Footy Tragic

 

Upon entering the season, one of the hardest jobs for a fantasy coach is the task of selecting your back line. Unlike other positions, the number of ‘locks’ in the backs is somewhat limited, with only two real standouts presenting themselves in 2012, Brendan Goddard and Brett Deledio. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing however. I like to think it helps to open the window of opportunity for coaches to take a risk. Perhaps a player set for a break out year, or a player returning from injury.

Brian Lake was just that, the ultimate risk. After a horror year in 2011, Lake loomed as one of the more fascinating fantasy prospects in recent times. A proven fantasy star, the upside was obvious, but at 30 years of age and returning from an injury, could he turn back the clock?

Brian Lake would be the first to admit that 2011 was a season he’d much rather forget. Only a year prior, Lake was coming off what was undoubtedly the best season of his career. An elite defender, Lake was named the All-Australian full back for 2010, earning selection for the second year running.  Even though he wasn’t able to train during the 2011 pre season, I don’t think anyone predicted just how badly that would hamper him throughout the season, proving to plague his entire year.  After failing to have his usual impact at senior level, Lake was dropped from the side, exiled to VFL. Even there he wasn’t himself.

As a result, Lake’s numbers took a major hit. His fantasy averages for the year were the lowest he’d recorded since 2005. From a fantasy standpoint, this was great news for 2012, particularly AFL Dream Team, where Lake was a major scorer when up and running. Any player capable of averaging 100 points per game is a clearly an asset, especially one that is back line eligible. Brian Lake is one of the rare defenders who had achieved this in the past. At a starting price of $255,000 in AFL Dream Team, and $286,900 in SuperCoach, Lake’s name certainly a stood out amongst a lot of those lesser known. Despite encouraging signs in the pre season, whether he’d return to form remained to be seen. The Jury was out on Brian Lake…

The start to the year proved to be a disaster. Matched up against West Coast forward Josh Kennedy, Lake was no match for him, watching his opponent kick 7 goals to help the Eagles to a 49 point win. Luckily goals against doesn’t effect fantasy points! However, not only was Lake comprehensively beaten, his fantasy game was also non-existent. The contested marks weren’t sticking, he wasn’t providing a link up option, and the Bulldog’s high possession brand of football we saw during the NAB cup was all but abandoned. In all honesty, I thought it was 2011 all over again for Lake. His confidence looked shot.

Facing Adelaide in round 2, I was expecting much the same with Lake likely to be lined up on one of the Crows’ key forwards in Taylor Walker or Kurt Tippet.  But only one week on and you could’ve sworn it was a different player. After scoring only 27 DT points in round 1 the Brian Lake of old was back, taking 10 marks, and gathering 23 disposals on his way to 93 Dream Team and 110 SuperCoach points.  The turn of form was amazing.

Since then Lake has averaged 9.4 marks in the five games he has played. He has competed against some big names in those weeks, including Travis Cloke and Drew Petrie, proving his ability to play well regardless of the opposition. This places Lake 2nd in marks per game in the entire league.  More importantly he has rediscovered his confidence. The Brian Lake that zoned off his opponent to intercept marks is back. He is comfortable attacking the ball, and looks every bit the player of 2010 again. It’s great for football and it’s great for fantasy scoring.

If you missed out on Lake, don’t stress, I think there is still value to be had. With the low score of round 1 rolling through his average, coupled with the 1 week suspension, Lake has not risen in price perhaps as much as he could have. He is clearly the best defender in his price range as of round 7. If you’ve got some cash to spare, I’d jump on before he rises.  I believe Lake is a premium this year, and if you can get an upgrade target at a discount price, then why not!

 

Toby runs through his Winners & Weiners for Round 7 – who pumped up our weekly score, and whose dour performances made us red in the face??

Below is Part 1 – part 2 will come after the Carlton vs Saints game on Monday night.

 

Melbourne vs Hawthorn:

Melbourne:

Winner:

James Magner was one of the most traded out players this week, so it was nice for those who held onto him to see him put together a pretty handy score. He is still playing a tagging role and I really can’t see him cracking the ton too many more times this year, but still, he seems to have plenty of cash generation left in him.

