NEWS
Fantasy coaches got a first glimpse at the 2019 H&A Fixture after it was released by the AFL today, planning around the fixture in season long fantasy is important especially setting up a successful Bye structure.
2019 AFL Fantasy: Fixture Analysis
There was plenty of other fantasy related news today, the Swans will select Nick Blakey in the upcoming 2018 AFL Draft and List Manager Kinnear Beatson was able to give us an early positional forecast.
“In time he’ll become a Forward.. he’ll play on a Wing/Flank initially before he becomes strong enough to hold down a key Forward post” Sydney List Manager Kinnear Beatson on Nick Blakey.
2019 H&A Season: Strength of Fixture
Jarryd Lyons was signed as a Delisted Free Agent by Brisbane today, he now slots into the Lions midfield providing support for Dayne Zorko and the newly acquired Lachie Neale.
Lyons averaged 24.5 Disposals & 5.5 Tackles in 2018, he scored 100pts or more in 15.8% of games & 120pts or more in 26.3% of games (AFL Fantasy). Lyons averaged 95.2pts in AFL Fantasy last season.
Bet Lab: The 2018 Season That Was
Tommy Sheridan was signed as a Delisted Free Agent by GWS today, he averaged 71.2pts from 13 games at Fremantle last season. Sheridan is not considered as a season long AFL Fantasy prospect.
Fantasy Impact: 2019 Rule Changes
Darren Minchington was also signed as a Delisted Free Agent by Hawthorn today, he has a career season high average of 63.8pts in AFL Fantasy from 5 games in 2017. Minchington has a total of 28 career games, he did not play for the Saints in 2018.
Gold Coast
Gold Coast List Manager Craig Cameron gave an insight via SEN 1116 this morning on what players he thought might be given an opportunity in the midfield next season.
Gold Coast: “.. (We’re) wanting to find out where guys like Will Brodie, Jack Bowes & (Brayden) Fiorini can take us in the next couple of years.. even sort of where Touk Miller can lift his game too” Craig Cameron.
Brodie averaged 25.6 Disposals (AFL Fantasy: 82.7pts) in the 3 games leading up to Round 21 in which he suffered a season ending hamstring injury, he averaged 18.9 Disposals & 68.4pts (AFL Fantasy) in 2018 and is one to watch over the pre-season for a potential breakout year in 2019.
Bowes averaged 23.3 Disposals (AFL Fantasy: 94.3pts) in his final 3 games of the year for Gold Coast, he averaged 63.8pts in 2018 (AFL Fantasy) and is another player to watch over the pre-season.
Fiorini should be on your watch list right now, he averaged 28.0 Disposals (AFL Fantasy: 104.0pts) from his final 3 games of the 2018 season, he has shown over his 27 game career he does have a ceiling and next season he definitely could be in for a breakout year.
On the downside, Gold Coast averaged 339.8 Disposals in 2018 (Rank 18).
Fantasy News Today: 31 October, 2018
INJURY NEWS
Stay up to date on injury news throughout the pre-season on Twitter via @aflratings
Key injury news can also be located on our website at Injury News
Injury Update: Josh J. Kennedy
AFL FANTASY ANALYSIS
It was a tough beginning to the 2018 H&A season for Zach Merrett as he was concussed early in Round 1 and opposition clubs followed that up with a couple of tags, he averaged 53.7pts from his opening 3 games but finished strongly averaging 109.0pts from his final 19 games.
Merrett scored 100pts or more in 27.3% of games & 120pts or more in 63.6% of games in 2018.
The addition of Dylan Shiel should provide Merrett the support needed in order for him to average over 110pts again in 2019, Merrett is currently under priced by at least 10pts compared to previous fantasy history.
For those looking to escape the high price tag of Tom Mitchell for a similar type of ceiling player, then Merrett should be very high on your radar.
