With the 2021 H&A season beginning on March 18 @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for West Coast.
Each team will be previewed over the pre-season, stay tuned on @aflratings_FS for all fantasy news & updates for the 2021 season.
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Coaching Tendencies/Game Style
The 2021 season will likely be much of the same from West Coast senior coach Adam Simpson, the win/loss record for the Eagles has fallen just short of the Top 4 in the last 2 years.
West Coast were ranked 14th in the 2020 H&A season averaging 286.5 Disposals, a decline late in the season due to injuries through the midfield resulted in an average of 275.4 Disposals from their final 5 games of the year.Â
The arrival of Tim Kelly last season forced a change in the centre bounce rotation at the Eagles, Jack Redden was negatively impacted the most with his usage declining at an alarming rate.
Nic Naitanui likely benefited the most at West Coast from a shortened game length & H&A season in 2020, interchange rotations have been cut for the 2021 season to 75 & we are back to normal length Qtrs.Â
The off-season was relatively quiet for West Coast, however Alex Witherden joined the team from Brisbane which is clearly noteworthy from a fantasy perspective.Â
Article by @aflratingsPeteÂ
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2021 Targets
Andrew Gaff MID
Gaff is likely priced at the bottom of his average range to start the season, there is upside potential in his average & with his ceiling an increase in salary is quite possible making him an unachievable target for many.
Gaff scored 80pts or more in 77.8% of games in 2020, the only knock on his fantasy game is that he can produce some low scoring games. Gaff scored fewer than 60pts in 16.7% of games last season.Â
There will be some interest in Gaff to start the season as a unique premium scoring player, he won’t be overly owned.Â
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Elliot Yeo MID
Yeo is progressing slowly from a groin injury, there is no doubt the Eagles will be patient with a very important player on their list. Yeo is yet to resume full training so far in the pre-season.Â
One strategy for the Eagles may be to reintegrate Yeo back in on a minutes restriction or even beyond that a delayed start to his H&A season, there may be the possibility of a slide in salary from an early season minutes restriction which is something to take advantage is becomes a cheaper buy.Â
Based on his Round 1 starting salary Yeo is value, he averaged 101.4pts from 23 games in 2019 & 106.2pts from 25 games in 2018.
Tracking the pre-season for Yeo should be a high priority, as time plays out over the pre-season a more informed decision can be made.Â
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Alex Witherden DEF
After virtually being shut out of the Brisbane team last season Witherden made his way via a trade to West Coast, the landing spot couldn’t have been better with the Eagles game style holding the ball up across half-back several times in-game which creates additional fantasy scoring opportunities.Â
Witherden definitely has a fantasy game, long term this should be a very complimentary fantasy home for him. The short term goal will be to knock the door open for a spot in the best 22 at Round 1, if that is confirmed then he is a viable option to start with.Â
The tracking of Witherden over the pre-season will be critical, any positive updates on his position in the team should provide increased confidence in selecting him early in the season. There will be more than a few interested in starting him at Round 1.Â
West Coast: “He’s going to fit in like a glove in our back 6/7. We probably need someone like him in our backline."
Brad Sheppard on Alex Witherden via @1116sen on Wednesday#AFL | #AFLPreSeason pic.twitter.com/uI0Y8xkDXx
*2020 AFL season: 16 Min Qtrs
One Big Question
What will the impact be on Nic Naitanui with reduced interchange in 2021?
Photo credit: West Coast
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