The Stream Team – Round 18

Hi, all. Sorry for the sabbatical last week, but have you seen the weather in QLD compared to my home state of VIC around this time of year? It’s other worldly! I had to get away, but now I’m back to the misery that is the Melbourne winter, so I’m holing up with a cuppa and combing over some stats to bring you the streaming suggestions you missed last week – hoorah!

Anyway, the purpose of this article is to suggest one-week streaming options for draft leagues. Each week, I compile a team of lowly owned players (<40% ownership) that are worthy of a one-week pick-up-and-play, helping you fill any gaps you may have in your starting squads.

But first, let’s see how I went last round:

HITS

Jacob Farrow (84) – pretty good stuff from the kid, considering how the Bombers played. Roberts is set to return soon, but you can hold him until further notice

Ben Keays (74) – it’s a pass for your forward line, just.

MISSES

Cam Mackenzie (36) – I didn’t see this game, but his 66% TOG may have contributed. I’m still shocked given the matchup…

Just FYI, I consider a miss <50 in any position, so scores in the 50s and 60s don’t get a mention in this section, but man, I had so many lacklustre scores in that range last week. In my defence, I did some pretty half-assed research while I was waiting for my nachos at a pub…

Here are the lowly owned players that I like as stream targets for Round 18 (ownership % taken from AFL Fantasy):

DEFENDERS

Zeke Uwland (18%) vs. Adelaide – the ghost-ships must be setting sail, because 18% ownership for a guy in this role who’s coming off a 146 is ludicrous to me. The Crows are a neutral matchup, but with this guy’s junior numbers, he’s well worth a stream here.

Sam Banks (26%) vs. Melbourne – I own this guy in 2 leagues and I’m giving him one last chance because the matchup is nice here. He got a knee knock which may have hampered him last week, and a bounce back is more than possible here, because he’s got the chops.

Rory Lobb (2%) vs. West Coast – the matchup is great for general defenders, but the added bonus here is the possibility of points from hit-outs now that English seems to be cooked. It’s a risky one – one only recommended for deeper league players.

MIDFIELDERS

Levi Ashcroft (35%) vs. Essendon – do you even need to ask?

Kane McAuliffe (10%) vs. Melbourne – the matchup is average, but I liked the look of this bloke in his return last week. He only played 68% TOG which may or may not be increased this week. I’m a McAuliffe fan when it comes to fantasy, it must be noted; he’ll be fantasy relevant some day, just watch!

Joel Fitzgerald (9%) vs. Richmond – his TOG could be higher, but this guy is a ball magnet and could still put up a nice score in your M6-7 slot. Ignore the Blues’ scores against the Tigers last week – normalcy will be restored this week.

Dylan Stephens (31%) vs. Collingwood – he has shown the ability to hit triple figures this year, and has one of the best matchup for wingers there is. If you’re in a shallow league and need to replace a stud, Stephens is a sturdy stream.

RUCK

Ned Moyle (29%) vs. Adelaide – FINALLY, a ruckman suggestion I actually believe in (sorry, Nick Bryan). The matchup is neutral here, but Moyle had 49 hit-outs against Darcy Cameron last week and scored 98, which can’t be ignored. As long as Witts is out, Moyle is an absolute Shoe-in this week!

FORWARDS

Lachlan Bramble (4%) vs. West Coast – a nice matchup against the Eagles and the absence of Connor Budarick are the reasons I’m suggesting this roughie. You can play him in defence as well thanks to his DPP status.

Darcy Byrne-Jones (32%) vs. St. Kilda – Farrell is a test this week, just FYI, but the matchup here is great and DBJ is coming off a tasty ton against the Roos last week. Like Bramble, he can be run as a forward or a back.

Cam Rayner (18%) vs. Essendon – I mean, you can pickup any Brisbane forward that is available on the wire, really. Rayner knocked out his first fantasy hundred of the year last week, and had a serviceable 71 the week before that. I can’t see this stream failing you unless he (and the Lions) decides to take it easy on some insipid competition.

Alrighty, we are back to a fully researched article as opposed to a half-drunkenly curated tweet, so expect better things from me this week! Hit me up on X for any streaming queries you may have.

Adios!

Matty Faz

I like draft-style fantasy footy, frisbees and the Simpsons.