NEWS
Gathering intel to generate a solid watch-list is just a piece of the puzzle for a successful fantasy season, with most players back on deck for pre-season the news & notes continue for another edition of Fantasy News Today.
Midfielder Jack Ross was selected at Pick 43 by Richmond, he might not be an option for fantasy coaches on the back of his recent comments.
“For me, I’m looking at VFL & slowly developing & getting my fitness level up, which is probably a little bit behind the eight ball at the moment, then slowly moving into AFL senior games” Jack Ross.
St Kilda Midfielder Jack Bytel won’t be hitting full training until at least January as he is still recovering from a bulging disc in his back, he likely won’t be an early option for fantasy coaches in 2019.
2018 H&A SEASON TEAM DISPOSALS
1. Collingwood 402.7
2. Melbourne 391.0
3. St Kilda 388.7
4. Western Bulldogs 387.5
5. Adelaide 383.0
6. Geelong 382.7
7. Essendon 381.6
8. GWS Giants 379.3
9. Hawthorn 378.8
10. Port Adelaide 375.5
11. Brisbane 373.5
12. Sydney 373.2
13. Richmond 368.0
14. Nth Melbourne 367.8
15. Fremantle 363.1
16. West Coast 357.1
17. Carlton 347.1
18. Gold Coast 339.8
Catch Up – Fantasy News Today: 28 November, 2018
Stephen Hill has been put back on a modified training program due to persistent Quad problems, this on the back of a 2018 season in which he spent a fair amount of time on the sidelines due to soft tissue problems.
“Options to rectify the issue are being considered by our medical team, with Stephen on a modified program until a preferred solution is decided on” Fremantle GM of Football, Peter Bell.
Hill averaged 73.0pts in AFL Fantasy & 71.7pts in SuperCoach in 2018.
If the injury problems continue for Hill then it could result in a bump in opportunity for midfield usage next season for the likes of Blakely, Brayshaw & others at Fremantle.
AFL FANTASY ANALYSIS
Connor Blakely had his 2018 campaign cut short by a knee injury, he averaged 91.5pts from 13 games on the back of averaging 91.8pts in 2017. Blakely averaged 23.8 Disposals last season, when he recorded 20 Disposals or more he averaged 100.2pts & 25 Disposals or more he averaged 115.2pts.
Blakely scored 100pts or more in 38.5% of games & 120pts or more from 7.7% of games in 2018, this was comparable to 2017.
With the departure of Lachie Neale during the 2018 Trade Period there is an opportunity for someone to grab the No.2 Midfield spot at the Fremantle behind Nat Fyfe and Blakely looks like the ideal candidate.
AFL Fantasy Analysis: Nat Fyfe
Blakely is currently in full training and not showing any residual effects of his knee injury, speaking in early November teammate Luke Ryan was impressed by the current fitness level for Blakely & his potential role next season.
“To get him back and fit and at 100 per cent will help us a lot, whether that’s in the midfield or a half back” Luke Ryan on Connor Blakely.
Fremantle averaged 363.1 Disposals in the 2018 H&A Season (Rank 15), the Dockers averaged 360.7 Disposals in the 2017 H&A season (Rank 17).
Blakely is currently 22 years of age and about to enter his prime years at AFL level, based on his previous fantasy history he could be set for a breakout 2019 season. Blakely is a must for your current watch-list.
