"I look forward to something different each week, pinch-hitting in the midfield or floating forward or back. It just suits me not to be pigeon-holed."
Lions fitness coach Lachlan Penfold has made special mention of Brennan as one of the players to have made the most improvement over summer, setting strength and endurance records.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
With Drummond out of the lineup in the early rounds of 2007, Brennan produced for fantasy teams as the Lions' centre half back. Later in the season he had a few big games for fantasy stats as a forward.
More time in the middle would mean a consistent amount of possessions for Brennan, he would also bring in a lot more marks than most midfielders. A midfield role could increase Brennan’s per game numbers by 4 to 6 possessions.
With Bradshaw returning to action this season, that could mean Brennan isn't needed in the forward line. If Drummond, Merrett and Patfull have the back half under control then the midfield could be the right spot for Brennan in 2008.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Cameron Bruce
Brad Green
Jeff White
Nathan Jones
James McDonald
Brock McLean
Brent Moloney
Russell Robertson
Ricky Petterd
Jared Rivers
Paul Wheatley
Aaron Davey
Matthew Bate
Cale Morton
David Neitz
Lynden Dunn
Daniel Bell
Michael Newton
Colin Sylvia
Jack Grimes
Adem Yze
Nathan Carroll
Chris Johnson
Clint Bartram
Addam Maric
Brad Miller
Matthew Whelan
Simon Buckley
James Frawley
Jace Bode
Kyle Cheney
Ben Holland
Paul Johnson
Tom McNamara
John Meesen
Mark Jamar
Isaac Weetra
Matthew Warnock
Colin Garland
Biglands was going to be part of the possible 2008 SuperCoach team that will be posted here in the coming days. It doesn't seem like he had a major setback here and will still be the Crows' top ruckman this season.
Biglands did not participate in Adelaide’s full-scale competitive session on Wednesday, but trained indoors with fellow comeback kid Trent Hentschel.
Once Biglands returns to the field, Maric and Griffin are expected to fight for the second ruck spot left vacant by Ben Hudson, who has joined the Western Bulldogs.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
While Biglands should be ready for round 1, knee injuries can be difficult to recover from so there is a chance Biglands isn't at his best at the start of the season. If the Crows have to go with Maric and Griffin in the ruck it might provide fantasy teams with some new options. Griffin showed last year he can also kick goals when he is playing in the ruck so he would be the better player for fantasy teams. Along with Maric the Crows also have Brad Moran, with his running ability he has the potential to be a very good fantasy ruckman.
Some players have a "sophomore slump" in their second year of AFL, but last season Dale Thomas and Scott Pendlebury were superstars in their second year of AFL.
This post will predict which couple of players at the clubs will explode, in terms of stats and media coverage, in their second year of football, and also shows how the 2006 AFL draft is looking for the teams.
Richmond - Connors and Edwards
These two could make the biggest jump, in going from players who just had a small look at AFL last season to becoming key parts of an improving team in 2008. Add in Riewoldt, and the Tigers have something to look forward to in 2008 as their second year players could be the key to a big jump up the ladder.
Brisbane - Leuenberger and Proud
They have the best young ruckman in the AFL, and Proud is also an exciting prospect for the Lions.
Geelong - Hawkins and Selwood
J Selwood has already won a lot of things, but 2008 could be when Hawkins makes his mark on the league.
Port Adelaide - J Westhoff and Gray
These two already got a head start, as their first year in the league was far above expectations, so they won't explode in their second year but they will still improve a bit.
Melbourne - Petterd and Frawley
Petterd was only stopped by injuries last season, so he should have a big 2008. Frawley is a chance to win a spot in their back line, as his main competition for the full back spot has been suspended.
Essendon - Gumbleton and Hislop
It might be easier for Hislop to have a breakout season as the midfield there only has Stanton and a couple of players who can't kick. Gumbleton should play plenty of games, but his playing time and role may be minor unless injuries hit some of their veteran talls.
Carlton - Gibbs and Grigg
Gibbs was a big disappointment in 2007, a lot of that was due to the coaching and his teammates, but there was also the way that Gibbs went after the ball. The pressure is off now so Gibbs should have a much easier time. Grigg could be in the running for a spot at half forward.
Collingwood - Goldsack and Brown
The Magpies had the best duo of second year players last year, and the ones this time around will also be quality. Goldsack and Brown could be their new generation of tall defenders. Reid and Dick may also play a bit in 2008 too.
West Coast - Brown and MacKenzie
The Eagles didn't need extra height last year but if they do go bigger this time then second year players Brown and MacKenzie are ready to play.
Hawthorn - Renouf and Thorp
The Hawks could add these two to their back line, instantly going from being a bit undersized among their defenders to having a lot of height. Thorp is also an option up forward.
Western Bulldogs - Everitt and Lynch
Everitt and Lynch can provide more run for the Bulldogs, and Everitt also brings height and kicking skills.
Kangaroos - Hansen and Thomas
Hansen is above average in all the categories that can be measured, with his athletic abilities and height, so he should become a regular in their side soon. The Kangaroos are slow so Thomas is someone they need in their team, but he does need to be more accurate in front of goal.
Adelaide - Sellar and MacKay
There are plenty of spots available in the Crows' forward line, Sellar should get his chance this season. MacKay might be introduced to the back line during 2008.
Sydney - White and D O'Keefe
The Swans need to bring in some younger players, that could mean that recent draftees Bird and Veszpremi play in 2008, while second year players Jesse White and Daniel O'Keefe are options to help in the forward line.
St Kilda - Allen and Armitage
Armitage needs to get going this season, or the word bust will be used as the Saints picked him very high in the draft. If Armitage and Allen, or Howard, do show a lot of improvement in 2008 it will help the Saints get deep into September.
Fremantle - O'Brien and Mourish
They used their draft picks at that time to acquire Tarrant, which has not been very beneficial so far. Only O'Brien is still on their main list, Mourish was delisted but then added to the rookie list.
LEADERSHIP CATEGORY $1900.00 plus gst
Tarkyn Lockyer, Josh Fraser, Nick Maxwell, Scott Burns and Scott Pendlebury
KEY PLAYER CATEGORY $1700.00 plus gst
Shane Wakelin, Brodie Holland, Alan Didak, Shane O’Bree, Simon Prestigiacomo, Ryan Lonie, Heath Shaw, Rhyce Shaw, Dale Thomas, Ben Johnson, Anthony Rocca and Travis Cloke
TEAM PLAYER CATEGORY $1550.00 plus gst
Leon Davis, Paul Medhurst, Dane Swan, Tyson Goldsack, Harry O’Brien, Martin Clarke, Sean Rusling and Chris Bryan
PLAYERS OF THE FUTURE $1350.00 plus gst
John Anthony, Shannon Cox, Chris Egan, Nathan Brown, Ben Reid, Danny Stanley, Ryan Cook, Chris Dawes, Brad Dick, Alan Toovey, Sam Iles, Brent Macaffer, Sharrod Wellingham, Cameron Wood, Kevin Dyas, Jaxson Barham, John McCarthy, Luke Casey-Leigh and Tobias Thoolan
The Crows are going to be a team undergoing a lot of changes as they enter the post-Ricciuto era. Jason Porplyzia wants to change too, from a half forward marking target into a midfield player.
In a determined bid to break into Adelaide's high-quality midfield unit, Porplyzia - with Rhett Biglands and Ben Rutten - has been undertaking simulated altitude training.
If successful, keeping up with Carlton superstar Chris Judd won't seem such a daunting task.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Porplyzia could be a forward who becomes a midfield tagger, like Cameron Ling. One part of Cameron Ling's game that stands out as a tagger is his ability to kick a goal. The player he is tagging decides to have a short break from the action and leaves the middle to go the back line, Ling follows and is comfortable playing as a forward and can grab a quick goal, helping his AFL team and a lot of fantasy teams. If Porplyzia can play this role for the Crows, he would also be someone who could become a goal-kicker while still following an opponent. In the middle of the ground, Porplyzia would also be a better player than many midfielders in the air, so a few marks would help the fantasy points too.
If Porplyzia can get minutes in the midfield it will make him a much better player for fantasy stats. It could mean he splits his time between the forward line and the midfield, so while still producing some goals and marks he would also increase his total possessions with time on the ball.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Daniel Harris
Brent Harvey
Adam Simpson
Jesse Smith
Daniel Wells
Hamish McIntosh
Jess Sinclair
Drew Petrie
Corey Jones
Andrew Swallow
Brady Rawlings
Daniel Pratt
Shannon Grant
Eddie Sansbury
Michael Firrito
Joshua Gibson
Nathan Thompson
Scott McMahon
Levi Greenwood
Lachlan Hansen
David Hale
Matt Riggio
Aaron Edwards
Leigh Harding
Leigh Adams
Lindsay Thomas
Ed Lower
Sam Power
Shannon Watt
Matt Campbell
Robert Tarrant
Leigh Brown
Gavin Urquhart
Scott Thompson
Todd Goldstein
Ben Ross
Ben Davies
Ben Warren
Josh Smith
Maybe they just wanted to use the word Potchefstroom, but there is news out of Potchefstroom that Collingwood's John McCarthy, the 31st overall selection in the recent AFL draft, is impressing the coaches and might be an inclusion in their NAB Cup team. A good game there and he might be on his way to a spot in their round 1 team. Although maybe his form in Potchefstroom won't be continued when he leaves Potchefstroom.
Coach Mick Malthouse declared John McCarthy, a promising midfielder from the Dandenong Stingrays, was right in the mix for selection for Collingwood’s NAB Cup clash with the Crows in Dubai on February 9.
Malthouse said the Magpies were “delighted” with all their draftees and hinted a few might get their chance for some serious ground time against the Crows.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Two things that fantasy coaches should remember, Collingwood have played a lot of first year players during the past couple of seasons and their drafting has been as good as any team around. So McCarthy, might see some action in 2008.
Collingwood might want to move some regulars from half back into the action in the middle, so a spot could open up in the back line so that might be why Collingwood are experimenting with McCarthy in the back half. He is only a fantasy sleeper at the moment, but he could be someone to remember when selecting a fantasy bench player, especially if he is position eligible as a fantasy defender.
There is some football back on the television, the Northern Territory games. You might see some players who were unlucky and they just missed out on being drafted, a few former stars of football sometimes play there too.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Sam Mitchell
Luke Hodge
Brad Sewell
Jordan Lewis
Grant Birchall
Lance Franklin
Clinton Young
Chance Bateman
Rick Ladson
Mark Williams
Brent Guerra
Xavier Ellis
Shane Crawford
Trent Croad
Campbell Brown
Jarryd Roughead
Stephen Gilham
Michael Osborne
Ben McGlynn
Tim Clarke
Tim Boyle
Robert Campbell
Stuart Dew
Beau Muston
Danny Jacobs
Josh P. Kennedy
Mitchell Thorp
Thomas Murphy
Cyril Rioli
Garry Moss
Travis Tuck
Jarryd Morton
Simon Taylor
Beau Dowler
Max Bailey
Brendan Whitecross
Brent Renouf
Zac Dawson
Luke McEntee
With the AFL fantasy season about to start, check back for regular AFL Fantasy Player Notes.
Collingwood are looking for a big defender to help Wakelin, Goldsack and O'Brien. Chris Dawes and Nathan Brown will have a chance in preseason to win a spot in the team.
UNTRIED youngsters Chris Dawes and Nathan Brown will be given opportunities in the Collingwood backline as the club begins life without the man once considered crucial to its success, James Clement.
Both are in line to be used in key defensive posts in Collingwood's NAB Cup match against Adelaide in Dubai on Saturday week.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Brown played a lot more in 2007 so he must have the advantage over Dawes here, he would also have played more as a defender during his career. Dawes did have some exciting VFL games, when he returned to action after overcoming his knee injury, so he may also be ready for AFL.
There would only be room for one of them in the Collingwood team, and that would seem to be Brown, but the preseason games might change things. Dawes is someone who would be suited to playing in Rocca's spot, so if Collingwood need to replace an injured Rocca during 2008 it could be Dawes that they choose and not Reid.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Chris Grant - He has been a huge part of the team and they will struggle to replace what he did. Skipper was the best they had when it came to a tall forward to kick to, he might help fantasy teams again or maybe McDougall finally reaches his potential.
Matthew Robbins - They have added a bit more size as Scott Welsh replaces Robbins as a leading forward. Welsh is going to be a useful player for fantasy teams.