Weiner:

Colin Sylvia was again anonymous, playing the majority of the game up forward. He managed only 6 disposals and no score for the game. As much as he will be getting very cheap, I would be avoiding him at all costs, at least until he shows some sign of good form.

Hawthorn:

Winner:

Grant Birchall owners have had a pretty frustrating past few weeks, so it was great he see him crack the ton in both Dream Team and SuperCoach. He combined well off half-back with Suckling and picked up 29 disposals and 8 marks. He is now pretty cheap too for those who don’t have him.

Weiner:

Cyril Rioli was frustratingly quiet and was eventually subbed off after having next to no impact on the game. He played up forward again, but struggled to exploit the Dees defence as he had done to the Saints a week earlier.

 

GWS vs Gold Coast:

GWS:

Winner:

Jonathan Giles was terrific again for Dream Team and SuperCoach, but also for the Giants themselves – his massive last quarter was a big factor in their first win of the season. He racked up 21 touches and 6 marks, plus managed to kick 3.1 – so far I’d say those who originally anticipated trading him may be having second thoughts! He’s starting to look like a keeper!

Weiner:

Tommy Bugg had one of his quieter games this year, playing a defensive role on Harley Bennell. He still actually had a reasonable game, but was one of the quieter GWS players from a DT and SC perspective. Managed just 12 touches and 4 marks for the game.

Gold Coast:

Winner:

Whilst not the highest DT or SC scorer, Gary Ablett won us over just for the fact he played, despite all the talk that he may have been out for at least another fortnight. He still played mainly midfield, although didn’t carve up GWS as we may have hoped. Still, he picked up a game-high 33 disposals.

Weiner:

David Swallow struggled through the entire game, looking to be carrying some sort of knee injury. He was eventually subbed off at three-quarter time without having had much impact, having had just 10 touches for the day.

 

Adelaide vs Geelong:

Adelaide:

Winner:

Scott Thompson had another brilliant game, although I still feel like no one really noticed. He has been remarkably consistent so far this year, having had only one game under 100 DT or SC points. He was a driving force through the midfield, picking up 34 touches, 7 tackles and 6 marks.

Weiner:

Brodie Smith has been one of the more disappointing defence options this year in Dream Team and SuperCoach. Through the pre-season it was suggested he would spend more time on ball this year, but unfortunately he has spent every game so far in the backline. He just isn’t putting together the disposal numbers we may have hoped, so it’s looking like it’s about time to trade him if you haven’t already.

Geelong:

Winner:

Whilst there was no huge standout for the Cats, I have enjoyed the back-to-back quality games of Paul Chapman. I actually said on the show a fortnight ago that his best is now behind him and he shouldn’t be considered as a DT/SC option anymore… Well, fortunately I am wrong. He picked up 24 touches against the Crows and was one of Geelong’s best.

Weiner:

Corey Enright bounced back into some form last week, but this week again saw him close to tagged out of the game. He has been Mr.Reliable in DT and SC over the past few years, so it’s hard to believe that he may no longer be an option. I am patiently waiting on some good form before I jump on board, but so far I am yet to see it.

 

Richmond vs Sydney:

Richmond:

Winner:

Brett Deledio was hugely impressive for the Tigers. This game solidified himself to me as a bonafide elite player of the competition. Lids copped the Rhyce Shaw tag, which is typically a very tight once, but he just worked so hard to get to contests and provide an option that he was able to beat Shaw and still have plenty of effect on the game. May it continue.

Weiner:

Brandon Ellis will be an unpopular man for many this week – if you started him on the field you will be staring at a 6 in DT or 2 in SC, plus have to deal with the fact that your ‘cash-cow’ is about to significantly drop in price. He started as a sub and then didn’t come on the field until very late, having absolutely zero impact.

Sydney:

Winner:

Josh Kennedy was again Sydney’s best player, although not many had their best days at the office. He was followed around all day by Tuck, but still managed to have his share of the ball through the midfield. Finished with 21 touches, 4 tackles and 2 goals.

Weiner:

Sam Reid was extremely quiet, being held goalless and to just 5 disposals by Rance. There was talk mid-week that he was to be a late withdrawal, so I’m not sure whether he was carrying an injury, but regardless, these sorts of numbers are still very disappointing.

