Footy Tragic

 

I’m going to take a different angle this week, because I’m angry.

What a disastrous round….

Personally I dropped out of the top 1000 and to be honest, when you’re copping five unavoidable ‘zeroes’, the interest in the week is hardly there.

I watched two and a half games on the weekend, which for me, is ridiculous. Never have I watched such little footy in a round.

Not only was it terrible from a fantasy footy point of view, the scheduling was disgusting as well.

On Sunday there was one game, which started at 4.40pm; Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide in Adelaide. Really AFL? If that isn’t an invitation to go out and get drunk instead over the long weekend well then I don’t know what is.

It will only be worse this upcoming round. Carlton vs West Coast is wasted on a Thursday night, and then on Saturday night and Sunday we can feast our eyes on Gold Coast vs North Melbourne, Hawthorn vs Brisbane, and Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide.

Exciting stuff…..

I think it’s a concern for Virtual Sports in the future as well, because I get the feeling I’m not the only fantasy footy player feeling this way.

The AFL has signalled that there’ll be two byes for each club next season. If it’s anything like these current three rounds, well then interest in fantasy footy will decrease.

If I’m saying this then I can only imagine that the average fantasy coach has probably already given up.

There needs to be a solution. Nobody likes to have ‘zeroes’ in their team, even though everyone else is in the same boat.

Whether only five defenders, four mids, one ruck and five forwards’ scores count in the bye rounds, or we get more trades, or a bigger bench, something needs to be done.

I really like the first idea.

During the bye rounds, starting squads are decreased. Simple. Less scoring players means you have more chance to field a full squad.

We saw last year we had an extra three players in our squad, which I thought worked quite well, and were able to quell a few extra ‘zeroes’.

The other idea I’ve heard is that we get two trades a week, you can use them or lose them, your choice.

Next year a quarter of the season is likely to be made up of bye rounds. We need to maintain the interest. Of course, the hardcore players will still be there, including myself, and the faithful Footy Tragic community, but what about the average punters?

Can they ‘be bothered’ anymore?

It’s a major issue. If they’re not on board, are the sponsors? What about the prizes?

At the moment the game has no ‘flavour’.

Around this year time of the year everyone’s team starts to look the same.

I’ve been banging the ‘eight starting midfielders’ drum for many years now. The midfield is where the diversity will come from.

It’s more realistic to the game of AFL itself and there are more midfielders in the game than any other position on the ground, so why not have more positions available?

The idea has continually been knocked back. I’m not the only one that’s advocated it, and it is very frustrating that it hasn’t ever seemed to be considered.

I think it’s a major issue for Virtual Sports over the off-season.

The game will simply not grow, and will probably not survive if it just goes along as the ‘same old’.

It may not be great for the hardcore fantasy player, but the key is to keep everyone interested for the entire season.

Nobody likes having the same team as everyone else and nobody likes to take ‘zeroes’, so fix it.

I would love to know your thoughts guys.

 

 

Well, there’s been enough demand for a place that everyone can spill their guts. What’s your tale of woe this weekend? How many donuts have you ended up with on the ground? Maybe your entire ruck division was Orren Stephenson (Dan’s was). Maybe you’re relatively unscathed this week, but can prepare yourself for the feelings you’ll have when you’re ultimately hit hard in Round 12 or 13, because the multi byes will miss NO ONE.

Heaven forbid there’s a late out from a popular player!

So here it is…give us what you’ve got (in a relatively clean manner anyway).

 

No matter how much time you may have spent preparing for this weekend, there is little doubt that you are still facing a fair bit of carnage. Yes we knew that players from the Giants, Dogs, North, Lions, West Coast and Adelaide would all miss, but what about likes of Pendlebury, Scotland, Lewis, Duffield and Horsley? Well no one saw that coming.The good news is, we’re all in the same boat.

In an article posted earlier this week Toby discussed how he plans to use his trades over the coming weeks. With the weekly teams released, we’re all now aware of how we’re positioned entering the round. It’s obvious that there’s a lot more pain than anticipated, and that’s going to have a big impact on everyone’s trade plans. The zero’s are definitely piling up, and from the feedback gathered, it’s pretty clear we’re all concerned. So where to now? I think it’s very important to remember that everyone is going to be faced with the same situation. But if you planned on covering a few donuts by trading out your rookies, perhaps now is not the time.

Toby touched on the topic of break evens and rookies that have maxed out in price. I agree with this, the problem is, we’ve got no one to downgrade to.

With that said, I think this is possibly a good thing. While you might have planned on trading out the likes of a McDonald, Devon Smith, or Adams, in the big schemes of things I think we’re much better served by keeping these players for the coming weeks and saving the trades.

With Essendon, Collingwood, Fremantle and Geelong all sharing the bye in round 13, you only have to look a week ahead to realise the importance of bench depth.  While it might be the ideal time to trade your rookies out in terms of price, right now job security is more important. Something that players like Shiel, Smith and McDonald all have.