Jordan McMahon - McMahon going away frees up a few more possessions for another player. Everitt might have 5 more possessions per game than he did in his first season of AFL. Griffen is another Bulldog who should do more this time than in 2007.
Cameron Faulkner - Faulkner ended up being just another Bulldogs' draft bust. Someone who is going along a bit better is Higgins and he could be ready for a breakout season, Higgins could add 5 to 7 more possessions per game than he had last season and he will also kick a few goals.
Luke Darcy - Ben Hudson is now on the team and will be their number 1 ruckman. Hudson gets a good amount of hitouts, and also works for the ball at ground level, so he will again be a solid fantasy ruckman.
1 Sydney
Darren Jolly (5)
Peter Everitt (7)
Daniel Currie
What makes the Sydney pair great is that they can both be on the ground at the same time. While Everitt was always a capable forward, Jolly has also added goals to his repertoire now. They both bring height and strength, and teams find it difficult to combat the two of them for an entire game. Both were top 10 in the AFL for hitouts last season, which is a key part of Sydney’s strategy to win games. He doesn’t really play in the ruck now, but it should also be said that Adam Goodes is another player that Sydney can use as a different type of follower. Currie and White are a couple of young players who may help Jolly when Everitt retires in the future.
2 West Coast
Dean Cox (2)
Mark Seaby (14)
Josh J Kennedy (48)
The Eagles probably have the best ruckman, and his backup might be a bit underrated too. Cox does everything, and is the most important player the Eagles have. Seaby really showed he is a quality AFL ruckman when he assumed the number 1 role when Cox missed a few games last season. Seaby then was able to help in the forward line when Cox returned. The only other tall ruckman at the Eagles is Sullivan who is a rookie. Brown or Kennedy might be other players the Eagles look to for a few minutes of backup ruck work.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Gary Ablett
Jimmy Bartel
Joel Corey
Paul Chapman
Darren Milburn
Cameron Ling
Cameron Mooney
Brad Ottens
Matthew Scarlett
Andrew Mackie
Steve Johnson
Joel Selwood
Corey Enright
Tom Hawkins
James Kelly
Mathew Stokes
David Wojcinski
Josh Hunt
Tom Harley
Matthew Egan
Max Rooke
Kane Tenace
Mark Blake
Shannon Byrnes
Nathan Djerrkura
Jason Davenport
Tom Lonergan
Travis Varcoe
Ryan Gamble
Brent Prismall
Simon Hogan
Scott Simpson
David Johnson
Harry Taylor
Trent West
Adam Donohue
Dan McKenna
Nathan Ablett
Dawson Simpson
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Chris Judd - Players like Rosa, Embley and A Selwood might get a few extra possessions with Judd gone.
Rowan Jones - Hurn is someone who might average a few more possessions in 2008. Last season Hurn had around 5 fewer possessions per game than R Jones did.
Daniel Chick - If he has a healthy season, Nicoski could be a big help to fantasy teams. With Chick out, Nicoski could play in his spot. The Eagles may also decide to go bigger in the back line now, as there were times that Chick played on a tall forward, and that could mean Graham or MacKenzie become regular players.
Mitch Morton - Ebert might get a chance to play a bit in 2008, possibly in a role that the Eagles did try Morton in.
Ben Cousins - Priddis stepped into his spot last season and will be a star fantasy player again in 2008.
Ashley Sampi - They don't really have an effective small forward, but Armstrong or Wirrpanda could be their best option and one or both might help fantasy teams with some goals and possessions.
Ranking the teams' ruck divisions. The numbers in brackets indicate where the players rated for total hitouts in 2007.
3 Port Adelaide
Brendon Lade (1)
Dean Brogan (18)
Fabian Deluca (56)
The Power ruckmen might have slipped a bit in 2007 when compared to their play in other years, but they were still better than most other ruck combos in the league. Lade sets up so many plays with his deft hitouts, and he can also kick goals himself. Brogan can also get his hand to the ball, and his body has been known to bump a few players too. They don’t really have a backup plan to their two starters, but they haven’t needed one yet.
Leuenberger has the potential to be the AFL's best ruckman, he has a rare combination of height, skills and agility. Charman and McDonald have already played a part in a premiership. McDonald brings size, Charman is a lot more versatile and also displays a bit of needed aggression.
1 Chad Cornes
2 Matthew Pavlich
3 Malcolm Lynch
4 David Myers
5 Daniel Connors
6 Michael Pettigrew
G Brent Staker
The last team for a sport from around the world that has AFL players on it’s imaginary roster.
The players here need a variety of attributes, being able to run and also being skilled with their hands. C Cornes and Pavlich might have the right combination of size and mobility to score a lot of goals. Cornes jumping towards the goal and flinging the ball at full speed would be something goalies didn’t want to face. Lynch, Myers, Connors and Pettigrew all bring some speed to zoom around the court.
The goalie in the European Handball teams doesn’t seem to have an easy job. Staker has AFL key position height as well as the reflexes of an onballer, so maybe that would be a good player to have defending the goal.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Matthew Pavlich
Paul Hasleby
Michael Johnson
Josh Carr
Peter Bell
Rhys Palmer
Heath Black
David Mundy
Luke McPharlin
Roger Hayden
Chris Tarrant
Aaron Sandilands
Des Headland
Ryan Crowley
Jeff Farmer
Shaun McManus
Steven Dodd
Byron Schammer
Dean Solomon
Brett Peake
Antoni Grover
Matthew Carr
Kepler Bradley
Daniel Gilmore
Garrick Ibbotson
Paul Duffield
Andrew Browne
Ryan Murphy
Scott Thornton
Adam Campbell
Brock O'Brien
Robert Warnock
Luke Webster
Clayton Hinkley
Mark Johnson
Andrew Foster
Christopher Mayne
Marcus Drum
Joshua Head
The Hawks are loaded with talent, which is making the preseason at Hawthorn a collection of position battles. Beau Muston is one of a number of young Hawks trying to get into the senior team.
Muston admitted he's "pretty eager to get going" this year, but denied he was one of those players who knocks on the coach's door each week to find out when the call up is coming.
"Seeing a lot of guys like Grant Birchall, who was in my draft, play nearly 50 games and Xavier Ellis, who has been injured but played a lot of games last year.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Muston seems to have missed the boat, as young players like Sewell, Young, Ellis and Birchall have established themselves as regular players. But Hawthorn have been talking up Muston for a while, so if he does get his chance he will probably make the most of it. On a deep team like Hawthorn, it will take an injury to another player or a big preseason by Muston for him to get a spot in their round 1 team. With several Hawks suspended for round 1, it might mean a few unlikely Hawks have a big fantasy game and someone like Muston, if he plays, might also do enough to stay in the team when a few stars come back. That is a while off, so whether he plays in the preseason games for the Hawks is the first step for Muston.
Adam Schneider - Buchanan and Bevan didn't play all the games last season, with Schneider gone it is likely that one or both will have a bigger role now. Buchanan would be expected to be the better player for fantasy stats.
Sean Dempster - Dempster didn't find a lot of the ball with Sydney, and while he may improve after moving to St Kilda it doesn't matter for the Swans as they added Martin Mattner. Mattner should get back to his best form now he is out of Adelaide.
Stephen Doyle - He didn't play as Jolly and Everitt performed well in the ruck. Currie and White are the reserves behind Sydney's ruck starters now.
Simon Phillips - The Swans needed some variety up forward but must have thought Phillips was not big enough for the role, he is small even for a small forward. Veszpremi can play in several spots on the ground but also showed he can kick a number of goals when played forward, maybe Sydney start Veszpremi up forward at the start of his AFL career.
A new ruck setup at Collingwood could be enough to take them up to the next level. Fraser and Wood form a large combination in the ruck for the Magpies, Fraser is actually the shorter of the two. For the tactics during matches, Fraser will likely start in the ruck and then move forward later in the quarter as Wood takes over as the ruckman. With Fraser providing another marking target up forward, Wood should be able to dominate the backup ruckmen of the other teams.
6 Geelong
Brad Ottens (6)
Mark Blake (10)
Trent West
They could be ranked number 1, but the same could be said for nearly half the ruck groups in the AFL, and all the clubs ahead of them here have a ruckman or two with Grand Final experience as well. Ottens stood up when it counted, in the finals, while Blake was a very useful backup for him during most of the season.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Brent Stanton
Scott Lucas
Dustin Fletcher
Matthew Lloyd
Jason Winderlich
Adam McPhee
Jobe Watson
Damien Peverill
Nathan Lovett-Murray
Mark McVeigh
Andrew Welsh
Angus Monfries
David Hille
Andrew Lovett
David Myers
Alwyn Davey
Jason Johnson
Jay Nash
Paddy Ryder
Tom Hislop
Ricky Dyson
Henry Slattery
Mal Michael
Adam Ramanauskas
Leroy Jetta
Scott Gumbleton
Jason Laycock
Courtney Johns
Heath Hocking
Kyle Reimers
Bachar Houli
Courtenay Dempsey
Jay Neagle
Darcy Daniher
Tayte Pears
Andrew Lee
Sam Lonergan
Cale Hooker
Wayde Mills
Wayde Skipper
Dean Polo
Graham Polak
Matthew Spangher
bench
Alipate Carlile
Alwyn Davey
Alan Didak
Albert Proud
Alan Toovey
An unexpected addition to the list of sports, who even knew it was a sport, but there is the picture so it must be real. This time the abilities of the AFL players are not considered. Two players with the word "way" and one with "polo" in their name are included. Weird Al rode a Segway during one of his music videos, so a few "Als" are on the Segway Polo bench.
A sport that is not likely to catch on around here, as except for that little businessman who can be seen zooming along the footpath of Latrobe Street on his Segway vehicle, the Segway doesn't seem to be popular at the moment.
Maybe Segway Polo is a sport of the future, probably not, but at least it is safer than water polo as that was terrible for the horses involved. Tomorrow the final sport in this summer series of posts will be added.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Matthew Clarke - His spot as the old ruckman has been handed over to Steven King. Like Clarke last season, King is unlikely to be on many fantasy teams.
Brett Voss - Voss did not seem to be a favourite of their new coach last season, a couple of former Sydney players can now be used in the roles that Voss used to have. Schneider can add another scoring option up forward while Dempster can play as a defender or possibly in the middle.
Andrew Thompson - He only played around half the games in 2007, and had a very small role when he did play, so it doesn't leave a big vacancy in the middle at St Kilda. Maybe Armitage will become a regular player for the Saints, and possibly for fantasy teams.
Barry Brooks - Brooks never did become the third forward for the Saints, or a useful player in the ruck. First round pick Ben McEvoy should help the Saints a lot more than Brooks ever did, but McEvoy might take a while to become a regular player for them. Sam Gilbert was used in several spots, including the forward line, and he can help fantasy teams.
Aaron Hamill - He spent more time at the doctor's office than he did in the St Kilda team. Jones might have more playing time this season. Another option for a secondary forward is Goddard, who will return from injury, but if he plays forward it hurts his fantasy numbers compared to when they play him as a defender.
Ranking the teams' ruck divisions. The numbers in brackets indicate where the players rated for total hitouts in 2007.
7 Fremantle
Aaron Sandilands (8)
Robert Warnock (31)
Daniel Gilmore (42)
The Dockers must agree with the idea that "you can't teach height", which means you can teach players how to play but you can't make them taller than they are. The Dockers have a couple of huge players in the ruck, although their backup is The Gilmore Guy who is among the shortest ruckmen around. But Gilmore has been very effective at getting possessions so he can contribute in his own way.
8 Kangaroos
Hamish McIntosh (3)
David Hale (25)
Drew Petrie (30)
A few years ago it seemed Petrie would be their number 1 ruckman, but he is also needed in key positions and now only plays a few minutes to give McIntosh some rest. McIntosh made a drastic improvement last season, he won't be surprising people this time so he will have to have a few extra tricks for 2008. Hale was used as a key forward last season, as well as a backup ruckman.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Tarkyn Lockyer
Heath Shaw
Dane Swan
Scott Pendlebury
Shane O'Bree
Scott Burns
Travis Cloke
Josh Fraser
Dale Thomas
Alan Didak
Tyson Goldsack
Ben Johnson
Martin Clarke
Nick Maxwell
Anthony Rocca
Sean Rusling
Leon Davis
Paul Medhurst
Rhyce Shaw
Harry O'Brien
Shane Wakelin
Brodie Holland
Cameron Wood
Ryan Lonie
Shannon Cox
Brad Dick
Nathan Brown
Chris Egan
Sam Iles
John McCarthy
Ben Reid
Jaxson Barham
Alan Toovey
Ryan Cook
John Anthony
Chris Bryan
Chris Dawes
Simon Prestigiacomo
Daniel Stanley
Tobias Thoolen
An obvious sign that a lot of the major sports have already been covered here. Prismall and Grima get a mention in this sport after missing all the others that were constructed using AFL players.