 

 

MELBOURNE V HAWTHORN

MCG – Fri May 11, 7:50pm

Melbourne

B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram

HB: Jack Grimes, Colin Garland, Cale Morton

C: Ricky Petterd, Brent Moloney, Jack Trengove

HF: Nathan Jones, Mitchell Clark, Jamie Bennell

F: Jeremy Howe, Colin Sylvia, Aaron Davey

Foll: Mark Jamar, James Magner, Jordie McKenzie

I/C: Matthew Bate, Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Tom McDonald

Emg: Lynden Dunn, Luke Tapscott, Joel Macdonald

 

In: Ricky Petterd, Jamie Bennell, Jack Fitzpatrick

Out: Lynden Dunn, Luke Tapscott, James Sellar (Calf)

 

Hawthorn

B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Benjamin Stratton

HB: Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling

C: Brendan Whitecross, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis

HF: Isaac Smith, Lance Franklin, Luke Breust

F: Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Michael Osborne

Foll: David Hale, Shaun Burgoyne, Brad Sewell

I/C: Clinton Young, Liam Shiels, Shane Savage, Paul Puopolo

Emg: Kyle Cheney, Bradley Hill, Broc McCauley

 

In: Stephen Gilham, Clinton Young

Out: Luke Hodge (Knee), Jarrad Boumann (Appendix)

 

 

ADELAIDE V GEELONG CATS

AS – Sat May 12, 12:45pm

Adelaide

B: Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten, Graham Johncock

HB: Matthew Jaensch, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly

C: David Mackay, Patrick Dangerfield, Nathan van Berlo

HF: Jared Petrenko, Taylor Walker, Ian Callinan

F: Matthew Wright, Kurt Tippett, Jason Porplyzia

Foll: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Rory Sloane

I/C: Ricky Henderson, Brodie Smith, Jarryd Lyons, Josh Jenkins

Emg: Brad Symes, Brodie Martin, Tom Lynch

 

In: Josh Jenkins

Out: Shaun McKernan (Suspension)

New: Josh Jenkins (Essendon)

 

Geelong Cats

B: Matthew Scarlett, Harry Taylor, Josh Hunt

HB: Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie

C: James Kelly, Allen Christensen, Joel Corey

HF: Mitch Duncan, James Podsiadly, Steven Motlop

F: Steve Johnson, Tom Hawkins, Joel Selwood

Foll: Trent West, Taylor Hunt, Paul Chapman

I/C: Jimmy Bartel, Jesse Stringer, Billie Smedts, Cameron Guthrie

Emg: Shannon Byrnes, Tom Gillies, George Horlin-Smith

 

In: Tom Lonergan, Joel Selwood, Taylor Hunt

Out: Shannon Byrnes, Mitch Brown, Tom Gillies

 

 

GWS GIANTS V GOLD COAST SUNS

MO – Sat May 12, 1:40pm

GWS Giants

B: Luke Power, Tim Mohr, Adam Kennedy

HB: Tomas Bugg, Phil Davis, Dylan Shiel

C: Tom Scully, Toby Greene, Chad Cornes

HF: Adam Treloar, Jeremy Cameron, Dom Tyson

F: Rhys Palmer, Israel Folau, Devon Smith

Foll: Jonathan Giles, Callan Ward, Jacob Townsend

I/C: Andrew Phillips, Stephen Coniglio, Liam Sumner, Taylor Adams

Emg: Nathan Wilson, Adam Tomlinson, Sam Reid

 

In: Jeremy Cameron, Israel Folau, Andrew Phillips, Jacob Townsend, Adam Treloar, Chad Cornes

Out: Curtly Hampton, Jack Hombsch (Injured), Dean Brogan (Injured), Setanta Ó hAilpín (Knee), James McDonald (Other), Sam Reid

New: Andrew Phillips (Lauderdale/Triabunna)

 

