A COMMISSIONER blunder threatened to derail the annual Fantasy Draft between the Traders and AFL.com.au's finest Fantasy minds.
Ben Sutton, Commissioner for the first time (and most likely the last), told participants that the squad size will be the usual three defenders, four midfielders, one ruck, three forwards and four interchange (3-4-1-3/4).
But it wasn't until midway through the third round that most of us realised something was wrong. Squad sizes were actually set for 2-3-1-2/4. A panicked email and my resignation as Commissioner was quickly sent around to the League.
What followed was a different strategy, but still a valuable lesson for Fantasy players and Commissioners - always check your team structure settings!
Who came out on top and who came out on bottom? You be the judge. Here are the coaches' thoughts on their selected squads.
1. Calvin (The Traders) – Calvinator
Defenders: Sam Docherty (21), Tom Stewart (41)
Midfielders: Mitch Duncan (60), Josh P. Kennedy (61), Seb Ross (80)
Ruckman: Brodie Grundy (1)
Forwards: Devon Smith (20), Jack Steven (40)
Bench: Jonathon Ceglar (81), Wayne Milera (100), Rory Sloane (101), Lance Franklin (120)
Once the indifferent league structure had been realised, I quickly changed my focus and left my midfielders to the very end. You can somewhat run with this strategy in Draft, knowing that there will be plenty of solid averaging midfielders left towards the end, especially compared to other positions. My three on-field midfielders will all average 100+, along with nearly everyone else in my team.
Best pick: The last time I had pick No.1 in a Draft, Halley’s Comet few past Earth back in 1986. We’ll see that again in about 75 years time, so until then… I’ll just enjoy my RuckPig.
The one I missed: Honestly, I missed a few and for some reason opted for more injury prone players. I like durable players in Draft, players I don’t have to monitor every single week.
2. Warnie (The Traders) – Warne Dawgs
Defenders: Jack Crisp (22), Dan Houston (39)
Midfielders: Zach Merrett (19), Patrick Cripps (42), Tim Kelly (59)
Ruckman: Stefan Martin (62)
Forwards: Lachie Whitfield (2), Connor Rozee (82)
Bench: Taylor Adams (79), Nic Naitanui (99), Brad Ebert (102), Hunter Clark (119)
This was my sixth draft I've participated in this pre-season but the first time I had a high pick. Knowing that Whitfield would be available and with what I had learned previously, the MID/FWD was a must-have. We didn't realise that the draft would be so shallow with only 80 players taking to the field each week. This certainly threw me off, but there's every chance my eight players can combine to average 105 this year, which should be enough to call me the premiers. The one positive about a league of this size is that there will be quality free agents available each week and we will be able to make some interesting start or sit decisions based on match-ups.
Best pick: I have Jack Crisp ranked higher than Sam Docherty. When Calvin grabbed Doc in the third round, I had to jump on the guy who hasn't missed a game in five seasons and had epic Marsh numbers.
The one I missed: We recorded a podcast live and I was ready to grab Andrew Brayshaw as my last on-field selection. Captain Hindsight says I shouldn't have mentioned him to Nathan Schmook on the phone at the time as he snapped him up before I could grab him.
3. Jourdan (AFL.com.au Reporter) – Margaret Zerk-Thatcher
Defenders: Caleb Daniel (43), Christian Salem (63),
Midfielders: Lachie Neale (18), Clayton Oliver (23), Travis Boak (58)
Ruckman: Max Gawn (3)
Forwards: Darcy MacPherson (38), Patrick Lipinski (78),
Bench: Dane Rampe (118), Lachie Hunter (83), Ben McEvoy (103), Robbie Gray (98),
Max Gawn has not only the honour of captaining Melbourne in 2020, but he was an easy choice for captain of the Margaret Zerk-Thatcher squad with my first pick. The strategy was to go for best available in the first three rounds, followed by solid forward and defender choices in rounds four through seven and fill out the rest from there.
Best pick: Travis Boak at 58 was too good to pass up. If he can average over 95 this season, you'd absolutely take that in the M3 slot. Patrick Lipinski could prove the best value in time as a speculative selection.
The one I missed: Patrick Cripps was snapped up by the Warne Dawgs at pick 42, one slot ahead of Caleb Daniel. I'm happy with the little jet, but Cripps' ceiling would have really elevated this team.