Unlike football, in horseshoes if you get it close to what you are aiming at it is often good enough. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
If you want another sport looked at, better put in a request.
Stuart Dew was one of the main stories at draft time and has also been a popular topic during preseason. Here is the latest update, his captain thinks he is ready to go.
HAWTHORN captain Sam Mitchell believes former Port Adelaide star Stuart Dew could make his first appearance in the brown and gold possibly as soon as the pre-season cup.
"If you quote me and say yes and he's not, I'm sorry. But, I would say looking at him, he could play at the moment, but that's up to him and how he feels, and how Jack, our fitness man, what they think," Mitchell said on Friday.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
He might take over the Ben Dixon role at Hawthorn, so Dew will have an opportunity to get some stats. Dixon was very good for fantasy points in 2006, but his numbers fell away last season. If Dew plays most of the games in 2008 he could bring in as many stats as Dixon did in 2006, but maybe his total goals are closer to what Dixon did in 2007.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Andrew Krakouer - He wasn't needed at Richmond, especially with Nathan Brown healthy again. Brown only played half the games in 2007, he should be able to play all of them this time. Not a fantasy sleeper, but Brown should be a player with a lot of improved stats this season.
Patrick Bowden - His role was taken over by Polak last season. Polak should again be a good addition to fantasy teams, especially if he is a loose defender again.
Kent Kingsley - The Tigers now head into a post-Kingsley era. Jack Riewoldt would seem to be the player who has a much bigger role in 2008, he should double a lot of his per game averages from last season.
Darren Gaspar - Early last season he had a couple of exciting fantasy stats games, and then was sent away. Rance should be seen as the future of the Richmond back line, but it will depend on whether he is in the side for round 1 for how many fantasy teams he is on. The preseason games should show how much Richmond will play Rance, and in what position.
Cam Howat - He was a useful player for them when he played, but in 2008 fantasy coaches will look at Connors and Edwards. They should both improve their statistics by a large amount in 2008.
Ranking the teams' ruck divisions. The numbers in brackets indicate where the players rated for total hitouts in 2007.
9 Melbourne
Jeff White (4)
Paul Johnson (32)
John Meesen (84)
White is one of the shortest ruckmen but is also one of the best. His leap and mobility make him a great player for the Demons in the ruck. One problem they have had over the years is getting White a bit of help. Meesen might be the answer there, but he will first have to win the backup ruck spot from Johnson and Jamar.
10 St Kilda
Justin Koschitzke (26)
Steven King (38)
Michael Rix (20)
With Gehrig returning it means Koschitzke can again play in the ruck. King brings all of his experience from the Grand Finals last year, he was practically given to the Saints so it is a low risk move by them. The ruckmen at St Kilda are often hurt, so the dependable Rix is still around as insurance.
According to this report, Kreuzer is going to be used as a forward by Carlton. While it is not his ideal position, he is probably better than their other options at centre half forward.
This should only be a short-term tactic, although seeing how Carlton mishandled Gibbs last season with where they played him, anything is possible.
CARLTON'S boom recruit Matthew Kreuzer is expected to be unleashed in the Round 1 NAB Cup clash against Port Adelaide next month.
While the 199cm, 94kg Kreuzer will eventually develop into a ruckman, he is expected to play half-forward against Port.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
As long as Kreuzer is on the field he will help fantasy teams, centre half forward is a lot better than the bench but it won’t be as useful for stats as the ruck will be. As a very mobile ruckman he will be accumulating easy marks and possessions all over the ground, it is going to be a lot tougher to get the ball up forward. Last season, Carlton didn’t really try to go to their centre half forward, and when Mr Kennedy was providing a target at centre half forward they just kicked it over his head towards Fevola. Even if Kreuzer does play a few games as a forward, it shouldn’t be too long before he is getting a majority of minutes in the ruck.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Chris Judd
Heath Scotland
Andrew Carrazzo
Brendan Fevola
Nick Stevens
Jarrad Waite
Marc Murphy
Andrew Walker
Kade Simpson
Brad Fisher
Bryce Gibbs
Ryan Jackson
Ryan Houlihan
Eddie Betts
Richard Hadley
Adam Bentick
Bret Thornton
Matthew Kreuzer
Simon Wiggins
Luke Blackwell
Jordan Bannister
Setanta O'hAilpin
Jason Saddington
Cain Ackland
Paul Bower
Adam Hartlett
Shaun Grigg
Shaun Hampson
Joe Anderson
Cameron Cloke
Jordan Russell
Steven Browne
Clint Benjamin
Dennis Armfield
Mark Austin
Jake Edwards
Aisake O'hAilpin
Darren Pfeiffer
How Netball is to Basketball, Korfball is to Netball. Safe to say that Korfball won't be getting a lot of TV coverage. There are people who play sport, there are people who do not play sport, and then after them there are the Korfballers.
This time the AFL players weren't chosen due to their prowess at sport, it would not be polite to say that a footballer had any attributes of someone who was Korballing, but there was a small reason why the players are listed here and in the order they are.
If you know anything about Rugby, you will probably select a better team than the one below.
FD T Buckley IRE
FD M Regan ENG
FD J White SCO
FD C Festuccia ITA
FD N Easter ENG
FD R Sowden-Taylor WAL
FD M Castrogiovanni ITA
FD I Harinordoquy FRA
SH R Wigglesworth ENG
FH J Wilkinson ENG
OB T James WAL
OB D Strettle ENG
OB G Duffy IRE
OB D Marty FRA
OB C McRae SCO
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Brad Symes - Symes didn't have to worry about moving to a new city when he was traded, as he is now a Crow. The Power were not worried about his loss as they already have Surjan and Lonie to play in his position. Maybe Surjan will get a couple more possessions per game in 2008, but neither of those two players would be considered fantasy sleepers. Logan or Bentley may now be closer to getting a regular spot in the lineup.
Darryl Wakelin - He missed a few games last year and that showed a few things that Port Adelaide may do in the back line this year. Carlile could play at full back with Wakelin gone. Pettigrew might have a bigger role now, and there is the potential for him to have a lot more possessions.
Josh Mahoney - They are loaded with skilful small forwards, and fantasy teams have already benefited from playing Rodan, Krakouer, Gray and D Motlop. The Power also have another Motlop, Marlon Motlop who they recently drafted, who can play as a small forward.
Ranking the teams' ruck divisions. The numbers in brackets indicate where the players rated for total hitouts in 2007.
11 Essendon
David Hille (17)
Jason Laycock (23)
Tom Bellchambers
The Bombers have the size among their ruckmen to trouble teams. One problem last year was they weren't sure who was their number 1 ruckman, sometimes it was Hille and other times it was Laycock and there may have also been times when both stay on the bench as Ryder moved into the ruck position. Their new coach might have a new concept for their ruckmen.
12 Hawthorn
Robert Campbell (9)
Max Bailey
Simon Taylor (12)
They have a lot of superstars up forward and among their onballers, and compared to them their ruck division is more workmanlike. Campbell and Taylor got the job done last season, and they are further bolstered with the return of Bailey. Bailey has the greatest potential among their ruckmen.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008, listing them from best to worst.
Jonathan Brown
Josh Drummond
Simon Black
Jed Adcock
Nigel Lappin
Luke Power
Travis Johnstone
Michael Rischitelli
Cheynee Stiller
Tim Notting
Jamie Charman
Rhan Hooper
Jared Brennan
Troy Selwood
Daniel Bradshaw
Joel Macdonald
Matthew Leuenberger
Colm Begley
Robert Copeland
Albert Proud
Jason Roe
Joel Patfull
Justin Sherman
Scott Harding
Daniel Merrett
Tom Collier
Mitchell Clark
Matthew Moody
Ashley McGrath
Wayde Mills
James Polkinghorne
Lachlan Henderson
Matt Tyler
Sam Sheldon
Chris Schmidt
James Hawksley
Beau McDonald
Matt Austin
Bradd Dalziell
Paddler - Matthew Boyd
Paddler - Jake King
Paddler - Ben McGlynn
Paddler - Richard Tambling
Paddler - Nathan Djerrkura
Paddler - Shane Birss
Paddler - Shane Edwards
Paddler - Andrew Browne
Paddler - David Armitage
Paddler - Simon Hogan
Paddler - Marc Murphy
Paddler - Luke Power
Paddler - Jarrhan Jacky
Paddler - Luke Blackwell
Paddler - Scott Harding
Paddler - Kieren Jack
Paddler - Craig Bird
Paddler - Peter Bell
Paddler - Leigh Adams
Paddler - Nathan Foley
Drummer - Marcus Drum
Steerer - Josh Carr
The steerer has to be someone who tells people where to go, maybe J Carr could do that. There are probably plenty of AFL players who think they can play the drums, but perhaps the Fremantle player that was selected is also a solid and relevant choice.
For the paddlers, they were picked due to being some of the smaller players in the AFL, as there isn't a lot of room on a dragonboat for a widebody.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Travis Johnstone - When a player who was such a big part of a club leaves it really opens up a spot for a new fantasy star, or for a number of players to increase their stats. Johnstone averaged around 20 possessions a game in 2007. Nathan Jones might have a much bigger role now.
Nathan D. Brown - He wasn't that great of a player for Melbourne, as he never had a big influence on the games, but when he played he was usually very effective for fantasy stats. His departure should mean Petterd is played in the back half, and Petterd will bring his A-game to the team and also help fantasy teams.
Byron Pickett - Intimidation and bone-jarring collisions are not fantasy stats. But they entertained the crowds.
Clint Bizzell - Another player who didn't help his team win but helped himself to a lot of fantasy stats. James Frawley could be the player that takes advantage of more playing time with Bizzell out of the team.
Simon Godfrey - Maybe this is the year that Moloney stays healthy, and they might use him in the role that Godfrey had last season.
Daniel Ward - He played a lot of games and had plenty of the ball, his minutes and stats might go to Morton. Cale Morton is a different type of player to Ward, but might be used in a similar spot.
Ranking the teams' ruck divisions. The numbers in brackets indicate where the players rated for total hitouts in 2007.
13 Western Bulldogs
Ben Hudson (11)
Peter Street (19)
Will Minson (40)
The Bulldogs were not sure who their ruckman was last season. They started with Minson and then went with Darcy, Street and Skipper, even Wight got a look too. The acquisition of Hudson will provide some stability now, but it isn't a long-term solution.
14 Carlton
Matthew Kreuzer
Cain Ackland (16)
Shaun Hampson (74)
Just a couple of years away from possibly having one of the best ruck groups. It is all up to "Special K", the "Missile Kreuzer", the top overall selection from the draft Matthew Kreuzer. Ackland isn't as bad as many think he is, while Cloke probably isn't as good as some at Carlton think. It must be remembered that they were only comparing what Cloke did with what McLaren used to do. Hampson should eventually become the "Seaby" to Kreuzer's "Dean Cox". S O'hAilpin put in a lot of effort when he was asked to play out of position in the ruck, his brother A O'hAilpin is being better prepared for a ruck role and might see some action soon.
An early look at the fantasy value that players might have for season 2008.
A preliminary ranking, from best to worst, of how important the club's players will be to fantasy teams. Looking at previous stats, their expected role and playing time in 2008, considering the possibility of improvement or a decline in play and the position they played were some of the factors used to rate the players.
Andrew McLeod
Chris Knights
Scott Thompson
Simon Goodwin
Nathan Bassett
Tyson Edwards
Nathan van Berlo
Graham Johncock
Brent Reilly
Michael Doughty
Nathan Bock
Brett Burton
Kris Massie
Scott Stevens
Robert Shirley
Brad Symes
Rhett Biglands
Trent Hentschel
Jason Porplyzia
Richard Douglas
Nick Gill
Ben Rutten
Jarrhan Jacky
Ken McGregor
Jonathon Griffin
Luke Jericho
Tony Armstrong
David MacKay
Greg Gallman
Brad Moran
Andy Otten
James Sellar
Ivan Maric
Kurt Tippett
Bernie Vince
Bryce Campbell
Myke Cook
Taylor Walker
Patrick Dangerfield
Aaron Kite
Matthew Pavlich
Tarkyn Lockyer
Matthew Richardson
Jonathan Brown
Nick Riewoldt
Cameron Mooney
Dane Swan
Travis Cloke
Sam Fisher
Brian Lake
Adam McPhee
Darren Milburn
Joel Bowden
Jordan Lewis
Chad Cornes
Kane Cornes
Clinton Young
Quinten Lynch
An odd sport, but it has something in common with AFL, they both have 18 members of the team on the field, and the game is split into four quarters. If the TV still had Wide World Of Sports, instead of Tracey Gold telemovies and reality shows, sports like Hornussen would be more widely known.
