2021 DFS: Season Preview

The 2021 H&A season is set to begin on March 18, @aflratingsPete provides a short preview of players from each club to keep in mind throughout the DFS season. 

Adelaide

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 17th

Players to watch: 

Sam Berry – Drafted in 2020 the inside midfielder is likely to see opportunities this season, he’s a contested bull that can win his own ball.

Luke Pedlar – Another drafted at the end of last year, he does have break away speed from congestion, he can play both as an inside & outside midfield type.

Reilly O’Brien – Can find a genuine ceiling in favourable match-ups as the clear No.1 ruck at the Crows, he scored 100pts or more in 35.3% of games last season. 

2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Rucks

Brisbane

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 16th

Players to watch: 

Lachie Neale – He was the No.1 ranked midfielder in the AFL at centre bounces last season, expect high usage again in 2021.

Dayne Zorko – A move away from a midfield role appears likely this season, it likely won’t be a major shift with the long term injury to Cam Rayner.

Zac Bailey – Will be used more as an inside midfielder this season, expect a split wing/inside midfield role with a decent amount of centre bounce usage. 

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Carlton

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 18th

Players to watch: 

Zac Williams – Expected to see high midfield usage at the Blues after his off-season move from the Giants, his secondary role is likely a spot in the forward line. 

Adam Saad – Another off-season recruit to join the Blues, expect a focus to get the ball in his hands at every opportunity to use his line breaking speed.

Sam Walsh – Should see an increase in centre bounce usage compared to last year, Mac Murphy will move into a half-forward role allowing Walsh to be used more in the middle of the ground.

2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Forwards

Collingwood

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 1st

Players to watch: 

Taylor Adams – The Magpies will rely heavily on his midfield usage this season, expect to see high centre bounce numbers in 2021.

Jordan DeGoey – Expect to see a sharp increase in centre bounces for DeGoey in 2021, he will likely move forward in general play & has the ability to hit the scoreboard. 

Brodie Grundy – Should rebound from a quite type of 2020 season, he can accumulate disposals at a high rate for a ruck.

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Essendon

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 5th

Players to watch: 

Dyson Heppell – A move to a half back role this season may provide plenty of fantasy scoring opportunities, he has shed plenty of weight to protect himself from further foot concerns. 

Sam Draper – As he develops the fantasy scores are likely to increase over the 2021 season, scoring volatility may be an issue. 

Zach Merrett – Expect high usage in at centre bounces this season, he will be a main target through the midfield in general play with his elite foot skills to be able to hit targets further up the ground.  

Fremantle

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 7th

Players to watch:

Hayden Young – Should play a sweeping half-back role for the Dockers, he should be well utilised with his pin point accuracy by foot. 

Caleb Serong – Will be a feature in at centre bounces this season, he was outstanding in contested situations last year & with further development is likely to post decent numbers.

Nat Fyfe – Will play a midfield/forward role this season, his role within games may be scoreboard dependant.  

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Geelong

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 2nd

Players to watch:

Jeremy Cameron – In a tough match-up for opposition teams the Cats now possess two elite key forwards, expect ceiling type games in favourable match-ups. 

Shaun Higgins – One player not to forget over the season, he has a genuine fantasy game & could come in at low ownership in games throughout the year. 

Tom Stewart – Will play the loose intercept marking type again this season, he should be able to tap into a fair few ceiling games. 

Gold Coast

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 15th

Players to watch:

Noah Anderson – Could see an increase in centre bounce usage, he should do most of his work out on a wing.

Oleg Markov – Will play in a half-back role this season at his new club, he should be a player to roster early if priced low. 

Matt Rowell – Has completed a very good pre-season, the Suns were cautious during his rehabilitation period but he’s now ready to go. 

2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Defenders

GWS Giants

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 8th

Players to watch:

Josh Kelly – Has elite endurance & kicking skills, he should be utilised at a high rate in transition this season for the Giants. 

Stephen Coniglio – Is a prime candidate to bounce back this season, he has a genuine ceiling that should not be ignored in tournaments. 

