Club Previews
Dan’s Rookie Reveal
Jimmy’s Gems
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the latest 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

CLARKEY’S  PRE-SEASON WEEKLY WRAP
PART FOUR

Crows come to blows, Scotland snots someone in a pub and North & Melbourne are announcing captains – its beginning to look a lot like pre season!

ADELAIDE CROWS

Looking Good

Brad Crouch – has been given permission to play Nab Cup. Which is excellent for those of us in fantasy land who are tanking this year and want him next year!

Frothies Jaensch & Walker – reportedly started World War III during the week at training but anyone who saw footage of the supposed ‘brawl’ would know that it was only a bit of niggle and push & shove. Full marks for entertainment value but hopefully both of these cats can bring some intensity into real matches during the season.

Who’s Not?

Andy Otten – was restricted to walking laps following last week’s medial ligament strain.

BRISBANE LIONS

Looking Good

Jonathon Brown – has continued his strong pre season form during the week and the club has revealed that he will play more than he has in past years during this year’s Nab Cup. Good news for fantasy coaches who want to check his form before the season starts.

Josh Drummond – is back into modified training and will play during the Nab Cup (most likely for 5 minutes before he does a hammy).

Who’s Not?

Sam Docherty – is back on a modified training program and will be available for round 1, but won’t play Nab Cup so it will be hard for fantasy coaches to assess his form prior to the season.

CARLTON BLUES

Looking Good

Jarrad Waite – stepped back into full training this week which is certainly a boost for the Blues’ forward setup.

Jeff Garlett – trained with great energy and intensity on Friday.

Andrew Walker – continued his great pre season form during the week.

Who’s Not?

Matthew Watson – has been sluggish at times during this pre season and was reduced to walking laps during Friday’s open training session.

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES

Looking Good

Luke Ball – has been stellar all pre season and stood out on the track once again this week.

Who’s Not?

John Ceglar – looked a little worse for wear on Friday after copping an accidental knee to the head from Darren Jolly. He should be ok, maybe a couple of stiches.

ESSENDON BOMBERS

Looking Good

Jake Melksham – has had a good pre season and was singled out by coach James Hird during the week as one to watch in 2012.

Who’s Not?

Essendon have continued training behind closed doors and it is hard to get any injury information out of the club at the moment.

FREMANTLE DOCKERS

Looking Good

Adam McPhee – was a standout in the club’s intraclub match this week in a tagging role and didn’t give an inch on his opponent, surely that will impress new coach Ross Lyon.

Hayden Crozier – did well in the intraclub match despite giving away strength and experience to opponent Jay Van Berlo. “The Croz” displayed outstanding evasive skills.

Jack Anthony – has lifted his intensity and his attitude is infinitely better. He was even involved in a bit of a blue with Hayden Ballantyne during the scratch match. Maybe he isn’t done with yet?

Who’s Not?

Zach Clarke – didn’t partake in the scratch match and was spotted running laps, wasn’t labouring so hopefully its only a niggle.

GEELONG CATS

Looking Good

Cameron Guthrie – has put on more muscle this pre season and has had another strong week on the track. With the Cats having several retirements and a few injury hiccups this pre season Guthrie may well force his way into the side.

Who’s Not?

David Wojcinski – has injured his foot and is in doubt for the start of the season, the silver lining is that this may give further opportunities to similar type players such as Taylor Hunt & Jordan Schroeder.

GOLD COAST SUNS

Looking Good

Jaeger O’Meara – has been given permission to play in the Nab Cup ala Brad Crouch.

Trent McKenzie – is on track to start round 1 despite an interrupted pre season. McKenzie has spent significant time either in the rehab group or on a modified program, with a knee issue.

Who’s Not?

Brandon Matera – missed a session this week and has had groin issues dating back to July. Despite this setback the club expects him to be ready for round 1.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS

Looking Good

Callan Ward & Luke Power – have been pacesetters at training and are expected to be announced as club co-captains sooner rather than later.

Who’s Not?

Tom Scully – he may well reach the Forbes “Richest Under 21” list but from publicity shots early this week its clear that the boy is cutting his own hair.

HAWTHORN HAWKS

Looking Good

Shane Savage – another week and another scratch match with the Tiges, Savage was particularly impressive through the middle.

Luke Breust – was another to play well in the praccy match, should take his game to the next level this year, based on pre season form.

Who’s Not?

Ryan Schoenmakers – still looks unsure of himself in the contest. Is only 21 but with Hawthorn having a real chance at the flag this year he wouldn’t want to continue making schoolboy errors.

Jack Gunston – has been quiet in both scratch matches in the past couple of weeks. With so much competition for spots in the Hawks’ forward line I’d say he probably isn’t in their round 1 side at the moment.

MELBOURNE DEMONS

Looking Good

Jack Grimes & Jack Trengove – were announced as co captains during the week, while both are impressive young footballers it is just as much of a statement about previous poor leadership at the club as the two Jacks leadership credentials.

Rory Taggert – the Dee’s first draft pick of 2011 impressed at training early in the week with his intensity at the ball.

Who’s Not?

Cale Morton – was awful during match simulation drills early last week, easily hassled off the ball and when he could dispose of it, his ball use was abysmal, will struggle for a game this year at this rate.

NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS

Looking Good

Andrew Swallow – has had a bumper pre season and was rewarded with the captaincy during the week.

Who’s Not?

Tom Curran – continues to struggle with a foot injury and may not be able to fully train for some time.

PORT ADELAIDE POWER

Looking Good

Chad Wingard – looked really classy during the week at training and is certainly one to watch during the Nab Cup.

Brad Ebert – has continued his good work on the track this week, $1.01 for the pre season B&F at Port.

Who’s Not?

Lobbe & Renouf – remain sidelined, however Renouf may be ready come round 1.

RICHMOND TIGERS

Looking Good

Jack Riewoldt – is almost back into full training loads after several bouts of surgery in the off season, he has done plenty of running and rehab work so he should be set for a big round 1 against the Blues.

Shane Edwards – in a modern day miracle has been able to bulk up this pre season.

Who’s Not?

Brett Deledio – circle jerk media speculation has commenced surrounding his future and contract status.

ST KILDA SAINTS

The Saints have been in closed sessions the past week and further news should come out of their open intraclub match on Friday February 10. Word is that Jamie Cripps will be one to watch in 2012.

SYDNEY SWANS

Looking Good

Trent Dennis-Lane – returned to training this week after a quad setback.

Who’s Not?

Tom Mitchell – SOB has been on a limited training program for most of the pre season.

WEST COAST EAGLES

Looking Good

Daniel Kerr – appears to have overcome his injury niggles and is almost doing full training loads

Mark LeCras – looked really sharp training with the midfield group during the week.

