Weekend Forecast – Round 9

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Byes are fast approching, with only 3 weeks and 9 trades left before we hit the toughest part of the fantasy season. Most coaches are now looking at their byes to determine who they bring in, as well as trade out. However, a number of coaches will have the Jason Horne-Francis and Nathan O’Driscoll issues to deal with this week, with both rookies missing this week, and NOD will miss 6 weeks with a hotspot on his foot. Navigating through that and thinking about byes will be a challenge for many coaches this week as round 9 approches.

 

Now, lets get into the Weekend Forecast.

Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium

Weather Forecast

***Roof Closed***

Team Lineups

Collingwood

IN

Caleb Poulter

OUT

Jack Ginnivan (Illness), Trent Bianco (Omitted)

Western Bulldogs

IN

Rhylee West, Jordon Sweet, Luke Cleary, Alex Keath, Marcus Bontempelli

OUT

Hayden Crozier (Medi-Sub), Cody Weightman (Injured), Laitham Vandermeer (Injured), Roarke Smith (Omitted), Stefan Martin (Managed), Tim O’Brien (Injured)

 

Players to Watch

Darcy Cameron

The popular midpricer of the week has a great matchup tonight. With Stef Martin out and English still injured, Cameron will only be up against Jordan Sweet. Cameron has gone back to back tons against good ruckmen in Jarrod Witts and Nankervis + Soldo so all signs point to another good night for him.

Jack Macrae

Has a great record against Collingwood, with 9 straight tons , and a career average of 121.5 against them. Back under the roof at Marvel, should be good and will be a very popular VC option tonight.

Nick Daicos

After being sick most of last week and coaches worried he would be rested, he was able to play against the Tigers and still score well with an 83. He has only gone once under 73 all year, and you can quite easily keep him around until his bye in round 14. Good matchups normally for defenders as the Dogs tend to give up points to defenders.

Other players to watch: Marcus Bontempelli, Buku Khamis, Bailey Smith, Taylor Adams, Jordan De Goey, Jack Crisp, Josh Dunkley, Adam Treloar, Aiden Begg, Robbie McComb, Luke Cleary

Hawthorn vs Richmond @ MCG

Weather Forecast

Around 18°C, light rain (66% chance of rain)

Team Lineups

Hawthorn

IN

Mitch Lewis, Chad Wingard, Sam Butler, Conor Nash

OUT

Jackson Callow (Omitted), Liam Shiels (Medi-Sub), Tom Mitchell (Managed), Connor Macdonald (Managed), Josh Ward (Omitted)

Richmond

IN

Dion Prestia, Bigoa Nyuon, Nick Vlastuin

OUT

Rhyan Mansell (Suspension), Josh Gibcus (HS Protocols), Sydney Stack (Medi-Sub), Shane Edwards (Managed)

 

Players to Watch

James Sicily

He just continues to get it done week in week out. Only has 1 score below 84 this year which was a 79, showing how consistent he has been. Good matchup against the Tigers this week, but it is expected to rain so it may not be a huge game from the Sic Dawg.

Dustin Martin

One player I am keeping an eye on is Dusty. Scored an 84 first game back, and we know how good Dusty is. Quite cheap at 669k, I would be watching him for the next 3 weeks and he could be a target for us post his round 12 bye.

Maurice Rioli

A popular downgrade target this week apart from Greg Clark, I am unsure if he can continue to generate a heap of cash. Small forwards don’t tend to score well consistantly, as shown by Malcolm Rosas who started well with a 58 and 73, then followed with a 45 and 23. I would prefer a Jack Carroll or Cooper Hamilton.

Other players to watch: Jayden Short, Sam Butler, Bigoa Nyuon, Dylan Moore, Nick Vlastuin

 

North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide @ Blundstone Arena

Weather Forecast

Around 18°C, showers  (91% chance of rain)

Team Lineups

North Melbourne

IN

Nick Larkey, Tom Powell

OUT

Ben McKay (Injured), Jason Horne-Francis (Injured), Hugh Greenwood (HS Protocols)

Port Adelaide

IN

Kane Farrell

OUT

Riley Bonner (Injured), Trent Dumont (HS Protocols)

 

Players to Watch

Zak Butters

Butters is a player that many coaches wanted to trade out this week, but with Horne-Francis and O’Driscoll being out, many coaches will need to hold. He does have a good matchup this week, but we haven’t seen anything from him lately to suggest he will score well. Hopefully he can on Saturday, otherwise he will be gone for even more coaches next week.

Tarryn Thomas

544k is underpriced for what we know he can do. 90 from 77% game time was promising last week, but I want to see another week before jumping on. Has the round 14 bye which is great because if he doesn’t do enough, you can move him on then.

Ollie Wines

Another player who is coming in underpriced, but he has the round 12 bye. Many coaches already have a fair few players on the round 12 bye, but if you are looking for someone, Wines is your man. I think he averages 108-110 for the rest of the season.

