Weekend Forecast – Round 6

***Live stream of the Weekend Forecast will be on my YouTube channel. Make sure to tune in as I will be answering your questions during the live stream. Also, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a like on the video. Would be very much appreciated.***

 

There weren’t too many dramas throughout the week, with many coaches looking at upgrading their teams with no forced trades (except Aaron Hall owners). Unfortunately team selections had some big outs, none bigger than Tim English, who is currently 30.6% of teams and one of only 3 players to score 100+ in every game. Bulldogs say it is a hamstring, but we have no other information about it. We also had a few popular rookies also dropped, meaning coaches have to think what they are going to do with their trades ahead of round 6.

 

Now, lets get into the Weekend Forecast.

GWS vs St Kilda @ Manuka Oval

Weather Forecast

Around 11°C, mostly clear

Team Lineups

GWS

IN

Braydon Preuss, Isaac Cumming, Toby Greene

OUT

Matt De Boer (Omitted), Xavier O’Halloran (Omitted), Jake Riccardi (Medi-Sub), Jesse Hogan (Managed)

St Kilda

IN

Jimmy Webster

OUT

Ryan Byrnes (Omitted), Jarrod Lienert (Omitted)

 

Players to Watch

Tim Taranto

Has been really good this season, but I think he is going to go to another level from here on in. With Toby Greene coming back into the team, I expect Taranto to get at least 60% of the CBA’s and not as much forward time. Will be one of the top 2-3 scoring forwards the rest of the season, and has a chance to be the top scoring.

Braydon Preuss

Back from his one week suspension, but Flynn is named with him so he will be sharing the ruck duties. I think he can still score 60-80 points, but maybe that ceiling of 90+ points isn’t there with Flynn. No Hogan means maybe Flynn plays more forward and Preuss is the main ruck, but who knows.

Jack Hayes

With Ryder at for one more week, it means that Jack Hayes will be there for us again tonight. I think you can play him on field again if you still own him. He hasn’t scored under 60 when it is just him and Marshall in the team, and he has shown that he can score 100+ on his night.

Other players to watch: Lachie Whitfield, Jade Gresham, Stephen Coniglio, Jack Sinclair, Toby Greene, Josh Kelly, Tom Green, Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Finn Callaghan

Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide @ Mars Stadium

Weather Forecast

Around 17°C, partly cloudy

Team Lineups

Western Bulldogs

IN

Robbie McComb, Stefan Martin, Josh Schache

OUT

Lachie Hunter (Personal Reasons), Riley Garcia (Injured), Tim English (Injured), Mitch Wallis (Personal Reasons)

Adelaide

IN

Jackson Hately

OUT

Rory Sloane (Injured), James Rowe (Medi-Sub)

 

Players to Watch

Jack Macrae

Even with going off for a concussion test, he still managed to score 119. That is now 3 scores over 119 this year, and was probably the best pick out of the top 4 big dogs (Touk, Steele, Macare and Mitchell). With Hunter out, and Bevo as the coach, there is always a chance he goes to a wing, but he should be fine.

Bailey Smith

Has been absolutely unbelievable to start the season, averaging 135 over his 4 games, including 3 scores over 130 (154, 147, and 131). Not only that, but he is playing huge minutes for a midfielder, being on the ground for 97%, 95%, and 94% of the game respectively over the past 3 games. Now priced at 928k which is expensive, but with the combo of high time on ground and plenty of CBA’s, I think he will be a top 8 midfielder the rest of the season.

Matt Crouch

Even though we haven’t seen many big scores from him this season, he has gathered at least 26 disposals in every game, giving him a decent floor. He does have a tough matchup against the Bulldogs this week, and you can hold him for a bit as he has proven in the past he can score with the best, but if you can get him to a player you will keep for the rest of the year, then go ahead.

Other players to watch: Caleb Daniel, Josh Rachele, Rory Laird, Tom Liberatore, Adam Treloar, Jordan Dawson, Josh Dunkley, Ben Keays, Robbie McComb, Jackson Hately

 

Port Adelaide vs West Coast @ Adelaide Oval

Weather Forecast

Around 21°C, partly cloudy

Team Lineups

Port Adelaide

IN

Ollie Wines, Kane Farrell

OUT

Jackson Mead (Omitted), Jed McIntee (Omitted), Karl Amon (Omitted)

West Coast

IN

Luke Strnadica, Xavier O’Neill, Connor West

OUT

Jamaine Jones (Omitted), Hugh Dixon (Injured), Zac Langdon (Omitted), Josh Rotham (Omitted)

 

Players to Watch

Zak Butters

Rebounded last week with a 109 after back to back poor scores of 59 and 77. Wines is back in this week, but Butters should be back to his early season form and get another good score for us.

Alex Witherden

If you are looking for a POD defender, I think Alex Witherden could be your man. Scores this season of 91, 92, 100, and 102 with an average of 96.3 means he is the 8th highest averaging defender, but not many defenders can say they haven’t scored under 90. Even with Hurn he is still taking plenty of kick ins, meaning he has a high floor.