Who’s Not?

Andrew Embley – has hurt his shoulder and will be unable to return to training for up to 6 weeks.

Will Schofield – sat out last Monday’s session with general soreness.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Looking Good

Jack Redpath & Clay Smith – the two youngsters have really impressed on the track with their hardness. Should really be looked at by fantasy coaches.

Who’s Not?

Dale Morris – is really struggling in his comeback from a broken leg and at this stage will not be available for selection until at least 5 weeks into the season proper.

Clarkey’s Pre-Season Wrap
Club Previews
Dan’s Rookie Reveal
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

Jimmy’s Gems – Heave Ho!

It’s always a difficult task setting up your backline in fantasy football, and like previous years 2012 is no exception. However, with this in mind, the opportunity is there again to get a real advantage if you can successfully nail a few smokies. 
Last week I spoke about junior form and the natural progression expected from 2^nd year Bulldog Mitch Wallis. This week I take a different route and discuss the impact of a player’s role, and how changes in coaching strategy can affect a players scoring potential.  
This was particularly evident last season with Hawthorn opting for a high possession, keepings off game plan, ultimately inflating fantasy numbers and providing some real value selections if you were able to capitalise on this early. With Fremantle throwing the kitchen sink at Ross Lyon, it’s safe to assume they want big changes made, and if his tenure at St Kilda is anything to go by we’ll see a few players make big improvements in fantasyland. One player that really stands out to me at this stage is young defender Nick Suban.

Ross Lyon at St Kilda

With Ross Lyon at the helm, St Kilda was a side renowned for their defensive emphasis. The ability to force turnovers and control the majority of possession resulted in many Saint players posting healthy scoring increases. This was especially prominent amongst the back half, with many defenders providing valuable drive and high possession tallies. Regular backline names such as Gram, Gilbert, Fisher and Goddard all averaged over 20 possessions a game, with Gwilt not far behind averaging 19.6 disposals in 2010, and 18.9 in 2011. All increasing their disposal count and Dream Team averages from prior years.

With the success Lyon had; we can assume that a similar strategy will be introduced at Fremantle this year, with efficient ball users setting up a lot of attack from the back half.  In his short career Suban has proven to be a damaging player with the ball hitting targets by foot at 75.3% efficiency in 2011, and 70.5% in 2010.  He’s not only an effective kick, but one that averaged 33m gained per kick last season, the 3^rd most of any player at the club. With most clubs adopting zone defences in recent years the importance of hitting targets is at an all time high. Suban is definitely a player I can vision Lyon using in a ‘sweeper’ role setting up play and kicking through the zone.

He’s a proven scorer at junior level averaging:

Under 18 championships (2007): 17 kicks, 6 Handballs, 4 Marks, 4.7 Tackles @ 93 DT average

TAC cup (2007): 13.2 kicks, 5.9 Handballs, 3.3 Marks, 4. 9 Tackles @ 80 DT average

With Lyon now in command, and Suban entering his 4^th year in the league we might see a similar output in 2012. Priced at a 55 Dream Team average he’s one that’s worth monitoring this pre season. Watch closely.

*Note*

DT averages of Saints defenders playing under Lyon:

Gram – 92(2009), 84(2010), 80(2011)

Gilbert- 93(2009) 89(2010)

Goddard -104(2009) 113(2010) 96(2011)

Fisher- 85(2009), 85(2010), 84(2011)

Clarkey’s Pre-Season Wrap
Club Previews
Jimmy’s Gems
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the latest 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

Club Preview – Fremantle Dockers

I am going to take a punt and suggest that Fremantle will be one of the more fantasy relevant sides in 2012. In 2011 we saw breakout years from some of their young stars, and now as established members of the side and under the tutelage of Ross Lyon, there is every chance they could get even better in 2012.

Whilst there are some concerns of the game-style Ross may bring to the Dockers, from various training reports it seems he is encouraging a very attacking game-plan, starting from the backline. A game-style like this should lend itself well to Dream Team, and typically a Lyon-led side should also be good at SuperCoach, considering his obsession with contested ball.

Fremantle share the round 12 bye, along with Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong, Melbourne and Sydney. Whilst this is still going to be a painful week, as I established last week it is unlikely to be the worst of the three.

Dockers will be a good side to load up on in 2012 – with a good attacking game-plan (although it will be good to preview it in the NAB cup) and a new coach, we could again see several players take their games to new levels. Lyon isn’t known for playing many kids, so just be wary of that when picking Freo rookies – be sure they have the NAB form first before selecting them for round one.

KEY PLAYERS:

Matthew Pavlich:

For the past three seasons, Pav has been playing much more time as a midfielder than up forward – his best position. Whilst for so many players this would appear to be a great move, it has seen Pav’s DT and SC potency reduce markedly. 2007 and 2008 were the past two seasons where Pav played as a permanent forward, averaging 101 DT and 113 SC points from those seasons. Compare that to his three years in the midfield, where he has averaged 92.7 DT and 101.5 SC points and you will see a 9 points deficit in DT and 12 points in SC. Whilst this may not seem huge, it is a big loss for a premium player – you don’t want your premiums averaging 92 points a game – it should really be 100+ or they aren’t worth having.

It’s actually quite ironic – for the years when Pav was a dominant forward, we used to comment how great it would be to see him in a top-8 team and get the delivery that the likes of Riewoldt and Brown used to get. But now that Freo are a top-8 side, they have him playing in the midfield… Dumb.

However, now with Lyon at the helm, he has already stated that Pav will find himself back as the key forward target for Fremantle in 2012. Again, whether this happens will be dependant on whether Freo can keep their players on the park again in 2012 – they had a shocker with injuries this year, which was part of the reason Pav had to assume a midfielders role. But with Morabito and Fyfe looking ready to go round one, Pav should hopefully assume his role at CHF.

Pav will still be quite expensive in 2012, so there will still be risk. Whilst his midfield form can still be good, he tends to be quite inconsistent. There are also plenty of exciting younger forwards to consider in 2012 too, plus questions on whether Jon Brown and Nick Riewoldt can return to something near their best. So there are plenty of forwards to choose from. I do like Pav though, but have avoided him these past few years as I haven’t been a fan of his new role. If there is one this Lyon will instil in the Fremantle Footy Club, it’s structures – if Pav is playing forward early in the year, expect him to stay there. And I expect that if he does get the opportunity up front again, we could potentially see 10+ points added onto his weekly average.