4. Michael Rogers (AFL.com.au Editor) - Red and Blue Bloods
Defenders: Rory Laird (24), Daniel Rich (57)
Midfielders: Josh Kelly (4), Scott Pendlebury (44), Luke Shuey (64)
Ruckman: Todd Goldstein (17)
Forwards: Christian Petracca (37), Kane Lambert (84)
Bench: Jaeger O'Meara (77), Nick Vlastuin (97), Jacob Hopper (104), Bayley Fritsch (117)
My first three targets were Gawn, Grundy and Whitfield – and of course, all three went before my first pick at No.4. I opted for the smooth-moving Josh Kelly, who looks set for a huge season. Rather than stacking any one line, I went with a strategy of picking a gun in each part of the ground before doubling up. The early ruck rush prompted my Goldstein pick in the second round and I jumped on Rory Laird as my star defender. Some might say Petracca at 37 was a bit of a reach but I'm confident he's going to blow the League apart this year.
Best pick: I'd like to say Petracca but there's every chance that gamble's not going to pay off. In terms of value, it's hard to go past Scott Pendlebury at 44. A ton every week and he's averaged 22 games a year since his second season.
The one I missed: Had every intention of landing Jon Ceglar as my second forward at pick 77 but I got distracted by the TV and found out I'd auto-picked Jaeger O'Meara. Roy swooped four picks later, much to my disgust.
5. Ben Sutton (AFL.com.au Editor) - Wylie's Buzzmen
Defenders: Zac Williams (36), Nick Haynes (65)
Midfielders: Tom Mitchell (5), Marcus Bontempelli (25), Tom Rockliff (56)
Ruckman: Scott Lycett (76)
Forwards: Toby Greene (16), Jordan De Goey (45)
Bench: Sam Walsh (85), Matthew Suckling (96), Gary Ablett (104), Shaun Higgins (116)
Like everyone else, I was also caught out by my own blunder with the squad size. After the snouted-Mitchell slipped to me at pick No.5, I wanted to turn my team in the best sty possible. Giants look like scoring the most points this year so having three in my starting team is no issue. One of the original Pigs in Rocky completes my midfield and adding one of the Fantasy GOATS in Ablett on my bench gives the Buzzmen plenty of big names.
Best pick: Nick Haynes was a bit of a reach in the seventh round, but he is definitely a sleeper. Racked up 14 marks and 113 in his only Marsh Community Series game, which follows on from 118 and 119 in the preliminary and Grand Final last year.
The one I missed: I was happy missing out on the ruck rush with the knowledge I could snaffle Tim English later. But my plans were ruined when Schmook had the same theory.
6. Roy (The Traders) - destROY
Defenders: James Sicily (35), Darcy Byrne-Jones (65)
Midfielders: Jack Macrae (6), James Worpel (66), Jarryd Lyons (75)
Ruckman: Reilly O'Brien (15)
Forwards: Michael Walters (26), Chad Wingard (46)
Bench: Jeremy Howe (86), Steele Sidebottom (95), Heath Shaw (106), Justin Westhoff (115)
Some may say it was my own fault but I still handball (+2) 100 per cent blame on the commissioner for my delayed (round four) realisation that we were rocking with the smallest draft in history. At that point my strategy was too late to change, but was fundamentally sound regardless, going on to finish with a well-rounded squad which, may have a couple of the bench players getting a start in round one hence my depth.
Best pick: My best pick was my first one. The danger of pick six can be that you are hedging into no-man's land and have a big decision to make on the fly but with Jack Macrae making his way into my team, it was truly a gift from the Fantasy Gods. After the way Jarryd Lyons finished last year, we was also a nice slider at 75 to round out my midfield.
The one I missed: I was sitting pretty to land my man Sam Walsh at pick 86, only to have him stolen at 85. It didn't turn out too bad though as I considered taking a punt on Jeremy Howe instead of Darcy Byrne-Jones at 65 but ended up with both.
7. Lee Gaskin (AFL.com.au Reporter) – The Lethal Weapons
Defenders: Brodie Smith (27), Jason Johannisen (67)
Midfielders: Adam Treloar (7), Nat Fyfe (34), Tim Taranto (47),
Ruckman: Jarrod Witts (14)
Forwards: Hugh Greenwood (54), Tom Lynch (Adelaide) (74)
Bench: Luke Parker (87), Brad Sheppard (94), Blake Acres (107), Jack Steele (114)
Getting a quality ruck is always a smart strategy, which is why I went early with Suns co-captain Jarrod Witts with my second pick, and 14 overall. Finding out he's missed the pre-season with foot surgery is a concern, especially since I decided against selecting a back-up ruck on the bench. I paid the price for scrolling too long among potential selections when injured Giants star Tim Taranto came my way via an auto-pick. However, Luke Parker and Jack Steele give me solid cover until he returns. Adam Treloar's a consistent high scorer and worthy of a first-round pick.
