The 2021 H&A season is set to begin on March 18, @aflratingsPete ranks the Top 10 Forwards in AFL Fantasy classic.Â
1.Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs) $741K
The bounce back spot for Josh Dunkley should be in-play this year, after an early season injury in 2020 he lost his centre bounce usage when he returned & was played out of position which impacted his fantasy output. The addition of Adam Treloar in the off-season has added to an already deep midfield at the Bulldogs, it is expected they will be a highly ranked team for disposals again in 2021. Dunkley has completed a near perfect pre-season, it won’t be a smooth ride if Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge moves him out of position, however based on his ability to hit a very high ceiling in a high disposal team there is genuine upside for him in 2021.
Season Projection: 105
2. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) $780K
Several reports over the pre-season indicated Dangerfield struggled last season with a groin injury, he has worked on that area of his body & has looked sharp in practice match situations in recent times. Dangerfield will turn 31 early in the 2021 H&A season, there is no genuine sign as of yet he will regress significantly from a fantasy perspective. Ownership appears to be strong to start the season, it will be interesting to see how many highly ranked coaches will spend up for him at Round 1. Dangerfield is expected to be used at a high rate at centre bounces this season for Geelong, if he completes a healthy season expect his average to be more than juicy.Â
Season Projection: 105
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3. Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) $841K
Sidebottom has an injury issue to start the season, he sustained a calf injury in the AAMI Community Series game against Richmond last week. Sidebottom has been a proven fantasy performer over his career, his ability to find open space to be a link between defence & forward contributes significantly to his fantasy scoring output. With little or no ownership to begin the season Sidebottom will be a unique option when he returns to full health especially at his high price tag, he’ll be used mostly as an outside midfielder this season with the potential of decent centre bounce usage.Â
Season Projection: 105
4. Tom Phillips (Hawthorn) $602K
Phillips moved to the Hawks in the off-season from Collingwood, he’ll likely play a similar role at his new club out on a wing with the potential to be used as an inside midfielder at times throughout 2021. Phillips is an accumulator which instantly makes him a viable option to start the season at a relatively comfortable price tag, ownership will be super strong early. Â
Season Projection: 100
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5. Dustin Martin (Richmond) $713K
Martin should be ranked highly again as a fantasy forward this season, he’ll likely be used at a similar rate at centre bounces again while moving forward to create a mismatch in general play. Martin has delivered consistent fantasy seasonal averages over his career & 2021 should be no different, his ability to hit the scoreboard does keep the fantasy scores ticking over. At the age of 29, Martin is still very much in his prime as a fantasy option.Â
Season Projection: 95
6. Jordan DeGoey (Collingwood) $605K
Expect DeGoey to see an increase in centre bounce usage this season with the departure of Adam Treloar, with Taylor Adams & Steele Sidebottom sidelined (after an early injury) in the AAMI Community Series game he was used at a rate of 73.1%. DeGoey may play the Dustin Martin type role rotating between a midfield & forward role this season, he has an elite ball winning ability that will keep the fantasy scores ticking over. DeGoey is still a threat to hit the scoreboard in games where he plays mostly forward, his salary at Round 1 is very enticing.Â
Season Projection: 95
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7. Toby Greene (GWS Giants) $627K
Even as a forward Greene has the ability to post genuine high ceiling type games, with the Giants looking to rebound from a poor 2020 season expect improved ball movement from defence which will assist in his fantasy scoring opportunities this season. Greene has the ability to move through a midfield role, but that is likely to be during general play with the Giants quality midfield depth. Greene is definitely worth considering, ownership will be friendly at the start of the season.Â
Season Projection: 90
8. Jack Ziebell (Nth Melbourne) $644K
Ziebell has moved to a half-back role during the pre-season under new Kangaroos coach David Noble, he has been exposed a few times in one on one match-ups deep forward in pre-season games which is something to monitor. It is expected he’ll play high half-back & be a main distributor out of defence, with the Kangaroos expected to struggle this year it is expected he’ll see plenty of fantasy scoring opportunities.Â
Season Projection: 90
2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Defenders
9. Isaac Heeney (Sydney) $603K
Heeney is now at full fitness to start the 2021 H&A season, last year he sustained a pretty nasty ankle injury which required a long period of rehabilitation. Historically Heeney has posted consistent season averages, he has a high enough ceiling to offset any low scoring games throughout the season. If key forwards are healthy enough at the Swans this season it should allow him to push up the ground in general play, despite the slow start to his pre-season campaign another promising fantasy return this year is expected.Â
Season Projection: 90
10. Chad Wingard (Hawthorn) $673K
Wingard has had an injury interrupted pre-season which likely results in a wait & see approach to start the season, his ability to find open space in what will be a forward/midfield role again should keep the fantasy scores ticking over at a solid rate. Wingard has exceptional foot skills, the Hawks will likely try & use him at a high rate through the corridor when moving forward, he is also a threat inside forward 50 & has the ability to hit the scoreboard.Â
Season Projection: 90
*Rowan Marshall is ranked at the Ruck positionÂ
2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Defenders
Article by @aflratingsPeteÂ
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2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Defenders
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