THE BYE rounds are challenging enough with a third of the teams enjoying a weekend off, but the bullets keep coming and we are struggling to dodge them.
Port Adelaide defeated the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night in the first of a run of five Thursday night games that Fantasy coaches have to navigate.
Toby McLean was injured in the opening minute of the game and although he managed to play out the match, he was clearly hampered by his shoulder. The second-most traded in player finished on just 48 points. Jack Macrae was averaging the most points of all players heading into round 13, but he didn’t play in the second half after injuring his hamstring. He finished with 44 points and was the seventh-most traded in player before the game.
The Power were magnificent, running away 57-point winners. Seven players cracked the ton including Ollie Wine (137), Tom Rockliff (128) and Chad Wingard (124), who racked up plenty of the ball at Adelaide Oval.
On the selection front for round 13, the good news for Dustin Martin owners is that he is back for the Tigers’ match against Geelong on Sunday. Nat Fyfe (suspension) and Aaron Sandilands (concussion) return to boost Fremantle’s midfield.
ALL THE TEAMS Check 'em out
Following a blistering 186 points for Sandringham in the VFL last week, Jack Billings has been recalled for the Saints. He is still owned by 16 per cent of the competition.
Jarryd Lyons has served his time in the NEAFL and will return to the senior line-up.
Some of the cash cows that were relied upon to play this weekend have found themselves out of favour. Will Brodie, Brad Scheer, Jacob Heron, Scott Jones, Lachie Murphy, Darcy Fogarty, Nicholas Coffield and Ed Phillips have all been omitted from their respective sides. Phillips is one that will sting a lot of coaches. He appears in 27 per cent of teams and with a favourable match up against the Suns, he would have smashed his breakeven of 20 and added to the $206K he made from his first five matches.
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Get them in
Elliot Yeo (MID/DEF, $666,000) is a top two defender for the year, so we need to get him at some stage and it might as well be fresh off his bye. Although he has a breakeven of 119, Yeo has averaged 98 across his last five and is a ‘must have’ defender.
Patrick Wilson (MID/FWD, $170,000) is the pick of the downgrade options, averaging of 100 in the SANFL this year, backing up from 90+ last season. He has been beating the door down this year and finally the 23-year-old gets his chance. He ticks all rookie boxes and should get plenty of opportunities for the depleted Crows.
Ed Curnow (MID, $770,000) is defying the odds and remains one of the elite scorers despite regularly tagging the oppositions best midfielder. He is averaging 116 for the season and is one of only three players to score over 130 on four occasions this year. He has huge numbers historically against the Dockers and will look pump out another huge score this week.
WATCH: Roy’s Fantasy trades for round 13
Move them on
Ed Phillips (MID, $376,000) Has a great breakeven of only 20, but that doesn’t help much after being omitted following a massive second half last week to end on 83, taking his average to 78 in his last three. Given the fact he misses the next two weeks and the struggle to field 18 this week, he may need to go.
Darcy Fogarty (FWD/MID, $291,000) never reached the heights hoped by his coaches after an impressive pre-season, and it’s time to take the $43,000 and run given he has been dropped from the depleted Crows and has the bye next week..
Matt Guelfi (MID/FWD, $428,000) has been outstanding, averaging 74 points and rising $258,000. Although he has become a favourite of his coaches, he may have to go this week in order for coaches to reach 18 and he is nicely priced to upgrade to a premium.
Calvin’s Captains
1. Tom Mitchell - OK … this could be huge. Firstly, the pig is up against the second easiest team for midfielders to score against - Adelaide. Fremantle had 6x100+ against them last week and Mitchell will join the club here. He scored 117 and 125 against them last year and before his bye he was running hot with scores 145, 135, and 149. Look out, I can smell bacon.
2. Ed Curnow - 116, 109 and 136 are his last three games against the Dockers and fresh off the bye, he should be amazing. Averaging a huge 116 for the year, this guy will take some stopping.
3. Gary Ablett - The Little Master's form is heating up with scores of 137 and 119. He scored 120 and 141 against the Tigers last year and at the MCG, he's in a league of his own.
4. Bryce Gibbs - Had 105 on the Hawks last year and chases his seventh straight 100+ score against them this week. They're one of his favourite teams and I expect another ton again.
5. Andrew Gaff - His score of 96 last year on the Swans was his lowest against them in his last six games. Should be great again.
WATCH: Calvin's round 13 Fantasy captains