Here we are, the last week of the regular season for most Fantasy coaches. This is the one that will make or break things for some of us. For some it means the difference between finals or the bottom 8 play off, for others it is a chance to make the top four and get the double chance. Today we will have a look at strategy for this as well as other plans for the coming weeks. Unless you are sitting pretty in the top four with no chance of dropping down, you will need to be Scrambling!
Trading Strategy
From here on out trading is now a different game. From here on out it is a bit of a game of who blinks first! With most of the games it is now almost a knockout if you lose (almost). So there are a couple of different strategies that we use now to get us the win.
CopyCat Strategy. If you are in a knockout style game then you may look at your team and your opponents team and realise that one of your premiums isn’t quite as good as the one that your opponent has. You may have a Buddy Franklin and your opponent may have a Devon Smith. Now we know that Buddy hasn’t been scoring as well as Devon and you are really worried that this is the weak point that could cause you to lose the matchup. So here what you would be trying to do would be to trade out Buddy and bring in Devon to neutralise the situation. IF you are doing this then you are betting on your remaining uniques to give you the win.
Differential Equation Strategy. As you may have suspected this is the opposite situation. You are concerned that your uniques aren’t strong enough to beat your opponent. This is when you may look at one of the similar players you have to them and swap them out. So in this case you might both have Dusty but you think he won’t have a great game this week and you need an edge. Here you might consider swapping him to someone like Joel Selwood who plays the Lions at home and could just be the one to give you the edge over your opponent.
As with everything in this game there are some risks with both strategies. It is a gamble in both cases. But that is what this game is all about, you have to take some chances if you want to win the game.
Probably one of the biggest things you need to consider when you do this luxury trade is that if you do it then you need to be comfortable with the player you bring in to be in your side for the remainder of the season. We never know what is likely to come up next week and hence you could cop some injuries which mean you can’t make that trade back to the one you traded out this week. So make sure that you are really sure about what you want to do.
How Many Trades Do We Need To Keep?
Clearly this section doesn’t apply to the AFL Fantasy game with our two trades per week. But if you are a Real Dreamteam or Supercoach player then you will have the concern of how many trades you should have left at this stage and should you be using some up this week to get yourself a good finals spot.
In these forms there is no such thing as a luxury trade at this time of year. I have had a couple of people asking me if they should be using their last trade this week. I am not a huge fan of this because there is plenty that can happen from here. The only way that I would use that last trade now is if I had a player that was now out for the rest of the season. Other than this I would be looking to use my bench cover as much as I can.
I see the ideal situation in those forms as having a minimum of 2 trades left for the finals. We know that something will happen and we need to be ready for it. The situation becomes better if you are top four and can win that first final then you don’t need to worry about week two of the finals.
Click here to subscribe on iTunes
Selection Table
Brayden Sier is out injured with an injured leg and is listed as a one week.
Jordan De Goey also has a leg injury and is listed as at least two weeks and at this time of the year it is seriously worth considering the trade.
David Armitage will upset the Draft owners that have him as he has been omitted this week along with team-mate Ed Phillips.
Tom Doedee is out with his concussion, he should be back next week. If you are using him on field then hold him and use a bench cover.
Jaeger O’Meara comes back into the side after one week out and Shaun Burgoyne also comes back in. Once again this is more than likely to be relevant to Draft players.
Marcus Bontempelli returns for the Dogs but we have seen the end of Dahlhaus and he is done for the season.
Paddy Ryder is listed for the Power but it is a squad and Billy Frampton is also listed as insurance. Hinkley has said they will give Paddy every opportunity but he is not a certainty.
Michael Hibberd is still not back and this is still a concern. The main problem with him is that he isn’t really worth anything to us given the price drop. If you have a warne chest then you could look to upgrade him.
Things To Remember
- It’s all or nothing if you aren’t quite in the 8 at the moment. Go for it!
- If you are all about leagues then go for that and see if you can exploit any weakness on your opponent.
- Just watch those trades in RDT and SC. We don’t have many weeks left but doesn’t mean you need to can blow those last couple.
We are down to the final stages now and don’t take your eye off the ball. Have a great weekend of fantasy footy, hopefully we have some more great scoring and you all make yourself right at home in the finals! Catch you all next week.
82 Comments
Leave a Reply to Simon Cancel reply
Podcasts
Marc
July 27, 2018 at 6:46 am
Devon Smith or Dangerfield?
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 7:49 am
Smithy
Bavan
July 27, 2018 at 7:30 am
Trade Wingard Langdon Gibbs or Curnow for Macrae?
