AFL Fantasy Analysis From the Essendon - Indigenous All Stars Game
A quick look at some of the players from the Essendon Bombers - Indigenous All Stars game and how they might go in AFL fantasy leagues for 2007, and if they played in different positions in this game compared to previously in their career.
Richard Cole: Had a bad season when he first joined Essendon, but was a strong defender during this game. There may be a spot for him in the Essendon team this season. His fantasy price will be affordable too.
Alwyn Davey: He was as advertised, very quick and very effective in the forward area. Another player who will be cheap to buy in AFL fantasy leagues. He didn't play too deep in the forward line, more of a half forward flank, so for fantasy stats that is better than him being in the forward pocket.
Dustin Fletcher: Should be freed from the full back spot and will get more of the ball around half back. Was very effective in this game, but he did have half a foot of height on most opponents. He's injury-free and in the action more so he could have a much better season for fantasy statistics than in previous years.
David Hille: He was the biggest player out there, at least until McKinnon replaced him in the ruck, so it wasn't difficult for him to dominate. But he was in good form and should be a good option for your fantasy team.
James Hird: Started slow but ended up with a couple of goals. Found plenty of space up forward and depending on his price he will be a valuable fantasy player once more.
Tom Hislop: He might be playing in round 1 for the Bombers so keep an eye on him. In all parts of the game he is ready to play now. He will be one of the cheapest players to buy for fantasy teams but he should end up with a much higher price when he does play AFL. If any of the Bombers' first year players are there in round 1 it will be Hislop or Davey, maybe both of them.
Courtney Johns: The idea at Essendon seems to be Lloyd and Johns deep in the forward line, with Lucas and Hird further out from goal. Johns would be a much better player for AFL fantasy teams without Lloyd, so maybe wait to see how effective Johns is before playing him. Watch the NAB Cup game to see if there is room for both Lloyd and Johns in the forward 50.
Sam Lonergan: Had plenty of the ball but may not be in the senior side a lot this season.
Andrew Lovett: He was on the wrong team this game, and might find himself competing with Davey for a forward pocket role with the Bombers this season.
Nathan Lovett-Murray: Was one of the bigger players on the other team, which was not easy against the big Bombers. The forward line is full so Lovett-Murray will probably play as a defender for the Bombers in 2007. He has solid fantasy stats there.
Scott Lucas: Still in the good form of last season, but again that was without Lloyd also there.
Adam McPhee: McPhee won't be played deep in the back line, Michael is there now as well as Bradley, Lovett-Murray and Fletcher. McPhee had space through the middle of the ground during this game and if he does have a more attacking role it could provide a lot more stats. McPhee could be a big marking option on the wing for Essendon, he would be a good player for AFL fantasy if that happened.
Mal Michael: He seems to have fitted in perfectly. Won't be a big star with stats but might be a solid player if his fantasy price is low. The question of where Fletcher and Michael would play was quickly answered, as Michael will be playing in his best spot at full back.
Paddy Ryder: He was the tall option for the All Stars but he couldn't compete with some of the stronger Essendon players. He might need another year of bulking-up before he gets regular AFL action. He struggled in the ruck against Hille, and Essendon have a loaded forward line, so there isn't a spot for Ryder unless an injury hits the Bombers.
Brent Stanton: Plenty of the ball and will be a very good fantasy player this season.
Jason Winderlich: There may not be a spot in the side right now but he is close, he had a very good game here.
Des Headland: Hit the post a couple of times, but he was getting the ball in scoring position. If he could increase his goals output to 40 for 2007 his fantasy points would be a lot higher.
Aaron Davey: Nothing wrong with his ankle so that is the most important thing. Should again be one of the better forwards for AFL fantasy.
Andrew Krakouer: He did not have the ideal offseason preparation but in this game he showed he is ready for 2007. Was probably the best forward for the All Stars in this game.
Richard Tambling: This is supposed to be the year when he steps up, but didn't do a lot in this game. But for Richmond he fits his team better, as the speed element to the midfield strength of Tuck and Deledio.
Byron Pickett: Looked big and strong, and ready to go. He started last season a bit slow but that shouldn't happen this year.
Andrew McLeod: Just a typical game of his, taking the ball at half back and going on a big run, and he did this plenty of times. Maybe the Crows won't be playing him forward very much when he is playing so well in his usual spot. For AFL fantasy statistics he will be more valuable if he plays around half back or the midfield.