Half the Hornussen game is judging where the projectile is going, so the Hornussen team here comprised of AFL players has the top 18 when it comes to total marks from 2007.
The other half of Hornussen is whacking the little ball with an implement that is half golf club and half garden hose. That shouldn’t be too difficult for most of the players above.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Glenn Archer - Archer had some big games, for fantasy points, when he was a loose player across half back. Petrie might again be given that role, which would boost his stats quite a bit. That would also mean another key defender is needed on the field, so fantasy teams might have Gibson or Hansen on them in 2008.
Kasey Green - He was supposed to add some toughness, and the same could be said for Levi Greenwood. Greenwood is a player who could be considered a fantasy sleeper, while he is new to AFL he does have the body to make an instant impact and should play a lot more in 2008 than many players drafted before him.
Brad Moran - There isn't room for another Kangaroos ruckman for fantasy teams with McIntosh playing large minutes. Goldstein and Hale are next in line if McIntosh is out of their lineup.
Djaran Whyman - Riggio and Adams are a couple of younger players there who could establish themselves as regular senior players, something Whyman never did, and they might be able to help fantasy teams. Adams could find minutes in the middle and Riggio can help the Kangaroos in the back line.
Ranking the teams' ruck divisions. The spines were rated on the site previously, and showed that team success is sometimes not directly associated with a great spine. The ruck spot is often the most important and influential position on the ground, and there does seem to be a direct correlation between having a great ruckman, or two, and being a successful team.
The numbers in brackets indicate where the players rated for total hitouts in 2007. For example, Pattison had the 22nd most hitouts in the AFL last season while Simmonds was 29th in the league for total hitouts.
15 Richmond
Troy Simmonds (29)
Adam Pattison (22)
Angus Graham (70)
They were one draft pick away, due to the priority pick rules, from getting the best ruckman in the draft. Once again they will go into battle with shorter, but more mobile, ruckmen than the opposition.
16 Adelaide
Rhett Biglands
Jonathon Griffin (27)
Ivan Maric (47)
It has been a long time since the Crows had Rehn and they ruled in the ruck. They will even miss Hudson and Clarke who provided a lot of hitouts in recent years. It is all up to Biglands, who returns after missing a year with injury, and he needs a huge season for Adelaide to compete in the ruck.
Collingwood and Adelaide fans looking for information about the upcoming NAB Cup match might want to temporarily add the Khaleej Times to their list of favourites.
With attendances of seven million people during the past two seasons, the AFL has grown to become Australia's most popular sport and the third highest attended professional sports league in the world.
Brad Moran moved to a new club as ruck minutes at the Kangaroos were not prevalent for him and now Todd Goldstein has announced that he is ready to play AFL. He says he wants to play with McIntosh and Hale, but it is more likely that he will be battling Hale for the backup ruck spot.
But Goldstein says the lessons learnt in his first year of senior football have given him the confidence to believe he can play alongside his more senior ruck colleagues for the Kangaroos in just his second season at the club.
"I'm not sure what sort of set-up Dean [Laidley] wants but I think Haley has shown he can play up forward so hopefully we can find a way for the three of us to play.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
McIntosh will again be getting all the ruck minutes at the Kangaroos. Goldstein might be a chance to play a few games as his backup, as Hale’s spot in the team is uncertain with Thompson back and also considering Hale’s inconsistent form in 2007. While McIntosh should be a fantasy star in 2008, it might be better to stay away from Hale, Goldstein and even Thompson, as there are safer options for fantasy teams when it comes to ruckmen and tall forwards. With Hansen and Tarrant in the mix too, it is an unsettled situation for playing time among the Kangaroos forwards.
Chris Tarrant
Brendan Fevola
David Johnson
Steven Johnson
While it was an event at the Olympic Games, it is also something that is taken on by some of the crazier people around. Maybe not up to the standard of Mark "Jacko" Jackson, but these four players all have the potential to get close to what he did, except for The Highwayman show.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Ben Dixon - The Hawks used the draft to find a forward to replace Dixon. Dew and Rioli could be additions to the powerful Hawthorn forward line. If Dew is kicking a few goals in the preseason games he might be someone to try in fantasy teams. Mark Williams is also going to be back in the Hawthorn forward line and back on fantasy teams. Dixon played most of the games last year, so his retirement does open up a spot for a medium-sized forward to play a lot more in 2008.
Richie Vandenberg - The Hawks may look through their list for a stronger player to come into the team with Vandenberg gone, it could create an opportunity for Mr Kennedy Version 3.0 as he has good size for a midfielder or back pocket.
Josh Thurgood - He was delisted, relisted and then delisted again. Thurgood's departure probably doesn't help create a fantasy sleeper, but it will at least move a few players closer to senior selection. Croad and Gilham will start in the key defensive posts but an injury to one of them would create an opportunity for another backman to help fantasy teams. Jacobs can accumulate a lot of stats, Murphy showed some ability in the back line last year, Renouf and Dawson are other options for Hawthorn.
Joel Smith - Xavier Ellis had gone past Joel Smith last season, in terms of quality of play, but the Hawthorn coaches wanted to keep Smith around for his veteran input. Smith is gone now and Ellis should be in the team for every game and playing most of the minutes. That means he is a good candidate for a huge fantasy stats improvement.
There is a lot of optimism at Richmond as they start the new season with a healthy list. The Tigers will have a new and improved lineup in 2008 and Adam Pattison could be a big part of their forward line, along with Richardson and Riewoldt.
“So hopefully you know I can still be used in the ruck when I’m needed, also maybe hopefully up forward and then even maybe play on their tall sort of ruckman playing in the forward line.
“I’d like to maybe start as maybe like a high centre half-forward and maybe play up above Richo,” he said.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
If Pattison is just a backup ruckman, spending at least half the game on the bench, he isn’t going to help fantasy teams. If he plays half the quarter as a forward, and then has a few minutes in the ruck to give Simmonds a rest, Pattison could be a very important fantasy player in 2008.
Pattison up forward could also mean Polak is again givien a position in the back half as a loose player. Polak would be a fantasy star if that occurred once more.
D Jacob Surjan
D Will Thursfield
D Cale Morton
D Brad Symes
G Max Hudghton
Bench
F Leigh Harding
F Jess Sinclair
M Matt Rosa
D Dale Morris
G Tom Harley
Field hockey requires forwards who can make the most of their chances, midfielders and defenders who can keep running all game and a goalie who doesn't mind battling against the odds. This field hockey team is comprised of AFL players who might have some of those qualities.
Ryan O'Keefe can kick a goal on the football field with ease and his accuracy could translate to another sport. They haven't shown it yet at AFL level, but the other players in the league with the same last name as the Sydney sharpshooter also have similar skills.
Thomas, Sansbury and Boak can break open a game of football with their pace, they might be able to do it with a hockey stick too.
Surjan and Symes are running defenders who used to be on the same AFL team, they are reunited in this team and would seem to be ideally suited to this other sport. Morton might become a great player around half back, as a loose player sweeping up, and he could be a sweeper as a field hockey defender too. Thursfield provides some strength in the defensive structure and Hudghton may not get hurt as much in the protective equipment of the goalie.
The Western Bulldogs could not compete with teams last season in the bulk department. They were not just shorter than most teams, the Bulldogs also gave up a lot of kilograms to their opponents. It seems like the Bulldogs are now trying to address that problem.
The fleet-of-foot but fragile ilk of Daniel Cross, Lindsay Gilbee and Daniel Giansiracusa weigh 3kg more than last year, while Farren Ray, Cameron Wight and Andrew McDougall have each bulked up 7kg.
Eade is especially enthused with new additions Scott Welsh and Ben Hudson, both from Adelaide.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Gilbee and Cross will continue to be fantasy stars, but a bit more strength is also a good thing for them. Giansiracusa and Ray could become better fantasy players if they spend more time in the middle of the action, if they are bigger now it could mean they take on more important roles, with more fantasy stats.
McDougall and Wight had the chance last season to grab the centre half back, or even centre half forward, spot but they were not up to it. 7kg would be a large increase for most people, but for Wight he is still too thin. McDougall has occasionally shown that he can be a fantasy player, if he becomes the Bulldogs’ new centre half forward he might be worth a spot on fantasy teams.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Nathan Ablett - Big Hawkins was unlucky to not cement a regular spot in their AFL side last season, with N Ablett out of the team now it means Hawkins could play every game in 2008. Hawkins should be able to help fantasy teams with oodles of marks and goals.
Steven King - He didn't play a lot last year, during the regular season, so he wasn't important in fantasy leagues. Blake probably doesn't get added to a lot of fantasy teams unless Ottens misses games.
Henry Playfair - There was not a lot of player movement at Geelong in the offseason. Playfair is off to Sydney, and his spot on the list at Geelong has been taken by Scott Simpson. It would take an injury, or something similar like a club-imposed suspension, to move out a regular forward so S Simpson got some AFL playing time.
Charlie Gardiner - Lonergan is back on the senior list and he will get a chance to play as Geelong are without some of their talls. Gardiner was traded to the Saints, after playing very sparingly for Geelong.
1 Loosehead Prop - Cameron Mooney
2 Hooker - Mal Michael
3 Tighthead Prop - Todd Goldstein
4 Lock - Trent Croad
5 Lock - Eric Mackenzie
6 Blindside Flanker - Jesse White
7 Openside Flanker - Matt Maguire
8 Number 8 - Josh Hunt
9 Scrum Half - Levi Greenwood
10 Fly-half - Brendon Goddard
11 Left Wing - Jason Akermanis
12 Inside Centre - James Gwilt
13 Outside Centre - Brent Moloney
14 Right Wing - David Rodan
15 Fullback - Lindsay Gilbee
Selecting a team for Rugby Union, from the AFL footballers, is something they might occasionally do at the ARU headquarters. They might want to recruit some of the players but it is unlikely that any star AFL players ever consider the jump to their sport.
There are some former junior rugby players who decided to play AFL, and one or two may be included here, but the team above was selected by considering the size of the AFL players and how they go about their sport.
There are plenty of large bodies in the AFL to come up with a number of players who would be a good fit on the Rugby Union field. Obviously the kicking skills of the AFL players is something the Rugby Union people could not match.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Justin Longmuir - He retired due to his injuries, and his absence was why the Dockers had a few struggles up forward in 2007. Murphy and Campbell were used for a few games as another forward option, with occasional success, and the Dockers also have Bradley now and they have said he could be played as a forward.
Shane Parker - He only played a third of the season last year, and had a minor role when on the field. The Dockers have a number of medium defenders to replace him with but they may not help fantasy teams.
Troy Cook - Cook didn't do a lot in 2007, either did Schammer and Peake but they would be players to think about for fantasy teams in 2008.
James Walker - The Dockers' Texas Ranger had a few big games last year, and a few more when he didn't do a lot. Hayden took his spot as the main small in the back line. One new player at Fremantle who could be getting a few games as a back pocket is Mark Johnson, he may not help fantasy teams in 2008 although when Solomon changed clubs his stats did improve.
Clayton Collard - He was supposed to add dash, but then he was subtracted. Palmer is now on the team and will be on plenty of fantasy teams.
The Power need their younger players to improve if they are to return to the Grand Final in 2008. Port Adelaide won’t expect the Cornes and Burgoyne brothers to do any more than they currently do but there is still room for improvement from Salopek, Pearce and Boak.
Boak started 2007 in the Glenelg reserves, but by round 12 had forced his way into the Power line-up, where he remained for the rest of the season.
“I was fortunate enough to play a few games last year, along with Krak [Krakouer] Westy [Westhoff] and Robbie [Gray], so we’ve tried to build our knowledge and pass it on to the younger blokes. I guess it is sort of a leadership role.”
