St.Kilda vs Collingwood:

Looking Good:

  • Sam Gilbert: Was allowed to run free in the Saints backline, with Collingwood paying him no respect. Whilst many of his possessions came from games of kick-to-kick, he still worked hard for plenty of his others and is looking like continuing his fantastic 2009 form into this year.
  • James Gwilt: Played his best game for the club as a swingman running through the forward line and defence. Is looking much more composed with the ball than in previous years and finally looks to have found the confidence that has eluded his game in his career so far.
  • Dane Swan: Was the best of the Pies, yet never really looked like blowing the game apart. His possessions were again down on his 2009 average (he got 26 disposals), but fortunately his 7 tackles helped make up the points.

Disappointing:

  • Nick Riewoldt: Tragically, Nick badly injured his hamstring late in the second term, now putting him out of the team for a likely 4 – 8 weeks… Many coaches will now ponder as to whether to keep or trade him, with his low 20 points he had scored meaning his price will drop this week.
  • Paul Medhurst: He looks more like the Medhurst of 2009 than 2008 unfortunately and failed to kick a goal all game. He would want to find his form fast before he finds himself running around in the VFL…
  • Leon Davis: Was really well held by Baker and struggled to score well, also not kicking any goals. He played mainly as a forward, but still had stints in the midfield – unfortunately, dragging Baker upfield didn’t seem to deter him.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Steven Baker: Playing on Leon Davis, Baker was dragged upfield and therefore found himself playing stints in the midfield. The amount of uncontested possessions running through the Saints backline also really helped him, but don’t be expecting this too often!

North Melbourne vs West Coast:

Looking Good:

  • Brent Harvey: Hit back after a horrible game last week (and his lowest disposals ever) with a massive game where he tallied a personal best number of disposals with 44! However, this game and last week’s just shows the inconsistencies that are Harvey…
    • AFL Rd 2 - Saints v Kangaroos

  • Daniel Wells: Was played predominantly off the half back and the role suits him – he doesn’t need to win as much of his own ball (which helps his DT) and his great disposal will always hurt the opposition! May it continue!
  • Matt Rosa: I’ve always liked Rosa whenever given a chance – he is a hard working midfielder (and still young) and has an ability to win him own ball. The fact that 20 of his 29 disposals were kicks was just icing on the cake!
  • Ryan Bastinac: His best game yet for the Roos as he effectively tagged Daniel Kerr out of the game. This kid looks a very good chance to play 22 games this year so will be the perfect cash-cow!

Disappointing:

  • Bradd Dalziell: 2008′s Dream Team legend has unfortunately fallen by the DT-wayside. West Coast refuse to let him play as a ball-winner and rather give him jobs that in turn cruel his DT ability. Don’t trade him in based on prior form.
  • Tom Swift: In his second year, Swift is still showing little signs of the player who was an incredible ball-winner in juniors. Perhaps with time he will come on, but I wouldn’t be holding my breath about it being this year.
  • Sam Wright: Really hasn’t delivered on his pre-season’s promises with another mediocre-scoring game. The kid doesn’t only seem to look like Dale Thomas, but also looks to be clocking up a similarly frustrating DT record!

Blip on the Radar:

  • Michael Firrito: The epitome of a blip on the radar – almost every week Firrito will be used as a dour defender, but occasionally, like this week, he will be trusted a bit more to run the ball out of defence – don’t be counting on it every week though!

Port Adelaide vs Brisbane:

Looking Good:

  • Tom Rockliff: For those who held onto the kid through two donuts in the first two rounds were paid dividends in his first game of the year. He played the midfield/HFF role well and finished with the third most disposals of any Lion! Was good enough to keep his spot from the likes of Hawksley and Raines.
  • Matt Maguire: His game wasn’t amazing, but the Lions really seem to like his booming kick, often trusting him with the ball off the half-back line. Don’t expect too many tons from the big guy, but its great form for a player work a little over $100k!
  • Steven Salopek: Back to his 2009 role running off the half-back line, but he is looking much better now than then. He seems injury free and enjoying his footy more (winning team helps!) – very talented player and is capable of big scores!

