It’s finals time in AFL Fantasy, which means coaches all around Australia – and the world – will be sweating on the Round 20 teams being finalised on Friday afternoon.
That is, at least those coaches who qualified for finals.
Unfortunately I won’t be one of those, as my side, ‘The Polka Specials’ failed to reach the top eight in the Lions’ staff League.
I’m certainly not about to make any excuses, but I have to admit that I dropped the ball a bit with my team in 2014.
On the back of a promising 2013, The Polka Specials were hit hard by injury (and some pretty bad decisions at the selection table).
But for what it’s worth, I’m still going to offer some advice that could just prove the difference between winning and losing:
Make Rocky your Captain
Whichever way you look at it, you need to have Tom Rockliff as your Captain.
If you don’t already have him in your midfield, invest the $680,000 and get him in there as quickly as possible.
He’s clearly the highest AFL Fantasy scorer in the competition, averaging 128 points per game – nine more than perennial Fantasy gun Gary Ablett (119) who won’t play again this year.
Next best is Steve Johnson (111), Dayne Beams (110), and Josh Kennedy (109).
You don’t get ‘pig status’ from the AFL Traders for nothing!
Stef the swing-man
If anyone can challenge Rocky for ‘most improved’ Fantasy player this year, it’s probably Stef Martin.
Since coming back into the side in Round 12, Stef has averaged a whopping 108 points per game.
Not only is he clearly the highest scoring ruckman in the competition at the moment (he averages 12 more points per game than this week’s opponent Sam Joaconbs from the Crows), but he’s also the highest scoring forward – averaging more points than the likes of Ben McGlynn, Luke Parker, Brent Harvey, and Kieren Jack.
That dual position status could come in handy in Finals, but if you ask me, keep Stef in your ruck division as there is a greater depth of forwards available compared to ruckmen.
Crisp the X-Factor
Looking to save a bit of cash, but want to get someone who’s scoring well and likely to hold his spot?
Look no further than Jack Crisp!
Crispy has averaged 96.5 points in his two games since returning to the senior side, and plays an important ran-and-carry role for the team.
His price has jumped $54,000 in the past couple of weeks, but he’s still cheap as chips at $250,000.
Whether you need him to fill your eighth midfield position, or you’re looking for him to be insurance on the bench, it’s worth giving him serious consideration.
LIONS TOP 10 (AFL FANTASY AVERAGES)
1. Tom Rockliff – 128.5
2. Stefan Martin – 108.6
3. Jack Redden – 105.6
4. Pearce Hanley – 98.1
5. Jack Crisp – 96.5
6. Dayne Zorko – 83.7
7. Ryan Lester – 77.5
8. Brent Moloney – 74.2
9. James Aish – 73.9
10. Jed Adcock – 71.8
