Fantasy Defenders: Hunting value

Welcome to the official AFL Fantasy podcast with the Trader. G'day with the Traders, I'm Roy, I coached destroyin' on here with Warnie. Coach of the Wondong. Get out of the coach of Carbonator. Really exciting times, boys, because today we're going to kick off with talking about defenders. And as we know, it is now the best form of attack. Yes it is. Down defense. So it's not like remember back in the day like, oh you know who runs off for a couple of possessions, it's now rack up central back there, so we're shopping with fun. It's the new engine room. It is. Could you say that the defenders are the new midfielders? Yes, I hate to put a dampener on it, but that's the angle I went with for my article the other day. Good. And then I was looking at a couple of defenders that are actually moving into the midfield. And that's better for them. So it's a very niche thing that's attacking from defenders. Yes. It doesn't necessarily look after all of them, but for the ones it does, boy, you're, you're. It does. I do like crunchy numbers on all of that too. And we are saying, well, what did we have last year? Seek defenders go over 100. Okay. I'm not even seven. I don't. What? I don't. I don't. Well, there was seven that went between 90 and that. Baby, now when you were 100. That's a bad start, Roy. That's a bad start. Anyway, so we are seeing plenty there. And we're seeing actually the midfield has dropped down a little bit. And that'll be our next podcast that we're talking to. But midfield is dropping off and the defenders, you feel like they're becoming a more important part of fantasy. Well, we got us. They are just racking up points. They are. And who racks up the most, Roy? Well, no one needs to know anything else other than. Keep on rolling, baby. The roll in 22, if you've never heard what this is, it is the definitive. Yep. Rankings. The source of the best in each position. So we look at our best 22s, the rolling 22. And this is Roy's. He said in case no one's heard of that. Haven't laughed like that in a long time. Okay. All right, so what's Roy's going to do is his top six defenders for this year. Which order do you have them in? Okay, so starting off very easy, very easy with Nassauya. Now obviously there's a lot of talk about him going to the middle. He's one that it actually doesn't matter. No, it doesn't. And if he doesn't get a kick in there for a couple of minutes, which really happens, he does float back anyway and get his easy plus six. So he's my clear number one, but there's two that I think can get within range of him, realistically. And that's kind of rosy, I've put number two. It was neck and neck between the two. So it would have clanked over him, but I am really bullish. I think Rosie's going to start at half back. And the power have actually tweaked their game style. It was hard scoring points. Like that's why, like respect where it's due, especially Rosie last year, but Rosie and butters to still score so well. I think that's going to be unleashed. And I think Rosie's going to get a spike. And it's going to be enough to get him in number two. Just ahead of Whitfield, who's going to kill it again. Always does. Kale, you'd rank Whitfield higher than Rosie wouldn't you? I do actually. Yes, I think that's okay. Blanket. Because I dig a bit deeper than you. That's a cry to you. I don't get to see your cry to you. No, like it's very secretive. So the formula, do you think about everything else we've put out there over the years, just gets copied? I'm not aware of the advances. I can't, I mean, people try to copy the wrong way. They don't have, they're criteria suck. Well, there's just horse average. Exactly. So he's done that with ease. And they just gave it away. It's trying to keep it secret. Next one, I think Ash is just going to be big. Oh, well. He knows how to milk it back there for everything it's worth. And then I've gone sinclair and this one, like, I mean, I know he's aging and coming back from injury. But one of my criteria is whether you're my boy or not. And Nick Newman is one of my boys. Yeah, and he's going to be massive again. So look, he's not going to come, yeah, I know. See, this is where I'm different to other people. I get it right. So you are. Newman, let me just remind you before you fall off your desk, because I don't want you to be in yourself this early in the first podcast. But he averaged over 120 in like the last five times we've seen him. Now, it's not going to be that role. But you don't understand the relying on his name. They have eight. You know, he could have played the last three games of last year. Has he been doing much this process and everything? Killing. Has he? Yeah. Yeah, I think he's flying. He is. Yeah. 100% he's flying. So, um, yeah, he's going to round out my six for now. No, Zorko. Nope. Ho, Roy. What? Come