Don’t panic just to avoid one or two zeros. To put things into perspective let’s look at a hypothetical:

In order to avoid a zero this week you trade out James McDonald (82 Dream Team average) to Alex Sexton (47.7 Dream Team average) Yes you avoid the zero, but even with Sexton playing next week their respective scores will roughly average out anyway.  Not only is there no gain made, but you lose a better scorer to cover your side in the future. On top of this, Sexton still has his bye to come, so either way that zero is unavoidable. It’s nice to have cash in the bank, but the most important thing is scoring. The cash can wait.

By holding off for a week the option of targeting a player with no byes in the future is possible. Given that the byes are over 3 weeks, having these players will prove invaluable. Saving your trades will give you more to work with and you’ll be able to capitalise over the next couple of weeks.

What I’m effectively suggesting is to look past the short-term pain for the long-term gain. Yes, it’ll be tough to stomach, but next week you’ll be thanking me. You want players with job security. Keep your trades and pounce when the time is right.

 

 

 
Well it was another must watch episode of Footy Tragic last night, highlighted by a great interview with GWS rising star Tom Bugg.

As always, the entire show can be viewed below. The links beneath the video will take you straight to particular areas of discussion from the episode (this’ll work in most browsers). We’ve also uploaded the Tom Bugg interview beneath that!

And finally, for those wanting to do the naughty at work, click here to download the complete show as a podcast!

Note: If you notice that the podcast file you have downloaded has a .MP3 extension added, remove it. The only file extension should be .M4A. This will import into iTunes. Thanks!
 
 

The Footy Tragic Show (Full Episode):

 

Winners & Wieners
Captain Options
Boys On The Bubble
Team Selection News
Dealing With The Byes
 
 

Tom Bugg Interview:

 
 

 

CARLTON V GEELONG CATS

ES – Fri Jun 08, 7:50pm

Carlton

B: Christopher Yarran, Michael Jamison, Matthew Watson

HB: Bryce Gibbs, Lachlan Henderson, Nick Duigan

C: Zach Tuohy, Chris Judd, Kade Simpson

HF: Mitch Robinson, Matthew Kreuzer, Andrew Walker

F: Jeffrey Garlett, Shaun Hampson, Eddie Betts

Foll: Robert Warnock, Brock McLean, David Ellard

I/C: Dennis Armfield, Aaron Joseph, Andrew Collins, Joshua Bootsma

Emg: Kane Lucas, Andrew McInnes, Edward Curnow

 

In: Matthew Kreuzer, Lachlan Henderson, Nick Duigan

Out: Paul Bower, Heath Scotland (Calf), Edward Curnow

 

Geelong Cats

B: Matthew Scarlett, Tom Lonergan, Josh Hunt

HB: Corey Enright, Harry Taylor, David Wojcinski

C: Taylor Hunt, Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman

HF: Mathew Stokes, Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan

F: James Kelly, James Podsiadly, Steve Johnson

Foll: Trent West, Joel Corey, Jimmy Bartel

I/C: Andrew Mackie, Steven Motlop, Cameron Guthrie, Orren Stephenson

Emg: Tom Gillies, Jesse Stringer, Billie Smedts

 

In: Joel Corey, Corey Enright, David Wojcinski, Tom Hawkins, Steven Motlop

Out: Tom Gillies, Jesse Stringer, Billie Smedts, Jordan Schroder, Lincoln McCarthy

Milestones: David Wojcinski – 200 games

 

 

RICHMOND V FREMANTLE

MCG – Sat Jun 09, 1:40pm

Richmond

B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Chris Newman

HB: Bachar Houli, Ben Griffiths, Brandon Ellis

C: Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson

HF: Brett Deledio, Tyrone Vickery, Shane Edwards

F: Reece Conca, Jack Riewoldt, Robin Nahas

Foll: Ivan Maric, Trent Cotchin, Shane Tuck

I/C: Matt Dea, Jake Batchelor, Brett O’Hanlon, Addam Maric

Emg: Matthew White, Daniel Connors, Brad Miller

 

In: Matt Dea, Brett O’Hanlon

Out: Nathan Foley (Leg), Jake King (Suspension)

New: Brett O’Hanlon (Dandenong Stingrays)

 

Fremantle

B: Adam McPhee, Zac Dawson, Greg Broughton

HB: Michael Johnson, Luke McPharlin, Stephen Hill

C: Michael Barlow, Ryan Crowley, Tendai Mzungu

HF: Matthew de Boer, Christopher Mayne, Clancee Pearce

F: Lachie Neale, Matthew Pavlich, Garrick Ibbotson

Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Hayden Ballantyne, David Mundy

I/C: Nick Suban, Jesse Crichton, Jonathon Griffin, Hayden Crozier

Emg: Kepler Bradley, Jayden Pitt, Nick Lower

 

In: Nick Suban, Adam McPhee, Jonathon Griffin

Out: Paul Duffield, Zachary Clarke, Jack Anthony

 

 

GOLD COAST SUNS V ST KILDA

MS – Sat Jun 09, 4:40pm

Gold Coast Suns

B: Seb Tape, Matthew Warnock, Daniel Stanley

HB: Sam Iles, Rory Thompson, Trent McKenzie

C: Michael Rischitelli, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Sexton

