Collingwood Intraclub Fantasy Takeaways – 16/02/23

We sit just one month away from the 2023 AFL season’s first bounce, which can mean only one thing. Daily fantasy football tinkering, and with it, a sharp decline in our collective abilities to concentrate at work, and maintain a healthy social life. I’m just kidding, kind of… With every article, every piece of news, and every rumour, our teams’ contour to whatever feels correct right at this second. As much as I’d like to guarantee that Nick Daicos will finish this season a Brownlow medallist and AFL fantasy’s number one scoring player, a grain of salt and an err of caution must continue to be taken at this stage of the preseason. With that being said, there are certainly important observations which can be made following the Pies first open preseason match.

 

Firstly, Game Style:

Before I get into player specific observations, I think it’s important to discuss the Pies playing style. As was seen last season, Collingwood’s days on top of the fantasy football hierarchy are almost certainly over. Unsurprisingly given its success last season, Craig McRae looks to be continuing with his aggressive and frantic style of football. With an emphasis placed on fast ball movement, and attacking transition football. Although we are unlikely to see Collingwood as the number one scoring side in 2023, there are still some very relevant options worth considering.

Another quick thing to note, whoever was closest to the ball, took the kick in during the match. We will have to wait until match sim to get any idea of what the kick in splits look like down back.

 

Let’s Cut to the Chase:

Darcy Cameron – $725,000 (82):

Darcy Cameron not playing today, been on a modified running program around the ground.

We’ve got some eyes on the Collingwood intra today… more on @DTTALK later. #AFLFantasy #AFL pic.twitter.com/pwKpPqrI8b

— Adam ‘Warnie’ Child (@WarnieDT) February 17, 2023

Unfortunately for everyone trying to navigate the tricky ruck line this preseason, Darcy Cameron was completing a modified running program on the sidelines, instead of tightening his grip on a potential sole ruck role for 2023. Preseason hamstring issues are certainly a concern; however, I would be reluctant to put a line through him just yet. Despite not suiting up for the intraclub, DC was moving okay, and announced to some fans nearby that he expects to be 100% ready to go for Collingwood’s match sim against Carlton at Ikon Park next Thursday. I think the bigger concern for Cameron’s scoring comes in the form of a 7-foot tall American, who put on a good display around the ground while absolutely dominating some pretty soft competition in the ruck. I think McRae likes what Coxy brings, and I’d be shocked if he was not named in round 1. Can Cameron still provide enough value despite these flags? Maybe, but its definitely a wait and see, priced at 82.

Tom Mitchell – $853,000 (96):

Nothing needs to be said about Tom Mitchell and his ability to rack up a monster score in AFL fantasy. Titch was at just about every CBA this afternoon, and ticked over nicely in his first appearance in front of Collingwood fans. He certainly didn’t blow the doors down in terms of racking up possessions, winning very little on the outside. But this wouldn’t worry me this far out from round 1. The most encouraging element of his performance in my opinion was his willingness to tackle, repeatedly smashing into the contest, with zero regard for that shoulder injury which seemed to limit his scoring in patches over the last couple of seasons. There is a reason he is such a popular pick right now priced at just 96, and I saw nothing during the intraclub match which would turn me off him. The role looks prime, lock and load for me.

Nick Daicos – $769,000 (87):

Sauce: “N. Daicos full time mid. Hasn’t spent a second at HB. Absolutely beasting in there too, looks to be developing a nice inside game. 👀”#AFLFantasy #AFL

