Fantasy: 2021 Nth Melbourne Targets

With the 2021 H&A season beginning on March 18 @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for Nth Melbourne.

Each team will be previewed over the pre-season, stay tuned on @aflratings_FS for all fantasy news & updates for the 2021 season.

Coaching Tendencies/Game Style

The fantasy numbers for as long as we can remember going back to the Brad Scott days as senior coach at Nth Melbourne haven’t been great, under new coach David Noble things could be about to change.

With no senior coaching experience at AFL level 2021 will be a blank canvas to begin with, however the 2020 AFL Draft has given us a clear indication where the Kangaroos are headed as far as game style in concerned both short & long term.

Nth Melbourne selected high contested ball winners with their early picks, players such as Will Phillips & Tom Powell (refer below) are set to be integrated into the midfield next season.

The Kangaroos were ranked 10th in 2020 despite a poor win/loss record for contested possession differential (+0.6), they were also ranked 6th for team disposals with 300.1 for the H&A season.

Over the pre-season look out for ball movement & disposal numbers at Nth Melbourne, with the huge amount of player turnover in the off-season there should be a sharp eye on player integration & roles which are likely to provide fantasy opportunities in 2021.

Article by @aflratingsPete

Fantasy: 2021 Adelaide Targets

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2021 Targets

Will Phillips MID

Selected at pick 3 in the 2020 AFL Draft Will Phillips is a ready made midfielder, he won’t be out of place with his solid build already in place to cope with the higher physical intensity at AFL level.

The Kangaroos are in a re-build phase which presents plenty of opportunities for Phillips early in his career to not only play but to see a decent amount of prime midfield usage, he averaged 22.1 Disposals in the 2019 NAB League, he also averaged 9.1 contested possessions.

Phillips will be a popular option if named for a Round 1 debut, with his ability to win plenty of the ball to go along with his forecast opportunities it’s likely not wise attempting to be different with his selection.

Fantasy: The role for Will Phillips in 2021

Tom Powell MID

With the Kangaroos looking to re-shape their midfield under new coach David Noble they selected another ball winning midfielder at pick 13 in the 2020 AFL Draft in Tom Powell, he averaged 33.5 Disposals in the 2020 SANFL U18’s, he also averaged 14.6 Contested Possessions & 8.0 Clearances.

Powell is a high contested ball winner as shown by his huge returns at every junior level, along with Phillips he is likely to see plenty of opportunities in both playing time & role in 2021.

Powell will come with high ownership if he is confirmed for a Round 1 debut, with his elite numbers at junior level expectations are high from a fantasy perspective.

Fantasy: The role for Tom Powell in 2021

Lachie Young DEF/MID

Although Young will come with an elevated salary compared to those rock bottom there could be a decent pay-off, opportunity & role will increase at the Kangaroos compared to what we witnessed at the Bulldogs.

Young has averaged 10.5 Disposals, 3.2 Marks & 1.8 Tackles from 8 career games, he played 2 games in 2020. Those numbers should be ignored with the potential he now has at the Kangaroos.

Recently Kangaroos List Manager Glenn Luff stated they were looking for Young to be a rebounding/intercepting type defender, if he can complete a solid pre-season & be best 22 at Round 1 then he may be an ideal option to select as a defender.

Lachie Young Joins Nth Melbourne

*2020 AFL season: 16 Min Qtrs