EIGHT down, 15 to go.
THINGS weren’t nearly as bad as last round, but most coaches were hit by at least one bullet over the weekend. Dangerfield played despite rumours around his status while popular picks like Matt Crouch, Toby Nankervis, Tom Stewart, Jack Ross and Tom Atkins were all bitten by the injury bug. Other mainstream names dropped epic scores to help balance the good with the bad as the battle to rise in rank rages on.
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MY TEAM
2124 – The number of times Kawhi Leonard’s series-winning bucket bounced off the ring before finally dropping
IF it wasn’t for two injuries to my midfield I would have had an almost flawless round. Of course, Charlie Constable’s score on my bench was less than ideal, but that plus the poor form from Angus Brayshaw were the only blimps in a solid weekend. I’ve moved up in rank four straight weeks, so hopefully, I can keep the streak alive in Round 9.
FRY’S FAVOURITE FIVE
Honourable Mentions: Zach Merrett (136), Dayne Zorko (134), Rory Sloane (130)
+5. Clayton Oliver, Demons (MID, $752K – 161)
WE all expected some big games from Clayton Oliver this season and just eight rounds into the season he erupted! 15 huge tackles fueled Oliver’s big game against Gold Coast and at a reasonable price, he’ll be a hot trade target moving forward.
+4. Brodie Grundy, Magpies (RUC, $799K – 149)
THE weekend’s most popular captain choice was at his dominant best against Carlton, monstering his way to the equal second-best score in Round 8. 48 hitouts and 25 disposals seems like just another day at the office these days for Grundy, who has well and truly entered the ‘best player in the game’ conversation.
+3. Tom Rockliff, Power (MID, $697K – 149)
YOU don’t trade out Tom Rockliff after a bad game. Why? Because chances are he’ll go 130-140 the next week and you’ll be left kicking yourself. If he didn’t have an injury-affected score of 43 on his resume, Rocky would own the best average in the comp at 118.8. Here’s hoping he can stay hot against the Suns.
+2. Tim Kelly, Cats (MID, $699K – 141)
ABSOLUTE gun. Will have three votes heading his way after a stellar game against North, as 36.1% of the competition benefitted. If I’m high up on the food chain at the Cattery I’d be doing everything in my power to make sure TK stays in Geelong colours until the end of time.
+1. Mitch Duncan, Cats (MID, $750K – 142)
TECHNICALLY the form player of the competition right now, I gave Mitch Duncan a pump up before lockout this week. His third straight score over 120 has Duncan throwing his hat in the ring, once again, to be a top-8 midfielder, and yet he’s currently only in 1% of teams. Invest.
FRY’S FRUSTRATING FIVE
Dishonourable Mentions: Devon Smith (70), Jaeger O’Meara (72), Justin Westhoff (37)
-5. Jake Lloyd, Swans (DEF, $744K – 72)
AFTER starting the season on fire, Jake Lloyd’s torrid form has come to a screeching halt. Four straight scores over 120 have been followed up by a trio of double-digit scores, with a three-round average of 83.3. Here’s hoping Lloyd can right the ship against North Melbourne on the weekend.
-4. Stephen Coniglio, Giants (MID, $727K – 76)
AN annoying season continues from Giants gun Stephen Coniglio, with plenty of high’s, coupled with deflating lows. Unfortunately, for 26.4% of coaches, this weekend was one of the low’s as Cogs spluttered to just four points in the first quarter and scraped together a 76. We need more.
-3. Angus Brayshaw, Demons (MID, $670K – 76)
SPEAKING of needing more, Angus Brayshaw would have felt the full force of rage trades on Sunday night as lockout lifted. The Demons gun looks like a shell of his fantasy self, with another low score against Gold Coast the final straw for a lot of owners. He had moments, but as he continues to bleed cash, you could be forgiven for bucking the ‘don’t trade your premiums’ rule and send Brayshaw packing (I will certainly consider it!).
Image from hamptonrovers.com.au
-2. Isaac Heeney, Swans (MID/FWD, $601K – 65)
OH, Isaac. What is Isaac Heeney? He’s not reliable that’s for sure as his fantasy numbers keep trending in the opposite direction. I was considering swallowing my pride and trading him back in after three ton’s in a row between Round’s 3-5, but three crappy scores to follow that has me counting my lucky stars.
