Fantasy: 2021 Essendon Targets

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

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

Fantasy podcast: @PlusSixPodcast

Coaching Tendencies/Game Style

The John Worsfold era at Essendon is now over which means the Ben Rutten era is about to fully take over, the initial issue for Rutten is the talent that has recently departed but from a fantasy perspective that opens up new opportunities.

The Bombers finally hit a number of early selections in the 2020 AFL Draft, Nik Cox, Archie Perkins & Zach Reid were added to the playing list as top 10 draft picks.

The ruck situation appears to be clear now at the Bombers, Sam Draper should see a heavy workload in 2021 well removed from a knee reconstruction back in 2019. He averaged 8.3 Disposals, 1.9 Marks, 1.9 Tackles & 18.5 Hit Outs from 8 games in 2020.

The backline is also set for a new look with the recently departed Adam Saad, Dyson Heppell has been forecast to take up a defensive role as well as the returning Nick Hind. The speed of ball movement out of defence in the pre-season & early rounds of the H&A season should give us a clear indication of what type of fantasy value there is for the half-back line.

With Jye Caldwell coming over to the Bombers from the Giants the midfield will get a new look, he should be used at a high rate at centre bounces in 2021.

The forward line will also look differently in 2021 for Essendon, Peter Wright comes over from Gold Coast & is likely to be a central target up forward as well as ruck support for Draper.

With so many changes & new players/positions at the Bombers volatility may be an issue, keep this in mind when considering players for your team in 2021.

Article by @aflratingsPete

Fantasy: 2021 Gold Coast Targets

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AFLRATINGS.com.au (@aflratings.com.au)

Follow on Twitter @aflratings_FS

Follow on Facebook AFLRATINGS

2021 Targets

Jye Caldwell MID/FWD

Caldwell made the move to the Bombers in the off-season trade period, he was completely starved of opportunities in a strong Giants midfield group.

The landing spot at Essendon for Caldwell is very favourable, his job security is now extremely strong as well as his role through the midfield.

Caldwell spoke about his role at the Bombers once the trade was complete, the Essendon coaching staff had clearly indicated to him that he was going to be used in an “inside-mid role” as well as creating versatility by playing “different positions”.

The scoring rate for Caldwell should provide decent value based on his Round 1 starting salary, ownership is likely to be strong especially with his DPP status adding flexibility to your team.

Fantasy podcast: @PlusSixPodcast

Archie Perkins MID/FWD

Perkins should see playing time in his first year at AFL level, he was selected at pick 9 in the 2020 AFL Draft.

The role for Perkins in 2021 is more likely as an outside midfielder, he also has the ability to go forward as a marking option.

Perkins averaged 14.2 Disposals in the 2019 NAB League, he also averaged 5.2 Contested Possessions.

The fantasy numbers for Perkins aren’t likely to be explosive but given where the Bombers are at with their list build his job security should be strong enough to warrant selection once he makes his debut, the added flexibility of DPP status makes him a viable option at Round 1 (if a debut is confirmed) even with an elevated salary.

Fantasy: The role for Archie Perkins in 2021

Follow AFL updates on Twitter @aflratings

Zach Merrett MID

A very intriguing spot for Merrett who is in a contract year in 2021, a big contract is looming for the 25 year old which may or may not have added value in fantasy but at least we know his motivation will be extremely high even if the Bombers don’t perform well in 2021.

Merrett was used more on the outside early in the 2020 season which resulted in some scratchy numbers, his centre bounce usage increased after the Jake Stringer injury (Stringer 66.3% centre bounce usage rate Rounds 1-5) with the scores eventually returning to an elite level.

To finish the 2020 season Merrett averaged 100.6pts from his final 11 games, his high ceiling games should be a feature again in 2021 & with his high price tag he’ll likely be overlooked at Round 1.

Extra:

With Jye Caldwell expected to start in the midfield at Essendon there will be an adjustment for centre bounce usage, at this stage the high numbers are likely to come from Dylan Shiel, Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett & Jye Caldwell.

If Ben Rutten once again inserts Jake Stringer into the middle as a bigger bodied match-up against opposition mids then a reduction may hit one of the above mentioned quartet, with the addition of Caldwell hopefully Rutten can maintain a strong consistent four in 2021 at centre bounces.

*2020 AFL season: 16 Min Qtrs