— Adam ‘Warnie’ Child (@WarnieDT) February 17, 2023

Yep. Nick Daicos played as a full time midfieder. When the season begins, I’m sure Daicos will spend a hefty percentage of minutes in the half back role he dominated as a rookie, however the preseason talk about Nick spending more time in the middle is far from a myth.  He was present at almost every CBA during the match, and despite starting slow, exploded in the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th quarters. Even when he wasn’t starting at the CBA’S, he was on the wing, and instatly swapped back inside with his brother Josh, or Trent Bianco, who pinch hit in the CBA’S before reverting to their customary wing roles in open play. He was “beasting” in the guts, winning the ball inside, and spreading beautufuly, showcasing his exceptional decision making and foot skills. In addition to having what I estimate to be 30+ possesions after quarter time (the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters were only 15 minutes long), he tackled, took marks and smashed one 55 metre bomb off the goal post following a centre bounce, before smashing another 55 metre bomb straight through the big sticks 2 minutes later. He seems to be working hard to develop both his body, and his skill level as an inside midifielder during this preseason. In my opinion, minus a quiet first term, Daicos couldn’t have put in a more convincing performance. Additionally, if you’re one to select a player based on the quality of a presason rig, Daicos is a lock in your team. Physically, he looks to have put on a significant amount of size, and is primed for a big 2023. Of course, the reality of Daicos’s role will need to be assessed in Collingwood’s upcoming match sims, however he’s doing everything right thus far. He’ll undounately get a fair bit of opposition attention this season also, regardless of where he’s playing.

Taylor Adams – $725,000 (82):

I wanted to give a quick mention to Taylor Adams following the match. I thought he looked fantastic today. He was, with Mitchell at every CBA and looked in very good condition. One to watch throughout the rest of preseason. You probably couldn’t do it, but at his best, there’s certianly upside.

Jack Crisp – $835,000 (94):

Crispy, behind maybe only Nick Daicos, was the best on ground. He played predominatly in the middle, floating across half back and half forward at different stages. He started at approximately 70% CBA’s for the match. In the first half, when he wasn’t in there, he was at half forward and Lipinski was in the middle, and in the 2^nd half, when he wasn’t in the middle, he was floating across half back in place of Scott Pendlebury. His run and carry through the midfield was on display in bunches throughout the game. Its hard to see Crisp adding enough to his price to be a viable pick in classic, although I don’t see him going below the 94 sitting next to his name in draft. But in conclusion, he looked good.

Jordan De Goey – $700,000 (79):

We’ve seen that De Goey has the ability to score well in the past, and I suspect he will remain as one of collingwoods top couple of CBA attenders this season. He looks fit, and I actually think the 90 mark he averaged in finals is a more accurate representation of what he can do this season. One to watch, but he played 100% as a mid in this match, and was aggressivly seeking those plus 6’s out of the back half, something which made him a fantasy must have in 2021.

Patrick Lipinski – $711,000 (80):

Could be relevant given his forward status, however he played predominately half forward and was unsighted for much of the match. He can score given the right role, but I don’t think he’ll get that this season. I think he could be one of the bigger losers following the aqusition of Mitchell.

Joe Richards – $206,000 (23):

A mature aged recruit who seems to be a genuine chance of playing in round 1. He seems to be first in line at Collingwood for a debut, and showed some really positive signs in the intraclub today. Played mostly as a small forward/half forward, but looks comforatble under pressure and good with the ball in hand. Collingwood seem to like him, and with Jack Ginnivan potentially going down with injury, a spot could emerge for Richards. One to watch, MID/FWD status is nice.

 

Others worth a mention:

Isaac Quaynor – Played really well, talk around the team suggests that hes had a ripper preseason. McRae’s system doesn’t really cater to a guy like Quaynor scoring, but I think with a bit of natural development he can beat the 59 he’s priced at.

Edward Allan – Bit of a buzz name around the fantasy community at the moment. Played plenty of minutes on the wing, however struggled to find the ball and make an impact. I think he’s on the outside looking in at the moment, but could get a chance later in the season.

Scott Pendlebury – Looked just as good as always. Obviously at the back end of his career now, but should pick up DPP after round 6. Certainly draft relevant and should hold his score above 80.

Will Kelly – Played okay in defence, doubt hes in the equation for an early game but could become relevant at some point.

Brayden Maynard – Great player, solid performance, however he seems to be remaining in defence, depsite a few CBA’s in the 4^th.

Will Hoskin-Elliott – Played off half back and racked up a lot of it. Kinda interesting to me, one to watch for draft.

Trent Bianco – Was busy as a full-time wing. Looked really good, wouldn’t be surprised to see him in round 1. Probably not, but one for the future.

Josh Carmichael – Actually started at a lot of CBA’s. Doubt he gets into the round one team, or sees much midfield time during the season, but another one for the future priced at just 48 with forward status.

That is all the gossip from the AIA centre following Collingwood’s first preseason run out in 2023!

Jacob J

@Jetcite on Twitter