AFTER a round of weekday footy, we have four games over the weekend as round 11 continues through to Wednesday.
The two NSW teams have a bye this round – GWS and Sydney – and if you’ve got players from either side, you will need to make any changes involving them before the first lockout of the round (4.35pm AEST). Giants and Swans will be locked, therefore Fantasy Classic and Draft will need to move them, trade, captain, emergency, etc as the round begins.
TIPS AND TRICKS Fantasy advice for the condensed fixtures
Prices for players with a bye score attributed will changed based on their allotted average score for round 10.
As we saw with many of the round 10 teams, players are being managed throughout these condensed fixtures. There were 49 changes for the seven games last round, an average of 3.5 per team and more are predicted this week due to injuries and the shortened time frame between games.
Round 11 match times, and therefore lockouts, as below. Be sure to plan your trades ahead and only make the moves that you need. For the condensed fixtures (rounds 9-12), teams are announced at 6.20pm AEST the day prior to matches.
If possible, only trade out or in a player in the last hour before their lockout as final teams with late changes are announced one hour before the bounce. Stay across social media for the important late mail.
Saturday, August 8
Port Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACST
Brisbane v Western Bulldogs, Gabba, 7.40pm AEST
Sunday, August 9
West Coast v Carlton, Optus Stadium, 1.35pm AWST
North Melbourne v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm ACST
Monday, August 10
Geelong v St Kilda, Gabba, 6.10pm AEST
Fremantle v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium, 6.40pm AWST
Tuesday, August 11
Adelaide v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval, 6.05pm ACST
Wednesday, August 12
Gold Coast v Essendon, Metricon Stadium, 7.10pm AEST
Byes: Greater Western Sydney, Sydney
BUY
Taylor Adams (MID, $775,000) - The Pies' hard-working midfielder is having a sensational season, but it’s fair to say his best work was done in the absence of Adam Treloar. He bounced back to top form on the weekend with 111, coincidentally, Treloar’s game was cut short.
Clayton Oliver (MID, $877,000) - The Demon ball-magnet continued his outstanding run of form with an impressive season high of 131. That gives him an average of 113 over his last three games and he is still a unique option with just six per cent ownership.
Tom Rockliff (MID, $749,000) - The Pig is back, and provides a very tempting trade target given he is owned by just one per cent of the competition. He has returned to the side with 10 and 15 tackles respectively for scores of 102 and 103.
Also consider: Jack Steele, Dustin Martin, Tobe Watson.
HOLD
Brodie Smith (DEF/MID, $652,000) - The hard-running Crow has been one of the most consistent defenders over the last seven weeks with just one score under 70 and highlighted by an impressive 107. He looks a good chance to return from a minor knee complaint after missing last round.
Max Gawn (RUC, $920,000) - The star Demon has been one of the standout players this season. Until injury struck prior to his last game, he was on an eight game streak of scoring more than 97. He pushed through against the Crows for an equal season low 73.
Marlion Pickett (MID, $442,000) - Just when it looked like the Grand Final hero’s money making had dried up with scores of 45 and 33 within a three-week period, he bounced back with 64 and 65 to give him a break even of just 22 against the Power.
Also consider: Bradley Close, Jake Aarts, Jack Crisp.
SELL
Adam Treloar (MID, $816,000) - Unfortunately Treloar has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. He looks set to miss at least a couple of matches and is a must-trade. The positive news is that he is listed as the fifth most expensive midfielder and therefore the options are plentiful; look at the premiums listed in 'buy'.
Dan Houston (DEF/MID, $608,000) - The versatile and talented Power star has been consistent without being outstanding this year but his role the last few weeks hasn’t produced the scores we need with three scores under 70 in his last four. It may be time to move him on following 41.
Brandon Starcevich (DEF/MID, $350,000) - The young Lion has been an outstanding cash cow and most importantly held his spot for every game this season. He is averaging 40 points per game over the last three weeks and his break even is 42 against the Dogs.
Also consider: Connor Budarick, Darcy Cameron, Sam Mayes.
Calvin's Captains
In AFL Fantasy your captain scores you double points for that week. Here are Calvin’s top five picks for you to consider.
No. 1 – Clayton Oliver v Kangaroos @ Adelaide Oval
Oliver is one of the hottest players in the game at the moment averaging 113 in his last three games. The Kangaroos didn’t tag any Geelong players last week as they went on to have three players score over 90. Oliver had 112 in this game last year and will be very hard to stop.
No. 2– Taylor Adams v Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
So far this year, Adelaide have been the easiest team to score Fantasy points against and in round nine, the Kangaroos had three players score over 115 against them and last round Clayton Oliver scored a massive 131. Adams is coming off 111 from last round and with Treloar on the sidelines, Adams will step up the plate like he has so many times before.
No. 3 – Jack Macrae v Brisbane @ Gabba
After not hitting triple figures in the first seven rounds, Macrae has now achieved the feat three times in a row. Brisbane have been the fourth hardest to score against this year though but his previous scores of 151, 98 and 155 against the Lions indicates he will be fine.
No. 4 – Steele Sidebottom v Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
With scores of 83 and 101 since returning from suspension, Sidebottom will join the group of high scoring players who have feasted on the Crows this year. Ben Keays could give him some attention but he didn’t do a single role last week as Oliver went ballistic, which means Sidebottom should be fine.
No. 5 – Lachie Neale v Bulldogs @ Gabba
Neale’s score of 88 last week is below what we have come to expect from a man averaging 105 which amazingly was his second lowest score for the year. But be warned, the Bulldogs are not one of his favourite teams as he has failed to hit a ton against them in his last four games. That changes this week though because his form can not be denied.
Best of the Byes
Over this period when a player is on their bye, you can lock in their average as a captain’s score before the round starts, but only if they have played the week before. If you would like to secure a captain score and not gamble on the big names above, the best five options are listed below.
Tim Taranto 87
Jake Lloyd 87
Luke Parker 87
Josh Kelly 86
Lachie Whitfield 83
Stephen Coniglio 81
Get expert advice from The Traders throughout the season in the Fantasy Hub. Follow AFL Fantasy on Twitter and 'like' the Facebook page to join in the conversation.
