you some names to consider for your Ultimate Footy side that will hopefully give you the edge you need. To be eligible, a player needs to be available as a free agent in at least 30% of Ultimate Footy leagues.

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Defenders

Changkuoth Jiath
% owned – 56%
2021 average – 76.5

Jiath showed signs in pre-season that he could become fantasy relevant scoring an impressive 83 in the AAMI Series win over North Melbourne. After an impressive 25 touch, 8 mark display on the weekend, he now appears to have locked in a spot in the Hawks’ back 6.

He plays a great fantasy game providing run off half back but he also reads the play very well averaging 3 intercept marks a game so far. He looked very confident against a top side in Richmond, taking the game on and even giving Dustin Martin the old Dusty fend off!

Daniel Howe
% owned – 67%
2021 average – 81.5

Also available as a midfielder, Howe is another Hawk that found plenty of it on the weekend and will see his ownership rise. Running up and down the wings, he took 11 marks and showed signs of becoming more than just a bit part player. Wingard’s imminent return could hurt his scoring potential but for now, his DPP status makes him very appealing.

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Midfielders

Willem Drew
% owned – 54%
2021 average – 73

Humble numbers so far with scores of 80 and 66 but what interests me most about Drew is his role. Almost the forgotten man of that brilliant 2018 draft haul that Port snagged, Drew missed all of 2020 and looks hell bent on making up for lost time, laying 11 tackles in round 1! He leads the way for centre bounces at Port attending 45 of 61 (74%) with Lycett the next best with 41.

He needs to get his hands on the pill a bit more, but this kid is keeping Tom Rockcliff out of the side. That says something.

Charlie Constable
% owned – 48%
2021 average – 49

Chris Scott’s reluctance to give Constable a long stint in the side has been a source of frustration for the fantasy world ever since the young Cat debuted in 2019 and averaged 88 in his first 4 games. Constable has gotten a small look in so far this year due to the injuries and suspensions at Geelong.

His average looks terrible due to scoring 25 as the medical sub in round 1 but worth noting he scored that 25 in just 13% game time and then followed it up with a 73 off just 55% game time against Brisbane. If he gets close to a full game this weekend, he should score very well.

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Ruck:

Nothing to see here, try again next week!

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Forward:

Tom Atkins
% owned – 53%
2021 average – 69.5

Playing in a new role across half back, Atkins turned heads in the AAMI Series with an impressive 28 disposal effort against Essendon, well above his career best of 23 disposals in a game in 2019. Those that were optimistic may have been turned off by his paltry score of 51 in round 1 in the loss to the Crows but that was a strange game and many Cats were well below their best.

He backed it up with a solid 88 against Brisbane and what excites me most about his scoring potential is how hard he is at the man having averaged 5 tackles a game so far this year and 4 a game across his young career. The flipside of that is that he has given away 9 free kicks (-27 points) in 2 games and been awarded none!

Minairo Frederick
% owned – 28%
2021 average – 76

Largely unknown before this season due to only averaging 31 in his debut season last year, Frederick became a more familiar name after scoring a ton in the AAMI Series thanks to 9 marks and 2 goals. Unfortunately, he then strained a calf causing him to miss round 1 and potentially losing his place in the 22.

But his solid pre-season was rewarded as he came back in round 2 and looked great playing high half forward and scoring 76 from just 13 touches. Walter is likely to return this week and could impact Frederick’s scoring, but I think the kid is exciting and will thrive with more experience around him.


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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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UltimateFooty: Round 12 Positional Changes
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Read Time:6 Minute, 32 Second

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, two players has gained back status, four gaining centre, one new ruck and three 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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Will Powell | ADD BACK

Will Powell isn’t a sexy name acquisition to our backlines, but his number highlight that he is someone we need to patrol the player markets for consideration. Over the past five week’s he’s averaging 57 which features scores of 73 and 67. His seasonal average of 47 might put off some coaches, but a look into the numbers shows he’s much more reliable than that. This average includes an injury impacted score of 3. So he’s much closer to the mid-’50s in terms of real deliverables. On the first reflection that’s not amazing, but it’s enough to get him inside the top 75 backs based on averages. It’s not amazing, but you could do worse.