Gold Coast Suns

B: Jared Brennan, Matthew Warnock, Seb Tape

HB: Sam Iles, Michael Coad, Joel Wilkinson

C: Michael Rischitelli, Karmichael Hunt, Trent McKenzie

HF: Harley Bennell, Tom Lynch, Josh Toy

F: Campbell Brown, Sam Day, Luke Russell

Foll: Zac Smith, Josh Caddy, Gary Ablett

I/C: Charlie Dixon, Dion Prestia, David Swallow, Kyal Horsley

Emg: Daniel Stanley, Matt Shaw, Jeremy Taylor

 

In: Gary Ablett, Michael Coad, Michael Rischitelli

Out: Maverick Weller, Matt Shaw, Nathan Bock (Leg)

 

RICHMOND V SYDNEY SWANS

MCG – Sat May 12, 4:40pm

Richmond

B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Chris Newman

HB: Bachar Houli, Dylan Grimes, Jake Batchelor

C: Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin, Brandon Ellis

HF: Brett Deledio, Brad Miller, Nathan Foley

F: Reece Conca, Jack Riewoldt, Jake King

Foll: Ivan Maric, Trent Cotchin, Shane Tuck

I/C: Daniel Jackson, Shane Edwards, Robin Nahas, Matt Dea

Emg: Angus Graham, Luke McGuane, Matthew Arnot

 

In: Daniel Jackson

Out: Tyrone Vickery (Leg)

Milestones: Dustin Martin – 50 games

 

Sydney Swans

B: Martin Mattner, Ted Richards, Alex Johnson

HB: Nicholas Smith, Heath Grundy, Rhyce Shaw

C: Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Daniel Hannebery

HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Sam Reid, Ben McGlynn

F: Jude Bolton, Jesse White, Trent Dennis-Lane

Foll: Mark Seaby, Josh P. Kennedy, Luke Parker

I/C: Nick Malceski, Craig Bird, Lewis Jetta, Andrejs Everitt

Emg: Nathan Gordon, Tony Armstrong, Tommy Walsh

 

In: Jesse White, Trent Dennis-Lane

Out: Adam Goodes (Quad), Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Bruised Heel)

 

 

BRISBANE LIONS V COLLINGWOOD

G – Sat May 12, 7:40pm

Brisbane Lions

B: Pearce Hanley, Matt Maguire, Niall McKeever

HB: Mitchell Golby, Joel Patfull, Daniel Rich

C: James Hawksley, Tom Rockliff, Josh Drummond

HF: James Polkinghorne, Jonathan Brown, Todd Banfield

F: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, Patrick Karnezis

Foll: Billy Longer, Simon Black, Jack Redden

I/C: Andrew Raines, Ryan Harwood, Jared Polec, Dayne Zorko

Emg: Bryce Retzlaff, Joshua Green, Jack Crisp

 

In: Josh Drummond, James Hawksley, Andrew Raines, Niall McKeever, Dayne Zorko

Out: Jed Adcock (Groin), Aaron Cornelius, Ryan Lester (Soreness), Ben Hudson (Soreness), Jack Crisp

New: Dayne Zorko (Broadbeach (QLD))

 

Collingwood

B: Heritier O’Brien, Ben Reid, Nathan Brown

HB: Simon Buckley, Nick Maxwell, Tyson Goldsack

C: Dane Swan, Sharrod Wellingham, Jarryd Blair

HF: Heath Shaw, Chris Dawes, Ben Sinclair

F: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak

Foll: Cameron Wood, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom

I/C: Alan Toovey, Martin Clarke, Lachlan Keeffe, Paul Seedsman

Emg: Kirk Ugle, Peter Yagmoor, Jackson Paine

 

In: Alan Didak, Jarryd Blair, Paul Seedsman

Out: Ben Johnson (Shoulder), Alex Fasolo (Knee), Kirk Ugle

 

 

ESSENDON V WEST COAST EAGLES

ES – Sat May 12, 7:40pm

Essendon

B: Dyson Heppell, Cale Hooker, Courtenay Dempsey

HB: Kyle Hardingham, Jake Carlisle, Dustin Fletcher

C: Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis

HF: Jake Melksham, Stewart Crameri, Angus Monfries

F: Alwyn Davey, Patrick Ryder, Leroy Jetta

Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett

I/C: Ricky Dyson, Sam Lonergan, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Travis Colyer