Disappointing:

  • Chad Cornes: Was about the only Port player big enough to stand Brown and did a reasonable job, but it was never going to allow him to play attacking football. Cornes’ shift back to defence this year looks likely to ruin a lot of his DT potential… unfortunately!
  • Brendan Fevola: Jono Brown’s interview after the game confirmed everyone’s thoughts; Brown said he was getting much more space now with Fev in the team and is thriving on it – essentially, Fev is the decoy, Brown is the MAN!
  • Mitch Clark: Gave the finger to all the coaches who held onto him by getting himself reported… Played an ok game otherwise, but it was nothing spectacular – Leuenberger was much better!

Blip on the Radar:

  • Warren Tredrea: Whilst he wouldn’t be the worst selection, at his age his form line is always going to be on a downwards curve! He had a reasonable game, but he is just as likely to have a stinker next week – too inconsistent to consider.

Essendon vs Carlton:

Looking Good:

  • Kade Simpson: Would be winning the Blue’s best and fairest after round three after a few really impressive performances, including this one. Always goes unnoticed by the opposition, but shouldn’t go unnoticed by DT coaches any longer!
  • Kyle Reimers: He really has so much potential to be a great player once he cements his spot – was great in a HFF flank position, but now he just has to find some consistency!
  • Brent Stanton: Really stepped up in the last quarter and proved for the third week in a row that he has become a much more consistent player, meaning the difference between his highest and lowest DT scores will be much less – a real positive!

Disappointing:

  • Bryce Gibbs: Had another quiet game, and personally I am starting to ask questions as to why he has been used as a tagger for the first three rounds. So far he looks to have gone backwards from last year’s form – hopefully he pulls out his finger soon!
  • Brock McLean: Brought an injury into the game, but that is beside the point – once you cross the paint you are there to play. Had an absolute shocker and looked out of sorts all game.
  • Mark Williams: The fact that he scored 53 points yet kicked 4 goals proves that even if he does contribute, he is not a dream teamer. Avoid, even when his price does dip!

Blip on the Radar:

  • Dustin Fletcher: Fletch was once a super DT player, yet in his twilight years we only ever get glimpses of his past stardom – don’t get too excited by this old horse.

Sydney vs Richmond:

Looking Good:

  • Ben McGlynn: Well I said that his game last week may have been one out of the bag, but he was equally impressive (albeit, against a weak side again). For some reason he never seems to have an opponent and always finds himself on his own in the forward line! Could be a good smoky pick-up, but has just as much chance of burning you!
  • Heath Grundy: Has had a really consistent start to the season after a great NAB cup. Has good skills and a great ability to know when he can peel off his man. Another fast improver and dirt cheap for the average he is currently obtaining.
  • Nick Malceski: Has been Sydney’s prime rebounder for the first three weeks and it is great to see him finally back to his best after a shocking past two years. If you missed the boat, he is still under $300k and an absolute bargain!

Disappointing:

  • Mark Seaby: After nearly every man and his dog traded him in after round two, Seaby suddenly forgot how to play kick-to-kick. Unfortunately, after showing his potential highs two weeks in a row, Seaby showed what it seems he may deliver on occasion as Mumford became number one ruck for the night.
  • Trent Cotchin: Was tagged by Kirk and didn’t look like he knew how to deal with it. This will be hard for the younger Tiger stars as there are few senior players the opposition taggers will sit on. Cotchin can just hope Martin’s progress to an elite player happens sooner rather than later!
  • Alex Rance: Is now playing dour defensive roles after a good debut season in 2009 where he played as a rebounder from defence. Don’t expect improvement of the DT variety from Rance in 2010.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Lewis Roberts-Thomson: Has always had odd games like this where he accumulated plenty of kicks and marks from the switching of play (and occasionally will have a couple in a row), but he is NOT a DT player – don’t get sucked in like so many coaches seem to do with LRT – he is not worth it!

Melbourne vs Adelaide:

Looking Good:

  • Brad Green: Is having a great start to the season and was one of the key components in the Dees first win of the year. He constantly sets a real standard through the middle for the younger players, and also has the ability to drop forward and kick a goal or two.
  • Bernie Vince: Whilst his game wasn’t particularly impressive, it was good to see his fitness base is getting better (after a poor pre-season) with 36 possessions, all around the ground. Looks to be finally coming good.
  • Jamie Bennell: Was brilliant as a high-pressure small forward – a role that suits him much more than in defence. Do note though that this sort of position is typically very inconsistent for DT purposes.

