Defenders
Corrective Trades
Unfortunately Josh GIBCUS copped it early and was barreled out on 19. It’s definitely long term so he’ll have to go.
Zach REID might also join Gibcus if the mail is bad. Got subbed off for “hamstring awarness” so should be alright. If he is though, I wouldn’t be fielding him. Firmly bench material.
Must Haves
Massimo D’AMBROSIO. Wow, wow, wow. Credit to the 9% of coaches who weren’t dissuaded by the high sharing economy at the Hawks. 29 touches, 13 contested and just some really smart play. Easy solve for Gibcus and safe on field. Can get away with not doing it straight away though.
If you didn’t start Nick DAICOS and Harry SHEEZEL, you’re not playing SC. 30 plus for both and integral to their respective sides. Get on it.
Question Mark
He’s in a decent enough role and looks slim but Zac WILLIAMS 51 the other day was underwhelming. No need to panic, ride him out, but probably don’t need to rush around to bring him in if you passed. Got a bye this week as well.
No need to panic but James SICILY opening with a 43 was undoubtedly disconcerting as a starter at 600k plus. Price maintenance might become an issue but just chill out for now.
Nic MARTIN was absolutely baking early. Heaps of touches, a shot at goal and a good HB role. However, his DE and decision making was frankly appalling. Can chalk it up to the day but honestly doesn’t look like he’s fully grasped distribution from a defensive starting position just yet. Too aggressive, too audacious and the self-imposed impulse to go quickly cost him too often in what should have been easy, uncontested hand offs. Add to the that, the Dons backline is filled with gulls in Heppell, Redman and McGrath. Finished with 25 at 56%. Role good, so not a issue just yet, but use and economy are a concern if you’re planning on him as an LT D6.
midfielders
Corrective Trades
Jyhe CLARK was a total bum with a nothing performance against the Saints. 13 touches, 2 FAs, 30% DE and 59% TOG. Feels annoying to waste a trade but really doesn’t look like he’ll do much. Give him till the bubble and see who else is poised to make coin.
Must Haves
Jack CARROLL has done a 65, now a 74 and looks solid. Plays off a limited tank and low TOG but is receiving midfield exposure. Perfect to correct a rookie after his bye next week, so becomes a must have on that basis.
Same deal for Matt ROBERTS. Not the most obscene scoring but the midfield rookies are looking pretty thin and he’ll play. Once he grows in confidence his scoring will improve as well.
God. What have I done. Touk MILLER. Had concerns about his R0 status and the Suns midfield profile going forward under Hardwick but the competition’s best two way runner is just getting it done. At just 545k, it should be maneuverable with boosts.
Like I said, with the MID rookies actually looking paltry, yeah, Colby McKERCHER will also be a must have and one you can’t fade. Even with all the cooks in the kitchen down back for North, he looked far less jittery compared to his AAMI showing and asserted himself with 22 touches and 8 marks.
Question Mark
Ryley SANDERS was quiet and subbed for just 43 and not much to show for it. Still a reputed talent in a good side for a young midfielder so don’t want to write him off just yet. At a price that will allow for you to move to any must have rookies though.
rucks
Question Mark
Really hard to decide how to play this one: Brodie GRUNDY. His effort was unquestionable against the Pies but he got covered in the HOs, didn’t have any midfield synergy at his disposal and was either errant or absent around the ground. We can’t immediately write him off because seven days prior he slapped Maxxy and is still obscene value. That said, there’s a bunch of Swans and Suns bordering on must have status and it’s apparent there’ll be rucks who cover him.
forwards
Must Haves
Isaac HEENEY ripped another nice one: 29 touches, 13 contested, 2.2 and 136. At sub 500k and 24% ownership, it’ll be hard to bet against his form, role and popularity.
James JORDON is now has two 80s in his cycle and hasn’t even done that much. Will be capable of tonning in a high use and outside ball generation side. Super stable on field and one you’ll need if you’re FWD line is a little jumbled.
It also looks like we’ll need Sam FLANDERS. Really good outside injector and fourth MID in tandem with a very strong Suns midfield engine room. Can be done after his bye but does look like he’ll be a must have.
It’ll be pretty nice to have Aaron CADMAN as an F8 slow burn. Two nice opening scores relative to the opponents and has West Coast next week. Should already have him.
