THREE weeks of the restarted fantasy season is a good enough sample size to make informed judgement calls, with 28 tumultuous games of footy in the bank. The future of the remaining 118 (plus finals) fixtures remains to be seen, but while the players are on the field, the fantasy points will be counted. The challenging season has forced coaches to adapt when making their weekly moves and these unwanted unique’s are worth including in your trade plans if you’re willing to go against the grain.
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Jordan Ridley, DEF, $540K, Bombers, 2.4% ownership
A round of applause for the 2% of coaches who bit the bullet and selected Jordan Ridley to start the year. So far, the young Bomber has produced scores of 80, 61, 71 and 76 – solid numbers considering priced around the $450K mark. You might have missed the boat to jump on Ridley, but if you’re still contemplating a trade for Essendon’s defender, he looms as a great, money-making replacement for the injured Jeremy Howe.
Myles Poholke, FWD, $316K, Crows, 1.1% ownership
POHOLKE showed enough in his first game of the season to suggest that he’ll be able to string a few games together. The basement priced forward hasn’t been able to appear regularly in Adelaide’s senior side since he was drafted, but he’s poised for a stereotypical third-year breakout and should rise $100K-$150K in no time. If he’s in your trade plans though, you’ve got to pull the trigger now.
Image from afl.com.au
Mitch Duncan, MID, $779K, Cats, 0.6% ownership
THIS year is no different from a fantasy perspective for Mitch Duncan, with the star Cat hardly putting a foot wrong, yet only a small number of coaches keen on picking him. With at least 19 touches in each of his four games this year, Duncan has every chance of posting an average in the high 80’s (scaled score between 105-110) and continuing his reputation as a top-tier fantasy midfielder. Currently riding in just 650ish teams, Duncan looms as a serious POD for those chasing someone left of field.
Hugh McCluggage, MID, $682K, Lions, 2.9% ownership
SCORES of 108 and 105 in the last fortnight have put Hugh McCluggage back on the map after he disappointed to start the year. Brisbane’s budding ball-winner posted a 60 and a 49 in his first two matches, leading to a lot of coaches losing patience and trading McCluggage out of their side. There is still plenty of room for growth for the Lions MID, but you’d want to snap him up quickly before his price keeps inflating.
Gryan Miers, FWD, $574K, Cats, 1.9% ownership
THE 2019 cash cow forward of the year has continued to take strides in the new season, improving his scoring rate in less game time. During his rookie campaign, Miers averaged 66.7 and scored 90 or more on five different occasions, emerging as a crucial part of Geelong’s best 22. In just four games this year, the Cats goal sneak has boosted his average to 74 (scaled score of 93) in shortened quarters and there’s no reason why he can’t keep rising in value.
Jarrod Witts, RUC, $680K, Suns, 1.8% ownership
IT’S hard to justify trading in any ruck not named Brodie Grundy or Max Gawn once the season gets rolling, but Gold Coast big man Jarrod Witts is primed for the picking. In 2019, Witts finished as the 14th highest scorer in all of fantasy and the 3rd best ruckman behind the aforementioned duo. With his scoring output increasing with every game this year, Witts is a fine target to aim for if you need stability at R2.
Josh Kelly, MID, $803K, Giants, 6.4% ownership
WHILE Stephen Coniglio continues to frustrate fantasy coaches, Josh Kelly is primed to explode. GWS’ star midfielder missed the Round 3 hitout with the Bulldogs but returned to his illustrious best vs. Collingwood with a season-best 92 points (scaled score of 115). Over his last three injury-interrupted seasons Kelly has managed 50 games for a fantasy average of 112.4 points and there’s no reason why he can’t produce similar, adjusted scores for the rest of 2020. If you’re cashed up and investing in a gun midfielder, there’s no reason why Kelly can’t be one of fantasy’s best after a slow (ish) start.
Jack Lukosius, DEF/FWD, $476K, Suns, 7.8% ownership
I hummed and hawed over Jack Lukosius’ inclusion on this list and his awkward price point makes him even harder to peg. However, with the Suns currently riding a massive wave of momentum, the former No. 2 pick has consistently played his role across both the half-forward and the half-back line. Valuable DEF/FWD status will entice some to take a swing on Lukosius and consistent scoring should keep the Gold Coast tall in the fantasy good books.
Image from sportingnews.com
Hamish Hartlett, DEF, $578K, Power, 0.6% ownership
OVER the last two season’s Port Adelaide’s vice-captain Hamish Hartlett has struggled to stay on the park, managing just 16 total matches. His form to commence the 2020 restart suggests a slimmer Hartlett could be a decent target down back, averaging 73 fantasy points (scaled score of 92) over the last three weeks. Port might not stay undefeated, but I expect Hartlett to stay hot.
Brandon Parfit, MID/FWD, $604K, Cats, 5.2% ownership
TWO DNP’s mixed in with two stellar games have caused a lot of confusion surrounding Brandon Parfitt’s fantasy game. In Geelong’s W last weekend, Parfitt helped himself to 94 fantasy points while running through the midfield, fuelled by 14 touches and nine tackles. A spot as one of fantasy’s best forwards in 2020 is up for grabs right now and Parfitt’s role should see him stay in contention for a top-6 finish – providing he stays on the park.
Peace ✌
Banner from lions.com.au