Sam Docherty – Deck of DT 2025

Click here for 2025 Fantasy Classic prices.

Why should I pick him? 

Doc is one of the most inspirational dudes going around, that’s why sometimes we forget how damn good at footy he is! Prior to last season which was ruined by his third ACL in the opening game of the season, the courageous Blue was coming off averages of 102, 110, 99, 71 (vid), 116 and 101 to be one of the most dominant players in the game.

Due to playing just the one game in 2024, he is heavily discounted on his average of 102 in 2023, effectively making him priced at 76, which would be the second lowest average of his career and effectively his lowest since 2013 (discarding the injured 48 last year).

The fact he walked straight into the Blues finals side at the end of the season is great news moving forward as it sets him up for a massive pre season. In regard to that game, he managed 16 possessions, three marks, two tackles and a goal for 67 points from 74% TOG but more importantly, he got through unscathed.

Lets look back to the 2023 season where he managed 23 games, coming off 22 the season prior. He spent the season demonstrating his versatility, with stretches spent at half back, in the middle, on the wing while also having a run off half forward, scoring well in all roles. He scored an elite 11 triple figure scores for the season that averaged out at 119 to show his elite ceiling.

With many predicting Doch will start the season as a wing following the Blues off season moves, his form in that position in 2023 was certainly fruitful enough to justify a bargain selection considering he averaged 99 in his six games playing there  including impressive returns of 113 and 124.

Unfortunately, I am not part of the coaching staff at the Blues (Hopefully one day) but I would love to see Doch play the half back role similar to Zorko who recorded his second highest average of his career last year with 110 (his highest in seven years). Doch basically invented this role in 2017 and it’s only become easier to play since then. I understand the Blues have a number of capable half backs and although it sounds disrespectful, none of them come close to having Doc’s class, poise and courage. In that season, he basically made playing in the back line cool again, not only averaging 117 but hitting scores like 130, 132, 132, 143, 143, 149, 152 and 159 along the way… Yes, I know, ridiculous.

Further to my cry for a half back role, as much as I love Nic Newman, Doch would be a huge upgrade as the defensive distributor and as we saw with the Lions, it’s a vital role. Newman isn’t blessed with Doc’s skillset but still averaged 126 in the last five games, taking double figure marks in three of those games and getting a heap of the ball which included 20+ kicks in four of them.

When splitting hairs among the value mids in Doch’s price bracket, the fact he doesn’t play an early bye strengthens his justification as a low risk selection to get through the bye period at the very least.

He is a chance to get DPP based on his versatility.

Doch could be a huge Draft slider. If your league opponents are relying on sorting by average, he is going to be available to round out your midfield with huge upside.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

I wish the Blues had the luxury of playing him in Zorko’s role but the reality is they need his class further up the ground. Coming off the 2023 season, Doch had remarkably recorded career highs in scoring shots, goal assists and inside 50s, all areas the Blues were crying out for last year.

The elephant in the room is the fact he has to be selected as a midfielder and there are a number of value options in a better age demographic, not to mention a number of rookie cash cows I hold high hopes for.

Three ACL injuries and a 31 year old body is always a hard sell and high risk.

The fact he is not priced at the 48 average and you can’t understand why that’s the case.

The Blues don’t play the same game style as they did in 2017, they are playing to win, not protect the score.

Deck of DT Rating.

QUEEN

The fact is, regardless of what position he is playing, Doch is under priced, the only questions being by how much and is that enough? He has had a great pre season to this point (making opponents look silly at times in 1 on 1 drills) and he is still a genuine star. The fact he isn’t available down back, is 30+ and has a history of ACL injuries are all legitimate concerns, but he is a gun player, simple as that, tough as nails and a gun. Given his price, it’s certainly no walk up start but if you have considered picking him and then wondered if you are an idiot for doing so? I can tell you, you are not. If I get my wish and he is playing half back in round one, he would be a member of destROY, without a second thought.

Roy

The most successful DTer out of the boys prides himself on his multiple top 200 finishes... nearly as much as he prides himself on his guns! The coach of destROY wants you to follow him on Twitter: @RoyDT.