Ryan Gardner | ADD BACK

His scoring isn’t relevant for even the draft format, let alone classic. But it’s a role change that needs to be awarded. Ryan Gardner is currently owned by 1% of leagues and that still too high a number for our liking.

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Travis Varcoe | ADD CENTRE

Meh! It’s a warranted gain that Travis Varcoe picks up this positional allocation, but is he even someone you want in your draft side? We don’t think so. Currently he’s in just 2% of teams and the allocation of this additional position will not boost it.

Connor Blakely | ADD CENTRE

Since breaking into the Fremantle side a few weeks ago, Connor Blakely has been allowed to play his preferred role through the midfield. The dockers are playing a high possession game style that is profitable for fantasy football coaches. It’s seen with scores of Caleb Serong, Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw over the last few weeks. Thankfully Connor has been able to get in on this action a little bit with two 70+ scores in his previous three games. As always for players who gain centre status, it just adds squad versatility more than scoring benefit to your draft team.

Sydney Stack | ADD CENTRE

The Tigers have done well over the festival of footy to expose as many players as possible to some AFL game time. One of those is Sydney Stack. The classy ball user has been given a reasonable go through the midfield over the last month. He’s scoring OK, but nothing amazing. And as a back now with DPP he just offers you cover should cover in multiple lines if you get stuck for a player.

Mark Blicavs | ADD CENTRE

A seasonal average of 58 is being elevated by a five-game average of 73. Mark Blicavs is one of the Mr Fixit options at the disposal of the Geelong coaching staff. The athletic beast is equally as capable as playing a lockdown defensive role, as he is as a relief ruck or a tall winger. His hitout numbers have seen a significant boost over the last month. However, is Blics playing as a ruckman? Not according to the team at UF! One can presume it’s more as an around the ground role as a midfielder/wingman that he’s been getting these chances in their eyes.

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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. While it might not appear to have much benefit, this could be hugely helpful in deeper and category scoring leagues.

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Lachie Fogarty | ADD FORWARD

In the past few weeks, Lachie Fogarty has shown his scoring potential. Over the past five weeks, his scores have included a 65, 87 & 61. These scores are reasonable as a centre, but now with the allocation of forward status, he is undoubtedly a substantial stash on your forward bench if nothing else. The challenge for him is about retaining a role inside the Cats best 22. While he adds plenty of defensive efforts and speed to a Geelong forward line, the cats are about to welcome Luke Dahlhaus back into the team from injury. Can he score well when playing? Absolutely! Is his role in the side secure? Far from it!

Jye Caldwell | ADD FORWARD

He’s found it hard to crack into the GWS side over his time since being drafted. However, Jye Caldwell is starting to craft a role for himself in the team primarily as a forward. His burst of acceleration, goal sense and defensive efforts have seen him be rewarded with five consecutive games. As a centre only option he’s not someone even worth considering as an emergency cover, but as a forward, he brings some value and given he’s in only 46% of leagues you’ve got a chance to snag him off your player market with a waiver wire pick. A vast majority of those would be keeper leagues too.

A season-high 74 and three additional scores over 50 mean that he won’t set the world on fire, but he now becomes draft relevant all be it only by a smaller amount.

Ned McHenry | ADD FORWARD

He’s only a relevant player in keeper or dynasty leagues but expect over time the Crows to give Ned McHenry a chance. The Crows invested in a first-round selection, and since his debut earlier this year Ned has been given limited midfield minutes. Keeper league owners will be hoping this small forward who has shown the potential in the SANFL to play up the ground is given his chances. In his first season at SANFL level, McHenry averaged 18.1 disposals (at 77 per cent efficiency), 5.3 marks, 4.5 tackles, 1.6 clearances, 2.8 inside 50’s and 1.8 rebounds.

