The Buzz: Lloyd, Dale & unorthodox Doch replacements, JVR leads rookie options
Round 4’s real carnage has come after the round ended with the recent announcement that Sam Docherty is going to be out with a knee injury, the suspension to popular mid-priced Will Day and with a lack of rookies on the rise.
It’s all meant we could be a bit unsure as to who to bring in this week. A bit of a shorter edition this week as I wanted to touch on Docherty replacements and go into some of the rookies that could be worth a look (pending team selection).
Sam Docherty replacements
Initially, I was going to analyse whether this proven premium should stay in our teams, but the recent news is that he’s torn the meniscus in his knee, ruling him out for the next 4-6 weeks, means there is no debate that he should be a traded-out option. So, given that he has bled about $70k in price who are some alternatives around his price mark that only force you to minimise the amounts of trades used?
I know for a fact that there are many out there would have had to force trade the likes of Steele, Gawn and Stewart. Will Day would have been my first pick for a Docherty replacement but the MRO has rubbed him out for two weeks (which is a little stiff considering Rohan got one for the exact same tackle), so we’re having to dig a little deeper for some decent options.
Jake Lloyd (SC $520k Def)
Many have forgotten that Lloyd was a big set and forget for our backlines from 2018 to 2021. However last year he really fell off a cliff only averaging 92 after the likes of Blakey and Florent were thrown down back for added pace and dash out of the backline. Lloyd’s role in the backline has been very stable however still takes around half the kick-ins. Stat wise he’s doing slightly better than last year taking a career-high in marks but still having the same disposal count. So is this the best option? Yes and no, if you’re looking to play it safe and want a reliable scorer on a winning team then he’s your man but I can’t see anything that will indicate that he will return to his seagull best where he averaged 122.2.
Bailey Dale (SC $534k Def)
You do need $8k to make this move but Dale has been an under-the-radar pick for the last few years averaging 95.2 and 101.9 in the two years since his move to the backline. However, after a slow start scoring 56 and 83, he’s looked like his former self scoring 102 and 136 in tricky wet conditions. Last year Dale would be one of the better picks as he has a high floor but a lowish ceiling which meant you got a lot of scores between 90 and 110. With Daniel being shuffled around in the Dogs’ side it’s very much down to Ed Richards and Dale to move the ball out of the backline for the Dogs. He’s still taking the majority of kick-ins which is some nice free points, and there is a chance that this will be as cheap as he gets for the next few weeks. Another proven premium with lots of upside.
Daniel Rioli (SC $486k Def) or Liam Baker (SC $500k Def/Fwd)
Take your pick between the two, both are playing as the rebounding defender in the Tigers side and both showing signs of reaching the next level. So far this season Rioli is the 2nd choice to take kick-outs but his intercept game and dash of a halfback is what makes him a tantalising option. This year both have managed to ton up twice with Rioli in Rounds 1 and 4 and Baker in Rounds 2 and 3. Though is this a concerning sign that both can’t score well at the same time? We don’t have enough information to know but I feel that Rioli was a bit unlucky with his 56 against the Pies as he still had 25 disposals, and just had seven clanger disposals which took away 28 points from his score. Overall are they benefitting from Jayden Short being out of the team? Potentially, but I feel Short is on the outer and has been shuffled around the ground more in comparison to both of these intercepting types of defenders. I would pick Rioli over Baker just because Baker has shown to be thrown around the ground more whereas they’re very settled on Rioli as a half-back flanker
Nick Haynes (SC $401k Def)
It was actually only three years ago when Nick Haynes was a popular selection for our starter teams and that was down to his ability to play as a +1 in the backline taking plenty of intercept marks being a 193cm 3rd tall. However, in recent years he’s had numerous injuries and illnesses that have limited his football. So far this year he’s showing glimpses of a career-best year as he’s averaging close to 20 disposals and almost 10 marks a game, contrary to his best season of 19 disposals and 8 marks in 2019. He’s probably the cheapest option that I’ll recommend but bar injury he has a lot of upside to him, now I don’t think teams will let him take 17 marks but against the Hawks with no genuine key forwards, it could be a feasting day for him.