Sam Hayes

Made his debut last week with a 51, and looked tired in the 2nd half. Will be better for the run, and he will be in the team for a while so if you didn’t jump on him last week, getting him this week is still a good move, and a good matchup this week as well.

Other players to watch: Dan Houston, Tim Kelly, Patrick Naish, Connor Rozee, Ollie Wines, Travis Boak, Elliot Yeo, Luke Foley

 

Fremantle vs Carlton @ Optus Stadium

Weather Forecast

Around 23°C, clear

Team Lineups

Fremantle

IN

Lachie Schultz, Griffin Logue

OUT

Hayden Young (HS Protocols), Heath Chapman (HS Protocols), Bailey Banfield (Omitted)

Carlton

IN

Patrick Cripps

OUT

Paddy Dow (Medi-Sub), Matthew Kennedy (Injured)

 

Players to Watch

Andrew Brayshaw

Just keeps getting it done, with another 123 against Essendon last week. Could cop some attention for George Hewett this week, but he has shown this season he can still score alright with a tag.

Caleb Serong

After a poor start to the season and missing time through injury, he came back in the team last week with a 107. I certainly wouldn’t say to jump on after one week, but if it is all you can get to, I think you could do worse. I would want to see him for at least one more week before I considered him.

Sam Walsh

Had his best game for the year last week with 38 disposals and 113 point. Really starting to warm up, and has dropped in price to 870k as a result. Should be good again against Fremantle and is a good option, I still want to see another week or 2 because he is 870k, and the Blues have plenty of midfielders now.

Other players to watch: Nathan O’Driscoll, George Hewett, Sam Docherty, Sean Darcy, Will Brodie, Adam Cerra, Patrick Cripps, Corey Durdin

 

North Melbourne vs Geelong @ Blundstone Arena

Weather Forecast

Around 19°C, sunshine and clouds mixed

Team Lineups

North Melbourne

IN

Cameron Zurhaar, Miller Bergman, Callum Coleman-Jones, Aiden Bonar, Paul Curtis, Tarryn Thomas

OUT

Aaron Hall (Injured), Jaidyn Stephenson (Illness), Tom Powell (Omitted)

Geelong

IN

Oliver Dempsey, Esava Ratugolea, Shaun Higgins

OUT

 

 

Players to Watch

Luke McDonald

Now has DEF status, and Aaron Hall being out could mean McDonald is an option for us to consider. Priced at 617k, we have seen him do it before in the past, so watch him this week to see if he has the role before jumping on him.

Tarryn Thomas

Back in the team after missing some time through injury, he is another under priced option to watch. Down at 621k and being touted as a potential top 6 forward in pre season, if we see something this week, he could be too cheap to ignore.

Tom Stewart

Back to back scores of 102 and 95, as well as dropping in price to 757k, Stewart is an underpriced premium option to look at. You know what you are going to get from him every week, and he will be close to, or be in the top 6 defenders by seasons end.

Other players to watch: Jack Ziebell, Mitch Duncan, Paul Curtis, Sam De Koning, Tristan Xerri, Jy Simpkin, Jason Horne-Francis

 

Gold Coast vs Brisbane @ Metricon Stadium

Weather Forecast

Around 23°C, cloudy with occasional rain showers (42% chance of rain)

Team Lineups

Gold Coast

IN

Chris Burgess, Jeremy Sharp, Connor Budarick

OUT

 

Brisbane

IN

Keidean Coleman, Jack Payne, Jaxon Prior, Thomas Berry

OUT

Mitch Robinson (Injured)

 

Players to Watch

Touk Miller

3 scores in a row under 100, and back to back weeks with no tackles. Before the last 2 weeks, Touk had never had a game where he didn’t have at least 1 tackle. He is still getting his hands on the ball, and it is only a matter of time before he starts laying tackles. Will be cheap for non owners in a couple of weeks.

Dayne Zorko

Now added DEF status, Zorko is now in the calcultations as an option that culd easily be a top 6 defender. this calf hobble is still not a great watch, but he will get over that over time so I think you could wait a week or 2, but he won’t get much cheaper than what he is right now.

Lachie Neale

If you remove the games where Neale has been tagged, he has a lowest score of  118. He might cop attention from Rowell, but I don’t think he will, and Gold Coast are one of the easiest teams to score against, so I think Lachie will be big again, and a good fall back captain option if your VC doesn’t score enough.

Other players to watch: Malcolm Rosas, Jarryd Lyons, Keidean Coleman

 

Richmond vs Melbourne @ MCG

Weather Forecast

Around 14°C, partly cloudy

Team Lineups

Richmond

IN

Josh Gibcus, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Maurice Rioli, Kamdyn McIntosh, Tyler Sonsie, Rhyan Mansell

OUT

Hugo Ralphsmith (Injured), Ben Miller (Omitted), Marlion Pickett (Injured), Jake Aarts (Omitted)

Melbourne

IN

Adam Tomlinson, Luke Dunstan, Jake Melksham, Ben Brown, Joel Smith

OUT

Jake Lever (HS Protocols), Jack Viney (HS Protocols)

 

Players to Watch

Jayden Short

Vlastuin back last week looked to me that it affected Short’s scoring. Even though Short didn’t score any points in the last quarter, his numbers were down from the previous 3 weeks, even his kick out were well down. I think he will still be a top 6 defender, but I think his ceiling won’t be as high with Vlastuin stealing points from him, but I could be wrong.

