The Weekend Wash-Up – Carnage Edition

Well. What a round. I don’t really know what to say about that, let’s just get straight into it. It should be a ripper. It’s time for the weekend wash-up!

LEGENDS

Gawn (134) – Best ruck in the comp by a mile, what’s amazing is how easily he gets it done. It’s an effortless 130. Incredible. It was a great start to the weekend… What happened.

McGrath (123) – We need to have a conversation… 4 kick ins, 31 touches, and probably unlucky not to have a medal. He was bloody everywhere. Now averaging 94, Andy is just unlucky there’s so many defenders.

Merrett (123) – What more is there to say? The most reliable gun in the game.

Martin (113) – Awesome score and an awesome performance, but Nic was WAY too good when moved forward in the last. It’s something to monitor, his magnet will definitely get thrown about after that effort. He’s a jet.

Green (127)  – Tom Green absolutely dominated, the last few weeks were just a blip on the radar. Speaking of radars, he’s at the top of mine this week.

Kelly (121) – The equation is simple. If you don’t tag him, Josh Kelly will dominate the game. He’s elite.

Callaghan (108) – Will be an absolute gun. Hopefully he doesn’t break out too much this season, I’d love to see him in my team in 2025.

Whitfield (105) – After being on 77 at the start of the third this feels slightly underwhelming, however he sat last quarter. This could have easily been a 130, the main thing is he looks awesome. 71% TOG will be 85% next week.

Wines (113) – His former owners must feel sick, but I wouldn’t worry about it. You’ll sleep better without him. Having said that…. He was awesome after Rozee went down. Immense last quarter.

Burgoyne (112) – Remember the name. Not Shaun, not Peter, Jase… Playing off half back, he was deadset awesome. 0 kick ins and the perfect fixture has to be flagged, but he looks like a solid 80 guy.

Wilson (92) – I disrespected Darcy, and I shouldn’t have. He is a straight up gun. My favourite stat of the round was the ground he covered, 16.1k’s?!?! 1.7 km’s more than the next best on the ground, and he’s 18 years old. It’s not quite Tom Scully areas, but it’s elite. 91% TOG, huge tick.

Sheezel (125) – The Sheez did his thing, but having watched this whole game let me raise a small flag. He moved forward of centre in the second half… Only 3 CBAs, but he wasn’t getting cheapies off half back and didn’t have a kick in. It resulted in a 47 point second half, one to monitor. Obviously you just enjoy the ride…

Dawson (122) – He’s so back. Having locked up the 3 votes before the final quarter, Daws actually sat the final 16 minutes. This resulted in 73% TOG and ruined what was a lock 140+, potentially even a b2b 150. I have been a Dawson hater all year, but he snapped into action after half time last week. He would be my number 1 target, he could be a 120 dude… Elite.

Laird (121) – Nicks cares more about Rory chasing the pill than trying to win games apparently. We love Lairdy though, and he was back in the main 4 man rotation in the guts. Gun.

McKercher (109) – Hold onto your butts. Colby turned into Sheezel 2.0 after that role switch. 12 KICK INS!!! I haven’t got much right this year, but backing Colby in after his 2 was a rare W for me. If this role sticks, look out… LEGEND!

Cripps (117) – Patty did it again! What a bloody dominant performance. He has been huge this season.

McKay (117) – Hello? Wayne Carey?! Holy sh*t. The best key forward in the comp. I get that we have always wanted midfielders in our forward line, but here’s the thing. This year they’re all terrible! Why do I have Tom Powell when I could have Harry McKay? Embarrassing stuff. We need to be more flexible as fantasy coaches and it’s on us to improve.

Guthrie (104) – I was watching Cam Guthrie closely on Saturday, fully expecting him to be running through the middle. What I didn’t expect is to see him racking up off half back! Bizarre stuff, but an option for sure.

Miers (106) – What a player… And another serious option. Maybe we should just try picking players in the forward line based on ability rather than role? Picking good footy players, what a concept.

English (141) – Sweet Jesus… Tim English was back to his absolute best. Primed for the picking.

Dale (134) – Bailey Dale… The GOAT? It’s a disgusting role, and he has to be a serious option. We have defenders coming out of our ass, but not all of them have scored 300 points in the last 2 weeks priced at mid 700’s!