Question Mark
Ugh. Zac FISHER. What a dud. Played in a good role but just found none of it and was poor in his positioning, use and defensive orientation. There was plenty of economy to go around, which Sheezel and McKercher capitalized on. It seems 2/3 of them will pop each week, leaving potatoes for the other. BE 92.
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Gibcus will have to go, Z Ried will probably come back via the VFL if he is out for a few weeks. Backs are pretty hard to find this year, most will have the same line Daicos, Sheezel, Housten, or Sicily (when he comes back), Ambrosio then rookies. Bramble at Bulldogs a difficult price at $292K but scored 107 and Pearce at Freo $328 for 108 points possible PODS
Luke Ryan looks pretty good to me. Been scoring well for a couple of years now.
And NEVER misses a game.
A little harsh on Jye Clarke. Not a great score, but proved he can get the ball on his own. He’ll learn from this and only get better. Just becomes a slow burn now.
Yes, he’s a hold and watch for me as that 13 drops out of his cycle in three weeks. If you dump now and he goes bang bang then you’ll be wanting him back for Rd4. JS/sub risk is always there with Mannagh lurking however you’d hope they’d (even Scott) want to get games into a top 10 draft pick in his third season sooner rather than later.
Jhye Clark
“As soon as I saw the news yesterday that he signed (for) two years, I was very quick to send him a message and congratulate him,”
“His start to his career hasn’t been smooth sailing, so the resilience that he’s shown and the character that he has is really top class.
“He’s only scratching the surface of his talent, and I think we saw out there on Saturday night the hardness that he brings in and the honesty that he plays the game with.
“He’s a great teammate, and he’s a really, really good kid.”
Tom Stewart
Let’s hope he learns real quick.to scratch a lot harder.
13 possessions from 59% game time not good enough for you?
He had a tough night with DE, but that won’t always happen. He’s actually a lovely kick.
Give the kid a second game, surely.
Little harsh? Very harsh.
Looks like the writer didn’t watch the game. He did enough to stick with unless some other unpicked kid is blazing.
Calling it now, this will be Clarks worst game/score for the year – minus sub effected games ofc. Kids a jet
No love for Matt Rowell? I got sucked into the Round 0 score and ‘started’ with him on the weekend and feel vindicated about going big red over Touk.
Now if only I’d stuck to my guns and kept Ryan over Sicily…
Yeah im not seeing much excitement – im also really pleased. Was a preseason target and r0 convinced me and feeling vindicated so far. Even if he doesnt get huge possession numbers he has quality and tackles to support his score. I feel like he could be a really top performer all season.
I understand people happy with touk but rowell for a little more has more upside imo.
Gibcus to Cadman (via DPPs) a no brainer.
Is it worth dropping Z.Williams and Fisher to get Heeney? Alternatively, does Young go for Heeney for just the one trade?
Or is Libba worth selling with a large breakeven and to allow a large warchest next week?
Nic Martin out for Heeney?
Wouldn’t mind giving Martin a second chance but heeney seems like a must have, and can’t really find another way to do it.
Tom Berry 100 this week, 83 average, on the bubble.
Cadman has the advantage of not being into a bye next week, unlike Berry, if you don’t have him. Should go big this week against WCE.
No love for Ollie Dempsey and his 96? Can wait a week until he’s on the bubble.
Cadman has the same bye as berry, no?
Zac Fisher was popular. Did coaches who picked him consider him to be?
TU: Potential F6 (average 90+)
TD: Merely an expensive cash cow
Is it worth trading out Sanders to bring Billings in?. Struggling to find room in Mid/fwds for those ‘must haves’.
If Naicos scores his career ave against his next 2 opponents (Bris-Hawks) he will drop about 75k cheaper before his bye.
IF he equals his low scores against those teams he will be 125k cheaper
If he equals his high scores against those teams he will only be about 25k cheaper
equally as likely as Naics dropping 125k
If Cripps matches his career highs in his next 3 (138, 139, 152) he will increase 125k unlikely I know but, he beat his career high against tigers in rnd 1 and he has north next then Freo at Adelaide and crows at marvel so it’s not as unlikely as it sounds if he plays with the intent that he had against Brisbane.
If those 2 scenarios (Daics low-Cripps high) eventuate Cripps owners could downgrade him to Daicos after Daics bye and make $125k