THE THIRD and final round of dual-position player additions has rolled out across the NAB AFL Fantasy Classic, Elite and Match Day platforms.
Adding to the players who gained a new position prior to rounds six and 12, a further 18 players have earned dual-position status this week.
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DPPs are awarded based on the roles certain players are undertaking each weekend that may differ from their originally assigned position in January. Players already named as DPPs will not add a third position.
Using heat maps, centre bounce numbers, where players line up throughout games and other relevant statistics, the team at Fantasy HQ works closely with Champion Data to facilitate the changes.
It is important to note that multiple sources of information are used for the DPP additions and heat maps alone don’t always paint the full picture, as discussed on The Traders’ podcast (below).
Since round 11, Ryan Griffen has been predominately playing in the defensive half with 68 per cent of his disposals gathered there. 34 per cent of his disposals have been won in the defensive 50.
Justifying his DPP, Griffen has been lining up on the half-back line and has attended just 19 centre bounces since his role change.
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If he can keep up his five game average of 98, at $468,000, Griffen would be a great buy as a player in the mix to be one of the top six defenders for in the last six weeks of football.
Steve Johnson is in line to be inducted into the Fantasy Hall of Fame. The Geelong star is coming off the back of the two best Fantasy seasons of his career averaging a competition high 118.3 in 2013 and 108.2 last season.
This year he is averaging 80.5, his lowest since 2006, mainly due to the time he is spending in the forward half. Stevie J has been awarded forward status which will please some long suffering coaches who have him in Elite.
After spending some time on the sidelines with a knee injury, Jimmy Bartel has picked up where he left off as a midfielder and therefore adds MID to his originally assigned FWD status. Although he is best value as a forward, the flexibility he now has makes him a valuable member of any Fantasy team.
At $488,000, it is about as cheap as we will see the star Cat this season so jump on board now.
Out of favour Mathew Stokes has split his time between the wing and forward line. He is an interesting case as quite a few of his possessions have been gained in the back half yet his heat map doesn’t quite show his complete story from game to game.
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Quite a few bargain picks this season have enjoyed position upgrades.
Magpie Jordan de Goey, Sun Andrew Boston along with Demons Alex Neal-Bullen and Angus Brayshaw were named as midfielders in January when Fantasy opened. Looking at their games this season, these players have spent enough time forward to all be listed as FWD/MIDs for the remaining six rounds.
Follow the heat maps of your Fantasy players with the AFL Live Pass. Subscribers have access to interactive features and exclusive stats in the app’s ‘Coach’ section.
Player | Was | Now | The Traders' verdict |
---|---|---|---|
Patrick Ambrose (ESS) | FWD | FWD/MID | Lining up on the wing and pushing forward |
Jimmy Bartel (GEEL) | FWD | MID/FWD | Very handy to switch the star Cat through the midfield when needed |
Andrew Boston (GCFC) | MID | MID/FWD | In the games he has played, the wing and forward line has been his home |
Angus Brayshaw (MEL) | MID | MID/FWD | Played every game this year and handy flexibility in deep Elite teams |
Jordan de Goey (COLL) | MID | MID/FWD | 63 per cent of his disposals are gathered in the forward half |
Shaun Edwards (ESS) | DEF | DEF/FWD | Kicked a goal in all but one match this season. Handy DPP link |
Ryan Griffen (GWS) | MID | DEF/MID | The big one and has to be considered at his price for a defensive spot |
Cale Hooker (ESS) | DEF | DEF/FWD | A swingman in the truest sense of the word to help in Elite sides |
Jeremy Howe (MEL) | DEF | DEF/FWD | Able to play at both ends and we have seen him up forward a lot this season |
Ben Jacobs (NMFC) | MID | DEF/MID | Tagging through the midfield. Adds flexibility to Elite. |
Steve Johnson (GEEL) | MID | FWD/MID | Helps those who have him in Elite. Consider as F6 or even on the bench |
Alex Neal-Bullen (MEL) | MID | FWD/MID | Clearly he is predominantly playing in the forward 50 |
Gary Rohan (SYD) | DEF | DEF/FWD | Adds flexibility |
Matt Rosa (WCE) | MID | DEF/MID | 69 per cent of disposals in the back half and has potential to score 90+ |
Mathew Stokes (GEEL) | MID | MID/FWD | Playing from the wing through to the forward line |
Matt Suckling (HAW) | MID | DEF/MID | Has snuck up forward and can be now used with other DEF/FWD links |
Lewis Taylor (BL) | FWD | FWD/MID | Playing as a midfielder and spending a lot of time further up the ground |
Jack Watts (MEL) | FWD | FWD/MID | Racking up multiple possessions through midfield |