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Boak should improve on his stats from last year, and around 20 possessions per game would be expected in 2008. Boak should be in the team every game so he will be a useful player for fantasy teams.
Full Back - Mal Michael
Centre Half Back - Paddy Ryder
Centre - Jobe Watson
Centre Half Forward - Scott Lucas
Full Forward - Matthew Lloyd
Lloyd or Lucas can both win a game by kicking a large amount of goals. Ryder has size, athleticism and might quickly become the best centre half back in the AFL. Michael is a very strong player, and in a one-on-one contest he is hard to beat. Of course, Dustin Fletcher could also be mentioned for the full back spot, and that would not bring down the ranking for their spine. Stanton could also be used in the centre. But there may only be a year or two before their spine takes on a different look, although with Gumbleton and Pears around it isn't bad news for the Bombers.
1997
Full Back - Dustin Fletcher
Centre Half Back - Sean Wellman
Centre - Joe Misiti
Centre Half Forward - Scott Lucas
Full Forward - Matthew Lloyd
The 2000 AFL draft for Carlton was loaded with busts. Livingston, Sporn, Campbell and O’Keefe were horrible selections. Their last pick, Callan Beasy, wasn’t that bad. One player from that draft class is still at the club, Simon Wiggins who was pick 15. It would seem that he is on his last chance there.
Things may actually be looking up for Wiggins, as there is a big hole at half forward for Carlton. He might be able to cement a role as a mini-centre half forward, like The Porpoise at Adelaide.
With plenty of positions up for grabs as the club enters a new era, a fit Wiggins is eyeing a spot across half-forward or on a wing, but admits he’ll be happy to slot in anywhere the coach wants him to play as the Blues march into 2008.
“It’s been hard being at a club that has been so successful and then being there for the most unsuccessful period for a club that’s been around for over a hundred years.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Wiggins has the ability to get a lot of worthless possessions, and marks 70m out on the boundary, but for fantasy stats that can be a good thing. Carlton could have a bit of trouble at centre half forward, with Whitnall and Kennedy gone, and Wiggins will keep presenting as a secondary option for Carlton to retain possession of the ball. That might add up to a big fantasy season if he does win a spot in the team.
F Jesse Smith
F Shaun Burgoyne
T Peter Burgoyne
D Craig Bolton
D Andrejs Everitt
G Daniel Pratt
Bench
F Jason Akermanis
F Nick Malceski
F Andrew Raines
F Shaun Grigg
F Ricky Dyson
F Xavier Ellis
T Tadgh Kennelly
T Nigel Lappin
D Michael Johnson
D Chris Knights
D Matthew Scarlett
G Luke Ablett
A sport that AFL footballers would be suited to, indoor lacrosse needs athletes who can run a lot as well as being able to make quick decisions with passing. A running half back in the AFL could be a transition player for an indoor lacrosse team, bringing the ball from the back half up to the forwards. Footballers with good hands as well as speed could be lacrosse forwards, and those who don't mind taking a few hits could play in the goalie position.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
James Hird - He played most of the games in 2007, and was among their top 5 for possessions per game, so that means a lot of fantasy stats are now available to other Bombers. Their regular starters, like Stanton and Winderlich, might get a few of them to increase their numbers a tad, but a new player could also be put into the team and become an instant fantasy star. If they want a midfielder with some height then first round pick David Myers could be the answer.
Mark Johnson - Tom Hislop might be the one to take over from M Johnson. Fantasy coaches will want to evaluate Hislop during the preseason games.
Scott Camporeale - Ricky Dyson only played half the games last season, with Camporeale out of the way it should mean he plays all of them now. The potential is there for Dyson to double his possessions per game from 2007 and that would make him a very important fantasy player. Essendon could also play Jetta more in 2008.
Kepler Bradley - Maybe Gumbleton could be considered as the player who gets the minutes of Bradley. But even if that isn't really accurate, Gumbleton should be someone that fantasy coaches look at as he should be playing a lot more in 2008. Like Bradley, he might be used as a spare parts player, sometimes playing in the back line and other times up forward as the third tall.
Mark Bolton - Fantasy coaches did not like him as much as his former AFL coach did. Bolton is gone from Essendon and nobody will even notice. His role in the team may be taken by Cale Hooker, which would mean Hooker has no value in fantasy leagues.
Full Back - Max Hudghton
Centre Half Back - Sam Fisher
Centre - Lenny Hayes
Centre Half Forward - Nick Riewoldt
Full Forward - Fraser Gehrig
Starting with Riewoldt means the spine is in good shape, Gehrig may be a bit odd but he can still kick goals, lots of them. S Fisher was a big improver last season while Hudghton, who is a bit injury-prone, is usually effective at full back. The Saints also have Koschitzke, Maguire and Gwilt to put into key positions if needed and in the future they have McEvoy and Allen as more depth for their spine.
1997
Full Back - Jamie Shanahan
Centre Half Back - Darryl Wakelin
Centre - Nathan Burke
Centre Half Forward - Stewart Loewe
Full Forward - Jason Heatley
Fraser Gehrig has been going to Europe quite a bit, maybe he is secretly trying-out for another sport, the bobsled. The NFL has previously provided a bobsledder at the Olympic level of competition, and an AFL player or two erroneously thought they could do it too, so one day a former AFL footballer could be replicating the success of the Jamaican bobsled team.
Gehrig and Roughead would use their power to propel the vehicle. Rawlings would be the little guy up front. Like Massie is with Adelaide, he is just along for the ride here, although he has shown he can put the brakes on AFL forwards and he could be applying them here too.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Nathan Buckley - There is a big vacancy at Collingwood as they are now without Buckley. Fantasy coaches saw enough games last season to see what Collingwood do without Buckley there. His absence in 2007 allowed Pendlebury to go from fantasy sleeper to fantasy star. Pendlebury should continue to put up huge fantasy numbers. As Pendlebury takes over from Buckley, that means someone like McCarthy might be introduced into a spot on the team like Pendlebury and Thomas were a couple of seasons ago.
James Clement - Goldsack and O'Brien will be asked to do more with Clement retired, Goldsack could be the better choice for fantasy teams. Someone who may be a fantasy sleeper is the Nathan Brown, if they want a younger full back with some speed and athleticism they may put Brown into the team.
Guy Richards - Not a big loss when it comes to statistics. Fraser and Wood will form a new tandem in the ruck for Collingwood. Fraser will be a useful fantasy player as he always is, and it will depend on how much time he spends as a forward as to whether Wood will also be good for fantasy teams.
Paul Licuria - When he did play last season, he had a bit of the ball. The Magpies will be expecting Clarke and maybe Leon Davis to have a bigger role in the midfield in 2008. Clarke did some things last season that are unlikely to be repeated, in terms of going from Ireland to the AFL in only a few months, but if Collingwood have another future star in Kevin Dyas then he could help fantasy teams like Clarke did last year. Collingwood have players like O'Bree and Burns who play in Licuria's role, and at his speed, so maybe they look for a faster player to put in the middle and Brad Dick could be someone fantasy coaches consider during the season.
Jammer - Brendan Fevola
Blocker - Robert Copeland
Blocker - Ben Johnson
Blocker - Beau Waters
Pivot - Michael Firrito
A sport where Fevola would do all the scoring for his team and also collide with plenty of people. Maybe it isn't that different to how Carlton have played in the AFL in recent years.
Waters, Johnson and Copeland can bump a few people and Firrito could back them up. They are all strong and balanced so they may be suited to this strange sport.
Full Back - Matthew Scarlett
Centre Half Back - Matthew Egan
Centre - Jimmy Bartel
Centre Half Forward - Cameron Mooney
Full Forward - Tom Hawkins
The back line has become the most important part of their lineup and the reason they had such a successful 2007. Even without Egan they won, so with him back in the team they will again be a powerful defensive unit. The forward line did enough last year, and maybe it will be even better with Hawkins parking his big frame in the goal-square. There is not a lot of pressure on their key forwards to kick a large amount of goals, as they do have plenty of smaller players who can also contribute on the scoreboard, but they might start getting some huge hauls of goals from Hawkins.
1997
Full Back - Ben Graham
Centre Half Back - Tim McGrath
Centre - Garry Hocking
Centre Half Forward - Derek Hall
Full Forward - Ronnie Burns
Along with the usual funny rules for preseason games, like the 9-pointers and boundary throw-ins nowhere near the boundary, there will now be a limit on the number of interchanges.
Those who have been watching the Classic Grand Finals on Fox Sports will have noticed something, big scores but little use of the bench. Often the commentators will remark in the last quarter “that is their first use of the bench”.
Not all clubs are happy with the idea of limiting the number of interchanges.
THE AFL will trial new interchange rules during this year’s NAB Cup, capping the number of interchanges permitted and further expanding the interchange bench.
Under the experimental rules, each team will be allowed a maximum of 16 interchanges per quarter. The number of interchange players for each team will also rise from six to eight players.
COLLINGWOOD last night lashed the AFL's decision to trial limited interchanges in this year's NAB Cup, labelling it an attack on the fabric of the game.
"We think this strikes at the fabric of what we have created with football and our real fear is that this is the thin edge of the wedge," Walsh said.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Lance Whitnall - Whitnall's departure will provide a spot for someone to have a big fantasy season in 2008 next to Fevola in the Carlton forward line, and possibly also some time in the back half. Waite and S O'hAilpin were two players who were used at both ends of the field, like Whitnall often was played, and Carlton also have Hartlett and Austin to try in that role too. Hartlett seemed to be more effective when played forward, he is older than Austin and Carlton probably will go to Hartlett before trying Austin again.
Josh J. Kennedy - He played just over half the games, and averaged less than 10 possessions, but for Carlton's future planning there is a big hole without Mr Kennedy there. Hampson and Kreuzer may share time at centre half forward, when they are not in the ruck, while there are a few other candidates for that spot too. Fantasy coaches who correctly guess who Carlton's centre half forward is going to be will get an early edge over other fantasy teams.
Matthew Lappin - They don't really have a dwarfish player who can't kick accurately to take his spot in the team. Maybe Lappin's departure will mean a bigger role for Gibbs, who was often stuck in a back pocket in 2007. Pendlebury was a star in his second season of AFL, maybe Gibbs can replicate that as Gibbs now has the pressure off with the arrival of Judd.
Anthony Koutoufides - The Blues may be able to find another tall midfielder, Shaun Grigg did not do a lot in his first year but might be able to make an impact in 2008 as teams concentrate on stopping other Carlton midfielders. Grigg has the potential to help fantasy teams with possessions, marks and goals.
Sam Mitchell
Daniel Cross
Paul Hasleby
Chris Masten
A team event in sport stacking often has four little kids with very quick hands. The AFL doesn't have a lot of little kids but plenty of players with quick hands.
Mitchell, Cross and Hasleby have shown over several years that they are quick and accurate with the handball. The Masterpiece Chris Masten probably won’t take long to get recognized as one of the better handballers in the AFL.
Cup stacking might be a good drill for young footballers to utilize as it could improve their speed with their hands. An added benefit, they always have a cup handy to have a drink of water.
Full Back - Luke McPharlin
Centre Half Back - Michael Johnson
Centre - Paul Hasleby
Centre Half Forward - Chris Tarrant
Full Forward - Matthew Pavlich
When it is displayed on the screen, or in the paper, the Fremantle spine looks like one of the best. With Pavlich there they could be ranked number 1, but Tarrant has yet to become the Robin to the Pavlich Batman. McPharlin and Johnson have the potential, and athletic ability, to be a force in the back half and their coach might want to leave them in these spots for 2008. While McPharlin can help in the forward line, and Johnson would be a good addition to their midfield, the Dockers need stability and a couple of stars in the key defensive posts.
1997
Full Back - Stephen O'Reilly
Centre Half Back - Shane Parker
Centre - Ben Allan
Centre Half Forward - Peter Mann
Full Forward - Kingsley Hunter
The Hawks didn't have a lot of ruck options in 2007, but in 2008 their biggest ruckman will make a comeback. Max Bailey, Campbell and Taylor provide a lot of size in the ruck. Second year player Brent Renouf and Luke McEntee, who was promoted from the rookie list, are extra depth in the ruck department.
Robbie Campbell and Simon Taylor played every game for the Hawks last year, forming an imposing combination for Alastair Clarkson’s side.
“It’s given Simon a great opportunity, and he had a great year last year … and then we’ve got Luke McEntee and Brett Renouf, so there’s a fair bit of competition there now which also scares me a bit because I’ve got to get past them.”