Best pick: I'm pretty bullish on Brodie Smith. Taking him in the third round is a bit of a risk, but he'll play predominately in the midfield for the Crows this year. Hopefully, his 34 disposals against Gold Coast last week is a sign of things to come.
The one I missed: Intercept marking king Nick Haynes would have been a nice addition to the backline, but was taken a couple spots before my selection in the seventh round.
8. Mitch Cleary (AFL.com.au Reporter) – Masai's Warriors
Defenders: Shannon Hurn (53), Lachie Weller (73)
Midfielders: Josh Dunkley (8), Matt Crouch (28), Brad Crouch (33)
Ruckman: Sam Jacobs (48)
Forwards: Dustin Martin (13), Jade Gresham (68)
Bench: Jack Billings (88), Jack Martin (93), Sam Petrevski-Seton (108), Hugh McCluggage (113)
No one had a better end to 2019 than Josh Dunkley and if that continues, the captaincy will be sorted. May have gone a touch early on Dustin Martin but felt it was important to get a premier forward in before pairing the Crouch brothers – with a strong focus on Brad in a contract year. Lachie Weller and Jade Gresham are set for breakout years, while I couldn't be happier with the bench. Hugh McCluggage and Jack Billings could be on the ground by season's end and SPS is set for big numbers at half-back.
Best pick: Looking at Sam Jacobs' 115 from round 23 last year, you just know he's capable of rolling in hundreds again. Now he walks into the best midfield in the competition.
The one I missed: Jacob Hopper is set for a monster season given Tim Taranto's absence in the first four months. He was a steal at pick 104.
9. Chris Correia (AFL.com.au Editor) - Serong But So Right
Defenders: Jake Lloyd (9), Nic Newman (49)
Midfielders: Patrick Dangerfield (12), Dayne Zorko (52), Dion Prestia (69)
Ruckman: Rowan Marshall (29)
Forwards: Isaac Heeney (32), Jack Ziebell (72)
Bench: Brayden Fiorini (89), Jeremy Cameron (92), Kade Simpson (109), Rory Lobb (112)
My strategy had to change on the go after only finding out about the 2-3-1-2/4 format following my second pick. I'm banking on Isaac Heeney finally taking his game to another level so I opted to slot him into my forward line with my fourth pick. I was tempted to take Jaeger O'Meara in the seventh round, but I'm expecting his numbers to take a dip with Tom Mitchell returning to the Hawks' midfield brigade. Dion Prestia rounded out my starting midfield after being sold on his finish to season 2019.
Best pick: I'm pretty happy taking Jake Lloyd with my first pick. I made taking the best available defender my priority given there was a plethora of elite midfielders and my next pick was only three selections away.
The one I missed: I was pretty keen to snap up Michael Walters and put him in my forward line, but Roy pounced three picks before me in the third round.
10. Nathan Schmook (AFL.com.au Reporter) – The Dukes of Vale
Defenders: Bachar Houli (30), Jordan Dawson (31)
Midfielders: Stephen Coniglio (10), Andrew Gaff (11), Elliot Yeo (51)
Ruckman: Tim English (71)
Forwards: Darcy Parish (50), Andrew Brayshaw (70)
Bench: Luke Ryan (90), Dylan Shiel (91), Brandan Parfitt (110), Angus Brayshaw (111)
I wanted to play safe at picks No.10 and No.11, taking two midfielders I expect to average above 110. I saw value in a couple of forward sliders, so wanted to go early on defenders with my next picks. I watched as Docherty, Crisp and the Laird were snapped up and had to scramble, eventually reaching for Dawson, although I'm happy with his upside. If you miss the best ruckmen you may as well wait and grab one mid-draft. English is the one with the ability to have a significant bounce in his fourth season and I was eyeing him off around this point. On the bench, I like Ryan's role in a Fremantle side that will be patient with the ball coming out of defence, creating more opportunities for uncontested marks.
Best pick: Elliot Yeo has averaged 102 and 106 in his past two seasons and has the ability to move that higher in a midfield that will have a new dynamic as Tim Kelly draws opposition attention. To get him at pick No.51 was a pleasant surprise and I like the consistency that comes from his tackling and elite ability to win his own ball.
The one I missed: I fully expect Chad Wingard to play as a midfielder in 2020 and I was keen to snap him up after his hot end to 2019. Pick No.50 is where I had him lined up, but destROY got in first at No.46.