Lachie Ash – Hasn’t shown much of a fantasy game as yet, but he’ll play a line breaking half-back role this season. 

Hawthorn

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 13th

Players to watch:

Tom Phillips  – Likely has one wing all to himself this season, he has elite endurance & should be able to work off his opponents late in games to create additional fantasy scoring opportunities. 

Ben McEvoy – A move out of a key defensive position back into the ruck this year, he’ll play a split ruck/forward role with Jon Ceglar in dual ruck set-ups. 

Tyler Brockman – Should see an early opportunity at the Hawks, he was lively in the AAMI Community Series game in pre-season in a half-forward/small forward role. 

Melbourne

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 9th

Players to watch:

Max Gawn – Despite an increase in ruck usage for Luke Jackson, Gawn should be able to maintain his high ceiling game.

James Harmes – He’s moved back into a midfield role this season, he’ll provide extra depth & be used at centre bounces. 

Christian Petracca – Will play a similar midfield/forward role again this season, ceiling games are in play with favourable match-ups. 

Nth Melbourne

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 6th

Players to watch:

Tom Powell – Accumulated the ball at a very high rate in U18 level, he’ll get plenty of opportunities this season at the Kangaroos. 

Will Phillips – Another drafted last season, when he’s ready to go he’ll likely see an opportunity through a midfield role. 

Jack Ziebell – Has moved to a half-back role in the pre-season, he should see plenty of fantasy scoring opportunities this season in a team that is expected to struggle. 

2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Forwards

Port Adelaide

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 3rd

Players to watch:

Dan Houston – The Power are a high disposal team & could blow teams away in favourable match-ups, there may be plenty of opportunities for Houston in his loose half-back role. 

Charlie Dixon – Port Adelaide move the ball fast at times & that should place Dixon in a prime position to hit the scoreboard often in favourable match-ups. 

Ollie Wines – Has completed an excellent pre-season, he could be set to take his fantasy game to a new level in 2021.

Richmond

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 12th

Players to watch:

Dustin Martin  – A similar role for Dusty this season, plenty of centre bounce usage then moving forward to create a mismatch. 

Jayden Short – Could be in for a career high fantasy season, he’ll be a main distributor for the Tigers out of defence. 

Shai Bolton – Is likely to see an increase at centre bounces this season, he is progressing well at clearances. 

2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Defenders

St Kilda

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 11th

Players to watch:

Brad Crouch – Won’t be available due to suspension early on but will have an impact through a midfield role, expect high usage at centre bounces. 

Jack Steele – The tagging duties were removed last season & he posted career high numbers, he’ll play a similar role this season. 

Jack Higgins – Will play a similar role at his new club starting at around a half-forward role moving up into the middle of the ground, he can find the footy.

Sydney

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 10th

Players to watch:

Errol Gulden – Should see an early debut this season, he’ll likely play a small forward type role & have genuine impact on games. 

Braeden Campbell – Drafted last year & is set for a half-back role early on, he’ll eventually be moved into the midfield as he develops. 

Callum Mills – Has made the move to add depth into the midfield, he should see a spike in centre bounce usage. 

2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Rucks

West Coast

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 14th

Players to watch:

Liam Duggan – Will see an increase in midfield usage early in the season, he was solid through a midfield role late in 2020.

Alex Witherden – Made the move from Brisbane in the off-season, he’ll play a distribution type role across half-back this season. 

Nic Naitanui – We could see an increase in game time with interchange rotations down to 75 this season, he should dominate hit outs against most opponents. 

Western Bulldogs

2020 Team Disposal Rank: 4th

Players to watch:

Jack Macrae – Will be well suited to a return to normal game length, his elite endurance will create additional fantasy scoring opportunities late in quarters & games. 

Stef Martin – Joined the Bulldogs in the off-season, he’ll share the ruck role with Tim English.

Lachie Hunter – Might overlooked at times in tournaments with the Bulldogs midfield depth, he’ll play mostly on a wing this year. 

Article by @aflratingsPete 

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2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Forwards

2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Rucks