AAMI First Take: Dees v Tigers, Dogs v Hawks

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Three quick takes from each club. Listen to the podcast for more! This was originally published shortly after the game finished on Patreon.

Click here for Melbourne v Richmond match report featuring Fantasy Watch.

Click here for Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn match report featuring Fantasy Watch.

1. Caleb Windsor (DEF, $565,000) was off to a blistering start, scoring 41 in the first quarter. He finished with 56 for the game before the match was called off due to lightning in the third. He ended up with the most CBAs for the Dees and the role looks there (also in the middle was Rivers, Steele, Kozzy and Sparrow sharing the load, Langford came off the wing and got a little look in there). It’s enough for me.

2. Jack Steele (MID, $1,006,000) is in plenty of teams and there isn’t a reason to take him out. He’s their main man in the middle, top scored with 62 that deatured his trademark tackling (7 for the ‘game’). Lock and load.

3. Trent Rivers (DEF, $865,000) could be an option for some in Classic, but you’ll see some value in Draft if this midfield time continues – as he swaps out to half-back. His ADP of 101 makes hims the 27th DEF off the board and looking at names ahead of him, he would knock a few off

1. Sam Cumming (MID, $326,000) injured his shoulder, so we’re probably putting a line through him now. They’ve said he’ll have scans on the shoulder that was already strapped up pre-game. Retschko didn’t play either, so there’s another Tiger to move out of your team if you haven’t already.

2. Sam Lalor (FWD, $567,000) ticked all the boxes for role, but those stat watching in the first would have been disappointed with his 9 point first term. He followed up with 17 and then 16 in a fast start to the third when he had two kicks, three handballs and a mark.

3. Jayden Short (DEF, $913,000) loves a praccy game and he was the top scorer with 79 going at over a point per minute. We saw some defenders find points for the Tigets with Banks getting 50 from 42% TOG and Broad 65. Keep Grlj on the radar as a rookie option down back.

1. Tim English (RUC, $1,162,000) had put his hand up as the ruck that is going to stick his middle finger up at the ruck rules! 131 points thanks to 23 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 2 goals and 28 hitouts (Meek 24, Chol 13). He’s not going to have a buddy with him. He’s a machine. Maybe even some value? That round 3 bye hurts, though.

2. Connor Budarick (FWD, $506,000) is in that awkward price range, but if he can score 81 playing down back in the Dogs’ system, we have to consider. If you are keen on hitting a FWD for that price, someone playing in defence – that can take half-a-dozen marks like Bud could be an option.

3. Lachie Jaques (DEF, $230,000) will hopefully be there for Opening Round and into Round 1 when we need him. Basement priced. Hit 63 points from 79% TOG. 16 disposals, 5 marks. Let’s hope he can earn some cash on our backline bench.

1. Connor Macdonald (FWD, $714,000) hit around 40% of the Hawks’ CBAs with the rest of his time playing forward. Is that enough? It’s probably the magic number… but it is nice coupled with his 86 points (22d, 1m, 4t, 1g). There’s upside on his 68 average and unlocks a bit in the forwardline if you can go with this. I’m in.

2. Jai Newcombe (MID, $907,000) isn’t really a legit option for me, but maybe you can consider in Draft as he goes better than the 86 he has next to his name from last year. He had six tackles and four marks to go with his 28 touches for 98 points (78% TOG). I got sucked in watching this while we drafted and took him in the eighth round. Oops. He may be suspended… watch this space.

3. I just don’t know about the Hawks in general. There were plenty of bodies going through the middle – outside of Newc, no one was over 50% CBAs – the next 5 had between 30-50%. Sa, Mitchell was on SEN and talking about how he was being called a troll. Funny! I don’t think he knows what the midfielders are and we could see a bit going on there.

Warnie

Co-captain of DT Talk since we started this thing in 2007. Best finish was 13th in 2009... that was a long time ago. Follow on Twitter: @WarnieDT and follow on Instagram: @warnedawgs.