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70% OR GREATER

Where’s Nat Fyfe, Patrick Dangerfield, Dayne Zorko or any other player that you feel is missing? One of the things that make UltimateFooty unique is that for a player to be awarded DPP they must be playing 70% of game time in this new position. So why has your player missed the cut? Likely that in the data it would suggest they haven’t spent enough time in that role.

Only exception is backup rucks as UF generally need more rucks in the game to help deep leagues

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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UltimateFooty | Possible DPP Changes | Round 3
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Read Time:7 Minute, 0 Second

After rounds 3, 6 and 9 the drafting format of Ultimate Footy awards additional player positions to players that have had a role change in season. On Wednesday evening 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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Jack Bowes | Add Back

This is close to the most significant addition of a new position that I can forecast. Jack Bowes has found himself a home as the general for the Gold Coast Suns defensive unit. The former first-round pick (I know you can say that phrase for most Gold Coast player) is averaging career-high numbers. Included in that is his five rebound 50’s a game. An average of 75 in most seasons doesn’t sound too exciting but in shortened quarters and as a backman is strong. If we were to rank him against other current backs, only 12 others average higher than him, and he’d be ranked 10th for total points. An 88 last week against the Crows shows he’s also got some nice ceiling about him. Lock this positional change. We don’t see a world where UltimateFooty doesn’t award it.

Reece Conca | Add Back

Last year Reece Conca was a staple through the Fremantle midfield core, however, under this new regime, he’s been bumped in favour for the new generation. Before his trade several years back he played an aggressive half back at Richmond and has seemed to slide right back into this role in 2020. A poor round three score of 47 will sour some coaches from selecting him. However, a 68 and 62 in the opening two rounds is a rosterable score in our backlines this year. Like other backs on this list contrast his current averages on what our existing backs are delivering, and he starts to become someone to consider.

Ben McEvoy | Add Back

He is one of the easiest decisions that UltimateFooty will have to make in this batch of DPP’s. Ben McEvoy has had a drastic role change and is now a key defender. Scores of 45, 39 & 43 are weak, but he’s got the potential to be a highly significant addition. For this to happen, it would require an injury or tactic change to move out Jon Ceglar and for Big Boy to move back into the ruck role. If this happens though, coaches could get a massive reward with a likely 80+ scorer knowing being backline eligible.

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 an average of 54 doesn’t sound exciting, it still would place him inside the top 70 averaging backs currently available to us. Like several others on this list has played just two matches and probably won’t qualify yet for the new position, but on his current trend, it’s on its way soon.

Isaac Smith | Add Back

This one will be fascinating to see what happens. He’s currently averaging four rebound 50’s a game, and while it might be a small sample size of data, it’s certainly an increase on his previous seasons. The core question is Isaac Smith playing as a defender? Or is he merely being a damaging wingman and using his aerobic capacity to help out his team? How UltimateFooty judge this will determine if he’s considered or not.

Brennan Cox | Add Back

He isn’t fantasy relevant but a relatively easy one for the gang at UltimateFooty. The dockers are struggling with talls down back with injuries to the key defensive stocks of Joel Hamling and Alex Pearce. Brennan Cox has been sent down back to try and battle opposition key forwards. With just one score over 40, he’s not a waiver wire target.

Brayden Fiorini | Add Back

Much like another few players, you’ll see later on in this list, the fact that Brayden Fiorini has played just two games he’s unlikely to earn a new position. Brayden has certainly displayed fantasy footy pedigree, that’s seen with ten tons last year and an average of 99. However, others have gone past him in the midfield. Now he’s been deployed in a more defensive 50 role and is fighting for a part across halfback. The fact he was dropped from the Suns round three side means I think atleast for now he’s staying as a centre only.

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Jordan De Goey | Add Centre

It doesn’t help increase the scoring potential of your side but Jordan De Goey becoming a centre should provide some squad flexibility. In these shortened games Collingwood is employing Jordan at centre clearances often where his ball-winning ability has been on show often over his career. He then pushes forward to be a damaging option for the Pies. I love the way Bucks is using him at the moment, and while he’s yet to score over 70, he’s still inside the top 30 forwards for total points scored.