Tom Barrass (SC $481k Def)
I wrote a hefty paragraph as to why Barrass should be on your radar and that’s because he’s playing a very favourable role in not a great team, averaging north of 100+ when Mcgovern was out of the team so far the data has held up with a 110 against Freo and a 116 against the Dees. It won’t get any easier with games against the inform Cats and Blues in the next few but that does mean the ball will be with him plenty of times
Rookie report
There are very few rookies to bring in this week, so I want to discuss the ones on the bubble and the ones who have had a price rise but still make a solid option
Jacob Van Rooyen (SC $124k Fwd)
One of the most popular rookie choices at the start of the year as the Dees hyped this kid up and with every reason as he wants to be involved with everything, unfortunately being a key forward does mean your scoring will vary quite often. After an impressive 89 on debut against the Swans, you’d think he’d feast on the Eagles but he had a very mild day with only two junk time goals and 7 hit outs with 0 tackles in comparison to the six he had in Round 3. However, that does not mean he’s a bad pick. With the next 4 of his next 5 games against the Dons, North, Suns and Hawks he should be a safe pick if he keeps his spot. The Dees do have to fit Max Gawn into the side when he’s ready, so the 3rd key forward role is very much a battle between Ben Brown who’s available again and JVR. But so far the Dees would be happy with his presence and development. Of all the options he’s probably the best to bring in.
Judson Clarke (SC $197k Fwd)
An option you probably wouldn’t consider the classy mid/fwd has been injected as a winger for the Tigers potentially in place of someone like Jayden Short. But he has not been disappointed so far. Last week he had 20 disposals and a goal which followed up his 12 disposals, one goal effort the week before, so he definitely can perform when given the chance. I can definitely see him keeping his spot in the meantime as Jack Graham pulled a hammy on the weekend, Tom Lynch has a foot injury keeping him out for the meantime and Toby Nankervis is out for a while with an ankle injury, so the Tigers have bigger problems to deal with first.
Tylar Brockman (SC $124k Fwd)
Played well in Round 3 when he was doing it against the Roos, but got a reality check against the Cats. Having 5 disposals and 1 behind before being subbed out with a leg injury, he was only in the team while Wingard played as the sub. So regardless if he’s cleared to play he’s more likely to be a sub or play in the 2s. Avoid him, please
Toby McLean (SC $179k Fwd)
Keep an eye on McLean, even though he was a hyped-up prospect for our sides in the preseason he fell out of favour for Oskar Baker and was the sub for Round 1 which killed his chances of being in anyone’s fantasy team. After being dropped in round 2, he’s gone back to the 2’s to find some form and he definitely did that on the weekend with 47 disposals and 9 tackles. He will surely find a way into the team this week so he could be an option to consider as he’s on the bubble this week. Pricy but he’s got the ability to find the footy, it wasn’t too long ago that he was thrown into the team for week 1 of finals picking up an impressive 21 disposals for 100SC points.
Arthur Jones (SC $124k Fwd)
A cult hero pressure forward for the Dogs, he has had a very hyped debut looking very likely however being a pressure forward means that his scoring almost looks like he was the sub in both games. Pass
Tylar Young (SC $143k Def)
I mentioned him as a rookie option to pick and while his scoring hasn’t been fantastic with his PB of 61 on the weekend. His job security should be improved with Robbie Tarrant suffering an injury in the VFL. Furthermore, another player who can play in his role Ben Miller looks to return but as the ruckman in place of an injured Nankervis. He looks to have the full-back position settled for the meantime and showed off that he can score all right. He will be a slow burner though, But compared to most players around this price point, he has much better job security and a warm body is better than a donut.
Samson Ryan (SC $157k Fwd)
With the news that Toby Nankervis is out, Ryan has become the leading candidate to become the number one ruck for the Tigers over the next few weeks whilst Soldo is still on the mend. His first few games for the Tigers have produced mixed results with a solid 72 in his first game followed by a 27 and 44. It should be noted that he kicked 3 goals to achieve that 72 so it’s unlikely to be replicated for the meantime, but is there a chance he stays as the number 1 ruckman? In the VFL he has played a mix of key forward and primary ruckman and has had games like a 23 disposal, 40 hit out effort, so there is some raw potential in him. The only other ruckman they’ve used in the 2’s has been Bigoa Nyuon who just hurt his ankle last VFL game and Ben Miller a key position player who can play at either end of the ground. So it will be down to when Soldo can get over a foot niggle. For the meantime though at 156k, Ryan could be a nice pick-up and good enough ruck cover. We don’t have enough information to know what he could score but he will go up against Sydney and Ladhams who have conceded a lot of points to the opposition ruckman this season.