Michael Barlow:

Barlow missed the majority of the 2011 season due to the horrific leg break he suffered the year before. Not starting his season until round 13, Barlow had a couple of setbacks and even a sub-effected game before cementing himself back in the lineup in round 18. Unfortunately it seemed like a wasted year for the youngster, but still he reminded us in those last few games how good a ball-winner he really is.

From round 18, he averaged 100 DT points and 102 SC points, despite having had very little preparation to even be on the field. Fortunately, his pre-season to date has been strong, with him continuing to train with the midfield group and looking very impressive.

He is way underpriced for the quality of player he is and the huge scores he can produce. He is still somewhat of a risky pick, but I believe that with the scores he is capable of he more than justifies himself.

Tendai Mzungu:

Tendai was a DT and SC favourite in 2011 and it’s little wonder considering he managed an average of 80 in DT and 79 in SC. From all reports, he is currently flying at training and is part of the 2012 midfield group. He has taken his fitness to a new level and has been one to continually impress the coach with his workrate. He is a shoe-in for a round one spot and could legitimately take his average close to 100 points a game this year.

Paul Duffield:

Duffy is training with the defensive group this year (after we were led to believe he would play midfield in 2011), although that doesn’t appear to be a bad thing at all. The way the Dockers are setting up is with two designated kickers from defence, playing much looser on their man than the other defenders – these players are Duffield and Suban, meaning both are likely to accumulate quite a bit of ball in the back-half this year.

Look at how well Lyon coached the Saints to allow all of Fisher, Gilbert, Goddard and even Gwilt to rack up the disposals, so it’s not beyond his capabilities bringing it to the West.

Nat Fyfe:

Fyfe was another Docker to have a breakout season in 2011, averaging 98 in DT and 108 in SC. Fyfe’s pre-season has been mixed so far – he has spent the majority of it so far in the rehab group, but since returning to the pack hasn’t put a foot wrong. His fitness still seems great and his marking is still fantastic as ever – two of his biggest assets. With nearly a month until pre-season matches start, Fyfe will be more than ready to go in round one. He will be damn pricey, but he showed in 2011 both a great consistency and ceiling. Should be able to manage a pretty similar average in 2012 you would think.

Greg Broughton:

We heard all the murmurings at the start of 2011 – Broughton will play in the midfield – only for it never to eventuate until later in the year. But, when it did finally happen, the rewards for patience were fantastic. In his five-game midfield streak through the middle of the year, Broughton averaged a whopping 120 DT and 127.4 in SC, an increase of nearly 50% from the rest of his scoring throughout the year.

Again we are hearing the he will play in the midfield this year, but fortunately the signs are looking very good this time with him training solely with the midfield group so far. If he can back this up with a midfield appearance in the NAB cup, he’s as good as a lock for me in both competitions.

Lee Spurr (courtesy of Dan):

Lee Spurr is a 24 year old coming out of the highly successful Central District SANFL side. Originally from QLD, Spurr made the move from the sunshine state to the city of churches in 2007. He bided his time in the reserves, where he won a B&F for the Dogs and worked his way up through the ranks to become a permanent member of the senior side in 2009 – a premiership year.

He was massive in the SANFL Grand Final this year, with the Centrals down by four goals at three quarter time. He had 11 final quarter touches to lift the Dogs, and he even had a snap in the dying seconds to put them in front, but it narrowly missed.

There’s a lot to like about Spurr’s game, and particularly his potential to be a good fantasy player if he can crack the Freo lineup. For one, he’s very versatile. While he probably plays his best footy across half back linking up, he really could play any number of positions. He’s strong overhead for his size, making him a decent half forward option. The ability for him to find space bodes well out on the wing, as does his excellent fitness.

Obviously this versatility not only makes him someone who can get around the ground to find the ball, it also makes him an attractive option to Freo coaching staff when picking the team.

The Dockers success in the rookie draft with mature aged players is well noted – with Michael Barlow, Alex Silvagni and Greg Broughton being the most obvious recent examples. It’s a tactic that’s worked well for them in the past and from looking at their squad I could see him slotting in across half back to release Broughton as a midfielder, where they sorely need stronger bodies.

His kicking on the run is quite good. I don’t think he’s an elite kick, but he’s certainly no scrubber and he’s one you can put enough trust in with the ball. Over the years he’s shown very good fantasy scoring capabilities averaging 82.2 DT in 2010 and 87.8 in 2011. He’s not much of a tackler, but he did average 7.4 marks per game in 2011, which is how he’s likely to generate his good fantasy scores.

There’s an opportunity for him to break into the Dockers side and he’s got a few solid years of good senior level performances under his belt. With a good pre-season he’s a viable option to be starting on the ground in your backline.

Aaron Sandilands:

Big 211 was a liability in 2011 with his repeated ‘turf-toe’ injury and the subsequent time off that came with it. Fortunately, we are now getting guaranteed that he is over this ailment and is back into full training. In fact, he even ran a personal best 3km time trial a fortnight ago, so things can’t be too bad.

Everyone knows the positives of Sandilands – at his best he is unstoppable and good for an average of well over 100 points a game. However, with Freo confident of playing finals in 2012, there is no chance they will risk his body breaking down AGAIN! So, with Griffin and Clarke all on their list, expect Sandi’s body to be managed throughout the year, meaning he will likely be forced to sit out a few games throughout – a risk any coaches who want him will have to take.

Nick Suban:

As mentioned earlier, Suban is training as one of Freo’s main rebounders from defence (along with Duffield), so should see a much bigger role in the side in 2012. He was a talented youngster with a great kick, but has struggled to find any consistency with his game due to ongoing injuries. Fortunately, this pre-season has been great for him so far, training with the main group and even being used by Lyon as the primary kicker from defence.

He is dirt-cheap for a player of his potential, so if you are keen you will want to get him in nice and early. He is a player with plenty of potential and all the signs seem to be pointing towards a breakout season in 2012.

Lachie Neale and Josh Mellington have been a couple of youngsters to impress at training so far this pre-season. Both are worth keeping an eye on through the NAB cup and are probably two of the more likely debutants for the Dockers early in the season.

Injury Room:

Anthony Morabito is still recovering from his ACL reconstruction. Unfortunately, severl set-backs have really slowed him down, meaning he is unlikely to be available in round one.

Michael Walters has been sent away from the club to train with the Swan Districts (WAFL) due to his failure to meet satisfactory physical conditioning requirements.

David Mundy has been MIA from most training sessions so far this year, still recovering from off-season surgery. Chris Bond (Freo Assistant coach) said this week that we may not even see Mundy in time for the NAB cup.