Emg: Mark McVeigh, Henry Slattery, Cory Dell’Olio

 

West Coast Eagles

B: Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn

HB: Beau Waters, Eric Mackenzie, Jacob Brennan

C: Matthew Rosa, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff

HF: Chris Masten, Quinten Lynch, Josh Hill

F: Luke Shuey, Jack Darling, Scott Lycett

Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr

I/C: Mitch Brown, Patrick McGinnity, Brad Sheppard, Ryan Neates

Emg: Thomas Swift, Koby Stevens, Murray Newman

 

In: Mitch Brown, Ryan Neates

Out: Adam Selwood (Hand), Ashton Hams (Suspension)

New: Ryan Neates (Claremont (WA))

Milestones: Beau Waters – 100 games

 

 

NORTH MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGS

ES – Sun May 13, 1:10pm

North Melbourne

B: Jamie Macmillan, Scott Thompson, Luke Delaney

HB: Daniel Wells, Michael Firrito, Kieran Harper

C: Shaun Atley, Andrew Swallow, Brent Harvey

HF: Ben Cunnington, Todd Goldstein, Samuel Wright

F: Aaron Edwards, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas

Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Jack Ziebell, Ryan Bastinac

I/C: Ben Warren, Leigh Adams, Liam Anthony, Cameron Delaney, Cameron Pedersen, Will Sierakowski, Brad McKenzie

 

In: Todd Goldstein, Ben Warren, Cameron Delaney, Will Sierakowski, Brad McKenzie

Out: Robert Tarrant, Aaron Mullett

New: Will Sierakowski (Hawthorn), Brad McKenzie (Sturt)

Milestones: Jack Ziebell – 50 games

 

Western Bulldogs

B: Robert Murphy, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave

HB: Daniel Cross, Mark Austin, Dylan Addison

C: Liam Picken, Matthew Boyd, Shaun Higgins

HF: Adam Cooney, Jordan Roughead, Patrick Veszpremi

F: Thomas Liberatore, Ayce Cordy, Daniel Giansiracusa

Foll: William Minson, Ryan Griffen, Luke Dahlhaus

I/C: Jarrad Grant, Justin Sherman, Mitchell Wallis, Clay Smith, Fletcher Roberts, Daniel Pearce, Tory Dickson

 

In: Jarrad Grant, Clay Smith, Fletcher Roberts, Daniel Pearce, Tory Dickson, Ayce Cordy

Out: Easton Wood (Hamstring), Liam Jones (Back), Nathan Djerrkura (Hip)

New: Fletcher Roberts (), Daniel Pearce ()

 

 

FREMANTLE V PORT ADELAIDE

PS – Sun May 13, 2:40pm

Fremantle

B: Garrick Ibbotson, Zac Dawson, Adam McPhee

HB: Michael Johnson, Luke McPharlin, Tendai Mzungu

C: Paul Duffield, Ryan Crowley, Stephen Hill

HF: Matthew de Boer, Christopher Mayne, Clancee Pearce

F: Hayden Ballantyne, Matthew Pavlich, Zachary Clarke

Foll: Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Michael Barlow

I/C: Jay van Berlo, Greg Broughton, Dylan Roberton, Alex Silvagni, Jonathon Griffin, Lachie Neale, Lee Spurr

 

In: Aaron Sandilands, Jay van Berlo, Alex Silvagni

 

Port Adelaide

B: Jackson Trengove, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan

HB: Tom Logan, Troy Chaplin, Ben Jacobs

C: Kane Cornes, Domenic Cassisi, John McCarthy

HF: Hamish Hartlett, Justin Westhoff, Matthew Broadbent

F: David Rodan, Daniel Stewart, John Butcher

Foll: Brent Renouf, Bradley Ebert, Travis Boak

I/C: Brett Ebert, Danyle Pearce, Paul Stewart, Simon Phillips, Aaron Young, Cameron O’Shea, Darren Pfeiffer

 

In: Brett Ebert, Danyle Pearce, Simon Phillips, Cameron O’Shea

Out: Cameron Hitchcock (Hamstring)

 

 