Brett Bewley | Add Centre

The injury to Blake Acres late in the preseason opened up a role on the Dockers wing, and Brett Bewley has made the most of his opportunities with scores of 89, 57 and 59. Like any player that gains a centre DPP, it doesn’t help increase the scoring potential of your side but instead just adds to some flexibility.

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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 a care seven hitout a game and providing viable support to NicNat. However, he’s only played two games and will likely have to wait until the next batch of DPP’s. Lock him in to gain ruck status in the future allocation.

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Dayne Zorko | Add Forward

The injury that saw him miss round three might be the thing that costs the Brisbane captain from picking up a position this time around. Regardless, Dayne Zorko has had a drastic role change in 2020, spending the majority of time-based inside forward 50. In round one he attended 12 of a possible 26 centre bounces, while in round two it was 12 of 24. 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. I think he misses this allocation period due to playing only two games, but should this role retain for the next few games he’s a lock to pick up forward eligibility.

Rowan Marshall | Add Forward

The arrival of Paddy Ryder into the side was always going to impact the sole ruck role held last year by Rowan Marshall. As expected, he and Ryder are role sharing the key ruck responsibilities. One plays ruck. The other goes forward to support Max King as a towering presence. An exciting trend is that when one of them is playing ruck, they are also playing a little behind the play. In doing so, they are spending some time in the defensive half to allow the other inside forward 50 ‘ruck’ to take throw-ins & ball up responsibilities. The role sharing does hurt his fantasy output right now, but it could be of benefit longer-term for keeper league coaches. Ryder won’t be around for many years, but when he;’s gone it could mean owners get another year of sole ruck Rowan but as a forward eligible player ala 2019!

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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2020 Draft Rankings
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Read Time:7 Minute, 34 Second

Is your draft happening over this weekend? As a loyal Coaches Panel patreon member here are the rankings, I’ve created for the 2020 season.

Round One

Order of preference to take in the first round, regardless of who gets taken before my pick:

                    1  Brodie Grundy 
                    2  Lachie Whitfield 
                    3  Jack Macrae 
                    4  Josh Kelly 
                    5  Andrew Gaff 
                    6  Josh Dunkley 
                    7  Stephen Coniglio 
                    8  Dustin Martin 
                    9  Tom Mitchell 
                 10  Max Gawn 
                 11  Lachie Neale 
                 12  Toby Greene 

And then in round two:

If I took a midfielder in round one, I would then take Toby Greene, Jake Lloyd or Rory Laird – failing that, the best available midfielder.

If I took a ruck or forward in round one, I would then take the best available midfielder in round two

The Tim Taranto Dilemma

His average draft position this year is 51, however, this includes new keeper leagues, drafts completed prior to his injury, and auto picks afterwards. I’d be keen to pounce from about round 8 – roughly 100 players into the draft and as your 4th or 5th midfielder