TOBY’S BEST 22

FB: Antoni Grover, Zac Dawson, Nick Suban

HB: Paul Duffield, Luke McPharlin, Garrick Ibbotson

C: Stephen Hill, Tendai Mzungu, Greg Broughton

HF: Matt De Boer, Matthew Pavlich, Nat Fyfe

FF: Hayden Ballantyne, Zac Clarke, Nick Lower

R: Aaron Sandilands, Michael Barlow, David Mundy

INT: Ryan Crowley, Jon Griffin, Michael Johnson, Chris Mayne

EMER: Lee Spurr, Alex Silvagni, Lachie Neale, Jayden Pitt

*Morabito injured

Clarkey’s Pre-Season Wrap
Club Previews
Jimmy’s Gems
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the latest 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

Tory Dickson
Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: FWD
Price: $98,700 DT, $106,600 SC

Here’s one who hasn’t got a lot of press in the fantasy community and I definitely think he’s one to keep an eye on over pre-season. Tory Dickson has a bit of an interesting background, having being an elite tennis player as a youngster he didn’t go through the TAC Cup system. He’s a mature aged draftee who was playing for the Bendigo Bombers last year and is a natural football player with a very good ability to read the play. He’s got terrific goal sense, as evidenced by his 48 goals for Bendigo in 2011.

The thing that makes Dickson’s 2011 season so impressive is that he was training once a week commuting from Beaconsfield to Bendigo. He also had a limited pre-season because his decision to return to the VFL was a late one. He had already been training with Noble Park after a 112 goal season with them in 2010.

Going back a little further in 2009 he won a best & fairest with Frankston in the VFL, which is where he caught the attention of Shannon Grant, who was Frankston coach back then and persuaded him to come over to Bendigo for the 2011 season. Grant recently joined the Bulldogs as an assistant coach and is known to be a fan.

From a fantasy perspective I’m immediately interested in any players that are drafted at 24 years of age. Generally speaking, those players are recruited for a reason and with the Bulldogs new look forward line there should be opportunities for him.

He averaged a solid 77.7 for Bendigo last year and scored quite evenly in a lot of stat categories. In fact, he scored 216 from handballs, 219 from marks, 220 from tackles and 288 from goals. Those are perhaps meaningless stats, but I thought it was pretty neat that he scored so similarly from most of the DT point scoring categories.

He has a high enough ceiling and had a four week patch in the middle of the season where he scored over 100 each week. His season average was also dragged down by a quiet last two games where he scored 40 and 41. After 17 games he was averaging 82.1.

I think the prospect of him scoring in that sort of ballpark at AFL level isn’t particularly crazy. 77 is a bit of a lofty prediction, but I would be pretty surprised if he was less than 70. Keep a very close eye on the Bulldogs NAB Cup because if Dickson is able to press for a spot in their Round 1 side I think he’ll be a decent option and might end up a bit more popular than you’d be thinking at this stage.

2011: Bendigo Bombers (VFL) 77.7 in 19 games

Be sure to jump on Footy Tragic and post your Dream Team & SuperCoach squads here. Fire away with any questions that you may have and one of the Footy Tragic experts will do their best to get back to you. And if you feel like lending a hand, we’d love for you to help out others with their teams too.

And don’t forget to follow the Footy Tragic boys on Twitter:

@tobybrocky
@footytragicdan
@kristianpisano
@TheJimmyy

Thanks a lot guys – all the best constructing your squad!!!!!!!

Clarkey’s Pre-Season Wrap
Dan’s Rookie Reveal
Jimmy’s Gems
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the latest 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

ESSENDON BOMBERS

Welcome to another instalment of our club previews for Dream Team and Super Coach in 2012!

Who’s pumped for the opening of fantasy footy tonight?

Anyway, next up are the Essendon Bombers. First up I’d like to thank Corey Kennedy (@corka23 on Twitter) for his help on this article!

Essendon are a very weird team when it comes to fantasy. Team performance wise they’re always in and around the top eight, so you’d think they’d have quite a few legitimate fantasy players, but apart from Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson and David Zaharakis (only last year), the cupboard’s fairly empty. Dyson Heppell will go a way to changing that image as well.

What’s in store for them this season? It’s hard to tell. The competition is so even right now, but all things being equal, injury wise, I don’t think Essendon are quite a top six side just yet.

They get a couple of key running players back this season in Jason Winderlich and Courtenay Dempsey, but those guys have struggled to string five games together over their entire careers, so it’s hard to pin your hopes on players like that.

I think their midfield needs quite a lot of work. They chased Josh Caddy hard in the pre-season but weren’t able to net him, being aware they needed more hard bodies in and around the contests to help Jobe Watson. Heath Hocking is the closest thing they’ve got to this, but he doesn’t get released to do grunt work because he’s the team’s ‘run with’ player.

PLAYERS TO CONSIDER……..

Elliot Kavanagh was the Bombers first round draft pick after many thought he had ‘slid’ going down to #19. He’s a very talented midfielder who has been pretty injury prone throughout his junior career with hamstring issues. He’s had a solid pre-season so far so there’s a chance he could sneak into the Bombers midfield right away.

Dyson Heppell was arguably the best and most consistent 18 year old fantasy player we’ve seen, with many keeping him right until the end of the season as a ‘keeper’ in their defence. He doesn’t have the dual position advantage this season, but its been suggested that he may get a bit more of a run in the midfield this season. He definitely would not be the worst player to pick in your squad even though he’s only in his second season.

Jobe Watson ‘broke out’ in a fantasy sense last season when he averaged 117 DT points in his first seven games of the season before injuring his hamstring, twice. He had the perfect role, playing through the midfield, and then resting up forward where he was extremely dangerous. I think he is under priced this season, at an average of 99, and I think he’s one of the few players in that price range that is capable of averaging 110+ for the season. I’d be seriously considering him, and he’ll be a handy ‘unique’ premium player.

David Zaharakis still being considered a forward is huge news for fantasy footy. I think he’ll be really popular among the masses, and as he spends more time in the midfield, he’ll edge his averages closer to 100. He ended up finishing with a DT average of 89 last season, and it was only recently broken that he’d spent the majority of the year playing with a bung knee. Mighty effort!

Brent Stanton is the quiet achiever who just keeps on getting the job done. He had a career best season statistically where he averaged 106 DT points and I think Jobe Watson’s great form really helped him there as he wasn’t the first guy tagged every week. He has the potential to be one of the best DT midfielders in the game and I think he’s slowly moving towards taking the next step, especially because later in the year he had a couple of matches where he got well over ten tackles. He also got over 150 DT on a couple of occasions, so the guy certainly can score!