ST KILDA V CARLTON

ES – Mon May 14, 7:40pm

St Kilda

B: Jason Gram, Sam Gilbert, Jason Blake

HB: Tom Simpkin, Sam Fisher, Sean Dempster

C: Nick Dal Santo, Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard

HF: Jack Steven, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna

F: Stephen Milne, Rhys Stanley, Terry Milera

Foll: Justin Koschitzke, David Armitage, Clinton Jones

I/C: Jarryn Geary, Farren Ray, Jamie Cripps, Arryn Siposs, Dean Polo, Ahmed Saad, Beau Wilkes

 

In: Farren Ray, Jamie Cripps, Beau Wilkes

 

Carlton

B: Aaron Joseph, Lachlan Henderson, Michael Jamison

HB: Zach Tuohy, Nick Duigan, Jordan Russell

C: Kade Simpson, Bryce Gibbs, Heath Scotland

HF: Andrew Walker, Jarrad Waite, Mitch Robinson

F: Jeffrey Garlett, Shaun Hampson, Eddie Betts

Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Marc Murphy, Chris Judd

I/C: Paul Bower, Bret Thornton, Dennis Armfield, David Ellard, Kane Lucas, Edward Curnow, Joshua Bootsma

 

In: Jarrad Waite, Chris Judd, Edward Curnow

 

 

 

 

While this article focuses on rookie priced players it is worth noting that Andrew Walker, Luke Hodge & Colin Sylvia will have their first price shifts this year. Hodge & Sylvia are currently super expensive & will drop in price after returning from injury and are worth keeping an eye on as they’ll surely improve their scoring in the second half of the year. Walker is scoring well but wait on it as he has a reasonably high breakeven this week.

 

TAYLOR ADAMS (Greater Western Sydney Giants, MID/FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $125,700. Scores: 71, 91. Break even: -79

SuperCoach: $136,600. Scores: 80, 90. Break even: -87

Another impressive youngster to roll off the GWS production line, Adams is hard as a cat’s head and has the added benefit of a dual position link. A strong ball player, Adams has shown us why he was selected in the first round of last year’s draft – and he’s shown impressive intensity in the AFL and Geelong nightclubs so far… He was one of the team’s best in the game against Carlton and barring injury should be in the team for the foreseeable future as he has that bit of “you know what” about him.

From a fantasy perspective his scoring has been healthy and given his ferocious appetite for the contest I would expect it to continue.

Summary: It depends on your strategy; he is going to get a decent price rise so if you are downtrading rookies to make cash he is a good option. Ditto if you lack DP Mid/Fwd cover.

 

NATHAN BROWN (Collingwood Magpies, DEF)

AFL Dream Team: $120,200. Scores: 40, 39. Break even: 1

SuperCoach: $200,700. Scores: 66, 45. Break even: 11

Brown made an impressive return from injury in the Anzac Day clash with the Bombers. He’s moved well for a big guy who has missed all footy since the 2010 Grand Finals. He isn’t a particularly sexy fantasy option and his scoring reflects that – he’s a gorilla tamer.

Summary: It’s a no from me. While there are somewhat a lack of rookie defender options, you’re dicing with death if you’re forced to trade in a’ lumberer’. Not to mention I don’t think his job security is there yet – Keefe has been impressive as a KPD for the Pies and Tarrant will be pushing up from the VFL soon enough.

 

JARRAD BOUMANN (Hawthorn Hawks, DEF)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 18, 20. Break even: 31

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 17, 31. Break even: 21

Boumann probably reflects the lack of key defensive options at Hawthorn more than anything else – he hasn’t been particularly impressive in either of his matches in round 1 & 6 – not to mention his rather putrid fantasy scores. Given he was subbed off in both clashes shortly after half time against opposition clubs with several key forwards on the ground (Cloke, Dawes, Paine, Koschitzke, Riewoldt & Stanley) he isn’t exactly Clarko’s go to man.

Summary: No, he’s not long for this world if Gibson or Gilham are fit; Boumann is out it is as simple as that! If you have him already trade him soon – his price could conceivably go down if he plays another game!

