The 2024 AFL pre-season is underway which also means it is time to start building a list of players that could be in your fantasy starting squad at Round 1:Â
TOUK MILLER (GOLD COAST)
Miller was unfortunately restricted to just 13 games in 2023 due to a knee injury, he averaged 24.9 disposals which included only two 30+ disposal games. Despite the 2023 injury he has been quite durable over his career and is very diligent in his preparation. Miller has been a high centre bounce inside midfielder which is likely to continue under new senior coach Damien Hardwick. His contested winning ability should be strong along with ability to win plenty of ball on the outside. Expect a strong 2024 season from Miller.Â
LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE (NTH MELBOURNE)
It was a frustrating 2023 season for Davies-Uniacke after an excellent start averaging 115.5pts from his opening 2 games. A late withdrawal in Round 3 due to calf tightness and a hamstring injury in May were some of the issues which limited him to just 14 games for the season. Nth Melbourne are stacked with midfield options which could see some players limited for usage as inside mids in 2024, Davies-Uniacke is still expected to see strong inside midfield usage which should include a healthy amount of centre bounces. LDU averaged 112.2pts from his final 6 games in 2023 which will be enticing for many to consider. A watch on his pre-season health is a must to ease the soft tissue injury concerns of 2023.
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TAYLOR ADAMS (SYDNEY)
Injury once again ended the season early for Taylor Adams at Collingwood. In 2022 he missed two finals and last season again he missed the final two games as he watched a premiership from the sideline. A diminished inside midfield role during the 2023 season combined with his injury concerns clouded his future at Collingwood which culminated in a move to Sydney. Adams will be highly motivated heading into the 2024 season at a club that needs inside midfield experience. The landing spot here for Adams should provide strong inside midfield opportunities which includes a healthy amount of centre bounces. Expect a strong start to the 2024 season.Â
JOSH WARD (HAWTHORN)
Ward is entering his third season in the AFL and could be set for increased responsibility in the Hawthorn midfield. He was mostly used in an inside/outside midfield role last season and has been working on his centre bounce craft throughout the 2024 pre-season. There would have to be an adjustment of midfield roles within the Hawthorn playing group from last season to accommodate an increase for Ward on the inside. His fantasy scoring rate would likely increase significantly if he can secure a strong inside midfield role throughout 2024. Ward is a watch for specific midfield splits during pre-season games.Â
JACK SINCLAIR (ST KILDA)
Sinclair averaged 102.1pts from 24 games in 2023 which included an average of 107.3pts from his final 13 games. He was used mostly across half-back for the Saints along with several moves into the midfield when required. Sinclair should remain a major ball-winner for St Kilda in 2024 especially in a half-back role. St Kilda play only one of their opening 5 games at Marvel Stadium to start the 2024 season, Sinclair averaged 105.0pts from 14 games at Marvel Stadium and 98.1pts from 10 games away from Marvel Stadium in 2023. Expect a strong season from Sinclair in 2024.
Article by @aflratingsPete
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