Jeppa’s Draftees – Rd 17

Suspensions, rested players and injuries are well and truly taking their tole on a lot of DT coaches out there. After having the luxury of three reserves last year, most of us have been cruelly reminded that team depth is critical and trading in players that will play consistently is of the utmost importance.

Remember even your back up needs back up! So when you need cash to bring in your last few premiums, choose wisely and hopefully this article puts you in the right direction!

Remember you can follow me on twitter @JeppaDT.

Three-or-More Gamers

The most impressive of the three-or-more gamers this week was Tom Bugg who scored 102. He had his hands full being matched up against Ballantyne but ran off him well and was able to accumulate possessions. Bugg is perfect bench cover as he well loved by those within GWS but his inconsistent performances over the year could cost coaches who need to play him as their seventh defender. Toby Greene and Sam Gibson were again very good with 80 and 87 respectively and both should play out the season barring injury. Jamie Elliot, played a forward tagging role on DT favourite Grant Birchall but still managed to win the ball and score a 73. I rate Elliot! He is very good overhead for a small bloke and I’d be licking my lips if I had him as my eighth or ninth forward.

Billie Smedtshad somewhat of a break out game against the Bombers with an impressive 86 but I still don’t think he is suitable back up as his job security remains an issue. Steven Morris on the other hand is great back up and probably played his best game for Richmond against the Roos finishing with a solid 73. There are no job security worries for Morris, Hardwick loves the way he plays and frankly so do I.Josh Jenkins took me by surprise scoring a whopping 99. He was very good up forward and in the ruck against the Eagles but I’d still be worried about job security unless Tippet is ruled out for a few weeks.

The disappointments of the multi gamers this round were Cory Dell’Olio (43), Nathan Brown (33), Aaron Young (29), Ahmed Saad (26), Murray Newman (22) and Jonathon Giles (36) which was felt by most. Obviously you should look to trade these players since all of them except Newman still have some currency but if you can’t then they are suitable back ups.

Two Gamers

Well if you’re like me and you brought in Tom Couch this week then I’m guessing you’re pretty nervous. An output of 47is not whatmost coaches hoped for. DT points aside, Couch cant kick to save his life (I’d hate to see his golf swing) but his intent and determination is second to none. With Brent Moloney still on the outer, my gut tells me Couch will either be dropped or cop a vest this week. If you have Couch as your M8/F9 then I reckon you can breathe easy but not those who have him as M7/F8.

The most attractive downgrade option from the boys on the bubble is definitely Anthony Mileswho has a break even of -113. Miles collected 27 possessions for 94 DT points and even though he really didn’t have an opponent all day, you still have to give the kid credit.On the downside, Miles is not that great overhead and lacks pace. He missed the whole month of June with a knee injury but that aside, questions have to be asked why he has not played more games at AFL level.All in all, I think it is viable to bring in Miles as your eighth midfielder but if you need to bring him in as consistent back up as a seventh midfielder, it’s a bit of a risk as his job security is not proven. Miles’ teammate Josh Bruce caught my eye on Sunday with a 78. He started at full back against Pav and was left for dead but after half time Bruce was moved into the forward line and showed a bit. He was a decent target taking a couple of good marks and ended up kicking a goal. Even though he looked solid in the second half, Cameron and Patton should both come back in the side this week so you’d think Bruce would either be omitted or have a lesser impact on the game.

If you asked Mark Baguley what he would give himself out of 10 for his performance on Friday night, he’d probably say a 4. Baguley struggled with the pace of the game & got caught out on Geelong’s fast break numerous times. He scored a mediocre 54 and I can’t see him staying in Essendon’s 22 much longer even with Hibberd out.

Geelong’s Joshua Walker was a presence in the first quarter marking anything in his vicinity but slowed down to finish with 63 after an impressive 37 in the first quarter. He looked to have copped a knock to his lower leg that restricted him somewhat for the rest of the game. With Mitch Brown breathing down his neck with good VFL form and the jPod not too far away, I would stay clear of Walker as a forward downgrade option. Jackson Sheringham also started well for Geelong but faded to finish with 59. Even at rookie price, I would not contemplate bringing him in to my teamas I think he will be one of the first in the Geelong side to be dropped.

Sam Dunell 30 points,bobbed up for a goal after starting in the green vest but that’s about all he did. I like the way he moves and he’s got good touch, but it’s all about job security and Dunell is just too much of a risk in my view.

Don’t waste your time on ‘old man’ Stephen Clifton (52), Caolan Mooney (20) & Josh Hall (11).

One Gamers

Both GWS and Carlton unleashed three first gamers on the weekend with the Blues forced to play the kids due to injury and the Giants due to ‘development.’ Tom Bell looks to be the pick of the first gamers after scoring 62. He’s a no nonsense footballer, well built and has a very good aerobic capacity. Ratten loves the tough players (e.g. Robinson, Duigan, Tuohy, etc.) and gave an early indication in his post match interview that Bell would play again next week. The first time I heard about Levi Casboult,was when he had one too many on a Carlton post season function. Against the Bulldogs, Casboult made a different name for himself after being thrown into the ruck on debut and scoring a 49. He doesn’t look set to stick around at AFL level with Warnock coming back from suspension and Kreuzer set to return from a hip issue. Fraser Dale was a late inclusion for kamikaze Robinson and started in the green vest. Dale came on in the fourth quarter and scored 24, which included a goal. Given Robinson is expected to play this week one would assume Dale will be dropped.

Sam Frost scored 57 against the Dockers and was ok considering the Dockers played keep it off most of the match. Gerald Ugle had a tackle as his only stat up to half time. He bounced back in the second half to kick a goal and finish with 38. I watched the game on Sunday and I hardly sighted Kurt Aylett. He collected 6 touches and scored 27 before being subbed off in the third quarter. You don’t need to be a talent scout to realise that these three GWS boys are not DT material.

Keep Your Eye On

Stephen Wrigley –was named in the NEAFL team of the year two years running and subsequently picked up by Brisbane in last year’s rookie draft. He is a rebounding defender who loves to break the lines. Brisbane Reserves coach, Nathan Clarke has been quoted as saying that Wrigley would have played AFL earlier in the year if the opportunity to be elevated onto the senior list presented itself. Something to note however is that Wrigley is likely to be competing against Sam Docherty for the next available spot in the Lions defence. I am pretty sure Docherty would be ahead in the pecking order but if Brisbane cop a few late injuries then Wrigley could play some games.

Jason Johannisen–runs like the wind and aint too bad with a footy in his hand either. Johannisenwas in good form for Williamstown earlier in the year before succumbing to a knee injury. Since coming back from injury only three weeks ago, Johannisen has been close to BOG in the last two VFL rounds.The Bulldogs are playing very poorly at the moment and one of their major weaknesses is their ability to run and carry the football. Given the finals are out of reach, I would like to think Brendan McCartney would give Johannisenan opportunity at AFL level.

Brendan Lee – averaged 29 touches for East Perth last year with Essendon taking notice and picking him up in the rookie draft. He was recently edged out by Mark Baguley to be elevated off the rookie list but given he’s an accumulator, Lee could be a DT smokey if he is given an opportunity at AFL level. If Lee doesn’t get an AFL game or two this year, keep your eye on him for next year.