AFL Fantasy News – 27 MAR 2014

Currie Getting Closer & Closer

Todd Goldstein spoke to the official North Melbourne website after Tuesday training and sounded very positive when asked of his availability for Sunday’s match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad.

“I’m very confident (of playing). When the scans came back that there was no structural damage, that was a big plus. With just a corky or something like that in there, it will take a couple of days to clear up. By the end of the week, I should be feeling pretty good.”

Then in Brad Scott’s press conference later in the week, he had this to say;

“If Goldstein is not perfect he won’t play. I’ll watch him closely on the track today. Daniel Currie will not play VFL this week, will be held over in case Goldstein doesn’t come up.”

 

Ben Says: Goldstein, selected by 4.11% of free hit sides and 4.45% in RDT, is likely to be able to play Round 2 for his owners. Nonetheless this isn’t the major fantasy piece of news to fallout of this injury. On Saturday morning it appeared that finally rookie priced Daniel Currie was set for an extended run in the side. Now this appears less and less likely. For what it’s worth I’d hold off on using him as a partial lockout captain, if Cotchin or Deledio hit one out of the park, due to the potential of a late inclusion. Unfortunately Scott’s comments are largely negative for Currie. After seeming determined to play the pair together over preseason, Brad now seems determined to stick with a solo ruck option once more. Nonetheless I reiterate that Daniel could be a very late inclusion, so be wary of putting your armband on him.

 

Macrae Ready to Take the Next Step

Former first round draft pick Jackson Macrae fronted the media on Tuesday morning and spoke of the reasons behind his continued vein of fantastic form.

“I think through the pre-season I’ve been building my form and my body and growing from last year. I’m more confident in my ability and position on the ground. It’s good to play some consistent footy and hopefully it can translate into some wins. Going through the stats over the pre-season, we’ve upped our volume by over 100 per cent almost, so a huge step up from pre-season and hopefully we can build on that.”

 

Ben Says: After a first up effort of 122 against the Eagles, Jackson proved that sometimes preseason form doesn’t prove to be a mythical beast once the real stuff roles into town. Given the quotes above, it appears very obvious that Macrae will be an exceptionally good early season pick up. Given his value in both RDT and AFL Fantasy, he’ll be quite difficult to bypass. Although the limit of 30 trades in Real DT can make sidewards trades detrimental to your side in the long run, if Macrae can continue in similar fashion I think he’ll be well worth it. I’m already looking towards a ‘sideways’ trade of Macrae to Griffen in Round 6… Least one can dream!

 

Upgrade Target on the Horizon

Western Bulldogs coach, Brendan McCartney spoke to the media today before Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne. He discussed the fitness of Ryan Griffen.

“Yea he will [play]. He has to train today which we’re confident he’ll get through and all being well he will play.”

Ben Says: As the title suggests, we may have a solid value upgrade target not too far down the track. Ryan Griffen, priced at $576,300 in RDT and $571,800 in AFL Fantasy, certainly doesn’t come cheaply in 2014. After producing a career best 105 average last season, the 27 year old will play his first game of the season after dealing with a tight lower back during the preseason. He picked up the injury just a week before the opening NAB clash and it’s been an ongoing issue ever since. For fantasy coaches though, this may prove to be a blessing in disguise. Given the expectation is that Ryan will not be 100% due to the lack of recent training load, expect sub par scoring, especially in his first few games back. If we do see a general increase in scoring thereafter, he may be a fantastic upgrade option. It may be a while away, but fantasy coaches need to keep their eyes out for impending bargains.

 

Team Selection News 

Essendon v Hawthorn

Bombers

• No change here, expect much of the same from the Bombers.

Hawks

•  Wanganeen out may hurt a few coaches, has poor job security as we could all see from the green vest against the Lions.
• Watch for Rioli’s role and fantasy output if a change does occur.

St Kilda v GWS

Saints

•  Montagna is the main inclusion. Billings misses out but given his poor preseason it wouldn’t have been wise to start with the #3 draft pick anyway.

Giants

• 2013 #2 draft pick Joshua Kelly gets his first run in the side. Priced at a premium across both competitions, he may well be worth the extra expenditure. Keep an eye on for RDT but you may have to risk it early in AFL Fantasy if you’re keen on Josh.
• With Davis’ long term kidney injury, expect Plowman to have strong job security as he intends to make the role his own.

Port Adelaide v Adelaide

Power

• Clurey out is the only fantasy relevant information from the Power line up. Doesn’t appear to be best 22 at this stage.

Crows

•  Brodie Martin loses his spot immediately after a poor showing. If you own him in RDT, wait a week and then trade to the missed rookie on offer.

 

Sydney v Collingwood

Swans

• Laidler out is quite a surprise and will come as a disappointment to many fantasy coaches who thought his job security increased with the Alex Johnson ACL injury. Hold him and see where he sits come the start of Round 3, because it would appear options are thin in the defensive half for the Swans.

Magpies

• Nothing too fantasy relevant here, but Jesse White will be keen to show his old side what they’re missing out on.

Fremantle v Gold Coast

Dockers

• Suban in for Neale. Not very relevant… Moving along!

Suns

•  After 45 touches in the NEAFL, expect Kade Kolodashnij to produce in his first up effort. Looks a serious option for anyone who owns the likes of Martin or Laidler.

Sunday Teams 

Brisbane v Geelong

Lions

• Rockliff obviously misses out after that off the ball incident involving Sam Mitchell. Nothing much else that we can consider fantasy relevant from these changes.

Cats

•  Lincoln McCarthy on the extended bench may be in some doubt, with George Horlin-Smith a like for like replacement. Keep a firm eye on the final teams named this time Friday for further details if you’re an owner.

Melbourne v West Coast

Demons

• Extended bench has Michie and Kennedy-Harris sitting on it but I think it’s unlikely they’ll be dropped.

Eagles

•  Sheed the only named out at this stage for the Eagles. Always had questionable job security, so I’d consider moving on him early if possible.

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

Bulldogs

• Goodes is the only out at this stage.
• As previously discussed, captain Ryan Griffen is back!

Kangaroos

•  Currie named on extended bench, but given Goldstein has been named I wouldn’t have high hopes at this stage.

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