Matthew Roberts was taken at pick 34 in the 2021 AFL Draft by Sydney, he was recruited from South Adelaide.
He plays as a midfield/forward type, he currently stands at 183cm, 81kg.
Full Draft coverage: 2021 AFL Draft: All the Picks
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Roberts is a contested type ball winner, he’ll develop his craft from an experienced core midfield group at the Swans.
He was thrilled at being selected by the Swans post-draft.
“I am really looking forward to working with Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy, inside-mids who are similar to myself, and just getting to know how they go about their preparation and craft,”
“I feel my strengths are ball-winning and inside contested work. I want to be a really good ball user and clean below the knees but also have the ability to go forward and have an impact there,”
“I feel like I am confident enough to slot into a forward role or through the mid but I am trying to keep a really open mind and take everything as it comes.” Roberts said.
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2022 AFL Fantasy: Mitchito Owens
Roberts averaged 11.1 Disposals, 1.7 Marks & 3.9 Tackles in the SANFL from 6 games in 2021, he averaged 32.0 Disposals, 8.3 Marks & 7.7 Tackles from 3 games in SANFL U18s.
Fantasy Impact: Matthew Roberts will add midfield depth at the Swans, his ability to play forward may be his initial path at AFL level.
He’s a strong bodied/ball winning midfielder, he has speed & works smart out of stoppages.
The short term fantasy prospects for Roberts could be moderate to good, he’s quite developed physically & can win a stack of contested ball. His development over pre-season could be sharp which may present multiple opportunities at AFL level in 2022.
The longer term prospects should be decent, if he develops well expect a move into a midfield role when his endurance has fully developed which should provide a healthy scoring output.
Roberts would be a consideration for season long fantasy at Round 1 if he is selected, keep him well & truly on the radar over pre-season for rate of development & any potential opportunities for 2022.
He’s likely a pass or a very late round speculative option in single season draft leagues, but that is based on any potential midfield opportunities in 2022.
Place him in the mix as an early selection in dynasty leagues well ahead of expected ADP, the long term payoff could be worth the wait.
2021 AFL Draft Top 10
1. Jason Horne-Francis (Nth Melbourne)
2. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs)
3. Finn Callaghan (GWS Giants)
4. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
5. Mac Andrew (Gold Coast)
6. Josh Rachele (Adelaide)
7. Josh Ward (Hawthorn)
8. Jye Amiss (Fremantle)
9. Josh Gibcus (Richmond)
10. Neil Erasmus (Fremantle)
Full Draft coverage: 2021 AFL Draft: All the Picks
Article by: @aflratingsPete
Source: AFL Sydney
Image credit: Sydney
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