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 7:49 am
Langdon
the cricket
July 27, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Speaking of Langdon, do we actually know what his problem was last week? 19 points is jaw-dropping, even for a bloke having a really crap day and no mention of any injury …
James
July 27, 2018 at 10:08 am
Curnow, Charlie or Ed, doesn’t matter
Simon
July 27, 2018 at 2:14 pm
Carlton have a sweet run home… trade out at your own risk
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 7:52 am
Macrae, Gaff or Matt Crouch?
I will b looking to bring in at least one more of them in the next 2 weeks.
Alan J
July 27, 2018 at 9:54 am
Crouch is as good as the other 2 now that he’s firing again, plus he’ll save you $$ to nab one of the others next week
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 10:42 am
Cheers Andy, I appreciate it. I was wanting to save the cash, but was also scared of losing the points.
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 10:43 am
Alan sorry!
Simon
July 27, 2018 at 2:18 pm
Always good to remember at this time of year you pay a premium for past performance… which is no guarantee of future performance
Tim
July 27, 2018 at 7:59 am
Buddy to Macrae or
Hurley to Whitfield
Alan J
July 27, 2018 at 9:52 am
2
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 10:44 am
2. Whit is in top form
Jess
July 27, 2018 at 8:01 am
Best replacement for DeGoey? I have $809K to spend on a fwd or mid….
Gaff
Oliver
Cogs
Danger
Beams
Whitfield…….
Jess
July 27, 2018 at 8:10 am
Add Macrae to list!
Grovers Guns
July 27, 2018 at 9:26 am
Then add him to your team and not just the list
Bont back will help him
Otherwise your list seems in order
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 10:47 am
Whit or Cogs. Dunno which tho
SOgnenis
July 27, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Macrae #1
Coniglio #2
Ethan Hunter
July 27, 2018 at 8:25 am
Dusty, Shuey, JPK or Dunkley??
PMJ
July 27, 2018 at 10:34 am
JPK
Simon
July 27, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Shuey. Got him 2 weeks ago and couldn’t be happier for $/point. 5-round average of over 100… other three are 92 (Dusty), 91 (JPK) and 99 (Dunkley). Not sure if Bont and Macrae being back will affect Dunkley from here tho?
Boyo
July 27, 2018 at 8:52 am
Witho, Short or Hurn?
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 10:49 am
Witho
David C
July 27, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Yeh Witho.
Splato
July 27, 2018 at 9:00 am
Who to hold onto out of Andrew Brayshaw and Paul Ahern
PMJ
July 27, 2018 at 10:35 am
ABrey
sognenis
July 27, 2018 at 12:35 pm
Ahern
the cricket
July 27, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Hold Brayshaw
1. consistent scoring (over more games)
2. job security (better than Ahern’s)
3. more $$ gained if you trade Ahern
Kingzy
July 27, 2018 at 9:04 am
WHo scores more this week:
Neale VS Hawks, apparently his hardest team to score against
Tom Phillips vs Richmond
One of them is going to Macrae this week
Concerned Citizen
July 27, 2018 at 9:30 am
That is a damn tough one mate. I’m also deciding between the same but instead of Tom Phillips I have Sidey.
At this stage I’m leaning towards the coll player out just because Richmond don’t normally concede a lot of uncontested ball to their opponent. Also, neale is still without Fyfe so even though it’s his worse team, SURELY he’ll get a 90 – 100.
Kingzy
July 27, 2018 at 9:39 am
Sidey has been underwhelming to hasnt he.
Very tough one.
Neale has been average, so has Freo as a whole. Hasnt hit the heights he was the other year when Fyfe was out.
Does De goey out make a difference to Phillips, or Sidey?
Hawks are one of the hardest to score against at the mo, Richmond I think are not easy but not hard.
To many pros and cons
Concerned Citizen
July 27, 2018 at 11:41 am
I actually changed my mind this morning mate seeing that both Sier and De Goey out. Surely Sidey and Phillips will do ok. I think I’m set on trading Neale.
Not sure if I’ve been much help hahaha. Sorry.
Alan J
July 27, 2018 at 12:35 pm
I’ll be sticking with Sidey
Kingzy
July 27, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Haha noice!
I am trading Neale out.
Hopefully Phillips and Sidebut do well
And Pies beat Tigers
Benny boy
July 28, 2018 at 12:53 am
I am Upgrading Neale next weekend as Hawks have lost there tagger in Howe and at home Neale should score ok 90 to 110.
mfawcett
July 27, 2018 at 9:25 am
Not for Fantasy or RDT, but if going for overall ranking (in SC) how many trades should I have left to see me through would others think? Currently, have 3 trades and 140,700 left but thinking of going Rocky to Pendlebury. More consistent IMO. Ranked 70th overall and only 10 points or so out of top 50. Just worried about injuries and players rested. Have plenty of DPP links to see me through and heaps of coverage.