 

CHARLIE DIXON (Gold Coast Suns, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $165,200. Scores: 64, 63. Break even: -17

SuperCoach: $196,200. Scores: 91, 74. Break even: -46

Dixon is an interesting one this year. He’s already scored half the fantasy points that he accumulated in his ten games last season! With Tom Lynch sent to the backline, Nathan Bock’s season over and Rory Thompson still sidelined Dixon should stay in the team for at least the short to medium term if not longer. He’s a big lump of a lad and the Suns don’t have much of that up forward. He has improved his intensity once the ball hits the deck which has been a weakness in the past with big Chuck.

Summary: While you wouldn’t make a habit of having big key forwards from struggling teams due to consistency of scoring – Dixon might not be a bad option for a bench spot and should score 50-60 for the foreseeable future.

 

KYAL HORSELY (Gold Coast Suns, MID)

AFL Dream Team: $119,800. Scores: 101, 123. Break even: -144

SuperCoach: $128,700. Scores: 87, 98. Break even: -107

It’s been a bit of a mystery as to why Horesely hadn’t played up until this point. A mature aged player, his start has been reminiscent of Michael Barlow in 2010. Coming from the WAFL he is a ball magnet with neat enough disposal and playing in a struggling team he has looked every bit a fantasy stud! Given his good start you would expect to see him stay in the team when Ablett and Rischitelli return.

Summary: Get him, do it now before his price sky rockets! Rookie priced players who score like premiums are so valuable to any fantasy team not to mention with the byes 4 weeks away.

 

BILLY LONGER (Brisbane Lions, RUCK)

AFL Dream Team: $148,200. Scores: 59, 21. Break even: 18

SuperCoach: $161,600. Scores: 85, 23. Break even: -10

Leunberger’s injury has opened the door for Billy Longer and the young ruckman has not looked out of place so far in the AFL. His fantasy potential has looked pretty good for a first year ruckman, however his last outing against the Dons saw him subbed out with scores of 21 DT, 23 SC. While Leuenberger is out for some time, I don’t think Longer’s job security is there by any stretch as the Lions have quite a few players that could conceivably pinch hit in the ruck to give Hudson a chop out (Cornelius, Merrett, McKeever).

Summary: Longer has been okay but I don’t think that any fantasy coach lies awake at night thinking about trading in ruckmen. If you’re completely and utterly stuffed in this position/need a quick cash grab, then trading Longer in for a super short term fix is fine but I wouldn’t recommend it.

 

JARRYD LYONS (Adelaide Crows, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 52, 11. Break even: 6

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 54, 14. Break even: 1

Drafted in 2010, Lyons has looked ok in his first two AFL games. His fantasy scoring has been affected by being sub in the match against Sydney. He is quick with good skills and looks to have a good future in the AFL. Brenton Sanderson certainly hasn’t been afraid to give young players a go this season but I’m not sold on Lyons’ job security yet.

Summary: I’d want to see some more exposed form from Lyons before I traded him in. Taylor Adams from GWS is a better option in a similar price bracket.

 

SAM REID (Greater Western Sydney Giants, MID)

AFL Dream Team: $124,900. Scores: 60, 27. Break even: -4

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 65, 25. Break even: -21

Callan’s mate hasn’t done as well in his couple of games at the Giants. For a mature bodied fifth year player he has been overshadowed by a lot of his younger comrades. He should continue to get opportunities as the season wears on and younger bodies get tired.

Summary: No, not now. I’d like to see Reid scoring a bit better.

 

KIRK UGLE (Collingwood Magpies, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 12, 23. Break even: 34

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 24, 18. Break even: 27

The man who makes Jarryd Blair look like a giant has had a subby time of it in his start to an AFL career – and has dealt with the circumstances reasonably well. Buckley has given plenty of kids a taste of it in 2012 but Ugle’s job security looks iffy.

Summary: No. I’d like to see more exposed form from Ugle and have confidence in his job security.

 

AARON YOUNG (Port Adelaide Power, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 17, 38. Break even: 17

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 20, 40. Break even: 9

Another raw youngster, he hasn’t scored particularly well in his first two games and is playing a somewhat defensive role for the Power. It would be a surprise if he becomes fantasy relevant in 2012. His job security is shaky.

Summary: No.