Defenders

Jake Lloyd SY – B
Rory Laird AD – B
Bachar Houli RI – B
Sam Docherty CA – B 
Tom Stewart GE – B
Caleb Daniel WB – B
Dan Houston PA – B,C
Jack Crisp CW – B
Brodie Smith AD – B
Zac Williams GWS – B
Nic Newman CA – B
Daniel Rich BL – B
James Sicily HW – B 
Lachie Weller GC – B
Christian Salem ME – B
Shannon Hurn WC – B
Nick Haynes GWS – B
Sam Petrevski-Seton CA – B,C
Rory Atkins AD – B,C
Bryce Gibbs AD – B,C
Jordan Dawson SY – B,F
Chris Mayne CW – B,C 
Matthew Suckling WB – B
Darcy Byrne-Jones PA – B
Jason Johannisen WB – B
Nick Vlastuin RI – B
Hunter Clark SK – B
Heath Shaw GWS – B
Wayne Milera AD – B,C
Bailey Williams WB – B
Dane Rampe SY – B
Zach Tuohy GE – B 
Alex Witherden BL – B
Adam Cerra FR – B
Jayden Short RI – B
Harry Cunningham SY – B
Callum Mills SY – B
Harry Perryman GWS – B,C
Jack Lukosius GC – B,F
Isaac Cumming GWS – B
Zachary Bailey BL – B,C
Connor Blakely FR – B
Ryan Burton PA – B
James Aish FR – B
Sydney Stack RI – B
Brayden Maynard CW – B
Liam Baker RI – B,F
Dylan Roberton SK – B
Taylor Duryea WB – B
Jamie MacMillan NM – B
Jeremy Howe CW – B
Shane Edwards RI – B,C
Hayden Crozier WB – B
John Noble CW – B
Jacob Dawson GC – B
Adam Kennedy GWS – B
Jarrod Lienert PA – B
Jasper Pittard NM – B
Liam Duggan WC – B
Lachlan Ash GWS – B,C
Grant Birchall BL – B
Paul Ahern NM – B,C
Riley Bonner PA – B
Trent McKenzie PA – B
Levi Casboult CA – B,F
Luke McDonald NM – B
Majak Daw NM – B 
Jarrod Brander WC – B,F
Liam Stocker CA – B

MIDFIELD

Josh Kelly GWS – C
Jack Macrae WB – C
Andrew Gaff WC – C
Josh Dunkley WB – C
Stephen Coniglio GWS – C 
Tom Mitchell HW – C 
Lachie Neale BL – C
Marcus Bontempelli WB – C
Zach Merrett ES – C
Patrick Cripps CA – C 
Patrick Dangerfield GE – C 
Matt Crouch AD – C
Brad Crouch AD – C
Clayton Oliver ME – C
Adam Treloar CW – C
Nat Fyfe FR – C 
Elliot Yeo WC – C
Jacob Hopper GWS – C
Brayden Fiorini GC – C
Hugh McCluggage BL – C
Jack Billings SK – C
Sebastian Ross SK – C
Jack Viney ME – C 
Jaeger O’Meara HW – C
Josh Kennedy SY – C 
Mitch Duncan GE – C 
Steele Sidebottom CW – C
Dayne Zorko BL – C 
Scott Pendlebury CW – C 
Lachie Hunter WB – C
Timothy Kelly WC – C
Rory Sloane AD – C
James Worpel HW – C 
Jarryd Lyons BL – C
Will Brodie GC – C
Sam Walsh CA – C 
Luke Shuey WC – C
Shaun Higgins NM – C
Brandon Ellis GC – C
Marc Murphy CA – C
Dion Prestia RI – C
Dyson Heppell ES – C
Dom Sheed WC – C
Luke Parker SY – C
Dylan Shiel ES – C
Adam Tomlinson ME – C
Andrew McGrath ES – C
Mitch Robinson BL – C
Bradley Hill SK – C 
Dan Hannebery SK – C
Xavier Duursma PA – C
David Swallow GC – C
Jarrod Berry BL – C
Zak Jones SK – C
Angus Brayshaw ME – C
Tom Rockliff PA – C
Touk Miller GC – C
Jared Polec NM – C
Jack Redden WC – C
Trent Dumont NM – C
Quinton Narkle GE – C
Jack Graham RI – C
Paul Seedsman AD – C
Marlion Pickett RI – C
Oliver Florent SY – C
Jackson Hately GWS – C
Tom Cutler ES – C
Callan Ward GWS – C
Isaac Smith HW – C
Trent Cotchin RI – C
Charlie Constable GE – C
Sam Menegola GE – C
Jack Ross RI – C
Jack Bowes GC – C
Matthew Rowell GC – C 
Jye Caldwell GWS – C
Will Hayes WB – C
Tom Scully HW – C
Dom Tyson NM – C
Jordan Clark GE – C
Tom Green GWS – C
Riley Collier-Dawkins RI – C
Jeremy Sharp GC – C
Brayden Sier CW – C
Rupert Wills CW – C
Patrick Naish RI – C
Mitchell Hibberd ES – C

