Tim English – Deck of DT 2025

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Why should I pick him?

Sometimes when evaluating fantasy selections, we like to look back several years to find a player’s career-best season (cough Jack Macrae cough). However, with Tim English, we only need to rewind 12 months to just before last season.

In 2023, English was the highest-scoring player in the entire competition, averaging an impressive 118.7 points per game. That’s a higher average than Rowan Marshall in both 2023 and 2024. In fact, English posted the best fantasy season by a ruck since Brodie Grundy’s 2019 campaign—all at just 26 years old (only six months older than Xerri was last year). When playing at his best, English combines an elite ceiling with a remarkably consistent floor. In 2023, he had just one game below 90 points and recorded 14 games of 110 or more, with eight of those surpassing 130. How’s that for a captain option?!

Some attribute English’s dip in 2024 to the change in ruck rules, but that’s only part of the story. His hitouts dropped from 31.2 to 27 per game, accounting for just 4.2 of his 14.1-point overall decline. His hitout win percentage fell from 39.5% to 36.7%, which could be linked to the rule change. Additionally, the Bulldogs’ total ruck contests dropped from 102.7 per game (2nd in the competition) to 97.7 per game (6th). If the Bulldogs return closer to 100 ruck contests per game, English’s hitout numbers could rebound, even if his win percentage remains stable.

However, the most significant difference between English’s 2023 and 2024 seasons was his disposal count. In 2023, he averaged 19.1 disposals per game, but this fell to 16.5 in 2024—lower than even his 2022 numbers when he averaged 100 fantasy points. The drop was substantial: in 2023, he had 12 games with 20+ disposals; in 2024, he managed just two. This decline in disposals played a major role in his scoring drop.

Looking ahead, the early-season absence of Adam Treloar could work in English’s favor. With Treloar’s 110 points per game missing from the team, those points will need to be redistributed. The Bulldogs are also set to be without Jason Johannisen, Liam Jones, and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, while Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae, and Caleb Daniel departed in the trade period. Especially early in the season, the Bulldogs may rely more on English to accumulate disposals, providing potential upside given his discounted price. Additionally, the loss of Ugle-Hagan may prevent Sam Darcy from taking on a pinch-hitting ruck role, as he will be needed in the forward line.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

When a player’s average drops by nearly 15 points in a single season, fantasy coaches want a clear reason for the decline and confidence that it will be corrected. However, English’s drop-off in 2024 doesn’t have one obvious explanation, making it difficult to predict a full rebound. The new ruck rule remains in place for 2025, and there is also the lingering threat of Sam Darcy potentially stealing some ruck time.

English has never been a dominant hitout ruckman, nor does he rely on tackles like Tristan Xerri. Instead, his scoring depends on accumulating disposals, which can lead to fluctuations in output. This reliance on disposals is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it means he isn’t as dependent on game script and ruck contests; on the other, it makes his scoring more unpredictable based on matchups.

Finally, English has had another interrupted pre-season, which is always a concern—especially when investing over $1 million in a player. That said, not all pre-season injuries are equal. Last year, Tristan Xerri suffered a facial injury around the same time of year, while English himself missed the first practice match of 2023 with a hamstring issue. Both players went on to have massive breakout seasons, proving that early setbacks don’t always spell disaster.

Deck of DT Rating.

King

A few weeks ago, English may have been rated as a Queen, but recent developments have shifted the landscape of ruck options. Rowan Marshall is dealing with a “not a stress fracture” stress fracture in his pelvis, Sean Darcy is ruled out to start the season, Marc Pittonet expects to share ruck duties with Tom De Koning, and even Max Gawn has had pre-season interruptions.

English boasts a higher proven ceiling than any other player in the game, and even if he only regains half of his 2023 peak, he’ll still be a strong premium ruck option. He offers a slightly cheaper alternative to the traditional “set and forget” rucks while still having the potential to compete with the top two or three in his position.

At just 7% ownership, English could be a season-defining selection. If you’re looking for a unique pick to separate your team from the pack, choosing a player who regularly posted 120+ scores just one season ago might be the way to go.

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Mitch Casey

One half of the Ball Boys AFL Fantasy Podcast duo