After rounds 3, 6, 9, 12 & 15 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.
Embed from Getty ImagesNick Hind | ADD BACK
The former saint will be one of the first and easiest DPP decisions that UltimateFooty will make in 2021. Nic Hind has gone from occasional AFL player at St Kilda to a permanent fixture of the Essendon backline. His run and carry have seen many supporters not notice the gap left by Adam Saad. He’s currently averaging 93 and would have owners now torn whether to play him up forward or down back.
Thankfully depending on their squad’s depth and the availability of option in the player pool could well determine where he’s best serving his owner.
Jack Ziebell | ADD BACK
He’s in a similar vein to Hind, in that fact that the forward eligible and should pick up back status. The Roos captain has been revitalised as a scorer and will provide his owner flexibility to play him at whatever end of the ground they need.
The only flag I have is the club flagging Luke McDonald’s return as early as round four. What impact he has on Ziebell’s scoring ceiling is yet to be seen. But those who drafted him with an average draft position of 122 will be stoked with his return thus far.
Jarman Impey | ADD BACK
Since recovering from an ACL late last year, the Hawks have deployed the former Port Adelaide to provide dash off the Hawthorn backline. He won’t be the most dynamic scoring option, but given he’s still available in 18% of the league in the player pool, he is a worthy addition.
If you think the Hawks struggle this year, then Hawthorn’s defenders’ narrative getting plenty of looks at the ball could boost his scoring chances. Add that they’ll be without James Sicily or Will Day for most of the season, then it could be a decent DPP gain for his owners.
Tom Atkins | ADD BACK
Another DPP that’s been mooted since the preseason began. Geelong has spoken about and now used Tom Atkins as a defender. The club loves his pressure acts and the defensive efforts on the game. If the Cats can get their possession game going, he should be in a high 70’s averaging FWD/DEF, which would be more than handy for his owner.
If he’s still sitting in the player pool grab him now before the DPP inclusion lands on Wednesday afternoon/evening.
Become a Patron!Jack Sinclair | ADD BACK
Jack Sinclair getting back status is possibly less exciting than what it looked like in the preseason after scoring 112 in the AAMI Community Series. That said, he is averaging 68, and while it’s not amazing, the addition of back status would rank him just outside the top 50 backs in UltimateFooty.
Dyson Heppell | ADD BACK
It’s going to happen, but not yet. He missed the round two clash and because of this he’s not played the minimum of three games required to get positional eligibility. Keep an eye out on the next batch, he should feature in this.
Embed from Getty ImagesErrol Gulden | ADD FORWARD
Has to get it, and will be a monster addition for his owner. Errol Gulden has been the best performing rookie of the season and with scores of 108, 93 & 98 he’s every chance to become his teams F1. Rostering him on field as a midfielder might have felt potentially risky given who you might have been benching for him. But as a forward and given his proven scoring over the past three games any risk is all but gone.
Tim English | ADD FORWARD
Stefan Martin’s addition has allowed Tim to become the ‘second ruck’ option for the Bulldogs. As a result, he’s playing predominantly full forward and creating a marking target for the doggies. Normally a ruck adding forward status is only a ‘squad versatility’ move. But if the owner has another viable ruck option in their squad, English is scoring well enough (avg 78) to be a rosterable forward on the ground.
Become a Patron!Tim Taranto | ADD FORWARD
Historically, UltimateFooty leans on the conservative side of awarding positional changes in season. Especially for moves that have big potential outcomes. Should he gain forward status, he’d move from being someone’s M3 to a clear F1. If a side has a deep midfield bench, this could be a huge addition for them.
If his role continues with this much forward time, he’s every chance to gain it, but more likely to be after round 6.
Nat Fyfe | ADD FORWARD
A combination of two things will see him be considered in the post round six inclusions. Firstly, he missed round three with a concussion, meaning he hasn’t played enough matches. Second, see above comments RE: Taranto.
