Fantasy: 2021 St Kilda Targets

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

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

St Kilda made it to the second week of finals in 2020, it was the first full season under senior coach Brett Ratten.

The Saints improved in several areas under Ratten, they were ranked 11th averaging 292.2 Disposals in the 2020 H&A season after being ranked 14th in 2019.

St Kilda were ranked 4th for scoring in the 2020 H&A season, the Saints averaged 68.2pts per game.

There was a slight adjustment to ball movement throughout in 2020, early in the H&A season slow ball movement started to be very appealing from a fantasy perspective as they averaged 7.7 Disposals per Inside 50 between Rounds 1-8, however they became more efficient averaging 6.9 Disposals per Inside 50 between Rounds 9-18 (Season Ave: 7.3, Rank 7).

The St Kilda midfield was strengthened in the off-season, Brad Crouch landed at the club via free agency & should play an integral part through the middle of the ground.

Ratten will likely play a dual ruck set-up again in 2021, Rowan Marshall & Paddy Ryder will split time at the position.

Quite a few midfielders at the Saints have expressed dual roles & flexibility over the pre-season, with the added/returning midfield depth & reduced rotations this is likely to cause volatility in fantasy scoring for some St Kilda players this season.

Article by @aflratingsPete

Fantasy: 2021 Collingwood Targets

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2021 Targets

Jack Steele MID

Steele was used at a team high 81.5% of centre bounces in 2020, despite the added midfield depth in 2021 his centre bounce usage should remain very strong.

There was a shift in playing style for Steele last season which resulted in a positive impact on his fantasy scoring, Saints senior coach Brett Ratten specifically changed the role for Steele from a negating midfielder to a ball hunting type & the scores really started flowing.

Due to a successful 2020 fantasy season from Steele his salary is high to start the 2021 season, as a result ownership is likely to be low with many seeking to look at value through the midfield.

Steele scored 100pts or more in 31.6% of games last season, if he puts up big early season numbers then he may be a difficult upgrade throughout the H&A season.

Fantasy podcast: @PlusSixPodcast

Brad Crouch MID

For those looking at value in the midfield to begin the season Brad Crouch is an option, in 2019 he averaged 107.9pts while in 2017 he averaged 105.8pts (Crouch did not play in 2018).

Crouch is priced well below those averages at Round 1 this season.

The uncertainty which needs to be taken into consideration is the new team for Crouch & just how much impact to his fantasy game there will be, Jack Steele likely remains as the alpha but if Crouch can settle in early & combine with Steele over the course of this season then there is genuine fantasy upside potential.

At the moment ownership is low for Crouch, many may look well below his salary for further savings which could create a decent leverage spot on your roster to begin the season.

Fantasy: The role for Brad Crouch in 2021

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Rowan Marshall RUCK/FWD

Despite playing in a dual ruck set-up for most of the 2020 season Marshall still averaged a very strong 76.9pts, if only he was solo ruck from a fantasy perspective.

Marshall averaged a low 14.6 Hit Outs last season (AFL Rank: 27), he averaged 14.0 Disposals – This was ranked 4th behind Max Gawn, Todd Goldstein & Brodie Grundy for players ranked in the Top 30 for average Hit Outs in 2020.

Many will look at the Hit Out average & be alarmed, looking at this from a different point of view imagining what his Hit Out average would be as solo ruck surely increases the optimism in his base scoring output & potential ceiling.

Just as reminder, Marshall averaged 28.4 Hit Outs in 2019 pretty much as solo ruck at the Saints. He would be an elite fantasy scoring player if it was just him only playing at the ruck position at the Saints.

Marshall does come with DPP status this season, selecting him as a FWD does provide flexibility & cover within your team. He is certainly worth considering starting as a FWD at Round 1.

Fantasy: The role for Seb Ross in 2021

*2020 AFL season: 16 Min Qtrs