A surprisingly low scoring week in Round 4, where anyone who cracked the 2000 mark kept themselves in the hunt. We are now getting a good picture of who the right premo picks and who the best mid pricers were to start the year.
Among the ‘right premos’ are Nick Daicos, Clarry, English, Taranto, while among the best mid pricers are Setters, Ziebell and Day.
For me it was a very down week fielding Wilmot, copping Witts out and Sam Mitchell deciding that Sic Dawg needed to lock down Cameron after quarter time (yeah cause that worked!). Anyway, what else did we learn this week…
Nick Daicos is just getting better and better
I called a big ceiling game was coming last week and this was nearly it with 126. If it wasn’t for Fagan actually doing something about him in the second quarter (1 kick, 1 tackle) this could have been anything! Other notes from this game included the fact that Rucks should find the Pies as easy as the Eagles over the next few weeks with Big O (95) having a field day. Junkley (81) can now start to be considered a failed pick and unfortunately does not look like he is going to score well at the Gabba this year. To top it off, it seems to have also impacted all the Lions mids, so I would be steering well clear.
Sheezel maintains the rage
Now if all coaches are not sitting back and going “next high draft pick we get, let’s play him loose off HB”, then they have not been paying attention the last two years. Harry Sheezel (118) take a bow, what a phenomenal start to the season. The Blues twin towers had their way with the Roos and will continue to be great streaming options in draft leagues. Jack Ziebell (100) continued to prove an excellent pick (should have taken my own advice in the preseason), but LDU (91) was a little underwhelming in his return for those who held. Popular VC option Sam Docherty (74) just couldn’t get rolling and I think this will be a roller coaster year for him depending on the Blues opponents.
How long is too long with Laird?
Jordan Dawson (122) has seen a switch into the midfield and now might be the time to jump on as the Crows are finally using their best players in the best positions. The Freo big dogs still did enough, but it is the Crows forward line that is humming with Rankine (92), Thilthorpe (92) and Rachele (86) all showing they are great draft options. Unfortunately, if you paid up for Rory Laird (84) at the start of the year he just is not getting the job done and if you are still holding it is now a question of how long is too long?
English is the R1 everyone needs
If you were like me and scared off by Tim English’s (145) interrupted preseason, then I feel your pain. So far clearly the number 1 ruck in the game now (just as we expected!). Timmy Taranto (114) keeps getting it done, however there is a little fear out there with the criticism coming about his disposal, just a watch this space for me. Unbelievably Tom Liberatore (114) seems to be the pick of the Dogs mids this year, with Bont (108) just doing enough and Macrae (89) nowhere near it. Ruck pick of the year Nank the Tank (105) was great again but has unfortunately met up with Cindy and is now going to miss some time. Keep an eye on Sampson Ryan (32) as a sneaky restructure pick if he gets the solo gig, as Soldo is still listed as 1-3 weeks.
Crouch stars in Steele absence
Well the Saints keep marching on as does Brad Crouch (125) who put an incredible second half together (102 pts in a half!). After an underwhelming start to the year, could this be the kick start Noah Anderson (159) needed? May have bottomed out and could be a nice POD going forward. Lots of Saints scored well in this game and with Witts being a late out, it looked like Rowan Marshall (107) was in for a big day before Ross the Boss pulled him out. Great coaching, not great for fantasy coaches… Also, if Witts does not get up again, Moyle could prove a nice little cash cow, although consistent games could be an issue.
Rozee flops after Rowbottom clamp
Well, I threw a few air punches at the end of this cliff hanger, un-fantasy related obviously, but enjoyable none the less. Ollie Florent (122) had a career game and although the poor bugger embarrassed himself immensely at the end, has been a great draft pick up this year. Errol (95) was solid again, but my boy Rozee (69) unfortunately felt the clamp of James Rowbottom (85) who now seems to have his ceiling capped with a more defensive role.
Is it Draper breakout time?
Tom Green (111) has been my favourite pick this season as he continues to prove the under-priced premium, we all hoped for. The rest of the premos did their thing in this game and although he had a slow finish Will Setterfield (99) did more than enough to keep his cash gen and high scoring going. Now I cannot believe I am going to say this, but are we seeing the breakout of Sam Draper (103)? I could never do it, but he is starting to put it all together, unlike Andy McGrath (65) who is now a must trade.
Get Grundy back on your radar
Well we all knew how this one was going to go before it started, but well done to Tim Kelly (142) who had a real crack against the ever impressive Dees. Clarry (129) and Trac (120) did their thing, and it was mostly due to the dominance of the Ruck Pig (119) who is looking every bit the premo ruck we expected when by himself. With Gawn listed as 3-5 could he be an option? Or are you just creating another trade down the track… JVR (48) and Chandler (64) gave those who played them on field plenty of stress throughout the game and with all the commentary around WCE needing to give kids a rest, I am seriously concerned for Reuben Ginbey (48) who has been outstanding to start the year.
Time is up for Worpel
This game made me sick. At half time, the Hawks were in it up to their eyeballs, all the popular picks were doing enough and then it all went downhill. As mentioned, Sicily (49) went to Cameron and not only got destroyed but failed to find the pill at all (-3 last quarter!). Worpel (71) limped his way to his breakeven and if you can, jump ship now! Tom Stewart (70) was a popular pick after his return but was only so so. Will Day (99) was the shining light; however, a dangerous tackle may see him sitting out next week and will have many coaches very nervous.
Well, that is it for Round 4. I hope you fared better than my very average team, but if there is anything to be taken out of this week, it seems that the top 10,000 are very closely bunched and making a couple of good calls now could see you jump the ranks very quickly so stay strong!