Jason Winderlich would go close to being tagged as one the most injury players in the game. He comes dirt cheap in the forward line after he did his knee last season. He is a great scorer when playing in the midfield but word is he’ll most likely be playing as a shut down forward or as a substitute; not any type of role you’d like to be in if you want to be a heavy DT scorer. I’d say stay well away at this early stage.

KRISTIAN’S BEST 22

FB: Kyle Hardingham, Dustin Fletcher, Jake Carlisle

HB: Dyson Heppell, Tayte Pears, Courtney Dempsey

C: Ben Howlett, Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis

HF: Sam Lonergan, David Hille, Angus Monfries

FF: Leroy Jetta, Michael Hurley, Stewart Crameri

R: Patrick Ryder, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking

INT: Travis Colyer, Jason Winderlich, Jake Melksham, Elliot Kavanagh

EMER: Michael Hibberd, Mark McVeigh, David Myers

Club Previews
Dan’s Rookie Reveal
Jimmy’s Gems
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the latest 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

CLARKEY’S PRE-SEASON WEEKLY WRAP

PART THREE

You know the drill by now…. Part III, who’s looking good & who isn’t at your club this week…

ADELAIDE CROWS

Looking Good

Luke Thompson – the key defender was able to participate in full training this week after having ankle problems over the pre season.

Sam Kerridge – continues to impress on the track this week as he has done throughout the pre season. With a big body and appetite for the contest, watch out for this youngster during the Nab cup.

Who’s Not?

Andy Otten – suffered a knee setback at training this week. At first it was thought that he may have reinjured his ACL. It turned out to be only a medial ligament strain but he is in doubt for the Nab cup.

BRISBANE LIONS

Looking Good

Dayne Zorko – could be one of the steals of the 2011 off season. He looks a certain starter in 2012 most likely in a small forwards role. Zorko’s pace, strength & goal nous really stood out at training this week.

Who’s Not?

Josh Drummond – continues to be the Lions’ perma-bandaid.

CARLTON BLUES

Looking Good

Kane Lucas – has been moving well this pre season and has had another good week on the track. After an injury plagued 2011, Lucas is cheaply priced in fantasy competitions this year and is well worth a look at in the Nab Cup.

Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd & Marc Murphy – all looked in good nick on the track this week. Judd looks to have trimmed down this pre season and could have more of an outside role this season than in previous years at the Blues.

Who’s Not?

Luke Mitchell – reinjured his shoulder during the week. A full reconstruction will see the youngster miss up to 16 weeks of training.

Sam Rowe – also injured his shoulder during the week. It won’t require surgery but will disrupt his training in the short term.

Nick Duigan – had cartilage removed from his knee during the week and will miss up to 5-6 weeks of full training.

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES

Looking Good

Andrew Krakouer – was looking fit after rejoining training this week. After missing altitude training in Arizona and not being sighted during many training hit outs so far this season, he has shown discipline in keeping himself fit.

Dale Thomas – has gotten rid of the pretty boy hairdo and looks in good nick out on the track this week.

Who’s Not?

There is not much news on the injury front at Collingwood this week but Ben Reid continues his rehab after his off-season shoulder injury.

ESSENDON BOMBERS

The Bombers have been typically cagey this week and there is not much information coming out of the club this week apart from their upcoming annual rubbish cricket match. Will Lloydy play? Will Scott Gumbleton crash a segway? Who knows, who cares?

FREMANTLE DOCKERS

Looking Good

Nathan Fyfe – has increased his training loads this week and looked really good and most importantly is moving well.

Nick Suban – trained well and looks to be the club’s designated kicker in for 2012.

Matthew Pavlich – trained strongly during the week putting some young Dockers through their paces

Who’s Not?

Lee Spurr – wasn’t sighted on the track this week and has made fleeting appearances since new years. Is either on a modified program or injured, not one to pick for dream team.

GEELONG CATS

Looking Good

George Horlin-Smith – the man with two dads has trained solidly this week. After an injury plagued 2011, the hyphen is setting his sights on a senior debut in 2012. He is one to look out for in the Nab Cup although it is hard to see him breaking into such a strong line up in this year’s H&A season.

Billie Smedts & Jordan Schroeder – are also looking good things to play Nab Cup. Schroeder has a bit of the old “barrel chest, pigeon legs” about him, he looks a certain cult figure.

Who’s Not?

Travis Varcoe – was a no show on Friday the 20/1 & last week it was confirmed that the midfielder/forward has suffered stress fractures and will miss the start of the season proper.

GOLD COAST SUNS

A bit ho-hum on the GC front this week, the club has no real long term injury news and it’s the same names lighting up training; 1) G 2) Ablett.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS

Looking Good

Liam Sumner & Nick Haynes – the first round draft picks are training well and look set to make their debuts early in the season.

Who’s Not?

Taylor Adams – the 2011 no. 13 draft pick was questioned by police over an altercation at a Geelong bar during the week. No word yet if there will be any sanctions imposed upon the young midfielder.

HAWTHORN HAWKS

Looking Good

Alex Woodward – stood out with his extraction ability in a scratch match against some Tigers’ youngsters this week. Has been mentored by Sam Mitchell this pre season and looks a ready made in and under replacement should the Hawks’ midfield suffer injury blows during the season.

Derick Wanganeen – looks to be another lively small forward. He displayed good intensity, pace and skill in the Tigers match. With Cyril Rioli, Isaac Smith, Brad Hill, Luke Breust and Amos Frank all training well this pre season there will be some hot competition for the medium/small forward role in the Hawks line up in 2012.

Who’s Not?

Xavier Ellis – had his calf bandaged at training during the week and could not participate in the main drills.

Luke Hodge – appears to be on a modified program. May start the season sluggishly.

MELBOURNE DEMONS

Looking Good

Jack Grimes – is back training with the main group and is looking good which is top news for fantasy football coaches.

James Magner – another good week on the track, really wants a spot at AFL level (unusual for a Melbourne player).

Dan Nicholson – his chasing and harassing have been good all pre season not to mention this week. Looks a certainty to be promoted off the rookie list.

Who’s Not?

Max Gawn – will begin light training again soon after undergoing his second knee reconstruction.

NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS

Looking Good

Brent Harvey – was tearing up the track during the week, the pugnacious 34 year old is setting the pace for the whole group.

Robbie Tarrant – looks fit and strong and really stood out in competitive marking drills during the week. Given that the sight of him fit is generally less common than sightings of the abominable snowman in the Simpson Desert during summer, that is cause to celebrate

Who’s Not?

Ryan Bastinac – speculation is starting that he could be moving to GWS. He is said to be mates with moneybags $cully. A little bit of history repeating?

PORT ADELAIDE POWER

Looking Good

Hamish Hartlett – has returned to full training after a six month lay off. Hopefully for Port’s sake the youngster can improve on his career best return of 16 games in a season in 2012.

