Rhys Palmer: Deck of Dream Team 2011

Name: Rhys Palmer
Club: Fremantle
Position: Midfielder
Bye Rounds: 6 & 16 (both multi byes)
2010 Average: 74.5
2010 Games Played: 13
Predicted Average: 90

Why should I pick him? We can all remember Palmer’s first year. He burst onto the DT landscape in his first game in 2008 with 87 and then backed it up with a 90. Not a bad debut! He finished ’08 with an average of 87.5. His next two seasons weren’t as pretty. He has averaged 79 and 74.5 in his last couple of years, down on that debut effort. These have both been injury riddled seasons but the man is back performing well this preseason. In the latest training reports, we hear that he is leading all time trials and looking good. A full preseason and a more secure midfield spot (with retirements and other injuries) should see him bring his average up to the 90’s in 2011.

Why shouldn’t I pick him? You may feel like Rhys Palmer is the DT devil. Remember when our boy Michael Barlow broke his leg? Yeah, that’s right, Palmer was the one who ran into him. But other than that, his body is a worry… however, we should see him playing out the 22 games. If you’re after the car in the overall win, you will need to make sure there aren’t too many other players who share the same bye rounds in your midfield.

Deck of DT Rating. QUEEN – Lock him in if you are playing the game purely for a league win! He will never need cover as both Freo’s byes are over multi-bye rounds. I’m a fan of how Palmer plays and there is definite upside in him. Priced at 75, he’ll be better value because of his potential than some of the other ‘cheap’ guys around his price!