A FEW big names will be missing this week, forcing the hand of AFL Fantasy coaches with their trades. The Crows’ injury curse continues with Matt Crouch joining his skipper Taylor Walker on the sidelines for Friday night’s match against the Bulldogs.
The good news for those holding slow-burning cash cows Lachlan Murphy and Darcy Fogarty is that they’re back in to generate some dollars ahead of the bye rounds.
Owners of Lance Franklin, Dan Hannebery, Scott Pendlebury and Marc Murphy in Fantasy Draft should see a boost in their score this week as they return to the field. The frustration of drafting Blake Acres continues as he is out once again with a groin, while potential top-eight midfielder Ed Curnow will serve a one-week suspension for contact with an umpire.
It’s time for the mid-priced ride that is Jaeger O’Meara to end as he will miss with a calf injury.
Selection news for the Bombers is mixed. Michael Hurley is out with a hamstring injury and popular rookie Kobe Mutch has been rested. Matt Guelfi has been named for his fourth match which is sure to please the 16 per cent of the competition with the 20-year-old in their squads.
Essendon has named two players to make their debut in Saturday’s Country Game at the MCG. We’ve been waiting for ball-magnet Dyan Clarke (MID/FWD, $170,000) to earn his place in the senior side after seeing his junior numbers where he averaged 121 in the TAC Cup. This year in the VFL the 19-year-old is averaging 126 after an impressive 134 last week thanks to a 38-disposal game.
Jordan Ridley (DEF, $170,000) doesn’t have the same Fantasy credentials, but comes into the side following 96 points last week for the Bombers’ reserves.
Saint Bailey Rice (DEF, $170,000) and Hawk Mitch Lewis (FWD, $170,000) will also make their debut in round nine.
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Get them in
Ed Phillips (MID, $203,000) is a must trade if you didn’t grab the Saints youngster prior to his debut last week. He carried on the outstanding form he has been displaying in the VFL with 24 touches and five tackles and looks set to be in the same mould as Tim Kelly, blink and he will be on the verge of $500K. With many coaches still playing rookies in the midfield, his 86 and match up with Collingwood this week make him a prime candidate. He has a break even of -13.
Dylan Clarke (MID/FWD, $170,000) has been tearing up the VFL and finally gets his long overdue opportunity for the Bombers. The way the team is travelling, Clarke will have every opportunity to hold his spot if he can show a fraction of what the ball magnet has been doing. I am not usually a fan of a double downgrade, but weeks like this make complete sense with two genuine cash cows ripe for the picking. He is the sixth most popular trade in this week.
Tom Rockliff (MID/FWD, $526,000) The newly crowned DPP appears to be back after attending 19 centre bounces for the Power, and collecting 31 possessions as a result. All aspects of the pig looked to be back in gear, triggered by role and his intent to tackle once again. Personally, I will wait until he has completed his bye, but he will certainly be more expensive as he carries a low break even of 73 into this game against the witches’ hats. He is the fourth most traded in player.
Move them on
Bailey Banfield (MID, $386,000) has slowed his scoring on the back of 47 and therefore his money-making capacity is drying up. That’s why he is the most traded-out player, most likely going down to one of the cheap cash cows, or on the other end with an upgrade to a premium. He has increased by $216,000 and has certainly done his job, not missing a game all year. He has a break even of 58.
Tom Doedee (DEF, $428,000) speaking of a legendary rookie who has done their job, Doedee has increased by $258,000, but his scoring has really dried up of late resulting in a $2K drop last week. With the recently announced DPP’s there are plenty of reliable upgrade options which makes him the fourth most popular trade out. He has a break even of 70.
Aaron Naughton (DEF, $342,000) has quietly done a reasonable job on the bench, providing a reliable emergency while increasing by $88,000 since the start of the year. Unfortunately, he left last week’s game early after succumbing to an ankle injury which will see him sidelined for a number of weeks. Due to this, he is this week’s second-most traded-out player.
WATCH: Roy’s Fantasy trades
Calvin’s Captains
1. Jack Macrae - 155 and 150 are Macrae’s last two scores and this week he travels to play the Crows. A daunting task, yet in recent weeks the Crows have allowed Rockliff (127) and six of his team mates to score 100+ and prior to that Curnow (137) and Thomas (123) scored well for Carlton, and Lyons (131) and Swallow (130) top scored for the Suns.
2. Tom Mitchell - We forgive you Tom… on one condition. GO BIG! Yes he had just 58 last week, but this week he is up against the Brisbane Lions who Macrae (155) had a field day against last week. Our pig scored 132 against the Lions last year and surely he bounces back in a big way after having his lowest score since wearing a green vest in 2014.
3. Adam Treloar - Four Fremantle players had 30+ disposals last week against the Saints and I’m tipping this ball-magnet will be set for another big day against them as well.
WATCH: Calvin’s Fantasy captains for round nine
4. Nat Fyfe - Plays one of his favourite teams in the Swans and has scored 100+ in six of his last seven against them. Could be tagged by Hewett, but loves the SCG where he has scored 107, 114 and 116 in his most recent games there.
5. Brodie Grundy - Only player in the game who has scored 100+ in the last seven weeks. Up against Hickey, expect this big gun to fire once again at Etihad Stadium.