AFL Fantasy is open for the 2023 season, offering coaches the chance to start plotting out their starting squads with prices and positions confirmed. So we called in the experts to get their first impressions.
Our expert panelists are;
- Luke Strudwick @Strudy23, two-time AFL Fantasy top 100 finisher,
- Ben Lamont @LaMontstars, 255th in 2021 AFL Fantasy,
- Nick Millar @time_millar; 2020 Fantasy fifth-placer,
- Max Phillips @MaxiPhillips; top 1000 finisher in AFL Fantasy and finished 80th in 2022 AFLW Fantasy,
We’ve asked them for their first impressions with one lock, two value picks and one rook for their starting squads to get some thought starters moving.
Locks
Luke Strudwick: Josh Kelly (AF $899k MID) – With the exit of Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto this really opens up more midfield time for GWS. I think the giants will need the likes of Kelly, Cogs and Tom Green to really step up. Green will also represent huge value this year. Expecting 110-115 average.
Nick Millar: Josh Dunkley (AF $963k M/F) – Finally got rid of that pesky beverage, moving to the Brisbane Lions. Will get plenty of ball and a guaranteed fantasy friendly mid role at the lions partnering with the likes of McCluggage and Neale. He’s expensive but far and away F1 in my super Lions’ bias eyes. Sorry, not sorry, Cogs and Tim Taranto (I’ve no faith in Taranto at Fantasy hating Tigers so don’t pick him and thank me later).
Max Phillips: He’s the most expensive defender in the game, but Sam Docherty (AF $977k DEF) is worth every penny after an inspired season last year where he hit triple figures 16 times, including seven scores beyond 115. Sam Walsh will miss the start of the season for Carlton, but coaches shouldn’t have any uncertainty around Docherty’s scoring prowess even if he is moved into the middle – he finished 2022 in the guts with scores of 123 and 137 against Melbourne and Collingwood respectively. He’s a strong and safe VC option through the early rounds with Carlton featuring on Thursday or Friday night in four of their first five matches of 2023. Set and forget.
Ben Lamont: Sam Docherty (AF $977k DEF) – With more and more of our popular premium options down back losing Def status the last couple of years, Doch stands out as a shining light. Uncertainty around Ross the Boss (Sinclair), Dawson getting attention and Brayshaw’s role, Doch looks a good 15pts better than no. 2 so just lock him in and throw away the key.
Value Picks
Ben Lamont: Tom Green (AF $752k MID) – We all know that Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Tanner Bruhn have left the building, leaving a massive hole in that midfield. Also factor in this is really Green’s only position, his natural improvement and how he started last year and it makes a nice recipe for a proper breakout. Don’t be surprised to see a 100+ ave next to his name at the end of the year.
Dom Sheed (AF $591k MID) – Can the Eagles midfield stay on the park? Where will Elliot Yeo play? Jack Redden is gone and Luke Shuey only getting older (and more fragile). The role is there for Dom and priced at $591k, it is a no brainer. Should easy get to a 90 average. Don’t forget what he was doing around the 2018 GF (other than the goal). Could be anything.
Max Phillips: After an injury-plagued year, Dom Sheed (AF $591k MID) looks a safe starting pick coaches can ride up to a premium midfielder in the opening third of the season. Sheed managed just one game last year and comes into 2023 priced at just 67, yet has averaged 90+ in two of the previous three seasons before West Coast’s disappointing 2022 campaign. He’s still only 27 years old and should have plenty of midfield responsibility in an Eagles engine room which has lost the retiring Jack Redden, has continual question marks over Luke Shuey’s fitness plus an apparent role change for Elliot Yeo.
Hawks midfielder James Worpel (AF $463 MID) had a year to forget in 2022 which could present opportunity for coaches to snare an early bargain. Hawthorn is well and truly in rebuild mode after shipping off experienced pair Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara which will open up midfield minutes for Worpel among other emerging Hawks onballers. When Mitchell was sidelined for the entire 2019 season, Worpel stepped up to average 97 to prove he has Fantasy pedigree in what was only his second year in the AFL. Priced at just 52, even just a conservative increase in Worpel’s output in 2023 will make him a solid stepping stone to a top-line midfielder.
Luke Strudwick: Dom Sheed (AF $591k MID) – Sheed is representing some good value this year. After only playing 1 game last year he will rotate through the eagles midfield. Expecting 90-100 average.
James Worpel (AF $463k MID) – Priced at $463k, Worpel can be the bargain of the year. After taking the massive step in Mitchell’s absence when he broke his leg, last year was quite disappointing. Hoping this year with Mitchell making his way to the Pies that Worpel can step up and increase his average. Also a big watch on Ward who will be looking to start the way he finished last year. Expecting 85-90 average from Worpel.
Nick Millar: Toby McLean (AF $401k M/F) – I honestly don’t get it but he’s very popular. He did get forward DPP and he did crush that elimination final (the one where they got 30 points up at quarter time and lost). I guess with Dunkley out of the picture, he’ll pick up more ball. You could do worse at the price I guess but it’s a very heavy pre-season watch for mine. In the reasonably likely event he’s crap you’ll need to clean him out of your sides teeth.
Campbell Chesser (AF $200k D/M) – the man in the big jumper. Highly-rated 2021 draft. Injured early last year, has a full pre-season in him already. Cheap as chips. Plus sounds like cheese. Can’t go wrong.
Rookies
Luke Strudwick: Campbell Chesser (AF $200k D/M) – There was a fair bit of hype around this rookie last year before injuring himself before debuting. He will slot straight into the eagles best 22 as the eagles will look to get games into the likes of him and Gibney. Expecting a 65-70 average.
Nick Millar: Will Ashcroft (AF $298k MID) – When it comes to rookies one man is king; the boy wonder Will Ashcroft. Again I’m bias, but he’s allegedly the best draftee ever and will gain good mid minutes at the Lions who value him super highly, having taken him with pick no.2.
Max Phillips: A slightly left-field rookie who might fly under the radar is Adelaide’s Luke Pedlar (AF $213 FWD) who is coming into his third year on the Crows’ list. He’s only managed three senior games and was hampered by injury last year, but averaged 69 in the SANFL and notched four scores over 80 despite his stop-start season. Pedlar loves a tackle, knows where the goals are and could be thrown some midfield minutes in 2023 as Adelaide continues its rebuild. He’s dirt cheap, doesn’t clog a midfield slot and should be considered if he can lock a spot in the Crows’ best 22.
Ben Lamont: Will Phillips (AF $270k MID) – After a year being struck down with glandular fever, the kid has finally had a clean run at it. Sources at North training have indicated he is playing mid and finding plenty. Combined with a new coach looking to rebuild a list, the timing couldn’t be better for the former no. 3 pick to make some noise as AFL level.
Remember this is a game about maximising points per dollars, so finding as many players as possible who present value is vital. Also consider guys like Christian Salem (AF $653k DEF), Ben Cunnington (AF $668k M/F), Tarryn Thomas (AF $475k M/F), Connor Rozee (AF $780k M/F), Elliot Yeo (AF $625k DEF), Nick Coffield (AF $379k DEF), Toby McLean (AF $201k M/F), etc who all appear unders what they’re capable of. Good luck!
