2023 AFL Fantasy: Five Players (Pre-season 8)

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.

Tom Stewart

Stewart will once again take charge of the Geelong defence, he will provide structure and support to key defenders assisting them with his intercept marking ability. Opposition teams were running schemes against the Geelong defence last season which included removing the ability of Stewart to impact inside forward 50 entries.

Geelong have stacked their home games in the second half of this AFL season with ongoing construction at GMHBA Stadium. The narrow ground reduces the space going inside forward 50 for opposition teams which plays into the hands of Geelong and Stewart. The first half of the season opposing teams may have the upper hand of that battle to shut down Tom Stewart.

He’ll certainly be a target at some point with those Geelong home games late in the year.

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Caleb Serong

The fantasy scoring average for Serong has been solid since he made his debut in 2020. He will have the opportunity again this season to deliver a strong average with what should be a very healthy midfield role.

With Jaeger O’Meara and Will Brodie taking most of the extraction work at Fremantle Serong can get to work on his outside game to compliment his sound inside game. Andrew Brayshaw is likely the No.1 tagging option for opposing teams which should leave Serong with a nice opportunity to keep the scores ticking over.

One to consider.

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Peter Ladhams

With Tom Hickey sidelined to start the season with injury the No.1 ruck position has been claimed by Ladhams. He’ll have an opportunity for what should be an extended period but will depend on the health situation for Hickey. Ladhams has also been dealing with his own knee tendonitis recently.

Also waiting for an opportunity very early in his career is Lachlan McAndrew who stands at 210cm tall. Recently Sydney senior coach John Longmire was positive on McAndrew getting an opportunity early this season. McAndrew had an impact in both practice games over the pre-season.

The salary for Ladhams is quite appealing but could be an instant trade when Hickey becomes available.

There is risk here.

Liam Jones

Liam Jones returns to the Bulldogs this season on a lengthy contract. A year away from the game has freshened him up ready to impact inside D50.

The role for Jones could be quite favourable in some games to impact with a stack of intercept marks, other games he may have to take on opposition key forwards which is likely to impact his scoring rate. The starting salary for Jones is quite appealing and does represent value.

One to consider for those brave enough.

Oliver Hollands

We’ll likely get a fair look at Oliver Hollands throughout the 2023 season. The No.11 pick from the 2022 AFL Draft already has an elite running capacity to hold down a wing position. There appears to be trust from Carlton senior coach Michael Voss already and it is just a matter of time before we see a debut at AFL level in what is a very specific role.

Hollands averaged 23.3 disposals, 6.5 marks and 3.5 tackles from 4 games in the U18 National Championships last season.

He’ll certainly be a target at game 1.

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Article by @aflratingsPete

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