NEWS
New draftees again were the highlight of the day for team news, a few more players shared their initial thoughts joining an AFL team.
“I predominantly play forward, but I can pinch-hit through the Midfield as well” Curtis Taylor, Nth Melbourne.
“That’s where I played the majority of my season this year (Midfield) & my strengths are my stoppage & clearance work” James Rowbottom, Sydney.
“I think I play on the inside & the outside both pretty well, as well as I can play Forward, Backline or in the Midfield” James Jordon, Melbourne.
Jarryn Geary (Knee), Billy Longer (Ankle), Dean Kent (Shoulder), Max King (Knee) & Jack Bytel (Back) are all in the rehab group at St Kilda (via AFL.com.au).
Scott Selwood is in full training at Geelong, Lachie Fogarty, Ryan Abbott & Jamaine Jones & Jed Bews are in the rehab group.
Nakia Cockatoo (Calf/Tonsils), Jordan Cunico (Tonsils) were absent from training (via AFL.com.au)
GEELONG
Patrick Dangerfield gave another indication that the Cats will be making changes to their game plan next season, speaking at a press conference today he alluded to working on changes over the pre-season.
“I’m sure there will be some slight tinkering to the game plan (over the pre-season)” Patrick Dangerfield.
A season of change ahead for Geelong
Geelong averaged 382.7 Disposals in the 2018 H&A season (Rank 6).
Catch Up – Fantasy News Today: 26 November, 2018
Zach Tuohy has undergone minor knee surgery, he is expected to resume light running next week via @cleary_mitch (AFL.com.au).
Tuohy averaged 21.9 Disposals & 5.1 Marks from a full 23 games for the Cats in 2018, he averaged 22.2 Disposals from winning games & 21.5 Disposals from losing games last season.
Tuohy averaged 80.6pts in AFL Fantasy & 84.8pts in SuperCoach in 2018.
AFL FANTASY ANALYSIS
In his last season at Brisbane Dayne Beams was the highest scoring fantasy player, after his trade back to Collingwood his average would have ranked him 2nd at the Magpies in 2018 behind Brodie Grundy & ahead of Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams & Scott Pendlebury.
Beams scored 100pts or more in 57.9% of games & 120pts or more from 42.1% of games in 2018, his splits were a touch more volatile compared to 2017.
Looking ahead at the 2019 Collingwood Midfield, it is completely stacked with fantasy relevant options. Finding the right player to proceed with from the Magpies will be difficult for fantasy coaches, with the addition of Beams it is likely that other options are a push or even a slight downgrade due to the extensive depth.
Collingwood averaged 402.7 Disposals in the 2018 H&A season (Rank 1), it is very likely they will be ranked highly again in 2019. The Magpies had 6 players average 25.0 Disposals or more last season, Dayne Beams would likely average more than 25.0 Disposals in 2019.
There will likely be movement at the Magpies for several key players to allow Beams to work as an inside Midfielder, Scott Pendlebury may move to a Half-Back role as a result.
AFL Fantasy Analysis: Scott Pendlebury
If you are looking to roll with at least one Midfield option at Round 1 then watching Collingwood in both JLT Series games is compulsory viewing, based on the salaries for Beams and other premium Midfield options at the Magpies it is arguable that they are appropriately priced.