Other players to watch: Connor Rozee, Dan Houston, Sam Hayes, Travis Boak

 

St Kilda vs Geelong @ Marvel Stadium

Weather Forecast

***Roof Closed***

Team Lineups

St Kilda

IN

Jack Billings, Cooper Sharman

OUT

Marcus Windhager (Omitted), Dan Butler (Injured), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Managed)

Geelong

IN

Rhys Stanley, Joel Selwood

OUT

Cooper Stephens (Omitted), Jed Bews (Injured), Francis Evans (Omitted)

 

Players to Watch

Mitch Duncan

Looked back to the Mitch Duncan of old last week, playing that half back-wing role we love for fantasy. He had 33 disposals and 12 marks for 124, clearly his best game of the season. Priced down at 729k, he is a good option to bring in as he will be a top 6 forward with this role, but I want to see one more game from him before I launch.

Jack Steele

First score under 100 in 19 games, and it was a 98. Just consistent and gets it done every week, even though we haven’t consistently seen him score his 120+ scores, but I think they will come more in the 2nd half of the year. Tough matchup against the Cats this week, but should still score 100+.

Mitch Knevitt

Only played the 3 quarters after starting as the sub, but looked quite good for his 66 points. One to watch this week for sure, but I don’t like rookies from Geelong as they could be out of the team at any moment.

Other players to watch: Jack Sinclair, Tom Stewart, Sam De Koning, Cam Guthrie

 

Sydney vs Essendon @ SCG

Weather Forecast

Around 22°C, partly cloudy

Team Lineups

Sydney

IN

Sam Wicks, James Bell, Tom Hickey

OUT

Braeden Campbell (Managed), Ryan Clarke (Medi-Sub), Hayden McLean (Omitted), Ben Ronke (Omitted)

Essendon

IN

Sam Durham, Jake Kelly, Matt Guelfi, Jordan Ridley

OUT

Kaine Baldwin (Omitted), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Injured), Brayden Ham (Omitted), Alastair Lord (Medi-Sub), Devon Smith (Illness)

 

Players to Watch

Nic Martin

This guy is a star! I still don’t know how it has been this long for him to get an opportunity, but he has taken it with both hands. He continues to score well for us, as well as kick goals almost every week. Now over 600k, he will at this stage be in most people’s teams post his round 12 bye.

Paddy McCartin

Had his career high score of 86 last week and had a really good game, with some coaches able to take that score for Hewett. Will be very handy for his cash generation, however, you can’t trust him on field as it is hard to rely on a pure intercept defender that doesn’t get involved much with the chip-mark game.

Isaac Heeney

Was quiet last week, and only attended 1 CBA which surprised me. I will find it extremely odd though if he doesn’t get more CBA’s this week. Sydney has a plethora of forwards in the team, and I expect to see Heeney is the midfield this week, and if so, a big score could follow suit.

Other players to watch: Jake Lloyd, Ben Hobbs, Zach Merrett, Luke Parker, Callum Mills, Darcy Parish

 

Adelaide vs Brisbane @ Adelaide Oval

Weather Forecast

Around 18°C, partly cloudy

Team Lineups

Adelaide

IN

Jake Soligo, Brodie Smith, Darcy Fogarty, Ned McHenry, Kieran Strachan

OUT

Billy Frampton (Omitted), Harry Schoenberg (Omitted), Lachlan Murphy (Injured), Lachlan Gollant (Omitted), Reilly O’Brien (Omitted), Brayden Cook (Omitted)

Brisbane

IN

Darcy Gardiner, Eric Hipwood

OUT

Thomas Berry (Medi-Sub), Ryan Lester (Managed), Daniel McStay (Injured)

 

Players to Watch

Jordan Dawson

Had his first big game fantasy wise last week with 30 disposals, 10 marks and 128 points. Has been really consistent all year, lowest score of 75 (first game for new club, only 23 point first half) which is his only score under 82. Priced a bit more expensive now at 792k but looks settled in at the Crows, and has a good bye for premium defenders.

Dayne Zorko

Really cheap after that preseason surgery had him playing limited game time and being subbed out. Back playing his 50/50 mid forward role where he has been a fantasy beast in the past, and next 2 against Adelaide and Hawthorn. High risk high reward pick and could be massive.

Lachie Neale

Great captain option on Saturday night. If you take away the North game (injured and tagged 86), Geelong game (O’Connor tag 98) and Gold Coast game (tagged and horrible conditions 96) his lowesr score is 113. He could cop some attention but I don’t think it will matter this week.

Other players to watch: Ben Keays, Hugh McCluggage, Daniel Rich, Rory Laird, Jarryd Lyons, Keidean Coleman, Jake Soligo

 

Gold Coast vs Fremantle @ Metricon Stadium

Weather Forecast

Around 24°C, cloudy with periods of light rain (68% chance of rain)

Team Lineups

Gold Coast

IN

Noah Anderson, Charlie Constable, Joel Jeffrey, Sam Day, Sam Flanders

OUT

Jack Lukosius (Injured), Alex Davies (Managed)

Fremantle

IN

Travis Colyer, Blake Acres, Michael Frederick, Rory Lobb, Griffin Logue, Ethan Hughes

OUT

Nathan O’Driscoll (Injured), Michael Walters (HS Protocols), Sam Switkowski (Injured)

 

Players to Watch

Touk Miller

Didn’t notice him much outside of the first 10 minutes of the game. Hasn’t been hitting the same heights he did last season, and doesn’t look to be covering the ground as well as he has in the past. I think he will be fine, but I think we can wait a week to see what he does against Fremantle.