HF: Harley Bennell, Jared Brennan, Andrew McQualter

F: Matt Shaw, Sam Day, Luke Russell

Foll: Tom Hickey, Josh Caddy, Gary Ablett

I/C: Josh Toy, Campbell Brown, Brandon Matera, Aaron Hall

Emg: Alik Magin, Joel Wilkinson, Kyal Horsley

 

In: Jared Brennan, Josh Toy, Brandon Matera, Seb Tape

Out: Alik Magin, Joel Wilkinson, Tom Lynch (Foot), Kyal Horsley (Rested)

 

St Kilda

B: Jason Gram, Sam Gilbert, Tom Simpkin

HB: Sean Dempster, James Gwilt, Brendon Goddard

C: David Armitage, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo

HF: Jack Steven, Nick Riewoldt, Terry Milera

F: Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke, Ahmed Saad

Foll: Jason Blake, Leigh Montagna, Clinton Jones

I/C: Farren Ray, Jamie Cripps, Arryn Siposs, Jack Newnes

Emg: Raphael Clarke, Adam Schneider, Beau Wilkes

 

 

ESSENDON V SYDNEY SWANS

ES – Sat Jun 09, 7:40pm

Essendon

B: Dyson Heppell, Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker

HB: Jake Carlisle, Kyle Hardingham, Courtenay Dempsey

C: Ricky Dyson, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton

HF: Jake Melksham, Stewart Crameri, David Zaharakis

F: Alwyn Davey, Patrick Ryder, Michael Hurley

Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Sam Lonergan

I/C: Angus Monfries, Leroy Jetta, David Myers, Ben Howlett

Emg: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Henry Slattery, Kyle Reimers

In: David Myers, Cale Hooker, Dyson Heppell

Out: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Tayte Pears (Knee), Travis Colyer

 

Sydney Swans

B: Alex Johnson, Ted Richards, Rhyce Shaw

HB: Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy, Martin Mattner

C: Lewis Jetta, Josh P. Kennedy, Nicholas Smith

HF: Kieren Jack, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Ryan O’Keefe

F: Trent Dennis-Lane, Sam Reid, Craig Bird

Foll: Shane Mumford, Jude Bolton, Daniel Hannebery

I/C: Nick Malceski, Mike Pyke, Andrejs Everitt, Tony Armstrong

Emg: Jesse White, Nathan Gordon, Harry Cunningham

 

In: Nick Malceski, Andrejs Everitt

Out: Ben McGlynn (Suspension), Luke Parker (Shoulder)

Milestones: Kieren Jack – 100 games

 

 

PORT ADELAIDE V HAWTHORN

AS – Sun Jun 10, 4:10pm

Port Adelaide

B: Jackson Trengove, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan

HB: Danyle Pearce, Troy Chaplin, Hamish Hartlett

C: Darren Pfeiffer, Domenic Cassisi, Kane Cornes

HF: John McCarthy, Justin Westhoff, Matthew Broadbent

F: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Brett Ebert

Foll: Brent Renouf, Bradley Ebert, Matt Thomas

I/C: Paul Stewart, Jarrad Redden, Andrew Moore, Ben Jacobs

EMG: Tom Logan, Cameron Hitchcock, Aaron Young

In: John McCarthy

Out: Travis Boak (Foot)

Milestones: Justin Westhoff – 100 games

 

Hawthorn

B: Brent Guerra, Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne

HB: Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Benjamin Stratton

C: Bradley Hill, Sam Mitchell, Clinton Young

HF: Isaac Smith, Lance Franklin, Luke Breust

F: Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Brendan Whitecross

Foll: David Hale, Brad Sewell, Liam Shiels

I/C: Shane Savage, Matt Suckling, Paul Puopolo, Jack Gunston

EMG: Stephen Gilham, Thomas Murphy, Taylor Duryea,

In: Jack Gunston

Out: Jordan Lewis (Suspension)

 

 

MELBOURNE V COLLINGWOOD

MCG – Mon Jun 11, 3:15pm

Melbourne

B: James Sellar, Jared Rivers, Tom McDonald

HB: Daniel Nicholson, Jack Watts, James Frawley

C: Jack Grimes, James Magner, Joel Macdonald

HF: Nathan Jones, Colin Garland, Colin Sylvia

F: Jack Trengove, Mitchell Clark, Jeremy Howe

Foll: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie

I/C: Matthew Bate, Lynden Dunn, Brad Green, Cale Morton, Sam Blease, Rohan Bail, Luke Tapscott

In: Matthew Bate, James Frawley, Rohan Bail

 

Collingwood

B: Heritier O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Chris Tarrant

HB: Marley Williams, Nick Maxwell, Martin Clarke

C: Simon Buckley, Dale Thomas, Jarryd Blair

HF: Alex Fasolo, Chris Dawes, Ben Sinclair

F: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Tyson Goldsack

Foll: Darren Jolly, Dane Swan, Steele Sidebottom

I/C: Alan Didak, Sharrod Wellingham, Cameron Wood, Tom Young, Kirk Ugle, Paul Seedsman, Jamie Elliott

 

In: Dane Swan, Darren Jolly, Chris Tarrant, Paul Seedsman

Out: Scott Pendlebury (Leg)