Alan J
July 27, 2018 at 9:50 am
I’m sure I’ll get crucified for it if it doesn’t pan out, but I’m thinking of actually taking the punt on Buddy this week..
Kingzy
July 27, 2018 at 9:54 am
Back your gut mate
Alan J
July 27, 2018 at 8:17 pm
What an eejit (not Kingzy)…
Fat Bastard
July 27, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Get in my belly!
James
July 27, 2018 at 10:21 am
Cogs or Crouch????
PMJ
July 27, 2018 at 10:37 am
Adams, JPK, Parker, Shuey, Dusty
Pick 1
PMJ
July 27, 2018 at 10:38 am
Crouch
PMJ
July 27, 2018 at 10:42 am
Adams, JPK, Parker, Shuey, Dusty
Pick 1
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 10:54 am
Adams
James
July 27, 2018 at 11:09 am
Shuey
Simon
July 27, 2018 at 2:31 pm
Shuey
GT
July 27, 2018 at 11:52 am
who is the best 170 forward rookie playing
David C
July 27, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Liam Baker is probably going to score more and I think he is a good chance of holding his spot at Richmond. Greene probably has better job security at the doggies though.
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 12:29 pm
+1
Fudge
July 27, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Trade out -Neale,Wingard, McLean or Menegola?
Hawk
July 27, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Why the hell would you want to trade out menegola for your an idiot squeezer. You must be a ned kelly foot soldier
AF Rising Star
July 27, 2018 at 12:30 pm
Neale only because hes not in the top 10 of his position
Alan J
July 27, 2018 at 12:37 pm
+1
I’d say Neale is a better scorer than Wingard, but AF Rising Star raises a key point, so Lachie out first
Ned kelly
July 27, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Ha ha menegola not even a top six forward u muppet
Sam
July 27, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Neale to Macrae
Or
Taranto to Danger?
Alan J
July 27, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Neale to Danger then Taranto to Macrae next week
ben
July 27, 2018 at 12:59 pm
I think 1 personally. Neale is going to struggle to score against the tardy Hawks, and I think Taranto will go alright against my Sainters.
Also, Macrae should kill it with Bont back.
Shane
July 27, 2018 at 12:44 pm
I’ll be doing Guelfi to Lienert using Mihocek DPP for my first trade.
Which 2nd trade is best:
1. Wingard > Macrae (swing Danger FWD)
2. Luke Ryan > Whitfield
3. Luke Ryan > Brayshaw
Leaning towards option 2
Ben
July 27, 2018 at 12:59 pm
2 or 3 for sure mate. Wingard had a massive score last time he played the Doggies
Plugger
July 27, 2018 at 1:09 pm
I favour the ‘lean-to’, to.
brad
July 27, 2018 at 1:14 pm
I went nic nat to bellchambers this week to be different. No mckernan to chop out in the ruck and the money i save on not going to grundy, doedee is now whitfield
David C
July 27, 2018 at 7:37 pm
I went Belle as well. Allowed me to get Macrae.
Austin Powers
July 27, 2018 at 7:42 pm
No, no, no, no. Danger’s my middle name.
S&M
July 27, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Trade Franklin or Parker to Dangerfield?
Katie
July 27, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Danger vs Macrae?
Danger 100k cheaper so could use the cash for Doedee next week.
The mammajam
July 27, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Which trade cheers
1. Phillips and crisp to Oliver and hodge
2. Crisp and Wingard to withers and danger
3 crisp and Mundy to hodge and danger
Simon
July 27, 2018 at 2:34 pm
They’re all sideways / backwards. Hodge isn’t a suitable option at all, so of the three you’ve listed 2 is probably best
the phantom cactus planter
July 27, 2018 at 6:22 pm
But not good
Fogell
July 27, 2018 at 6:25 pm
I am McLovin!
z
July 27, 2018 at 2:30 pm
I haven”t bin able to login into SC for a week.
Anyone else?
Swampy22
July 27, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Playing RDT and covering for injuries this week – choose two out of Snag Higgins, Ahern and Holman on ground
Alex
July 27, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Ahern
PowerAde
July 27, 2018 at 3:27 pm
simmo v withers v lloyd?
Alex
July 27, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Withers for me mate
Alex
July 27, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Spargo/L.Ryan -> Green/Lienert double downgrade (still have D6 F6/M8 to cover, (danger)) gives me 378k for next week.
Spargo/Ahern -> Lienert/Shuey with 32k and then only D6 left for next week.
PMJ
July 27, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Zorko or Pendles?
Bruce McAvaney
July 27, 2018 at 6:31 pm
What a delicious young player he is.
Bill
July 27, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Hurn or Witherden? Not sure if witho will keep it up with hodge back.
Sheldon Cooper
July 27, 2018 at 7:09 pm
The line must be drawn here, this far, no farther.