Warnie’s February AFL Fantasy Classic team reveal

We’re on the eve of the pre-season scratch matches and we’ve been getting plenty of reports from the training track, so I thought it would be a good time to throw out a current version of the Warne Dawgs.

Now, if I’m being completely honest here, I don’t really have a Fantasy Classic team.

I have a team that sits ‘complete’ – mostly for content – but despite all the stuff we do from December, I don’t really play with a team. Realistically, that doesn’t happen until March, most likely after the AAMI Community series games. That being said, there has been over 100 players who have been invited to train for the Dawgs and some are being cut each week (while others have been given a call to train on).

Anyway, on this weekend before the praccy matches, I thought I’d pick a team that I’m feeling comfortable with based on the info we’ve had to this point.

This is made up of one of many possible structures. I don’t get locked or sold on a structure. It’s all about what rookies are named.

You can see the team below, but I’ve gone through each player with some thoughts and a ‘lockability’ rating. This is a bit of a rating, out of 5, on the likelihood they’ll be in my starting team in 24 days time when that first lockout hits. Also, it goes without saying that rookies are a best guess right now, but I like being realistic. I’m also being quite conservative here as well; a feature of my Fantasy footy coaching career (more on that at a later date!).

DEFENDERS

D1 Jake Lloyd

Position: DEF
Price: $823k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒

Has been in my team since day dot. Can’t see it changing. Lock to be a top 2-3 defender and potentially has 10+ points of upside.

D2 Lachie Whitfield

Position: DEF/MID
Price: $795k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒

No surprise he’s in 45% of teams. Hasn’t moved from my squad. Not much more to say.

D3 George Hewett

Position: DEF.MID
Price: $537k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒

In and out. Currently in off the back of the Walsh news. He’ll be an inside midfielder for the Blues.

D4 James Sicily

Position: DEF
Price: $510k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

Ticked all the boxes. Could have played last year, so no drama with picking him off ACL in my opinion. Role will be as a DEF. Bargain.

D5 Wayne Milera

Position: DEF
Price: $378k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

All the words coming out of Adelaide are positive; even midfield time. At that price he doesn’t even need it to be a lock.

D6 Campbell Chesser

Position: DEF/MID
Price: $264k
Lockability: 🔒🔒

Sounds like he’ll end up with a wing role based on training reports. Clark’s injury helps in the sense that it’s one less new name in the team.

BENCH Will Kelly

Position: DEF/FWD
Price: $191k
Lockability: 🔒🔒

Has some experience. Pies wanted to play him last year. Training reports positive.

BENCH Charlie Dean

Position: DEF
Price: $190k
Lockability: 🔒🔒

Roughead injury opens the door. Mature age. May not be a huge scorer, but a heartbeat.

MIDFIELDERS

M1 Jack Steele

Position: MID
Price: $1.02m
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

Goes against most of my philosophies, but can see him maintaining at worst or going at 134 like he did in back half. Captain.

M2 Tom Mitchell

Position: MID
Price: $969k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒

I’m pretty sold on Titch… there are some worries of the unknown under Sam Mitchell, but I’m feeling good. Could easily be Macrae for the early season VC games.

M3 Lachie Neale

Position: MID
Price: $792k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

Too much value; even if he takes 95 (his lowest in forever) to 105-110, it’s enough upside and possibly knocks on the door of top 10. Hasn’t left my side.

M4 Matt Crouch

Position: MID
Price: $649k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒

As simple as “if he’s playing, he’s in”. Don’t overthink the selection.

M5 Jye Caldwell

Position: MID
Price: $488k
Lockability: 🔒

Upside is there, 100%. Is it enough? I’m hopeful, but it’s a big call considering the Dons’ midfield. Toss of a coin with Rowell. He’s also been Serong with other cash shuffles. (I’m not as sold on Serong as others as he’d need to go 100+).

M6 Jason Horne-Francis

Position: MID
Price: $290k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

Probably should be a 5 lock rating as job security trumps all. Still, he’s capable of being 65 and will be a FWD by round six.

M7 Nick Daicos

Position: MID
Price: $284k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒

He’ll be playing… and doing fantasy friendly things (half-back role with MID-time). What isn’t to like? Good reason why he’s the most popular.

M8 Josh Ward 

Position: MID
Price: $278k
Lockability: 🔒🔒

Things are looking good for Ward, but could be interchangeable with anyone who’s playing (maybe Cooper MacDonald). Key thing is at least 3 rooks in MIDs.

BENCH Cooper Stephens

Position: MID
Price: $190k
Lockability: 🔒

Has to be a chance.

BENCH Jackson Mead

Position: MID
Price: $190k
Lockability: 🔒🔒

Training reports are sounding promising. Playing as a midfield (the Power have a rotating door by the sounds of it though).

RUCKS

R1 Brodie Grundy

Position: RUC
Price: $893k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒

If I was really going to have an answer for my first picked, it would be the Ruck Pig. Need at least one of the top 2… and we’re getting him cheaper than the other.

R2 Reilly O’Brien

Position: RUC
Price: $723k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

I’m almost sold on ROB as my R2. Upside is there. Could challenge Gawn’s return. Good for byes. He feels safe, despite seeing his running style up close before…

BENCH Sam Hayes

Position: RUC
Price: $190k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

Just have to do it I think. Comben a chance to play for the Roos, which could put him in the mix here, but could be handy for loophole regardless.

FORWARDS

F1 Josh Dunkley

Position: MID/FWD
Price: $767k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒

I just can’t look past what he was doing prior to injury… and hope that he’s fit and the Dogs go back to that. History has been too good.

F2 Adam Treloar

Position: MID/FWD
Price: $731k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒

CTRL+C, CTRL+V from above. For both, though, it’s all about Bevo and roles… massive pre-season match watch.

F3 Tarryn Thomas

Position: MID/FWD
Price: $681k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

I’ve been super-keen on TT, but after watching some of the intra-club on Friday, I’ve tempered my expectations slightly. Butters in the mix here.

F4 Isaac Heeney

Position: FWD
Price: $639k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒

Goes 90 even playing as a forward. If the midfield time is real, which I honestly believe, can go 100+. Have to do it at this price.

F5 Keidean Coleman

Position: DEF/FWD
Price: $343k
Lockability: 🔒

One of the riskiest picks and more of a pre-season watch. He’s playing off half-back and that should be good for numbers. Has scored 70s in that role. Not usually a pick I’d do (but it’s Feb!).

F6 Finn Maginness

Position: MID/FWD
Price: $311k
Lockability: 🔒

A bit of a placeholder pick as an ‘expensive rookie’. If he ends up being one of Sam Mitchell’s midfield boys, I’d be happy to pay up – considering my current worries wirh rookies up FWD. There are a few other guys like Rayner and Brodie who are in this range

BENCH Charlie Comben

Position: RUC/FWD
Price: $190k
Lockability: 🔒

If the Roos go down this path, have to play him. Won’t be a huge scorer, but could tick over dollars… and we might get lucky with some bigger scores to give a boost to cash flow.

BENCH Elijah Hollands

Position: MID/FWD
Price: $190k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒🔒

Has sat at F6 a lot of the time… and still could do. I think he’s a very good chance to make his debut in round 1. More FWD than MID, but at $190k, we do it.

UTILITY BENCH Nathan O’Driscoll

Position: DEF/MID
Price: $190k
Lockability: 🔒🔒🔒

Putting his hand up. DPP for UTILITY spot will be handy. Could even sneak into D6 if numbers look ok.