From cheap backline cash cows to premium midfield maestros, The Traders are ready to show you the quick path to NAB AFL Fantasy glory. Over the next 30 days, they'll hand pick 30 fit-for-purpose players for your starting AFL Fantasy squad.
Today, it's the second Beams (or plank, if you like) providing a solid structure for our midfield.
SELECTING fallen premiums is a strategy that should be implemented by all NAB AFL Fantasy coaches. Dayne Beams fits the criteria perfectly this season and is likely to be one of the most selected players.
Prior to 2013, Beams’ Fantasy scores demonstrated an impressive trend. After a debut average of 75.9 Fantasy points per game in 2009, he increased this to 87 the following year, then 101.6 and peaked at 116.4 in 2012.
Fantasy lock-ins: midfielders
- Jared Polec (Port Adelaide)
- Claye Beams (Brisbane Lions)
- Dale Thomas (Carlton)
- Brandon Ellis (Richmond)
His 2012 season was where he demonstrated his true Fantasy ability. After a relatively slow start to the year due to an interrupted pre-season, the midfielder averaged a whopping 121.9 points over the last 18 games. In this time, he posted only one score under 100. That is Ablett-esque form.
Last season Beams played just seven matches with an average of 101.7.
After being named for round one, he was a late withdrawal for the opening game and a persistent quad injury kept him out of the senior side until round 16.
In his first match, Beams scored 80 points thanks to 25 disposals. From there he proceeded to score like he hadn’t missed a beat with 134, 130, 117 and 108 before finishing the home-and-away season with a rare poor game of 48. In the elimination final, Beams scored 125 as the Power brought Collingwood's season to a close.
Due to playing just seven matches last year, Beams qualified for a nine per cent discount on his starting price, so effectively we are able to select Dayne Beams priced at under 100 points per game. Bargain!
Beams has enjoyed a full pre-season, including a strong showing in the opening NAB Challenge match against Geelong that saw him rack up 35 disposals and 109 Fantasy points. He didn’t play in Collingwood’s second game on Saturday, but he should be playing in your Fantasy team come round one.
LOCKABILITY: 5/5
At the end of last season, Beams was a lock. His average had dropped by over 15 points from his previous best and the price discount was the icing on the cake.
All serious Fantasy coaches have locked him away in their midfield as there is minimal risk in selecting the Magpie ball-magnet.
Even if Beams averages 105 points it’s a win but if he can take that back up to 115 plus, then he comes into captaincy calculation and he’ll have a shot at being the highest scoring midfielder of this year. Don’t miss out!
All serious Fantasy coaches have locked him away in their midfield as there is minimal risk in selecting the Magpie ball-magnet.
Even if Beams averages 105 points it’s a win but if he can take that back up to 115 plus, then he comes into captaincy calculation and he’ll have a shot at being the highest scoring midfielder of this year. Don’t miss out!
To discuss #AFLFantasy on Twitter, follow @WarnieDT and the official account @AFLFantasy.
The pre-season AFL Record is the complete guide to the new-look NAB AFL Fantasy football competition. AFL Fantasy experts Warnie, Roy and Calvin (aka The Traders) detail everything you need to know about Fantasy football. There are Fantasy prices and profiles of every player. The 124-page pre-season Record is on sale now at newsagents nationally for $9.95.