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Campbell looked like he would have a big fantasy season in 2007, after Bailey was injured, but Taylor showed he had improved a lot and Hawthorn split the ruck minutes down the middle with those two.
The ruck situation is now a bit more complicated, and Bailey is a good chance to push Taylor out of the side. But unless one of the ruckmen establishes themselves as the clear number 1, who plays a majority of the minutes available, it won't be a great situation for selecting fantasy ruckmen.
The preseason games last year gave a clear indication of what Hawthorn were going to do in the ruck. Once again it will be the preseason games that will help fantasy coaches figure out what Hawthorn’s ruck rankings are, and after a game or two there might be a vastly different starting ruck division than there was a year ago.
The vacancies that have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings, and the players who may take over the position and have a big fantasy season.
Chris Johnson - He only played half the games last season, in a few different positions. He may have been most effective as a leading forward, the Lions will have Daniel Bradshaw returning to play in that position. McGrath and Hooper will also be used as a small forward. In the back half, Begley might be the player to be used in the spot that Johnson was in the past.
Cameron Wood - Wood started last season with a Rising Star nomination in one of the early rounds, in 2008 the Lions will play, and fantasy teams might want to go with, Leuenberger in the ruck, and he would be a good tip to win the Rising Star Award in 2008. If Charman spends a bit of time up forward, Leuenberger could be a big producer for hitouts, and also have plenty of quality possessions for a ruckman.
Richard Hadley - Hadley returned to action after a couple of years on the sidelines, and now he is at Carlton. Travis Johnstone, who won't be a fantasy sleeper, will have Hadley's possessions and a few more too.
Ben Fixter - He was used to fix holes in their lineup, but they don't need that now. Maybe Sherman is a player who will play more in 2008, in the middle or up forward. Sherman has shown he can bring in goals and possessions, so he has the potential to be a very important fantasy player.
1 CF - Trent Cotchin
2 2B - Andrew Raines
3 RF - Jesse Smith
4 DH - Jason Porplyzia
5 1B - Stuart Dew
6 3B - Josh Drummond
7 LF - Sean Dempster
8 C - Luke Ablett
9 SS - Chris Judd
SP - Nathan Bassett
Bench
Pinch Runner - Nathan Krakouer
Pinch Hitter - Nathan Jones
Utility Infielder - Kayne Pettifer
Utility Infielder - Tarkyn Lockyer
Backup Catcher - Tom Hislop
Utility Outfielder - Jason Davenport
Long Reliever - Ryan Murphy
Middle Reliever - Joel Selwood
Middle Reliever - Ricky Petterd
Setup Reliever - Mark Johnson
Closer - Nathan Carroll
Here is a baseball team, made up of AFL players who were chosen due to how they play their sport and how that could translate to a different sport.
Outfielders need to be quick and to cover plenty of space and Cotchin, Smith and Dempster should be up to the task. Cotchin, as the lead-off batter, would also be using his speed to steal bases.
The third baseman has to have a good arm for the long throw, Mr Drummond is an expert at the long kick so he gets that position. The first baseman doesn't need to be very mobile, Dew could play there and also hit plenty of home runs. Raines and Judd would not allow many ground balls to get past them, and would provide some speed for steals too.
Porplyzia seems to fit as a designated hitter, a strong player who could send the ball out of the park. Luke Ablett doesn't like it when his opponents get away from him, in a baseball team he could be the catcher and he would make sure no pitches got past him.
Bassett, Wight, Kennelly and Campbell should be able to send down some fastballs. Judging from some of the kicks that Peverill produces, the knuckleball would be something he could perfect.
Carroll gets the closer job in the bullpen, mainly because his facial hair is something that a lot of closers in MLB have. Mark Johnson, as the setup pitcher in the latter innings, would probably not be averse to pitching it up and in on the batters. J Selwood was great at coming off the bench for Geelong in 2007, he could come off the bench as a pitcher here. Petterd and R Murphy are skilled athletes who could also take to the mound with success.
The scores are tied in the later innings, and the baseball team manager wants a pinch runner who can be a menace on the base-paths, a role that would fit Krakouer. Nathan Jones would be someone to bring on to get a vital hit, in baseball he might be someone who is hard to strike out as he does not give up when playing his real sport. Hislop is a strong, smaller player suited to becoming a catcher. Davenport can cover a lot of ground on the wing in football and would be a good outfielder. Pettifer and Lockyer would be useful with the bat and solid with their gloves in the field.
Full Back - Daniel Merrett
Centre Half Back - Josh Drummond
Centre - Nigel Lappin
Centre Half Forward - Mitchell Clark
Full Forward - Jonathan Brown
With Brown in the team, they can go into every game thinking they are a good chance of getting the win. In the back half, Merrett is workmanlike while Drummond is dashing, so they compliment each other. Where exactly Brown plays in the forward line, and who is up there with him, will only be known when round 1 starts. They could have Bradshaw at full forward, with Brown at centre half forward. Charman may be an option up forward at times, if Leuenberger gets more playing time in the ruck, while Brennan and Patfull can also be used at either end.
1997
Full Back - Richard Champion
Centre Half Back - Darryl White
Centre - Craig Lambert
Centre Half Forward - Justin Leppitsch
Full Forward - Daniel Bradshaw
Full Back - Darren Glass
Centre Half Back - Adam Hunter
Centre - Matt Priddis
Centre Half Forward - Ashley Hansen
Full Forward - Quinten Lynch
The forwards don't kick huge scores, although they don't need to as the back line is so strong there. Glass and Hunter can shut down most forwards. Hansen and Lynch keep presenting and can bring in plenty of marks. The Eagles might like it if their big forwards kick a few more goals, but they seem to get by with a bit of help from other players, including some game-winning performances from Hunter who is as proficient at kicking goals as he is at stopping them.
1997
Full Back - Ashley McIntosh
Centre Half Back - Glen Jakovich
Centre - Dean Kemp
Centre Half Forward - Michael Gardiner
Full Forward - Fraser Gehrig
A big part of the fun of fantasy sports competitions is correctly picking the sleeper players, those who are not expected by some to have a big year but can surprise everyone and reward their fantasy coaches who had faith in them.
One easy way to come up with some players who could take the next step is to see what vacancies have been created, due to trades, retirements and delistings.
Have a look at the posts for all the teams, and who left and who may take on that role, and sort through some of the ideas to find who you think may be a fantasy sleeper this season.
Mark Ricciuto - He played mostly as a smaller forward, so his absence could mean a bigger role for Porplyzia or Jericho. When those two played in 2007, they were close to being effective fantasy players, so a bit more playing time for either one could mean they become a solid contributor for fantasy teams in 2008. Porplyzia seems to be ahead of Jericho on the Adelaide depth chart so he might be the one to go with. Bode was someone who was supposed to add variety to their forward line as a forward pocket, he is another player off their list now, if the Crows can find a forward pocket on their list it might mean a fantasy sleeper is discovered. Jacky could be someone to watch for that position.
Ben Hudson - An easy assessment for fantasy coaches, just as Hudson was the fantasy sleeper last season as he returned from an injury to take Biglands' spot, Biglands will return from an injury and will step into the number 1 ruck role that Hudson had. Meesen, who rarely played for Adelaide last season, is also gone. The backup spot in the ruck for the Crows in 2008 will be contested between Maric, Griffin and Moran. Griffin's ability to also play as a marking forward might give him the edge in this position battle.
Ian Perrie - Adelaide's version of Kent Kingsley is now gone, and just as Geelong provided some fantasy forwards last year it could be Adelaide who have a sleeper or two for fantasy coaches to pick now. Sellar, Tippett or Griffin could all get a chance to be the Crows' third tall forward. If Adelaide have Rutten, Bassett and Brad Moran in the back half, maybe Bock goes forward once again. His fantasy numbers were more consistent when he was a defender, but Bock also had some big games for fantasy stats when moved forward.
Martin Mattner - He started to fall out of favour in Adelaide and was traded, but the Crows also acquired someone who can play in his role, Brad Symes. Symes started his career at Port Adelaide with some impressive fantasy numbers. Considering that the Crows spent a draft pick to bring in Symes, they must have a spot for him on the field.
Scott Welsh - This forward role close to goal probably goes to Hentschel. He should have a big fantasy season, assuming he is over his injury. Ken McGregor is still around too, he hasn't been a big help to fantasy teams but he does have the ability to kick a few goals.
Jason Torney - He played a lot of games last season, and was solid for fantasy numbers, but the Crows told him to move along. Kris Massie might be the running, medium-sized defender that is used in this spot. There may be room for both Massie and Scott Stevens in the Adelaide side, but for fantasy numbers it might help if only one of them was playing big minutes.
Full Back - Shane Wakelin
Centre Half Back - Harry O'Brien
Centre - Scott Burns
Centre Half Forward - Travis Cloke
Full Forward - Anthony Rocca
These Magpies players know their roles and stick to them, they may not get as much attention as some of the more exciting Collingwood players but the spine of the Magpies is a big part of their success. Wakelin and O'Brien, or even Prestigiacomo and Goldsack, stay with their opponents and make it very difficult for them to kick goals. Cloke keeps presenting, and marking, all game while Rocca is the big body in the goal-square that the rest of the forward structure is built around. Even if Rocca doesn't kick a lot of goals, his presence allows other Collingwood forwards to perform to their best.
1997
Full Back - Mal Michael
Centre Half Back - Gavin Crosisca
Centre - Nathan Buckley
Centre Half Forward - Anthony Rocca
Full Forward - Saverio Rocca
Full Back - Leo Barry
Centre Half Back - Clint Bolton
Centre - Brett Kirk
Centre Half Forward - Michael O'Loughlin
Full Forward - Barry Hall
Old, but they can still get the job done. Their players along the spine are not the tallest, so Coach Roos may give someone like Playfair or White a chance to win a key spot soon. O’Loughlin would probably be a better option for the Swans in a forward pocket at this stage of his career.
1997
Full Back - Andrew Dunkley
Centre Half Back - Paul Roos
Centre - Paul Kelly
Centre Half Forward - Jason Mooney
Full Forward - Tony Lockett
Aaron Davey
Jeff Farmer
Dale Thomas
Alan Didak
Eddie Betts
Daniel Motlop
Grant Birchall
Hoop Takraw needs players who are very skilled when it comes to kicking a ball. It is a variation of the sport Sepak Takraw, which is volleyball without using hands, so mainly kicking the ball. Hoop Takraw has a team trying to kick goals, into one of the hoops located around 6m above them.
Obviously the AFL is all about athletes who are skilled at kicking a ball with their feet, with the exception of a few current AFL players who kick a bit like Andrew Dunkley. Many footballers could be selected for this Hoop Takraw team and some of the best from the AFL are listed here.
Full Back - Stephen Gilham
Centre Half Back - Trent Croad
Centre - Sam Mitchell
Centre Half Forward - Lance Franklin
Full Forward - Jarryd Roughead
In a year or two they could be at number 1. Thorp, Boyle or Dowler may also be part of the structure along the spine. The back half is where there is some concern. Croad and Gilham usually do enough for the Hawks to get the win, but Hawthorn may try to bring in another full back, which would allow Gilham to play as the third tall defender. With Boyle and Williams also playing up forward, Thorp might be someone to try at full back, the Hawks also have the taller Renouf and Dawson too.
1997
Full Back - Chris Langford
Centre Half Back - Mark Graham
Centre - Daniel Harford
Centre Half Forward - Nick Holland
Full Forward - Jason Dunstall
OL Mark Johnson
OL Mark Blake
OL Kurt Tippett
OL Michael Wilson
QB Joel Corey
FB Nathan Jones
WR Andrew Walker
WR Shannon Cox
Bench
DL/OL Simon Prestigiacomo
DL/OL Ashley Hansen
DL/OL Ben Holland
DL/OL Jaymie Graham
LB/WR Craig Bolton
LB/FB Albert Proud
DB/WR Michael Pettigrew
DB/WR Lynden Dunn
DB/WR Sam Gilbert
DB/WR Daniel Wells
K Mark LeCras
QB Nigel Lappin
This team takes players from the Australian Football League, and using their body sizes and athletic ability a team for the Arena Football league is created. The AFL players would become AFL players.
Most of the players in the other AFL play in both the offensive and defensive roles, so the linemen would be on the line of scrimmage when their team had the ball and also when it didn't, while the defensive backs might also play as wide receivers.