Disappointing:

  • Ricky Petterd: After two great games in a row he was sure to draw some attention from the opposition and he scored himself Doughty, who kept him goalless.
  • Kurt Tippett: Struggled through the game with an ankle injury before succumbing late in the game. The fact he is also playing with knee tendonitis is very worrying for his immediate playing future – to make matters worse, he is leaking money so you would want to trade him out asap!
  • Jordie McKenzie: As Dan predicted in his article this week, McKenzie probably won’t be able to keep his tackle count up – and that is exactly what happened, with him only taking four tackles (10 less than last week) for the game.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Brett Burton: Is a great player, but he is way past his prime. Yes, he can score the odd ton as he has proven here, but he has also shown he finds it hard to stay on the park – he is not the type of player you want, so don’t get sucked in to his high score and low price!

Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs:

Looking Good:

  • Matthew Boyd: Boyd is just such an impressive Dream Teamer; he wins plenty of his own ball, but is never going to get tagged. He has a massive engine to run all day and will always tackle hard. A brilliantly consistent performer!
  • Cyril Rioli: Well… It looks like the OP which he had through pre-season has gone! Was fantastic all day, kicking four goals and 24 possessions for himself. He played between the forward pocket and on the wing – could be a very good player to consider for trade!
  • Luke Hodge: Played off the half-back line and his run was brilliant. Was allowed to run free by the dogs which really helped him rack up the stats. Clarkson seems to have finally learned that he needs Hodge involved in the games, meaning he will always play him in ball-winning positions, rather than getting him to work in defence.

Disappointing:

  • Ryan Hargrave: Left the field in the first quarter and didn’t return. His awfully low average over the first three games will drag his price way down – he will be one to keep an eye on when he bottoms out in a few weeks!
  • Daniel Giansiracusa: After a brilliant NAB cup, his start to the season has been pretty poor – he is just not getting near enough to the ball – hopefully he can bounce back within the next couple of weeks.
  • Lance Franklin: Not a bad game, but he was forced to play much higher up the ground due to being totally dominated by Lake in the goalsquare. So far, out of two outings this year he hasn’t impressed – lets just hope it doesn’t take too long to get back to his 2008 form!

Blip on the Radar:

  • Brian Lake: Can get some massive scores, but they always rely on a big game of kick-to-kick. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on him to be part of this type of football week-in week-out, meaning he is a no-go zone.

Fremantle vs Geelong:

Looking Good:

  • Paul Chapman: Plays his game so well – tackles hard, kicks goals and has stacks of kicks of marks – he is about as close an example we have of a perfect dream team player… except he has rubbish hamstrings and always gets injured (but that’s another story…).
  • Matthew Pavlich: Easily best on ground and really helped will his young side over the line. Played mainly at CHF, but also had a number of stints through the midfield. Looks to be really enjoying his footy now with Freo up and running.
  • Gary Ablett: He just keeps racking up the numbers – not always does it look like he does much with the ball, but in DT we don’t really care, as long as he gets the thing! Finally too, Ablett broke the Crowley curse that seems to have followed him for years!

Disappointing:

  • Michael Barlow: Played like he was carrying the weight of 200,000 dream team coaches on his shoulders… but also seemed a bit spooked after an ankle injury he sustained early in the game – it looked like it was making him stop from putting his body into any dangerous spots – unfortunately, this is the only way to win a disposal against the Cats. He will bounce back!
  • Steve Johnson: Was easily the Cats focal point in the forward line and was often left one-out with his much smaller opponent, Broughton, yet he could just not convert his chances. Only two goals (which is a fair effort), but we should be expecting more from players priced as he is!
  • Ryan Gamble: Was played mainly in defence, and it certainly didn’t suit him from a DT perspective – not that you would have him anyway…

Blip on the Radar:

  • Anthony Morabito: I know it’s probably unfair to pick on the new kid, but this was a great game by the third gamer to notch 98 points. However, he is not known for his ball-winning skills, and the fact he lay 9 tackles really helped (he won’t get that many every week). He’s not necessarily a bad choice at his price, but you could certainly do better!