Christian Petracca

Responded last week after a couple of quiet weeks with a 115. Richmond don’t tag, and scored 137 against them last year, so I think he will be good again, and a good option if you are looking for an expensive midfielder after dropping a little to 919k.

Max Gawn

Has been back to his best over the past 2 weeks with 140 and 132 respectively, and has shown he is still the no.1 ruck in the comp. Has a good history against Richmond too, so I think Maximus will continue on his merry way with another big one of Sunday night.

Other players to watch: Daniel Rioli, Clayton Oliver, Jake Bowey

 

Hawthorn vs Sydney @ UTAS Stadium

Weather Forecast

Around 20°C, sunny

Team Lineups

Hawthorn

IN

Jackson Callow, Will Day, Ned Long, Chad Wingard, Max Lynch

OUT

Mitch Lewis (Injured), Ned Reeves (Injured)

Sydney

IN

Lance Franklin, Sam Wicks, Dylan Stephens

OUT

 

 

Players to Watch

Luke Parker

Another new DPP, adding FWD status, Parker has become an intersting option. Only scored 42 against North Melbourne which is horrible, but looked back to his best against West Coast with a 123. He is underpriced based on what he has done in the past, and a juicy matchup this week, he should do well again, and is an option to look at.

Tom Mitchell

After only scoring 26 points in the first half, looked like the Titch of old with 71 points in the 2nd half. Still isn’t attending as many CBA’s as we want, but I think that could change quickly after how good he looked in the 2nd half last week. Loves playing at UTAS Stadium, but I would want to see a week or 2 with more CBA’s before I jumped on, but he will become a great option at some point.

Callum Mills

Back to back 106’s and down at 850k, Mills is ripe for the picking. Has yet to go bang so far this season, but a matchup against Hawthorn could bring instant reward for coaches looking at him this week.

Other players to watch: James Sicily, Will Day, Josh Ward, Nick Blakey, Jake Lloyd, Justin McInerney, Paddy McCartin, Jai Newcombe, Isaac Heeney, Connor Macdonald

Essendon vs Collingwood @ MCG

Weather Forecast

Around 21°C, partly cloudy

Team Lineups

Essendon

IN

Kaine Baldwin, Zach Merrett, Nick Bryan, Jake Stringer

OUT

Andrew Phillips (Injured)

Collingwood

IN

Tyler Brown, Jack Ginnivan, Caleb Poulter, Brody Mihocek, Beau McCreery

OUT

Mason Cox (Omitted), Jordan Roughead (Injured)

 

Players to Watch

Jordan De Goey

Surprisingly, De Goey looks to be Collingwood’s main midfielder this season. After averaging 110 in the back half of last season playing predominately midfield, his role has continued, but his scoring has been down a little after an interrupted preseason. Has 2 tons and 2 80’s in his 4 games, but with his continued role in the midfield, it is only a matter of time before he goes bang.

Darcy Parish

Scored a 150 last year in the ANZAC Day game, and loves playing when a medal is up for grabs ahaha. Merrett and Stringer ar back this week, so Essendon should be better, and Parish should also be better. Collingwood have been tougher to score on this year, but I think he will be good.

Brodie Grundy

Plenty of criticism this week after a poor showing last week, only scoring 54 points. Hasn’t been his usual self, only scoring the one ton (124 against West Coast), along with a 99 and a 96. I think a big reponse is coming though, and has been great on ANZAC Day in the past, so hopefully we see Grundy back to his 110+.

Other players to watch: Taylor Adams, Dyson Heppell, Ben Hobbs, Scott Pendlebury, Nic Martin, Nick Daicos, Zach Merrett, Jack Crisp, Reef McInnes

 

My Trades

Rowell -> Hobbs

M Crouch -> Bailey Smith

 

I had planned that I was going to trade Grundy this week as I have Preuss on my bench, S Hayes in my utility, and Xerii and J Hayes in my FWD line. However, with Flynn holding his spot in the team, I can’t justify trading out one of my set and forget ruckman. So I am trading Rowell down to Hobbs and he will play on field for me. Looked good last week for 72, and Merrett and Stringer are back this week so that is a good sign for job security for at least a few weeks. With my second trade, I have wanted Bailey Smith all week. That high TOG% and plenty of CBA’s is a great combo, so I am moving on Matt Crouch for him. Tough game for Crouch this week, and that low TOG% is meaning his ceiling is probably 110, and he might start to drop cash this week. If Flynn is somehow a late out tomorrow, that could mean I change back to Grundy out instead of Matt Crouch but I don’t expect that.

 

Anyway, thanks again everyone for reading the Weekend Forecast. If you have any questions about your starting teams, or anything else, leave your questions in the comments section below or hit me up at my Twitter or Instagram (links provided below).

Good luck for round 6!

Instagram: @baileyirrgang

Twitter: @baileyirrgang