Brent Stanton- Deck of Dream Team 2013

Name: Brent Stanton
Club: Essendon
Position: Mid
Assistant Coach 2013 Price: $548,900
Bye Round: 13
2012 Average: 107
2012 Games Played: 20
Predicted Average: 108

Why should I pick him?

If you are anything like me, I get sucked in by a high ceiling. I tell myself ‘if they can do it once or even twice, what is to say they can’t do something close to that on a regular basis?’ That is why Brent Stanton always makes it to my short list. This year, he has to be there again after posting his career best average of 107, surpassing his previous best of 106 the year before. OK, back to those thumping scores that can’t help but catch my eye. In 2012 “the good Stants” ran a muck for scores of 140, 153, 175 and wait for it…… 193 if you don’t mind! Anybody priced at 107 and have the potential to go that big must be considered!

Stants is a durable unit, never playing under 20 games in a season for the last 7 years and the one before that in 2005 he still managed 19. His style of play rarely puts him in danger of succumbing to injury so I would expect his great run to continue this year.

When he is on, he is really on! In 2012, between the rounds of 6 and 8, Stanton was absolutely brutal, and by far the most dominant and sought fantasy player within this period. His scores of 193, 140 and 124 left him with a 3 week average of 152, pretty nasty numbers if you were gutsy enough to make him captain!

Consistency is not usually a word associated to Stanton but his start to the 2012 season was nothing short of it. Between round 1 and 14 be dropped below 100 just 4 times with 2 of those scores in the 90’s and a worst of 77.

Marking is what sets Stanton apart for a lot of mids, as he displays a great ability to find space and receive uncontested marks. He displayed this perfectly in rounds 4 and 6 where he managed a ridiculous 17 for the game.

Playing alongside a Brownlow medalist tends to make him the second in line for a tag so at times he gets a free run of things which is great from a fantasy owners perspective.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

Because he has to go down as one of the most frustrating players in the history of the game. Last year, Stanton began his downfall in round 15 after offering the world in what was a sensational start to the season. Up until this point, his coaches from the start were rightfully bragging, and coaches that had detoured from their original plans and traded him in were riding the Stants train all the way to FJ Cruiser town.

If anybody can make you eat your words and rub it in for weeks on end, it’s Brent. Between rounds 15 and 22 (when we need wins) Stanton produced a best score of 85 to compliment his 61 and 62 in that time. Now I know we can’t always expect freak scores but that was 132 less than round 6. Pretty big drop off, especially doing it twice in 3 weeks.

So the main reason not to pick Stanton is because I worry for your mental health on the back of this emotional rollercoaster. I have watched a close friend in Calvin go through this, and although deep down I thoroughly enjoyed it, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

 

Deck of DT Rating.

King – My natural instincts made me want to put him as a queen due to his horrible drop off in 2012 but out for respect for what he displayed early, he is well and truly worthy of King status and undoubtedly has the ability to take his game to the next level and become an Ace. Statistically he played 8-9 games at that level and held one of the best averages for a large portion of the season. Buy at your own risk and put the DT helpline on speed dial. Having said that, he is a very justifiable selection.

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