Aish (118) – I apologise James Aish, I wasn’t familiar with your game. He killed Jordan Clark for most of that game, but he was awesome. Triple double alert.

Fyfe (118) – Fyfey! How bloody good. I said before the season he will have a game like this, despite the fact he will average 20 handballs a week for 80 points. The thing is… We’ll kill for an 80 average. Top 6 forward? I’m just saying.

Witts (135) – Where has this come from? I guess he was playing the Eagles, that’s where. Baz Williams straight back to earth.

Rowell (122) – Loves grass… Loves footy even more. He’s averaging 104! You love to see it. Genius pick.

Flanders (112) – Role held, and it is bloody disgusting. Huge tick.

Blakey (132) – The lizard hates Errol and seems determined to avoid him and prove he’s the best kick in the team, but this was some performance. Gun.

Gulden (120) – Whilst it was looking like one of his 150’s at quarter time, I’m still a very happy owner. He’s a walk up 110+ guy. Here’s a stat for you. From this point onwards last year, Errol averaged 127. Make of that what you will.

Moore (114) – Yes he’s still half forward, but let’s face it there are no midfielders in the forward line… The bigger factor is that he’s priced at 707. Dylan Moore barely got mentioned last week, and I actually have him ahead of all those targets. A walk up 90+ average.

LOSERS

Baker (83) – You’ll notice a lot of relevant players in this list…. Baker’s role was unfortunately all over the shop. He was awesome in the middle during the first quarter, so go figure why Yze decided to put Pickett (15), Dow (8) and Graham (4) into the CBAs. Just 10 for Baker, and that’s not enough. Under utilised. No sh*t a good player is flexible, bizarre stuff.

Petracca (74) – Is there even a price when we’re interested? I don’t think he’ll get low enough to tempt me, but jesus it has been horrendous. Melbourne’s entire midfield need a rocket.

Oliver (65) – Clayton is genuinely about to be a mid pricer. Two years ago he was close to the best player in the competition. This has to turn around at some point… Right? Maybe the PEDs have worn off…. Call me an idiot (and it would be fair) but I’ll be grabbing him straight away when I see a ton.

Caldwell (71) – This is a win for the washup maxis. We couldn’t have been more against Caldwell, and no it’s not his fault. But he has done this to us before. 7 CBAs!!! You couldn’t have foreseen Stringer ruining his ANZAC day, but the writing is on the wall when Setterfield and Perkins come back. I guess 70 is actually pretty solid up forward these days.

Neale (62) – Washed watch. HUGE washed watch. $762k and still overpriced. Disgusting.

Zorko (62) – Christ amen… The poor score is one thing, it’s the all over the shop role that has to be ringing alarm bells. 40% defender, 37% forward, 23% midfield. Mixed bag of sh*t. He’s still comfortably a top 6 forward, but he’s too expensive.

Marshall (73) – What a genuine…… I won’t say it. What do I even say here? Was it a knee knock? A knee knock?! I thought his MCL had torn off the bone. Is he brave for playing on? A complete coward for making a meal of it? Did he aggravate an old injury? The fact that there wasn’t any footage of what actually happened makes me think something might have been up. Either way, I spent over $1 million for 60’s and 70’s. Totally embarrassing. Get him out of my sight and out of my team. Tell your story walking champion.

Rozee (89) – Friday night was a total train wreck. I actually had a recent experience with one of these minor hamstring tweaks. I felt fine at the time but knew it was slightly strained, so I gave it one week. I was running without issue midweek so I called myself good to go. As you can imagine, I pulled it reaaalllll good first play 2 weeks later. Now granted, I couldn’t be further from a professional athlete and my recovery won’t be nearly what Rozee does, but he won’t play next week. And he should miss 2 weeks. Given the carnage, that might be a trade.

Steele (72) – If you see Steele walk out to play with that knee strapped, turn the TV off. He’s cooked. It was flagged during the week and our worst nightmares came true. Oh boy. No good.

Garcia (41) – Let’s just say I’m concerned…. 13 CBAs was great. Ability was not. It will be a nervous wait come Thursday, but we may have another bench rider.