on. It's too old you sold me? Well, yes, but no. Yes, maybe. Okay, the asterix is that Zorko actually is in human spot. Right. But I just want to just say. It is what it's new. Think about it. Of course you did. Yeah. And the top end defenders. So, well, well done. Sorting by average and got him all up. Again, like you said, the bit of a blanket over with Fjord and Rosie there. So I think I'm going to tip more people would probably have with Fjord and Rosie. And I actually wouldn't even bag him out. And the other one too. Look, I'm a little bit bullish on Sinclair as well. I think he could be. Yeah. Could be his year. Yeah. Because he always does it. A little way. This is his year. But it might be a little bit more. Yeah, to be honest, like I'm with you. I think he's going to have a good year. And Lockheed Ash. You didn't own him for 29 points. Did you? No, I didn't. That's why. So that's still her. But it's still her. It's still her. So I've rounded out the six with the with Zorko, right? But I honestly still think he could be in that top three conversation. Oh, I would never do it. There's going to be such a squeeze there with what the lines do. I think she that defense like it's a little bit of a look into the future. So I should a few changes and maybe a couple of different. Yeah, it's like Zorko to rip up finals again sort of thing. But he does still despite being what he must be like 38 now. Is he like he'd be pushing it up there? He's getting close. But yeah, he's still an absolute jet. As long as he's dry, needling. He's in the top six. So they are the premium defenders. And what we're looking at there is almost now switch our head to classic to start with. Yeah. And how many do you think you might have in your classic side to begin with? Is it a matter of going, you know, let's lock in a couple or how many you guys? Well, no, this is the print. Well, the premium defenders like those guys that you've just said, how many would you actually start with in your side? So my team at the moment, I've actually got Rosie in the midfield. Distributed. Because I've gotten a sigh as well. You got a sigh. Oh, you do. Now this is why because I watched the pain you went through last year. I was not having the same. So yeah, so I'm getting an out of the way to start with. So in a sigh price at 111. Yeah, and I'm happy. That's fine. Yes. Because I think he easily goes that again. Yeah, so do I. So I'm not chasing. Does he get a tag now? This is my biggest flag. Don't just start me on that. He's got an early buy. So there's one little flag, Kale, of doing that to start with him. But does he actually now get some attention? That's helped me. I'll never say again in my life because every week last year, I was like, I can't bring him in. Because he's obviously going to get sat on. You know, good, good. No, as you said before, like he will be in the guts. Yeah. And that midfield rolls good for him. If he's finding it tough, he'll just go back behind the ball and find it. Yeah. No, I don't mind it. I'm not doing it. So at the moment of I've got two of the big boys. So I've only got the one. I've got Rosie. Yep. Roy. Yeah, just Rosie. Is there a world that you wouldn't pick, Rosie? No, no. Do you know, he is the player that I am forward-lined most bullish on this preseason. So he's a 54% ownership, which is massive. Yeah. I think it should be more. Yeah. Yeah. No, he's, yeah, I think. So one of my. He's a pretty easy one. So that probably takes us into, well, we all want to work towards these premium defenders. Trying to get Roy's role in 22, as it is. Yeah, wait till it's probably updated a bit more than what I just briefly threw to get. But we're going to do that with a lot of value. And I think this is a line where there is a fair bit of value there. So what we're all going to do here, boys, is bounce around and throw up a couple of names each. Yep. Of who you like. And maybe, yeah, a couple of things about them. But also, why, whether they're a good chance for your team or not. Yep. Roy, you start because you were the man in charge of defenders this year. Yeah, so I pretty much just did my spiel on Nick Newman. But, yeah. So now let's just be a little bit more sensible about it. So yes, he missed a whole year and he's no spring chicken either. I get all of that. But he was coming off a career best year and it was so blatantly obvious how bad they missed his cool head and ball used back there last year. So I think he's going to slot back in seamlessly. It was Drew that told me the other day actually that he Newman was ready to go and wanted to play at the end of last year. So that tells me he's had a clear run at a full preseason as if you need was 100% normal. Anyway, that's all good signs. The only flags I have is that there's a couple of players that they are touted to start across like half back and things like