-1. Caleb Daniel, Bulldogs (FWD/DEF, $645K – 64)
A popular trade in target for the last fortnight was a big letdown on the weekend. While Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae all got amongst the points on offer, Caleb Daniel failed to join the party, posting his worst score of 2019. He’ll be better moving forward, but it was still a let down for coaches who invested in the pint-sized Dog.
TRADE TACTICS
IN – THE creme of the crop in the midfield continues to be where popular trade targets are found as uncertainty remains over the 3rd-8th best DEF/FWD’s. It’ll be hard to ignore Zach Merrett (MID, $767K – 136) again, who looks back to his unreal fantasy best after a sluggish start to the year. If it suits your bye structure better you may want to look at Andrew Gaff (MID, $788K – 108), Clayton Oliver (MID, $752K – 161) or even Josh Kelly (MID, $757K – 115).
ONCE again a lack of obvious downgrade targets have clouded coaches trade plans this week. Jay Lockhart (DEF/MID, $342K – 92) has probably risen too much in price to be considered a genuine option, even though he owns the lowest breakeven at -11. Noah Answerth (DEF/MID, $267K – 45) is in a similar boat, but if he stays in the team you could do a lot worse. Key forwards Josh Corbett (FWD, $230K – 63) and Nick Larkey (FWD, $266K – 73) could be other choices, even though I’m usually against trading in players, who have made multiple jumps in price. Here’s hoping we get some fresh meat or Brayden Ham (FWD, $207K – 36) and Curtis Taylor (MID/FWD, $185K – 37) can hold their spot in their respective sides.
OUT – YOU can justify moving on from a lot of the stepping stone types in the near future that coaches started the season with. Heading the pack is Brodie Smith (DEF, $562K – 75) and James Worpel (MID/FWD, $582K – 74) who have seemingly topped out in value. There isn’t a ton of urgency to move them on, but if you can get a premier talent at the position there’s merit in moving them on. It’s going to be hard for owners to persist with Isaac Heeney, Swans (MID/FWD, $601K – 65) and Angus Brayshaw, Demons (MID, $670K – 76) after what they dished up on the weekend as well.
OVER 20% of the league is faced with the prospect of moving on from injured Tiger Jack Ross (MID, $361K – 11) who currently has no return date set after suffering an ankle injury against Freo. A hamstring injury to Tom Atkins (MID/FWD, $332K – 2!!) has him in the same boat and if you’re lucky enough to not own either of them, the time has come to axe Jack Petrucelle (FWD, $381K – 53) and/or Matthew Parker (FWD, $323K – 32).
Image from geelongadvertiser.com.au
WAIVER WIRE MOVES
I was surprised to find Andrew McGrath (DEF/MID, 63% – 87) available in one of my leagues and would advise you to snap up the former Rising Star if you get the chance. I wasn’t so lucky with Liam Shiels (MID, 67% – 106) who might astonishingly be sitting on your waiver wire after his injury setback. Lachie Weller (DEF/MID, 42% – 102) is another versatile bloke who I have my eye on, owned in less than half the Draft competition’s and Liam Duggan (DEF, 11% – 81) could be worth a speculative add if you need extra defender depth.
BOMBERS big man Tom Bellchambers (RUC, 42% – 89) doesn’t inspire a world of confidence, but he seems set to hold down the bulk of Essendon’s ruck duties. He is still out there in a lot of leagues and could get you out of a bind if need be. Failing that Jonathon Ceglar (RUC/FWD, 11% – 76) could be looked at after complimenting Ben McEvoy well in multiple matches this season. Brandan Parfitt (FWD, 35% – 85) back healthy intrigues me in Geelong’s lineup and if he’s not up for grabs then a returning Steven Motlop (MID/FWD, 10% – 71) might be more your flavour.
MY MOVES
WHAT’S the best way I can assure I don’t get burnt by a big Angus Brayshaw score if I trade him out? Land (arguably) the most consistent fantasy player in the game of course. Andrew Gaff suits my bye structure nicely and after driving the “don’t sideways trade premium” train since the Heeney/Witherden debacle, I’m ignoring my own advice. I’m praying that Cutis Taylor holds his place in the side so that I can free up some cash and move on a hamstrung Tom Atkins.
My Trades
A.Brayshaw → A.Gaff
T.Atkins → C.Taylor
Peace ✌