Both Corey and N Lappin are players with balance and the ability to make quick decisions as they distribute a football, so they can handle the quarterback position. The kicker in Arena Football needs to be able to kick very accurately, as the field goal posts don't have a lot of space between them, LeCras would be a good player for that job. Nathan Jones and Albert Proud can run the ball.
Players like Walker, Cox and Gilbert would be able to catch passes on offense and then switch to the defensive back position. There are plenty of AFL players who could become linemen, in the other AFL, due to their toughness, tackling and size and some are listed here, but they might need to hit the weight-room for a bit more bulk.
Full Back - Bret Thornton
Centre Half Back - Jarrad Waite
Centre - Andrew Carrazzo
Centre Half Forward - Setanta O'hAilpin
Full Forward - Brendan Fevola
To get Judd, they traded away their centre half forward of the future, so that spot will be something Carlton need to figure out. S O'hAilpin or Waite can play as a tall forward, but that does take away from their poor back line.
1997
Full Back - Stephen Silvagni
Centre Half Back - Michael Sexton
Centre - Greg Williams
Centre Half Forward - Stephen Kernahan
Full Forward - Lance Whitnall
The Crows are not going to be one of the favourites to win it all in 2008. Several of their better goal-scorers are now gone and the Crows are now in a position where they have to experiment with their forward structure to find the right setup.
If not, Gill will be in doubt for the Crows' opening NAB Cup match against Collingwood in Dubai on February 9.
That would be a blow to his chances of claiming a regular berth on the Crows' forward line, which is set to undergo significant change this season with Scott Welsh moving to the Western Bulldogs, Ian Perrie being delisted and Mark Ricciuto retiring.
“James (Sellar) is much improved and his attitude is excellent,” he said. “I think he’s been really good in this pre-season so far, so he gives himself an opportunity probably to play at some stage during the pre-season.”
“Kurt (Tippet) is a great competitor and he works really hard and he just wants to get better.”
AFL Fantasy Impact:
It might be a good idea to have an Adelaide forward like James Sellar on your fantasy bench for season 2008. Sellar could be someone they use as a third tall forward. With teams using their better defenders on other Adelaide forwards, Sellar might have the chance to bring in enough marks and goals to help a fantasy team at some point during the season.
Griffin showed last season that he is a very promising player, he might find a lot of game time as a backup ruckman and also as a key forward. Tippett could also take on that role, so that might be a preseason position battle at Adelaide.
Full Back - Toby Thurstans
Centre Half Back - Troy Chaplin
Centre - Kane Cornes
Centre Half Forward - Justin Westhoff
Full Forward - Warren Tredrea
They will miss the experience of Wakelin in the back half. Carlile is another Port Adelaide player who may get the full back spot. Westhoff will also at times play closer to goal, so White would then play centre half forward. The spine of their team could improve if Chad Cornes was in a key position spot, but he is also great for them as an onballer.
1997
Full Back - Stephen Paxman
Centre Half Back - Darren Mead
Centre - Josh Francou
Centre Half Forward - Bowen Lockwood
Full Forward - Scott Cummings
Full Back - Michael Firrito
Centre Half Back - Drew Petrie
Centre - Adam Simpson
Centre Half Forward - David Hale
Full Forward - Nathan Thompson
The Kangaroos need Petrie at both ends of the field, but they now have more forward options so the back line is where he is here. As well as Hale and Thompson, the Kangaroos also have Hansen and Tarrant to take a key spot up forward, Edwards is another option and although he doesn't have key position height he knows how to play in that role up forward. A couple of their big forwards need to have a big year or the Kangaroos won't make the finals in 2008.
1997
Full Back - Mick Martyn
Centre Half Back - Glenn Archer
Centre - Anthony Stevens
Centre Half Forward - Wayne Carey
Full Forward - Craig Sholl
Gunner - Russell Robertson
Gunner - Brett Burton
Handler - Adam Simpson
Stopper - Darren Glass
Bench:
Gunner - Jared Brennan
Gunner - Daniel Bradshaw
Handler - Simon Goodwin
Stopper - Brian Lake
For some of these players, they can already jump as high as others would when assisted by a trampoline, so if Robertson or Burton were jumping off a trampoline they would certainly achieve some height.
Two guys who can jump and enjoy putting points on the scoreboard, as well as a distributor of the ball and a tough defender are the players needed on a Slamball court, AFL could provide plenty of teams for this sport.
Full Back - Ben Rutten
Centre Half Back - Nathan Bock
Centre - Simon Goodwin
Centre Half Forward - Nick Gill
Full Forward - Trent Hentschel
Little in the middle but they got much back, so the Crows can contain teams. It is the forward line that is the weak link, but they have a lot of players to try with Hentschel healthy, Gill a mobile marking option and younger players Sellar, Walker, Otten and Tippett. Bock has been a forward option for them too, which means Bassett would be added in a key defensive post for their spine.
1997
Full Back - Nigel Smart
Centre Half Back - Peter Caven
Centre - Mark Ricciuto
Centre Half Forward - Matthew Robran
Full Forward - Tony Modra
Full Back - Joel Bowden
Centre Half Back - Alex Rance
Centre - Brett Deledio
Centre Half Forward - Graham Polak
Full Forward - Matthew Richardson
They will trouble some teams in 2008, especially if Richardson is in good form, but Richmond are also going through a time of transition from one generation to another. Richardson and Bowden have carried the burden for a long time but help is on the way with Rance, Polak, Riewoldt, Gourdis and McGuane who could be part of the Richmond spine in 2008 but will also be key parts of their future spine.
1997
Full Back - Darren Gaspar
Centre Half Back - Duncan Kellaway
Centre - Chris Bond
Centre Half Forward - Ben Holland
Full Forward - Matthew Richardson
Fast reflexes are needed for this sport, and these two players seem to know what is happening before it even happens. You know what Ol' Jack Burton used to say, it's all in the reflexes. There probably won't be a time when two AFL players are needed to form a Jai Alai doubles team, but Thomas and Ablett would be the two to choose.
Quick with their feet and hands, they also have great judgement when it comes to angles, and with Jai Alai when the ball bounces off the wall at a very fast speed that would be important. You either catch the ball, or it leaves a mark on your skull.
There was a time when Dale Thomas seemed like a clone of Gary Ablett Junior. Now, not only is Dale Thomas a star but in the TAC Cup they seem to be cloning Dale Thomas. Maybe State Of Origin would actually mean Ablett and Thomas are in the same team, but until then they are in this imaginary Jai Alai team.
There is a Lake in Footscray now, Brian Lake. A team that has changed it's name now has a full back who has gone from Brian Harris to Brian Lake.
Kristian Bardsley now has some company when it comes to footballers who changed their last name during their careers. Name changing worked for the Cats last year, as Rooke took Geelong to the Max and nobody even remembers his previous, less impressive, first name.
Full Back - Brian Lake
Centre Half Back - Tom Williams
Centre - Scott West
Centre Half Forward - Wayde Skipper
Full Forward - Brad Johnson
Chris Grant is gone, so the Bulldogs are without one of their greatest ever players, and a key part of their spine for many years. Lake is a solid full back and Williams is an athletic defender with great potential, the trouble for the Bulldogs is down the other end where they must again rely on Brad Johnson, who could be considered the smallest key position player in the AFL but also one of the best.
1997
Full Back - Steven Kretiuk
Centre Half Back - Craig Ellis
Centre - Scott West
Centre Half Forward - Chris Grant
Full Forward - Simon Minton-Connell
Geelong ruckman Mark Blake was one of the very few Geelong players who did not receive a medal of some sort last year. That seems to be making him more determined this year and that should help Geelong as they try to go back-to-back with their Cat Attack.
"Being from Geelong and barracking for Geelong my whole life and with dad playing," he said. "I have just been waiting for Geelong to win a premiership. I'd been to the 1992, 1994 and 1995 Grand Finals, and been in the crowd when we'd got flogged.
"I went into Bunnings the other day and I had four people in about 10 minutes lining up asking questions. I just try to be polite and change the subject a little, start talking about the weather or something else."
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Some players can be grouped into a category called “play if someone is injured”. Blake becomes a fantasy player if more minutes are available to him, so play if Ottens is injured. Blake can get hitouts and handballs, but needs plenty of minutes before fantasy coaches want to start him.
There is also a small chance that to lighten the load on Ottens, and because N Ablett is gone, they play Ottens a lot more as a full forward. If that happens, Blake could be useful for fantasy teams even with Ottens playing for the Cats too.
A comment was posted previously about the strength of the St Kilda spine. So here is a countdown of the spines for the AFL teams, going from worst and ending up with the first.
Some teams don't have a set spine, others only play with one tall forward, so naming and ranking the spines is a bit tricky. When the 2008 season games begin, there could be a few teams that have a different look than expected and others that perform much better than their ranking here.
The term "spine" often means different positions to different people, but the spine here is the usual four key positions and a centreman. In many games today, there is no real player who specializes in the centre so to select the onballer that is most suited the selected teams from last season were used and who the teams named in the centre was often the one selected here.
As a bonus, and it has no effect on the spine ranking of teams of today, the spine of the teams from just over a decade ago is shown.
Melbourne
Full Back - Nathan Carroll
Centre Half Back - Jared Rivers
Centre - James McDonald
Centre Half Forward - Michael Newton
Full Forward - David Neitz
Melbourne are in a rebuilding phase, so they are seeing what they have with their young players and planning to replace some of the old. Melbourne may not be in the best shape at the moment, but in a few years they could be very high in the rankings with a team built around Frawley, Rivers, Moloney, Morton and Newton.
1997
Full Back - Marcus Seecamp
Centre Half Back - Anthony Ingerson
Centre - Todd Viney
Centre Half Forward - David Schwarz
Full Forward - David Neitz
1 pitcher - Bret Thornton
2 catcher - Kane Johnson
3 first baseman - Cain Ackland
4 second baseman - Ben Mathews
5 third baseman - Zac Dawson
6 shortstop - Darren Pfeiffer
7 left fielder - Jordan McMahon
8 left center fielder - Jay Schulz
9 right fielder - Ryan Houlihan
10 right center fielder - Mitchell Farmer
Sort of a sport that goes out of it's way to slow things down, literally, which makes it easier to play for the lazier, or older, athletes. The pitching is really just lobbing in the ball so it can be smacked over the fence, and as the outfielders don't want to put in too much effort there is an extra player out there in slow pitch softball. Sometimes more of a social event than a competitive sporting contest, which means everyone can play.
Here is a team, from the AFL footballers, that includes some who may be thought of as being among the lazy, the slow, the unlucky, the ones who don't concentrate, the players who need a sport where less injuries occur, the footballers who could hit home runs and some who would like to stand out in a field. Maybe some of the players here take a big step forward in their AFL careers in 2008, but if they don’t there is always other sports like softball.
Thornton is used to giving up a lot of scoring, so he might be able to do the same thing as the pitcher here. Kane Johnson kicked the ball the wrong way, but he shouldn't have a problem here just throwing it back to the pitcher.
According to TV shows, they always put the worst fielder at first base, Ackland may not have the natural ability to be a softball infielder but he could hit some homers. The second baseman doesn't have to do a lot, as the shortstop can also cover his base and the throw to first base is very easy, so Mathews should be able to handle that. Dawson is a big guy and should be able to make the throw across the infield from third base, Dawson isn't very mobile but that doesn't matter at third base. Pfeiffer is probably only having a short stop at Carlton on his way to an amateur league.
McMahon likes running around on the grass of the AFL fields, so an outfield position would suit him, but if he bounces the ball in softball they would charge him with an error. Schulz stands around at centre half forward, waiting for someone to pass him the ball, now he could stand around in centre field waiting for a ball to be hit to him. Houlihan seems like the kid who is taken to a sporting club and dropped off there, as a form of cheap babysitting, even though they have no interest in the sport, plenty of children have been on softball teams due to this thinking, maybe all of the players. Farmer, a man out standing in his field.
Nathan Ablett probably won’t be playing for Geelong in the AFL next season, although he is still on the list and could make a big comeback if he changes his mind. He has announced he is taking a break.
It is not the end of the story, as Geelong will have to decide if they want to delist him after the season. That might open the door for one of the other teams, and if a team is willing to let Nathan Ablett train less, and agree to any other requests he would have, it might be a good idea for a team looking for a younger forward with a premiership medal. But for N Ablett, it is probably Geelong or nobody, although that won’t stop the other teams trying.