It must be remembered that the All Stars were without a lot of their taller players, so many who played were out of position. The ones who did play would have had a good hitout to start the season and many players on the team will be AFL fantasy stars when the season begins.
Richard Cole: Had a bad season when he first joined Essendon, but was a strong defender during this game. There may be a spot for him in the Essendon team this season. His fantasy price will be affordable too.
Alwyn Davey: He was as advertised, very quick and very effective in the forward area. Another player who will be cheap to buy in AFL fantasy leagues. He didn't play too deep in the forward line, more of a half forward flank, so for fantasy stats that is better than him being in the forward pocket.
Dustin Fletcher: Should be freed from the full back spot and will get more of the ball around half back. Was very effective in this game, but he did have half a foot of height on most opponents. He's injury-free and in the action more so he could have a much better season for fantasy statistics than in previous years.
David Hille: He was the biggest player out there, at least until McKinnon replaced him in the ruck, so it wasn't difficult for him to dominate. But he was in good form and should be a good option for your fantasy team.
James Hird: Started slow but ended up with a couple of goals. Found plenty of space up forward and depending on his price he will be a valuable fantasy player once more.
Tom Hislop: He might be playing in round 1 for the Bombers so keep an eye on him. In all parts of the game he is ready to play now. He will be one of the cheapest players to buy for fantasy teams but he should end up with a much higher price when he does play AFL. If any of the Bombers' first year players are there in round 1 it will be Hislop or Davey, maybe both of them.
Courtney Johns: The idea at Essendon seems to be Lloyd and Johns deep in the forward line, with Lucas and Hird further out from goal. Johns would be a much better player for AFL fantasy teams without Lloyd, so maybe wait to see how effective Johns is before playing him. Watch the NAB Cup game to see if there is room for both Lloyd and Johns in the forward 50.
Sam Lonergan: Had plenty of the ball but may not be in the senior side a lot this season.
Andrew Lovett: He was on the wrong team this game, and might find himself competing with Davey for a forward pocket role with the Bombers this season.
Nathan Lovett-Murray: Was one of the bigger players on the other team, which was not easy against the big Bombers. The forward line is full so Lovett-Murray will probably play as a defender for the Bombers in 2007. He has solid fantasy stats there.
Scott Lucas: Still in the good form of last season, but again that was without Lloyd also there.
Adam McPhee: McPhee won't be played deep in the back line, Michael is there now as well as Bradley, Lovett-Murray and Fletcher. McPhee had space through the middle of the ground during this game and if he does have a more attacking role it could provide a lot more stats. McPhee could be a big marking option on the wing for Essendon, he would be a good player for AFL fantasy if that happened.
Mal Michael: He seems to have fitted in perfectly. Won't be a big star with stats but might be a solid player if his fantasy price is low. The question of where Fletcher and Michael would play was quickly answered, as Michael will be playing in his best spot at full back.
Paddy Ryder: He was the tall option for the All Stars but he couldn't compete with some of the stronger Essendon players. He might need another year of bulking-up before he gets regular AFL action. He struggled in the ruck against Hille, and Essendon have a loaded forward line, so there isn't a spot for Ryder unless an injury hits the Bombers.
Brent Stanton: Plenty of the ball and will be a very good fantasy player this season.
Jason Winderlich: There may not be a spot in the side right now but he is close, he had a very good game here.
Des Headland: Hit the post a couple of times, but he was getting the ball in scoring position. If he could increase his goals output to 40 for 2007 his fantasy points would be a lot higher.
Aaron Davey: Nothing wrong with his ankle so that is the most important thing. Should again be one of the better forwards for AFL fantasy.
Andrew Krakouer: He did not have the ideal offseason preparation but in this game he showed he is ready for 2007. Was probably the best forward for the All Stars in this game.
Richard Tambling: This is supposed to be the year when he steps up, but didn't do a lot in this game. But for Richmond he fits his team better, as the speed element to the midfield strength of Tuck and Deledio.
Byron Pickett: Looked big and strong, and ready to go. He started last season a bit slow but that shouldn't happen this year.
Andrew McLeod: Just a typical game of his, taking the ball at half back and going on a big run, and he did this plenty of times. Maybe the Crows won't be playing him forward very much when he is playing so well in his usual spot. For AFL fantasy statistics he will be more valuable if he plays around half back or the midfield.
It must be remembered that the All Stars were without a lot of their taller players, so many who played were out of position. The ones who did play would have had a good hitout to start the season and many players on the team will be AFL fantasy stars when the season begins.
