IT HAS been a long time coming. Nathan Freeman (MID, $170,000) is finally going to make his AFL debut. The Magpie-come-Saint would be the most selected Fantasy Classic bargain player in January/February for the last few years. Persistent hamstring injuries have got in the way of him realising his, and thousands of Fantasy coaches’, dreams.
He will play his long-awaited first game on Saturday night after some cracking VFL form, scoring 100, 117 and 139 in the last three weeks.
Freeman won’t be the only debutant in round 20.
ALL THE TEAMS Get 'em in
Collingwood revealed that ex-basketballer Jack Madgen (MID, $170,000) will replace the injured Jeremy Howe (concussion). Madgen averages 59 at VFL level this year. 27-year-old Ryan Abbott (RUC, $170,000) will suit up for the first time under lights on the big stage of Friday night footy. The ruckman is averaging 89 points from 13 games for Geelong’s VFL side.
While not a debutant, the Sydney Swans will have a spring in their step as Alex Johnson (DEF, $170,000) plays his first senior game since the 2012 Grand Final. The 26-year-old scored 86 in his last NEAFL game and is averaging 58 for the season.
Adelaide welcomes back Brodie Smith from an ACL injury as Paul Seedsman (hamstring) sits on the sidelines.
Fantasy Draft coaches could be reeling for the first week of finals with Dion Prestia (ribs), Shane Savage (hamstring), Tim Taranto (knee) and Dylan Shiel (ankle) among the big names out.
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Get them in
Nathan Freeman (MID, $170,000) is making his long-awaited debut and looks a great option as a downgrade target given his VFL form where he has scored 100, 117 and 139 in his last three games. He has been in the system for years and is ready to show what he can do.
Brodie Grundy (RUC, $759,000) is the fifth most traded-in player this week as many completed teams are taking advantage of luxury trades. For that reason, why wouldn’t you get the best big man in the game, especially given his match up with the Swans who have been giving up an average of 108 points to opposition rucks during the last five weeks. He is averaging 118 and is coming off a nice 147.
Lachie Whitfield (DEF, $728,000) is in sensational form with a five-round average of 117 and a three-game average of 131. He is coming up against the Blues this week who have been giving up a heap of marks to opposition mids and when Whitfield is amongst the uncontested marks, good scores always result.
Move them on
Paul Seedsman (DEF/MID, $433,000,) was one of the most celebrated selections earlier in the year but that has certainly turned pear shaped. He is the number one traded-out player based on his omission through injury, but it is a nice excuse to trade him given his average of 59 over the last five weeks.
Brayden Sier (MID, $301,000) is the second most traded-out player this week, which is fine given he can be downgraded to a basement rookie for a $131,000 profit. Just a heads up to coaches that he has in fact been named and would serve as a handy emergency.
Stefan Martin (RUC, $642,000) is the seventh most traded-out player despite having a sensational season where he has averaged 103. He is obviously part of the Brodie Grundy luxury trade for a lot of well-placed teams.
WATCH: Roy’s Fantasy trades: round 20
Calvin’s Captains
1. Brodie Grundy - No I haven’t lost the plot! Coming off a huge 147, Grundy takes on Sinclair and the Swans this week. He is averaging 118 this year and scored his second-best score of 2017 against them when he had 133. I really like him this week… and why wouldn’t you against a team who has given up 108 points to ruckmen over the last five weeks?
2. Tom Mitchell - Here I am turning my back on a guy who has averaged 168 in his last three, because this one will be much tougher. However, he still sits at No. 2. The Bombers have been the most restrictive team in recent weeks, only conceding 2 x 100+ scores over the last three games and have stated they will put time into our pig this week. He did have 119 on them earlier this year and we should back him in based on form alone… but I have my concerns.
3. Dayne Beams - With 5 x 110+ scores in his last six games at home, expect Beams to be huge again. He had a nice 129 last week and posted 137 against the Kangaroos earlier this year.
4. Andrew Gaff - Just like Beams, Gaff at home is a machine scoring 8 x 100+ scores there from his nine games this year. He had 120 in the most recent Derby and will be huge again.
5. Clayton Oliver - Anyone playing the Suns should have a field day. They’re the easiest team to score on in the last three weeks and considering Oliver had 122 on the Suns earlier this year, he’s a great option here.
WATCH: Calvin’s Fantasy captains: round 20