RUCK

Brodie Grundy CW – R 
Max Gawn ME – R 
Jarrod Witts GC – R
Tim English WB – R 
Reilly O’Brien AD – R
Jonathon Ceglar HW – R,F
Rowan Marshall SK – R
Stefan Martin BL – R 
Todd Goldstein NM – R
Scott Lycett PA – R
Sam Jacobs GWS – R
Matthew Kreuzer CA – R 
Rhys Stanley GE – R
Nic Naitanui WC – R 
Andrew Phillips ES – R

FORWARD

Lachie Whitfield GWS – C,F
Dustin Martin RI – C,F 
Toby Greene GWS – F
Darcy MacPherson GC – C,F
Isaac Heeney SY – C,F
Devon Smith ES – C,F
Jeremy Cameron GWS – F
Christian Petracca ME – F 
Jonathon Ceglar HW – R,F
Bailey Smith WB – C,F
Jack Steven GE – C,F
Hugh Greenwood GC – C,F
Jamie Elliott CW – F
Andrew Brayshaw FR – C,F
Jaidyn Stephenson CW – F
Chad Wingard HW – C,F
Darcy Tucker FR – C,F
Kane Lambert RI – F
Patrick Lipinski WB – C,F
Jordan de Goey CW – F 
Jack Martin CA – C,F
Darcy Parish ES – C,F
Jordan Dawson SY – B,F
Jade Gresham SK – C,F
Tom Lynch RI – F
Sam Powell-Pepper PA – C,F
Tom Papley SY – F
Jy Simpkin NM – C,F
Connor Rozee PA – F
Jack Gunston HW – F
Luke Dahlhaus GE – F
Will Hoskin-Elliott CW – F
Ben Ainsworth GC – C,F
Will Snelling ES – F
Liam Baker RI – B,F
James Rowbottom SY – C,F
Shai Bolton RI – F
Matt Taberner FR – F
Tim Membrey SK – F
Kyle Langford ES – C,F
Jack Lukosius GC – B,F
Josh Caddy RI – C,F
Gryan Miers GE – F
Jack Higgins RI – F
Harry Morrison HW – C,F
Josh Bruce WB – F
Aaron Naughton WB – F 
Cameron Zurhaar NM – F
Jack Riewoldt RI – F 
Josh Kennedy WC – F 
Lewis Taylor SY – C,F
Alex Neal-Bullen ME – F
Jack Silvagni CA – F
Josh Schache WB – F
Nick Larkey NM – F
Cameron Rayner BL – F
Rhys Mathieson BL – C,F
Ben Keays AD – F
Izak Rankine GC – F
Myles Poholke AD – F
Darcy Fogarty AD – F
Tom Sparrow ME – F
Jacob Townsend ES – F
Rhylee West WB – F
Bailey Scott NM – C,F
Nick Blakey SY – F
David Cuningham CA – F
Connor Budarick GC – C,F
Zak Butters PA – F
Aiden Bonar NM – C,F

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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UltimateFooty | Potential DPP’s for 2020
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Read Time:4 Minute, 58 Second

Potential ‘Phase Two’ adds

Every year – usually in January or February – we get a shortlist of additional player names to add to our (current for 2020) 139 Dual-Position Players (DPPs). Players who might have been forgotten or 50-50 in gaining or retaining for the 2020 season. After the initial release, there is often an imbalance – as there is this time with top-end forward-listed players. So will the Fantasy gods throw us a bone and grant a few more DPPs? And who could they be?

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Patrick Dangerfield – the #2 ranked forward from the end of 2019 spent a ton of time in the forward 50 this season, finishing with 27 goals. Of the top-end DPP forwards to lose their forward status, Danger is the big ticket that could be used to spark interest and top up our attacking stocks for 2020.