Andrew Brayshaw

If it wasn’t for Horne-Francis and O’Driscoll being out this week, Brayshaw would be in my team! He has been amazing this season with only 2 scores below 110, 95 against West Coast, Nelson tag and only 27 point first half, and 83 against Geelong, O’Connor tag and gave away 5 free kicks). He is expensive, but I do think he is worth it. Great run up to his bye with Gold Coast, Collingwood, Melbourne, Brisbane and Hawthorn.

Sean Darcy

Very cheap after an injury affected start to 2022. We know he can score very well and be a top 2 ruck, it is just his body we don’t trust. With Grundy out for most of the year, the no.2 ruck spot behind Gawn is open, and Darcy could take it. Priced at 694k is a bargain and if you don’t have Gawn and Preuss, I think Darcy is a great option.

Other players to watch: Rory Thompson, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, Will Brodie

GWS vs Carlton @ Giants Stadium

Weather Forecast

Around 20°C, cloudy with showers (50% chance of rain)

Team Lineups

GWS

IN

Jake Riccardi, Conor Stone, Tanner Bruhn

OUT

 

Carlton

IN

George Hewett, Jesse Motlop, Lachie Fogarty, Paddy Dow, Lachie Plowman, Brodie Kemp

OUT

Harry McKay (Injured), Jack Martin (Injured), Lewis Young (HS Protocols)

 

Players to Watch

Jack Carroll

If you already have Greg Clark, I think Carroll is the best downgrade option. I know he is a little more expensive at 284k, but still has a breakeven of -10 and will continue to make good money. His job security sounds good as well, as he probably would have played round 1 if not for an injury.

Patrick Cripps

Just continues to get it done, 5 games in a row over 120, and hasn’t scored below 112 in full games. Will likely cop the Lachie Ash tag this week, so I wouldn’t put him captain this week, but I don’t think it will bother him much and will be good once again.

Stephen Coniglio

Was on the chopping block for me and a lot of other coaches, but with JHF anf NOD injuries, and Leon Cameron resigning, I think we can hold Cogs till his bye. Hopefully will get more midfield time moving forward. If not, we can offload him at his round 12 bye.

Other players to watch: Corey Durdin, Cooper Hamilton, Tim Taranto, Sam Docherty, Lachie Whitfield, Brodie Kemp, Braydon Preuss, Josh Kelly, Tom Green, Sam Walsh, Adam Cerra, George Hewett, 

 

West Coast vs Melbourne @ Optus Stadium

Weather Forecast

Around 19°C, cloudy

Team Lineups

West Coast

IN

Bailey Williams, Jackson Nelson, Greg Clark, Alex Witherden, Hugh Dixon

OUT

Declan Mountford (Medi-Sub), Jake Florenca (Omitted)

Melbourne

IN

Jake Melksham, Mitch Brown, Adam Tomlinson, Kade Chandler

OUT

Toby Bedford (Medi-Sub)

 

Players to Watch

Angus Brayshaw

Angus has been impressive this year, with only 2 scores below 83 (70 and 75). Even though his next 2 matchups are very enticing against West Coast and North Melbourne, I would hold off due to Salem being back in a couple of weeks, which might send Brayshaw back to his defensive wing role. If Salem comes back and nothing changes, I think we can look at him more then, but if you are keen, go for it!

Max Gawn

The knee scans this week have put me off chucking the C on him, but I still think he goes big. Great matchup against the depleted West Coast with Williams and Jameson in the ruck. I expect he will spend a fair bit forward, but could still kick 5 goals.

Greg Clark

If you don’t have him, he is the must have player this week and the top rookie target. First game was a 110, and should see an increased role in the middle for them. You can play him on field with confidence, and with a breakeven of -31, will shoot up in price before his bye in round 13.

Other players to watch: Alex Witherden, Christian Petracca, Callum Jameison, Jake Bowey, Clayton Oliver, Patrick Naish

 

My Trades

O’Driscoll -> J Carroll

Horne-Francis -> D Cameron

If it wasn’t for the O’Driscoll and Horne-Francis injuries, I would have traded out both Butters and Coniglio to get Andrew Brayshaw, but I just can’t do that now. Darcy Cameron is still the guy I am bringing in. No.1 ruck, back to back tons against quality ruckmen, great bye in round 14, and good matchup tonight against the Bulldogs. He should rise up a fair bit and really helps with my bye structure as he will get ruck status in round 12. Then with NOD being on my bench, I will be going him down to Jack Carroll. I think he is the best rookie outside of Greg Clark and Robbie McComb (maybe McComb is too expensive now), and Carroll has shown he can score well. This leaves me with 294k in the bank to spend on a premium next week.

 

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 9!

Instagram: @baileyirrgang

Twitter: @baileyirrgang