Brad Ebert & Travis Boak – have continued to train well during the week and are free of any injury niggles.

Who’s Not?

Tom Logan – copped a knock to the head at training and spent the rest of the session looking like King Tut after the pharaoh kicked the bucket. A little bit of blood was spilt but it’s hard to imagine him having recurring problems from this.

As reported last week half of Port’s listed ruck division remain sidelined.

RICHMOND TIGERS

Daniel Connors – looked pretty good up forward in the scratch match against the Hawks. Has ability but can he turn it round in 2012? Or will he go the way of the Morton?

Brandon Ellis – shone with his kicking out and hardness in the scratch match.

Who’s Not?

Matthew Arnot – almost caused a dust up after flooring Mitch Hallahan off the ball in the scratch match. Could be another Tiger who roars loudest in January?

ST KILDA SAINTS

Looking Good

Lenny Hayes – looks really good, participated in full training on Wednesday and doesn’t appear to be impeded by his 2011 knee reconstruction

Brendon Goddard – despite having his knee iced towards the end of Wednesday’s session, trained really strongly and should be a popular fantasy selection once again in 2012.

Who’s Not?

James Gwilt – is still generally training away from the main group. Gwilt has been running with visible discomfort during the week after his 2011 knee injury.

Jack Steven – was training away from the main group during the week, doing running drills. Hopefully, he is just on a modified program after his break out 2011 season.

SYDNEY SWANS

The veterans are still leading the way for the Swans on the track this week while Dan Hannebury continues his comeback from minor knee surgery.

WEST COAST EAGLES

Not much news out of the west this week as the club had a few closed sessions.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Looking Good

Brian Lake & Adam Cooney – trained earlier in the week and looked good but missed a session later in the week. It seems as though both players are quite deliberately being held back this pre season. As long as neither suffer injury setbacks they are on track for round 1.

Who’s Not?

Tom Williams – was not sighted at training during the week. Given he has had an injury plagued career to date it isn’t a great sign that he can’t seem to join in full drills.

Clarkey’s Pre-Season Wrap
Dan’s Rookie Reveal
Jimmy’s Gems
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the latest 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES

Well, I don’t think it’s going to be a question of whether you need to put any Collingwood players in your team or not, but rather how many you should be putting in. They have been the dominant team in the competition over the past two years, playing an amazing combination of defensive and attacking football. Whilst playing a great team-orientated game plan, they still have many stars in their lineup to choose from, including the most dominant Dreamteam player (Dane Swan) and SuperCoach player (Scott Pendlebury) of 2011.

Much of the same should be expected from the Pies in 2012, still with one of the younger lists in the competition. Whilst some of their stars such as Pendlebury, Cloke, Thomas, Dawes, Reid, O’Brien and Sidebottom are all established members of their side, they are all still under 25 years old, so all yet to really hit their peak yet, which is a scary thought!

The only real unknown on the Pies list at the moment is their coach for 2012 – Nathan Buckley. Bucks has been working under Malthouse for the past few years, so at least knows the players and is unlikely to make many wholesale changes to the place – nor should he have to! I’m expecting us to see a pretty similar game plan to what has worked for them over the past two years, so they should stay pretty consistent as far as Dream Team and SuperCoach scoring goes.

The Pies have their bye in round 12, which isn’t a bad thing. Whilst there are a few other popular teams amongst that lot (Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Melbourne and Sydney), it’s not quite as bad as the round 13 bye. One thing apparent from the other round 12 bye teams is the lack of any real premium midfield options (except maybe Barlow and Jobe Watson), meaning that it really allows you to load up on Pies midfielders if you desire – something you really couldn’t do last year.

Anyway, on to the players…

KEY PLAYERS:

Scott Pendlebury:

Pendles was the Number one player in SuperCoach in 2011 and the number 2 in Dream Team, so it’s fair to say it was a pretty decent year from the still-young midfielder. He proved to not only be a consistent performer, but also one with a super high ceiling, with 11 scores over 120 points in DT and 15 in SuperCoach. This is coupled with only four games under 100 points in DT (with none below 85) and a 94-point game being his only sub-100 score in SC for the whole season!

There hasn’t been an awful amount of news coming out of the Pies this pre-season, but as is often the case, no news is good news. Pendles is training with the main group though and has had no setbacks, meaning there are no reasons he can’t have a repeat of his super 2011 season – in fact, at his age he could be getting even better!

Dane Swan:

Swan is one player that should really need no introduction in Dream Team land, being one of the most dominant scorers for the past few seasons. In my opinion you need to start your team with one of the monster scorers (Swan leads this category), so you can have a set and forget captain from day one. Not having one of these players from the start (even if you plan on bringing them in later) can cost you a lot of points in a very short space of time.

Swan’s 2011 was again fantastic, averaging 123 in both DT and SC – however, he had a few games in the middle of the year where injury took hold of him and his scores reflected it pretty clearly. Taking out these few games from his average we see an average of 129 DT and 130 SC – ridiculous number across an entire season. Does this even mean that he is underpriced!?

So far there is little to suggest he will score any differently in 2012 – there have been no setbacks to his training and he should be deployed in the same role as 2011. He does come at an exorbitant price, but on 2012 form he is worth every penny and will be a lock for captain every week of the year… except round 12 that is…

Travis Cloke:

Cloke is a player who has been threatening to become a DT/SC premium for a few years now, but finally delivered in 2011 with an average of 97.1 in DT and 100.57 in SuperCoach. That is not to say his year didn’t have it’s inconsistencies, but he still managed to deliver some very good games, especially in the second half of the year.

As the key forward for the best team in the home and away season, it was about time that we saw Cloke string some big games together. He is now physically at a size which will trouble opponents and has worked hard to increase his tank, allowing him to spend more time up the field. The emergence of Chris Dawes has surely helped him too – Dawes plays much closer to goal, as well as requiring a good defender, meaning that Cloke can spend more time getting marks and kicks up the ground and is also less likely to get double-teamed when he moves into the forward line.

Collingwood will again go into 2012 as the flag favourites and it is little wonder why – whilst they lost the flag to Geelong in 2011, the expectation is that Geelong may slide a little this year due to the age factor. That said, everyone said the same in 2011. But the point is that Cloke will continue to be the focal point of a team likely to be kicking plenty of goals in 2012, meaning that he should at least be able to sustain his numbers from 2011.