Another player to lose forward status in the recent release, Essendon player Matt Guelfi – who solidified a best 22 spot in 2019 and plied his trade mainly across the half-back line. He’s unlikely to win you your league, but at 22 and starting to come into his own, he’s one that could rise in 2020. But as a mid-only, he’s undraftable.

A pair of talented attacking players ought to be considered strongly for MID/FWD status – top ten picks Caleb Serong and Noah Anderson at Fremantle and Gold Coast respectively were both forward-half threats in their U18 campaigns. Serong won the VIC Country MVP in the guts but was huge for Gippsland floating forward – kicking a goal a game. Anderson is even more of a threat – averaging 2.0 goals per game for Oakleigh to go with his 28 touches. In the absence of any real playable forwards from the draft class, Serong and Anderson are the ones who should be considered.

David Zaharakis found himself in the defensive 50 far more than previous years in 2019, gaining defender status and displaying a heat map more like a traditional half back flanker than his usual midfield role. The big-game player – who averaged 79.5 but has been stripped of his DPP – is one that could and probably should be lining up as a DEF/MID to start 2020. If he does regain DPP, he’ll add valuable depth to the defender draft stocks and another player to get coaches thinking in salary formats.

Early Season Watchlist

In addition to their standard fantasy research, coaches spend more time than they’d care to admit trolling through pre-season games and training reports – trying to find those players who are plying their trade in another role in a bid to snap them up prior to a potential early-season positional change. Matthew Boyd famously added back status early in the 2015 season after training in a new half-back role across the preseason. More recently, we saw experienced trio Ed Curnow (R3), Gary Ablett (R3) and Brad Ebert (R6) nab themselves forward status in 2019 after a hot start to the season in forward-half roles. So who should be on our watchlist for this preseason?

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Bryce Gibbs was much maligned in 2019, spending more time in the reserves than any time in his career. But with a new coach comes new opportunities – word trickling through that the former Blue could be spending more time than ever off half back. Gibbs is no stranger to the role, finding himself there in Navy Blue early in his career. Even if he doesn’t get back to that 100 average, DEF/MID status would make Gibbs a very interesting prospect for 2020.

GWS jet Zac Williams has made a name for himself in the back half, but after finishing the season dominating the middle of the ground, he may continue to float through the guts and gain midfield status early on as a result. Likewise, Toby Greene found himself a staple of the Giants’ midfield rotation due to the hospital ward that was their preferred starting midfield. Surprising not to be starting with MID/FWD, Greene could be one in line for early DPP action.

Many were perplexed to see BT-favourite Ben McEvoy lining up across Centre Half Back this season, allowing Jon Ceglar to take first ruck duties. Early word is that this may not be a joke or a random musing of Alastair Clarkson, rather a semi-permanent move we’ll see in 2020. Could we see a DEF/RUC in 2020?

James Harmes had a breakout year in 2019, playing every game and averaging 94 fantasy points – finding himself patrolling the half backline more often than previous. Like Gibbs, there are clear reports that Harmes will be playing a lot more backline in 2020 – making him a big target for DPP early in the season. Watch him to see how it evolves in the preseason and – if you like what you see – move him up your draft boards in anticipation.

Finally, Zak Jones made the move to Victoria and the Saints in the trade period – joining a host of others, including Bradley Hill. Jones was DEF/MID in 2019 and played at half back plenty – along with a swag of time in the middle. With more mid time came a career-best year (82.8 average from 17 games) and a move to Moorabbin could see even more responsibility headed his way. With a lot of mouths to feed in the Saints’ midfield and a new coach on board, it wouldn’t surprise to see Jones ply his trade at half back to start with. If he can equal his 2019 numbers and regain DPP, his relevance will skyrocket.

Stay tuned to https://coachespanel.tv/ for up to date information and insights this preseason, and don’t forget to tune in for the start of MJ’s 50 Most Relevant – beginning January 1st

About Post Author

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mj.want@lightmelbourne.com.au
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