If Nathan Ablett does ever play a full season in the VFL, it could mean 100 goals, and a boost in TV ratings for the VFL too.
According to the stories below, the consensus seems to be that N Ablett might be walking away.
Ablett finds the simplicity of the VFL- training Monday-Wednesday-Friday - more appealing.
Gary Ablett Snr also took time away from the game in the middle of his brilliant career at Kardinia Park.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
It is nearly time to start planning for the AFL fantasy season, and some AFL fantasy tips will be posted here soon. Looking at what is happening at Geelong, fantasy coaches might want to start figuring out who takes N Ablett’s spot in the Geelong forward line, although it really has to be Hawkins. His fantasy price should be reasonable.
Tom Lonergan showed in the VFL Grand Final that he can kick goals. Geelong could also play Ottens up forward more, which may not be beneficial for his fantasy numbers. Ryan Gamble is a shorter option for them, Scott Simpson and Dan McKenna are younger options for the Cats to consider. Both would be inexpensive fantasy players who have been capable forwards in their Under 18 teams. Harry Taylor is another draftee who could take a forward position, although Geelong have talked about him as a prospect for their back line as well as forward.
This time a year ago, N Ablett was one of the big fantasy steals. Now his absence could open a spot for someone else with a low fantasy price and the ability to kick some goals for the Cats.
These two work well as a team, and they could again combine as the ping and pong of the AFL footballers.
Fast reflexes with the hands, knowing where to be positioned, working together in a confined space, Cross and West could use some of their centre-square skills to be a table tennis doubles team.
Table tennis would probably not be the easiest sport for AFL footballers. In AFL you are supposed to be running into people, but if there is a collision in table tennis it is with the two doubles players from the same team and the little ball has usually found it’s way to the floor.
LT Ben Hudson
LG Tom Hawkins
C Mal Michael
RG Mitchell Brown
RT Will Minson
WR Andrejs Everitt
WR Jack Riewoldt
SB Scott Pendlebury
SB Josh Hunt
FB Daniel Connors
RB Campbell Brown
QB Cameron Bruce
Defensive Unit
LDE Chris Dawes
LDT Matthew Carr
NT Barry Hall
RDT Brock McLean
RDE Ben Holland
OLB Tom Collier
MLB Tyson Stenglein
OLB Nick Maxwell
CB Andrew Mackie
CB Paul Bower
DHB Mitch Thorp
S Michael Johnson
Special Teams
Holder - Kepler Bradley
Kicker - Stuart Dew
Punter - Dustin Fletcher
Returner - Rhan Hooper
Another team of AFL footballers who are chosen, due to their size and the way they play sport, to fill a team from another sport. This time it is a CFL team, Canadian Football which is very similar to the NFL but with some changed rules, so imagine some of these AFL players with a few added kilograms.
Some big bodies are going to form the offensive line, and Hudson, Hawkins, Michael, M Brown and Minson should be able to protect the quarterback. A Everitt and J Riewoldt are athletes with some length who could run effective pass routes and bring in catches. The slotback position can be used to catch passes or as a blocker, Pendlebury would be another good target for the quarterback to pass to and Hunt could help block while also being someone for short yardage pass plays.
Daniel Connors and Campbell Brown sometimes seem to think that in AFL it is a good idea to put the ball under their arm and to try to run through people, in this CFL team that would be their primary role and they would be very good at it.
Cameron Bruce has height and mobility, and great awareness of what is happening on the sporting field, and he would be a solid quarterback.
Barry Hall is the nose tackle, which is probably a good spot for him. Dawes and Holland bring in some big bodies while McLean and Carr have the tenacity to break through the offensive line and hurt the quarterback.
Collier, Stenglein and Maxwell could all have the ability in CFL football to cover on passing plays and to tackle on running plays.
Mackie and Bower have AFL key position height but are more of a running type of player, that may not be the best news for their AFL teams as they may never become a conventional centre half back, but they might be good cornerbacks for this CFL team. Thorp and Johnson would be more help in the secondary, and Thorp might be a good player to blitz with too.
Stuart Dew has a big and accurate kick, and he is a good kick coming on an angle towards the goal, so he should be able to consistently hit field goals. Bradley can hold the ball for him, so maybe a position that suits him has actually been found on a football field. Fletcher can kick long punts, on the longer than NFL field of the CFL. Hooper would be someone to run back the kick returns, and with twelve big guys trying to tackle them the kick returner really needs to run fast.
1 Josh Fraser - Bowman
2 Paul Johnson
3 Setanta O'hAilpin
4 Aisake O'hAilpin
5 Peter Street
6 Hamish McIntosh
7 Darren Jolly
8 Dean Cox - Strokeman
A few ruckmen of the past have also been rowers so picking this team wasn't difficult, just finding some current ruckmen with the same size that many rowers are. They need to be long, but not too bulky as the boat might sink.
While many AFL players, ruckmen and also some key position players, would be suited to rowing it is unlikely that any stars will make the jump to the other sport. Except for selling canned fruit, rowers don't get a lot of endorsement opportunities, and their average salary would be much lower than that of AFL players.
Lead - Nathan Eagleton
Second - Adem Yze
Third - Shaun McManus
Skip - Shane Wakelin
While it is also a sport where medals can be won in international competition, it is also something associated with retirees. So this lawn bowls team is made up of footballers who may be looking for a hobby after the 2008 season, unless they get "Gasparized" in the coming months, and there might be one or two players there who may not get to round 22.
It should also be noted that Eagleton and Yze are very good when they aim at a target, so that would be helpful for lawn bowls. McManus must have a good supply of patience, as he has stayed at the Dockers for a long time, and being patient might be something that lawn bowls players need. Wakelin can clean up if his AFL teammates make a mistake, with a timely spoil, as the last to bowl on this team he would also be someone to spoil the other team's chances by sending down a bowl very fast to knock a few scoring bowls out of the way.
Frolf, or disc golf as it is sometimes called, seems to be played by people who are not the greatest when it comes to other, more popular, sports. Here are a couple of candidates from the AFL who may be more suited to competing for the World Disc Golf Championship.
Although it is possible that Jordan Russell wouldn't be too good at frolf, as he does miss what he is aiming at in AFL. Milne isn't the greatest team-player, but in the team version of frolf sharing doesn't come into it as both players have a frisbee of their own.
Lead - Des Headland
Second - Addam Maric
Third - Nick Davis
Fourth (Skip) - Robert Harvey
This sport would seem to require balance, a good aim and knowing how to use a broom. It is safe to assume that these AFL players have the first two requirements covered.
As curling is played on ice, maybe this game would suit players from Hawthorn who train in the arctic at Waverley and also play in Tasmania. Mark Williams, Stuart Dew, Cyril Rioli and Xavier Ellis might be an effective curling team.
Jeff White
Shaun Hampson
Patrick Ryder
Dean Cox
Lance Franklin
Lachlan Hansen
Jeff White could have probably been the greatest volleyball player in the world, he is the prototype for that sport. But as everyone struggles just a tad to name the greatest volleyball player in the world it was probably a good thing for him that he didn't go down that path.
Leuenberger and Cox in the same team, that is something West Coast fans are hoping for, and until this post was updated with Ryder substituted for Leuenberger this team did have both of the two big West Australians. Franklin, Hansen and Hampson add more players with height, some underrated agility and jumping ability.
The Brothers of Destruction - Josh Carr, Matthew Carr
The Dream Team - Brendan Fevola, Alan Didak
The Hart Foundation - Adam Hartlett, Gavin Urquhart
The Headbangers - Steve Johnson, Cameron Cloke
The Nasty Boys - Steve Baker, Brock McLean
Too Cool - Shane Crawford, Nathan G Brown
Something a bit different, but it is still putting AFL players into teams from another sport, by using their physical size and other attributes to choose them. Here are some names of the WWF tag-teams from the past, and the AFL players who might be a good fit for the present.
There may not be any games being played at the moment, but one club is still entertaining their fans. The Essendon Football Club have been posting some interesting answers from their players regarding various summer topics. What they wanted for Christmas, who their favourite cricketer is, and who will win the women’s tennis were some of the questions. Ricky Dyson says Angus Monfries is one to watch there, and maybe Angus Monfries won’t be passing the football to Ricky Dyson as much now too.
Who is going to win the female draw of the Australian open?
Angus Monfries
A number of other players at Essendon have also answered the questions and, whether they intended it or not, some are quite humorous. NEWS ARCHIVE - JANUARY 2008
The NFL season is now over for former AFL players Saverio Rocca and Ben Graham. Both had an average year, when compared to punters around the league, but as it was Rocca’s first year he did really well, and none of his punts were ever blocked so that is a good thing. Rocca may have also been credited with a tackle, as a few rounds back he did help take a punt returner out of bounds.
Mat McBriar continued his dominant punting, and his Dallas team is a big chance to get to the Super Bowl. McBriar’s punting could give Dallas the edge in a close playoff game. Ben Graham’s Jets had a terrible year while Rocca’s Eagles didn’t do too badly in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.
While there are only a limited number of punting spots in the NFL, and CFL, there are plenty of opportunities at the college level for younger Australian footballers and they could have a chance to play anywhere from USC or Texas A & M to Florida or Bovine University.
Below are the punting stats, from Yahoo! Sports, so you can see how the Australian punters rank against the rest of the regular punters in the NFL. Down the bottom of the post, the three Australian punters are listed together. Rocca did have the single biggest kick among the three.
Name Team G Punt Yds Avg Long In20 In10 FC TB Blk
Shane Lechler OAK 16 73 3585 49.1 70 25 11 12 7 0
Andy Lee SFO 16 105 4968 47.3 74 42 16 16 13 0
Donnie Jones STL 16 78 3684 47.2 80 18 6 8 9 0 Mat McBriar DAL 16 63 2970 47.1 64 17 10 9 7 0
Todd Sauerbrun DEN 14 47 2200 46.8 65 14 3 3 6 2
Mike Scifres SDG 16 81 3735 46.1 70 36 11 19 9 1
Dustin Colquitt KAN 16 95 4322 45.5 81 27 5 19 9 1
Chris Kluwe MIN 16 81 3621 44.7 70 34 11 6 9 0
Jon Ryan GNB 16 60 2664 44.4 72 18 5 14 11 2
Nick Harris DET 16 68 3010 44.3 58 26 11 9 5 0
Jason Baker CAR 16 90 3978 44.2 64 22 4 16 5 0
Josh Bidwell TAM 16 77 3382 43.9 61 30 12 11 10 1
Steve Weatherford NOR 16 63 2757 43.8 61 20 6 11 4 0
Sam Koch BAL 16 78 3397 43.6 64 20 2 16 9 1
Michael Koenen ATL 16 88 3824 43.5 63 30 8 31 5 0 Ben Graham NYJ 15 66 2855 43.3 62 23 9 12 7 1
Brandon Fields MIA 16 77 3327 43.2 61 10 3 7 6 0
Daniel Sepulveda PIT 16 68 2880 42.4 59 28 7 14 2 0 Saverio Rocca PHI 16 73 3066 42.0 65 24 4 14 7 0
Craig Hentrich TEN 15 70 2939 42.0 66 24 5 15 6 0
Hunter Smith IND 16 52 2181 41.9 63 18 7 13 5 0
Dave Zastudil CLE 12 49 2046 41.8 64 14 3 6 4 0
Brad Maynard CHI 15 88 3682 41.8 56 27 7 17 9 0
Matt Turk HOU 16 55 2296 41.7 59 24 10 17 3 0
Adam Podlesh JAC 16 54 2249 41.6 76 14 6 4 2 0
Chris Hanson NWE 16 44 1821 41.4 64 13 5 8 6 1
Kyle Larson CIN 16 59 2437 41.3 55 21 6 10 3 0
Derrick Frost WAS 16 75 3072 41.0 64 23 8 15 7 0
Brian Moorman BUF 16 81 3302 40.8 75 30 11 16 3 0
Jeff Feagles NYG 16 71 2865 40.4 60 25 8 17 5 1
Mike Barr ARI 11 59 2385 40.4 61 15 6 12 5 1
Ryan Plackemeier SEA 16 86 3436 40.0 62 30 13 15 6 0
Name Team G Punt Yds Avg Long In20 In10 FC TB Blk
Mat McBriar DAL 16 63 2970 47.1 64 17 10 9 7 0
Ben Graham NYJ 15 66 2855 43.3 62 23 9 12 7 1
Saverio Rocca PHI 16 73 3066 42.0 65 24 4 14 7 0
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