THANKS to a few legends our AFL Fantasy teams are looking pretty good as we approach the daunting bye weeks. With 12 guys scoring over 130, most of whom were popular picks, plenty of coaches have a smile on their face, but be warned, the next three rounds will be testing…

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My Team

2198 – The year LeBron James’ NBA Finals streak was snapped. Beast.
I can’t be mad. With the exception of a flat Port Adelaide pair and some trademark rookie scores, everyone else did their job this weekend. There were definitely passengers, but those mediocre numbers were offset by some massive tons. I’m optimistic.

What Do The Bye Rounds Mean?

BEFORE I touch on anything from Round 11 I wouldn’t be doing the right thing for the AFL Fantasy community if I didn’t briefly explain the byes. For the next three rounds, our totals are only generated from the best 18 scores on your field. This weekend Carlton, West Coast, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs have the week off, so if you have those guys on your field it’s smart to sub them for your emergencies.

IT’S not wise to trade them out though as you will need those guys to help you throughout the next three weeks. We have three trades a round until Round 15 as well, so make the most of this extra trade each seven days. It’s smart to avoid trading players into your team who you aren’t sold on just to have more guys playing in the byes to. We also have the Queen’s Birthday match this Monday which means we won’t now the Demons and Magpies final teams until after lockout. Sigh, we can make it.

Plus 3’s

Bayley Fritsch, FWD/MID, $534K – 126
HOW can I not give Fritter a shoutout. Boasting brand new midfield status the likely Fantasy rookie of the year pumped out a career-high score pushing his five-round average over 95. Animal.

Tom Mitchell, MID, $805K – 145
TITCH is quickly wrestling the mantle back from Jack Macrae as the best player in the AFL Fantasy community. He is averaging over 140 in his last three and is an ideal upgrade option next week off his bye.

Image from portadelaidefc.com.au

Bryce Gibbs, MID, $683K – 142
I owe Gibbs an apology. I have been harsh on him lately and he hasn’t been that bad. He rewarded his owners with a MASSIVE score against the Giants and looks back to his dominant best.

Negative 3’s

Tom Rockliff, MID/FWD, $539K – 43
WHAT a letdown. The stars had aligned ready for us to see Rocky dominate the Hawks, but instead, he failed tragically. Fingers crossed Ken Hinkley doesn’t deploy him in a tagging role again and he can return to normality.

Robbie Gray, FWD/MID, $629K – 69
IS this the sign of things to come? I flagged a potential role change for Gray and another low score has alarm bells ringing. He’s still hitting the scoreboard, but he needs to produce for his Fantasy coaches at the same time.

Paul Seedsman, MID/DEF, $603K – 63
AFTER being a late out against the Demons last week Seedsman needed to repay his coaches’ faith with a good score. He didn’t. Seeds must refind his mojo or he could find himself traded out by a number of coaches.

Noteworthy Numbers

RORY Sloane (164) will still own the highest breakeven in the league until he returns but he has new company near the top of the list. David Zaharakis’ (147) injury means he will be in for a price decrease, while Josh Kelly (141) and Nat Fyfe (138) are feeling the effects of lower scores to.

A ton of youngsters shone in Round 11, giving us plenty of choices to generate cash. Logan Austin (-39) surprised us all and his teammate Bailey Rice (-4) is another guy with a negative BE. Paul Ahern (-15), Michael Apeness (-9) and Brody Mihochek (-6) were all great in their first games of the year as well, looming as good trade targets.

Quickfire Trade Thoughts

A new six weeks meant a new batch of dual positioning players. The Round 12 announcements weren’t as awesome as was first anticipated with popular names like Patrick Dangerfield and Marcus Bontempelli snubbed. Elliot Yeo (added MID), Bayley Fritsch (added MID) and Matt Guelfi (added MID) were really the only three Fantasy relevant players that gained a new position, with a few other draft options added. Check the full list on the AFL site.

IN – THE No. 1 trade target this week is likely to be Angus Brayshaw (DEF/MID, $655K – 133) after his second straight mammoth game. Michael Walters (MID/FWD, $575K – 102) and Devon Smith (FWD/MID, $684K – 129) are the top forwards and their DPP boasts extra flexibility. It’s hard to ignore Tom Mitchell (MID, $805K – 145) off his bye as well and Jarrod Witts (RUC, $643K – 80) offers a unique ruck choice.

THE previously mentioned rookies are all good choices to bring in to your team as long as they fit your bye structures. Ahern (MID/FWD, $545K – 92) is my favourite of the bunch but Apeness (FWD, $545K – 81), Giro (MID, $545K – 52), Mihochek (DEF, $545K – 78) and Dockers ruckman Scott Jones (RUC, $545K – 55) are great options that cover all lines.

OUT – THERE aren’t too many premiums who let us down lately but there are still some. I am declaring Robbie Gray (MID/FWD, $629K – 69) on notice. Another low score and he is out of here. Paul Seedsman (DEF/MID, $603K – 63) and Patrick Cripps (MID, $673K – 57) are two that could be moved if you have nothing better to do.

CLOSE to topped out rookies Tom Doedee (DEF, $438K – 56) and Tim Kelly (MID, $482K – 97) might be gone as cash cows. Even though it’s a tad early moving Charlie Spargo (FWD/MID, $353K – 44) and Oscar McInerney (RUC, $327K – 53) to generate some dough is an option with Zac Langdon (FWD, $304K – 90) earning himself another week or two in our teams.

Looking Ahead

• A ton of injuries struck the AFL in Round 11. The biggest name involved is Stephen Coniglio with a delayed concussion potentially forcing him to miss. Jack Darling and Patrick Cripps are other injury worries, although they have the bye coming up and could be fine after the added rest. Allen Christensen (concussion), Aaron Hall (shoulder), David Zaharakis (collarbone), Alex Pearce (ankle) and Jake Lever (ACL) are the other ones to monitor moving forward.
• A few minor misdemeanours might see three players miss some action. Shaun Burgoyne’s tackle on Jared Polec will be looked at as will bumps from Nat Fyfe on Levi Greenwood and Mitch Robinson on Shaun Higgins. I think all of them should get off, but time will tell.
• My trades this week are all about generating cash. I might go early on Spargo and McInerney with my eyes on a few players who will come off their bye next week. Sam Murray and Robbie Gray could also be axed if team selections don’t go my way.

Good luck in Round 12!

Peace ✌