Simpkin (40) – I’m sorry CAPTAIN, but this guy is utterly useless. 19 CBAs, 14 disposals, 3 clearances. Well done bud. One too many head knocks I reckon.

Phillips (30) – Straight up, Will Phillips might be close to the worst AFL player I have ever seen? That may sound harsh, and it is. But I think Clarko has had a few too many head knocks to give this poor bloke 13 CBAs. Go dominate the VFL Will.

Powell – Where does this Kangas nuffy talk come from? Tom Powell. Clearly their most improved player this season. Finally in his natural role. What do we do? Throw him into a forward picket. Incredible, genuinely insane stuff. 3 CBAs. Now yes, playing up forward doesn’t mean you walk around for 120 minutes playing dodgeball. However we always say it, when you go into a sh*t role, play badly. Tom may have just taken it a little too far… He could be back in the guts and back to being a top 6 forward next week. He could also score 40. What a game.

Holmes (96) – This is just me being greedy, but just give me this rant please… IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR ONE TON?! Holmesy could be on 99 midway through the third and he would go backwards. That last quarter was embarrassing. I still love him, but he’s testing me…

Dempsey (50) – Ollie started like a house on fire and the sub rumours were a distant memory. Then I think he got the vest after Q1. I liked his wing role over the forward role, but maybe that was a misread. He was stuck on the dead wing over the last 3 quarters Jez Sharp style, but I reckon he still looks good. Maybe I’m just deluded. Extremely disappointing, but it’s the forward line. What are you meant to do??

Brayshaw (87) – Andy’s not fully fit apparently? After a knock in round 2??? Just a little bit of injury transparency would be fantastic. I guess that’s why he had -2 in the final term. NEGATIVE TWO. The Will Minson memorial weekend.

Jackson (61) – Last mention for blanket until Sean Darcy’s inevitable soft tissue injury. He has got to go.

Sharp (39) – It was a good run, but that run has come to an end. Thank GOD Jhye Clark was dropped, otherwise I may just have fielded Sharp over McKercher. And I wouldn’t be here to tell the tale.

Kelly (50) – Quick break from fantasy ranting so I can complain how sh*thouse Tim Kelly is. He genuinely can’t kick. Then you add in the Eagle’s bottom 10 and it’s a miracle they win a game at all. That alone shows how good Harley is…

Grundy (72) – Lastly and most certainly least, the ‘Ruck Pig’ *vomit emoji* saved face with some bullsh*t junk. This was really a 57. A slight bit of justice for me trading him, sadly it was to an even bigger baby. An extra point for Marshall this week though! Always knew what I was doing….

THIS GAME SH*TS ME

Honestly what doesn’t sh*t me? Let me be clear, there was a LOT of coaches that had it a lot worse off than me this week. However best 18 made me forget what is easily the worst thing about this game… Rookie roulette. How was I to know Darcy Wilson would become prime Andrew Embley away against port?! I cannot get a 50/50 call right. Dempsey and Garcia combined for less than him in total… So I guess I played with a donut? What a joke. This game sh*ts me.

THE OTHER BITS AND PIECES

2129. That moved me inside the top 6k! What an embarrassing outfit I have. I think it says a lot about the quality of my team that in a week where all the top coaches struggled, my team shined. Just don’t pick good players, it’s easy!

As far as my team goes, I honestly like it. It still feels like a case of so close so far every week, and Rowan Marshall is just a straight up ******* disaster isn’t it. He goes for me this week, I can’t be dealing with him hobbling around any longer. The question is, does he go to Tim English, proven 120 average elite ruckman and a keeper for the year. Or does he go to Jordon Sweet. You know the answer already. I’m a moron.

Marshall -> Sweet

Sharp -> T.Green

I’m gambling that Sweet can put up mid 80’s plus until his bye, make a bunch of cash and basically take a rookie off my field while banking some cash and bringing Tom Green in. Expect this to end up in flames and a cracking article to go with it. It’s all about the content at the end of the day.

As always thanks for reading legends, hopefully we could put a smile on a few sad faces on this week’s podcast! Give it a listen, I promise you’re not alone. Cheers for all the positive feedback this week from those that have listened, we see it all and appreciate it massively. See you all next week, hopefully in a better mood!

Matt