2023 AFL Fantasy: Five Players (Pre-season 7)

Five Players is a weekly article to help you make informed decisions for season long AFL Fantasy.

You can request a player each week by following @aflratingsPete on Twitter.

Will Phillips

After being impacted heavily last season with glandular fever Will Phillips has completed a healthy pre-season. His starting salary is very appealing which will entice many to start with him at Round 1. His role as an inside mid could be limited by the number of players set to be used through the midfield at North Melbourne which may impact his scoring output.
The concern starting with Phillips is that previously he has shown a very low scoring rate and this was evident again on the weekend against the Bulldogs. He should exceed his Round 1 salary expectation but keep in mind the scores may only be moderate.

There is some hesitation but fingers crossed we see a solid ROI.

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Max Gawn

Every fantasy coach should be well aware by now that Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy will share the ruck role this season at Melbourne. For Gawn it is unlikely to impact too heavily from his output last season sharing the role with Luke Jackson. His scoring output should remain quite healthy but many will wait to see the impact of the newly formed ruck combo rather than take the plunge early.
Both Gawn and Grundy will share the No.1 ruck role which will then split mostly into a forward role for the other. Gawn can also sit behind the ball to assist the Melbourne defence. Both players will also impact in different ways throughout the season including having their game time managed in preparation for finals.

Not many will click on Gawn which is understandable but his scoring rate could remain quite strong.

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Finn Callaghan

Callaghan was described as a ‘hybrid’ midfielder by his management group back in the most recent trade period. He will likely be used mostly on the outside this season with a sprinkling of inside usage. It is likely he’ll start on a wing at most centre bounces with the movement to an inside role at times.
The role for Callaghan is likely to produce volatile scores from a fantasy perspective but it should be strong enough to exceed his starting salary expectation.

He’s worth considering if you have the cap space.

James Worpel

Worpel will be one of a number of options for Hawthorn senior coach Sam Mitchell to use through the middle of the ground including centre bounces. Hawthorn are on a strong rebuild path which will result in changing roles throughout the season to give opportunities to younger players and a chance to evaluate the list heading into the off-season. The midfield is one area of growth for the Hawks in 2023 so that could impact Worpel at any given time.
Mitchell has also challenged several opposition teams in his short coaching career with his ability to target opposition players which also results in role movement week to week.

The starting salary is very much appealing but his role could be volatile.

Sam Flanders

This could be a career defining season for Flanders. Currently out of contract at the end of the year he is yet to put together any type of consistent form having been selected at pick 11 in 2019 AFL Draft. Injuries have impacted his ability to perform recently but a healthy pre-season has presented an opportunity to deliver in 2023.
The role should be solid enough to outperform his salary expectation to start the season. He’ll start mostly forward and push up the ground into the midfield along with what should be a sprinkling of centre bounce usage at a minimum. He is down the order in the centre bounce depth chart behind Touk Miller, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and David Swallow but if he can impact that should provide an increase in usage.

The forward/midfield role could deliver volatile scores.

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Article by @aflratingsPete

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