His second half to 2012 showed a real rise in form and consistency; he averaged 83 DT and 84 SC from the first ten rounds, then averaged 107 DT and 110 SuperCoach for the rest of the year, showing a significant increase in scoring ability. These are the numbers I would expect him to take into 2012, assuming he has a good pre-season. So far his pre-season has been uninterrupted, and whilst there has been little news on him, as far as I am concerned, no news is good news. He is now at an age where consistency should be a strong part of his game, so hopefully we can see this throughout 2012.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER:

Marty Clarke:

Marty returns to the AFL after two years off from the game, where he returned back to Ireland to play his original game – Gaelic football. The Pies got him back on their list by trading their first round pick to GWS, so clearly they still rate him and see a spot for him in their team. When he played a few years ago he was used in a rebounding role from defence – a similar role to what he will likely play under Buckley. He should be able to slot straight into the spot vacant by Leon Davis, too.

In his three years of AFL football, Clarke averaged 65, 72 and 72 in DT and 70, 80 and 71 in SC, so his scoring is certainly good enough to be given a chance. He is unlikely to be a keeper, but at that price should prove a decent cash-cow for your backline.

Dale Thomas:

Dale has now had two consistent seasons in a row, playing a permanent role through the midfield. He has gone slightly unnoticed due to the likes of Swan and Pendlebury, but it doesn’t mean he is any less valuable on the field. He is also a little more unique than the other two names, despite his high potential and new-found consistency. There are plenty worse unique options out there than Daisy.

Steele Sidebottom:

Steele is an intriguing option for 2012 – he is the price of a premium, however, his average of 85 in DT and 84 in SC probably doesn’t warrant that price, so we would be banking on a 10-15 point increase in both forms of the game to make his selection worthwhile.

He did have pretty decent consistency in 2011, with five scores over 100 and only four below 70 – so most weeks was scoring reasonably well. He is spending most of his time across the half-forward line, drifting into the midfield in spurts. My prediction is that in 2012 he will play a much bigger role through the guts as he becomes bigger, fitter and stronger. He certainly has the ball-winning ability, so keep an eye on his pre-season form – if he is playing through the midfield, the chances of this being his breakout year will dramatically rise.

Dayne Beams:

Beams is a player who I would be too scared to put in my DT or SC – he actually had a great 2011, averaging 100 points in both competitions and is therefore priced accordingly. He finished the year with a huge bang, hence his price. After playing just 8 of the first 18 rounds, Beams came back into the side with great form, averaging 123.8 DT and 127.8 SC points from the last five games. He spent the majority of this time playing through the middle, as opposed to the HFF where he spent the first half of his season.

Firstly, I think he has had too few games through the midfield to base his selection upon, especially at his price (making him the 4^th most expensive forward). Secondly, the form he displayed in the Preliminary final against the Hawks was woeful, finishing the game with just 2 disposals until ¾ time, at which point he was subbed off.  That game is stuck at the back of my mind, so my worry is that it could be the same for Bucks. If you are keen, tread with care and take note of his pre-season form and role.

Heath Shaw:

Shaw caused many coaches pain in 2011 when he was suspended only hours before lockout after having put some bets on an AFL match. It wasn’t the first time Shaw has burned coaches either, with inconsistent scoring, as well as his ‘car-crash’ incident of a few years ago. Now into a new season, Shaw is still going to be considered by many – he can score well in a position where premiums are far and few between, as well as being reasonably priced.

He is a player to pick at your own risk – whilst the positives are certainly there, if feels like we can’t go a year without having something to complain about with Heath. For me, he is a ‘must-watch’ through the NAB cup.

Alan Didak:

My belief is that Didak’s days are done as a fantasy player. We saw a shocker of a year from Dids in 2011 as he battled injuries that never seemed to get better. By the end of the year he was even getting games as sub, having very little impact on any games he did play. The majority of his time seemed to be spent up forward, and in my opinion, this is likely to be where he calls home in 2012 too. With the likes of Beams, Sidebottom and even Fasolo improving around him, they seem the much more likely candidates to spend more time through the midfield, unfortunately resigning Didak to the forward-50.

Injury Room:

The Pies are looking pretty good in the injury stakes. Ben Reid injured his shoulder on his off-season trip, but should be back training soon. Nathan Brown is back from his knee reconstruction and should be OK for round one.

TOBY’S BEST 22

FB: Harry O’Brien, Chris Tarrant, Ben Johnson

HB: Nick Maxwell, Ben Reid, Heath Shaw

C: Steele Sidebottom, Dale Thomas, Dane Swan

HF: Alex Fasolo, Travis Cloke, Dayne Beams

FF: Alan Didak, Chris Dawes, Andrew Krakouer

R: Darren Jolly, Luke Ball, Scott Pendlebury

INT: Sharrod Wellingham, Marty Clarke, Alan Toovey, Jarryd Blair

EMER: Nathan Brown, Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer

Clarkey’s Pre-Season Wrap
Club Previews
Dan’s Rookie Reveal
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

Jimmy’s Gems – Woof Woof!

Every club dreams of drafting  a player that bursts onto the  scene in a similar fashion to that of Dustin Martin or Joel Selwood in their debut seasons. Realistically we know this isn’t the typical transition for a player, and like we saw with guys like Jack Redden, and Liam Shiels last year, its often not until their 2nd or 3rd year before a player really stamps their mark on the league.

One player I’ve got my eyes on for a similar breakout in 2012 is 2nd year Bulldog Mitch Wallis.

The Player:

Recruited via the Father/Son rule , Wallis was a star junior and the captain of  both Vic Metro and the Calder Cannons in 2010. Renowned for racking up the touches, Wallis has a unique ability to win the ball in close, and then run hard across the ground to find the ball in space, shown by an average of  31.3 disposals for Calder in 2010. His game is tailor made for fantasy footy, which was highlighted in TAC Cup Grand Final where he was awarded the best on ground after a huge 47 possession performance that tallied 171 Dream team points.

In 2011, Wallis was in early contention to  debut in round 1, but lost the battle to fellow Father/Son recruit Tom Liberatore who was more AFL ready and able to make an immediate impact. He didn’t have to wait long however, and after impressing at VFL level, Wallis earned  a senior debut in round 5.

Last week I spoke about the negative effects of the sub rule, and like so many other young players, Wallis fell victim, starting his career in the green vest as the substitute player.  He entered the game during the last quarter tallying only 3 possessions and 10 Dream team points.  Obviously a big hit to his scoring average.

A dominant ball winner at junior level, Wallis understandably lacked the body size to match it with the bigger, more seasoned AFL bodies in his debut year,  but  was  able to  crack 6 games  averaging  55 Dream team points.  He was used mainly in a tagging or forward line role, but spent his VFL season groomed for a  midfield role, and his form suggested he’s not far off, averaging 22 possessions, 5 clearances and 5 tackles per game over fifteen games.

