A COUPLE of big names could come to save some AFL Fantasy Draft teams in the preliminary finals this weekend.
Nat Fyfe returns for the Dockers after missing the last few games with a hamstring injury. First year teammate Bailey Banfield is the other inclusion for Fremantle. In-form MID/FWD David Mundy has been named despite not flying with the rest of the squad on Thursday for the game at Geelong. The club said he will be on another flight after completing his university commitments.
ALL THE TEAMS Check 'em out
Draft coaches who selected Michael Barlow with one of their early selections (he had an average draft pick of 31 in the pre-season) have been frustrated by his non-selection all season. They will be stoked to have him in for the preliminary final… that is if they (a) held him and (b) weren’t eliminated earlier for the bust selection that Barlow has been.
Barlow’s NEAFL form has been outstanding. He has averaged 42 disposals and 153 Fantasy points for the Gold Coast reserves.
The Tigers, on the flipside, may test the depth of some Draft benches with Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia both missing Friday night’s blockbuster due to hamstring injuries.
Ryan Abbott comes in to ruck for the Cats and Hugh Goddard in defence for the Saints. They are the pick of the bargain-priced players this week.
After just two games, Nathan Freeman has been omitted for the Saints.
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Get them in
Gary Ablett (MID, $698,000) is the number one traded-in player this week with coaches increasing their confidence the little master won’t have a rest given Geelong’s ladder position. He is coming off an impressive 152 and has mouth-watering match ups in the last two rounds against the Dockers and Suns at the Cattery. He is still owned by less than eight percent of the competition and is a perfect target.
Jack Macrae (FWD/MID, $724,000) is the second most traded-in player as coaches are chasing the big boys for the all-important Preliminary Final. He has a three-round average of 121 and a huge ceiling with a top score of 155 for the year. He is priced at $8K less than his original price due to injury and has a dream match-up with the Blues where he may push a new season high.
Alex Witherden (DEF, $654,000) is the best backline upgrade option considering most teams now have the top five. He has a five-round average of 105 and a great match up this week against the Suns, who he scored 123 on earlier this year. Coincidently, last week he also scored 123 and should be in that range again.
Move them on
Josh Kelly (MID, $744,000,) is predictably the most traded-out player after not coming up from his concussion. It is unfortunate for his coaches given the star’s 111 average for the season, but at least it has been named up front as opposed to being a late withdrawal.
Paul Ahern (MID/FWD, $437,000) is part of plenty of upgrade trades, making him the second most traded out player. He has increased by $267K so he will give coaches plenty of choice when selecting an option.
Heath Shaw (DEF, $561,000) found some great consistency in the back half of the season and became quite a popular trade target as a result. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending knee injury on the weekend and is now the third most traded-out player.
WATCH: Roy's Fantasy trades for round 22
Calvin's Captains
1. Tom Mitchell This could be something special. St Kilda has given up 18 x 100+ scores in the last three weeks, the most in the competition. Our beloved pig scored 147 against the Saints earlier this year and after his lowest score of 130 in his last five games, I’m very confident of something over 150 this week.
2. Jack Macrae - Brace yourself because Macrae could be massive and must be in your team, possibly carrying the big “C” if you are trying to be a little unique. He has scored 145, 123, 101, 109 and 113 in the only five games he played against the Blues over his career. He loves playing under the Etihad roof and hasn’t gone under 107 there in his eight games this year.
3. Dayne Beams - Anyone playing the Suns is a target and Beams looks the goods here. 87 and 143 are his last efforts against Gold Coast and let’s not forget what Oliver (154) and Brayshaw (143) did to them two weeks ago.
4. Patrick Dangerfield - He plays one of his favourite teams and has averaged 132 against the Dockers in his last three games. Dangerfield is in hot form with scores of 126 and 128.
5. Matt Crouch - Crouch will have a day out here just like the Dogs did last week where three players had 40+ disposals. He scored 116 against the Kangaroos earlier this year and is running hot with scores of 106, 134 and 123.
NOTE: If Patrick Ryder is OUT, then Brodie Grundy will slot straight into #2 on my list.
WATCH: Calvin's Fantasy captains for round 22