Callan Ward leaving for GWS has left a bit hole in the middle and Wallis looms the most likely player on the Bulldog list to get first crack. From all reports he’s flying on the training track and new coach Brendan McCartney is a huge fan of his approach.  Something worth noting is the significant amount of  contested possessions Wallis won as a junior with over 35.6% touches being  contested.

For a comparison, a player like Sam Mitchell known for his clearance work wins roughly 30% of his possessions in the contest. With another full pre season under his belt,  Wallis will benefit hugely from added body size and strength , and we should see a lot more of his ball winning potential in 2012.

Taking a quick look at his career statistics, it’s impossible to ignore his scoring potential:

Calder Cannons (2010): 31.3 disposals, 5.1 Marks, 6.8 Tackles  @125 DT average

Vic Metro (2010):  27.7 Disposals, 5.7 marks, 6 Tackles @111 DT average

Williamstown (2011): 22.3 Disposals, 3 marks, 4.5 Tackles @ 81 DT average

You really don’t want to miss the next Jack Redden, and priced at $244,000  Wallis has the potential to be just that.  Wallis has gone under the radar somewhat but as the numbers show he’s  a potential scoring stud. I’d keep a very close eye on how Wallis is used during the NAB cup.  A player with his scoring potential is a bargain waiting to happen, so do your homework and don’t miss out!

Clarkey’s Pre-Season Wrap
Dan’s Rookie Reveal
Jimmy’s Gems
Kristian’s Dimes
Toby’s Prolific Premiums
Training Reports

Also, be sure to check out the 2012 Submit Your Team thread.

CARLTON BLUES 2012 PREVIEW:

I apologise for the slight delay in the article but we’re back alive and kicking!

Next up are the mighty Blues, and it really pains me to say that I think they’re genuine premiership contenders in 2012.

With Matthew Kreuzer back, and an improved Shaun Hampson, I think their tall players are now physically developed enough to be able to take the next step this season.

Fantasy wise, you need to jump on board. They have quite a few players that will improve their averages this season as they are still quite young.

There are a list of Carlton players to consider, so I will not waste any more time!

BRYCE GIBBS

In my opinion, Bryce is one player you need to lock in this season. I think he’s going to explode in a big way, possibly averaged upwards of 115 in Dream Team (big call, I know).

All the talk has been about how good he is looking, and a move to the midfield permanently is just what he needs.

He averaged 122 Dream Team points in the final eight games of the year in 2011, when he was freed up and used through the midfield and as a half forward where he is really dangerous and knows how to kick a goal or two.

Gibbs isn’t backline eligible anymore, but don’t let that deter you. Get…..him…..in!

KANE LUCAS

One of the much talked about ‘up and comers’ of 2012, Kane Lucas is a guy that could be an absolute Dream Team stud.

I’m here to throw out the caution sign. I don’t think he’s in Carlton’s best 22, yet. It’s a big price to pay, at $226,800 to have someone who isn’t guaranteed a game week in, week out.

For me, the best case scenario is he comes out and averages 90. While that’s great, he’s not a keeper. I made this mistake last season with Rhys Palmer, Josh Kennedy, Steven Salopek…..I don’t want to go on….

Worst case scenario, which would be terrible, is if he’s a green vest specialist, like he started the 2011 season in round one against Richmond.

In my opinion, the upside isn’t worth the risk. Keep an eye on the NAB Cup though, Ratten could have him penned in to his side, but I doubt he’s a lock right now.

Pick with caution.

OTHER PLAYERS TO CONSIDER……..

Paul Bower had a 2011 he’d rather forget. Plagued with a foot injury early in the season, he struggled to get back in the side with great form from the likes of Nick Duigan and Jeremy Laidler. He can produce some great numbers and he is dirt cheap, but I don’t think he’s best 22 anymore and the injury risk is too big.

I got asked about Dylan Buckley quite a bit, so I thought I better mention him. Dylan will need a few years to develop. He is only 69kg and has never averaged more than 15 disposals and two tackles, going all the way back to U/16’s, so he isn’t really someone you’d be moving the deck chairs to get into your fantasy side.

Chris Judd is Chris Judd. I don’t really have to say much else other than the fact that even though he’s had an interrupted pre-season with his shoulder injury; you should get him in your Super Coach side. The man is a machine.

Matthew Kreuzer has signalled his intentions to play in the midfield, and I like it. I think he is wasted up forward, and I don’t think it suits him well either. I don’t see any reason why Kreuz can’t play the Naitanui role and just follow the ball, even with Warnock on the ground at the same time. He is an elite runner who is good at running forward. That is how he’ll kick his goals. Watch him in the NAB Cup, and if this is his role, then he’s a genuine option for your second ruck.

Marc Murphy genuinely broke out in 2011, becoming a ‘must have’ midfield player. There is no reason why this will change, he’s flying.

Mitch Robinson becomes a genuine option for fantasy this season with his forward eligibility. He is prone to have really quiet games and he’s always a suspension risk with the way he goes at the footy (it’s sad, I know), but he is just so good to watch. I have him pencilled in to my forward line.

Jordan Russell is another player to have fallen out of favour. He’s a ball magnet at his best, but he is no guarantee to get consistent games in this side now. I’d stay away.

Heath Scotland had a fine season as the Blues sweeper across the wings and half back. He was the best performed defender in Dream Team, so he’ll come at a hefty cost this season. He is 32 this season, so the question remains if he can maintain it, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t.

Sam Rowe has been much talked about as being the Blues key forward, after being taken in the National Draft as a mature ager. I’m not really that bullish to be honest. He’ll post very mediocre scores and he hasn’t really set the world on fire in the SANFL either.

Chris Yarran is defender only this season in fantasy and he could be a great option! He’ll most likely get tagged across half back, but he could well get a gig in the midfield which would make him an enticing prospect.

Tom Bell is a ready to go midfielder that is on the Blues rookie list. He is a bull at the gate and could be a great fantasy scorer, but the only problem is he’ll really struggle to get games. Could be a smoky though….

KRISTIAN’S BEST 22

FB: Zach Tuohy, Michael Jamison, Nick Duigan

HB: Chris Yarran, Lachie Henderson, Jeremy Laidler

C: Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd, Matthew Kreuzer

HF: Jeff Garlett, Jarrad Waite, Bret Thornton

FF: Eddie Betts, Shaun Hampson, Andrew Walker

R: Robbie Warnock, Marc Murphy, Mitch Robinson

INT: Kade Simpson, Heath Scotland, Andrew Carrazzo, David Ellard

EMER: Jordan Russell, Kane Lucas, Aaron Joseph