that. Doesn't matter when Newman starts a little bit deeper, he still gets plenty of it. But it's not like he's not one of those line breaking half. back that are in Vogue and they're even talking about Putin Z wheel back there and that's winding back the clock to where he was that line breaking sort of guy running off half back for the giants and things like that. So I think Newman's going to be a great pick. I think he's one that we still start and he's cheap enough to ignore the early buy. You've got the early buy. Is there a score that would put you off or? Yeah, they're actually he's like I think you'll come out and do a 90 plus. And that's enough. And that's enough. Against the swans. Yeah. Yep. First game that buddy. That's a revenge game. Maybe he's a gosh. Hell long. You have a revenge game for forever. Every mile I say. Now that's a great. Oh, I'll come up with a line dog. I won't be able to do it today because I have to get home and put it in my eyes. He has a calculator. You don't want to miss out on the 120 he has against the Tigers. No, in round one. So that's why that line is going to be really. You are locking away that on the first night of fantasy too. Yeah. Yeah. No, so he will be good that night. Ronnie, I'm going to go with another popular pick. I think a lot of people are going here and that's Miles Bergman. Put out a late. We've talked about the green mile before. They've got a great run start and he's talking. He's obviously that he's going into the midfield and that's what he's been doing. And that's been, you know, a positive thing for him because you do have Rose. As we talked about off that half back. So I'm a fan. I think last year he went over 50% of CBAs a few times and average 103. Yes. Yeah. That's very good off the back of where he's at at 822,000 dollars. Like you are going to say there that price at 78. He's he's 90 plus. Yes. You would think he he must be close to that number. He's in the mix in the role. I think with the fact that Rose will go back. Yes. And even Horn, Francis is a few little injury concerns with him. Yeah. There's a spot. And the thing for him, the the issues or my concerns there, I think I'm going to be all good with this because of that run they've got to start with. Yes. That's the big thing and doesn't have an early buy. It's the young speaker of dog. They the thing is that he can play other roles and he might be needing it. That was shown last year a bit. Well, let's plug him back down and even there's some preseason talk of you know, on a half forward. Oh, I see that's gross. But with it and the problem with the burgers, like usually that doesn't mean full disaster. But with him, it actually does because he goes back and he'll fill in a lockdown role. And like dry up completely. So that's a risk with him. But it sounds like they don't want to Swiss army that bad and he should get a decent run at it. And especially early on, like you've got Oli Wines out for the first casting and yet many for Horn, Francis isn't correct. Isn't right. He will spend the more time forward to begin with. So someone and he actually he was held back with injury. Last year too when those scores were low, he was actually battling to get out there every week. And he's fit. He's playing mid, no boy, green mile. Like if that picks stuff up, that's just bad. The eight. Who have you got as your value defender that you're going to talk about first for $1,000 more? We are talking. Of course we are. Colby, have you seen the videos of Colby lately? Yes. Yes. And I think we're putting to bed. See if you can hear me. I think we're putting to bed any positional stuff aren't we now? Yeah, we are. We are. We'll be off half back where he averaged 95 in his last 12. Yeah. See that is just that's a big stretch. Yeah. He could do 100 this year. He could. Yes, he could because we know what defenders will score for the kangaroos. We've seen it the past. You know, right. He there will be a time. Yes, there will be right. He is in the roll on 22. There you go. Oh. Yeah. This year. He's an easy pick. Easy pick. He's like 40 odd percent in teams at the moment, which is only going up and up. The more North Melbourne release those ZB. Yeah. You know how like I like to wind back the clock like this. It's always a revenge game. Easy. Yes. Now what's going to be a revenge game? No, I'm just saying I like to I like to wind back the clock. You remember what Zebel did at half back for the Aaron hole? Aaron. Oh, yes. This is what I'm talking about. Yeah. Now obviously they're going to style as tweets since then. A little bit. However, yeah. It's even better. That half back row for them. It's going to be big. He starts with Port Adelaide Eagles, Essadon, please. Those two. He's going to do something nasty in those. I wouldn't be surprised if he cops a little bit of attention from Tom to Tom as well. Yeah. So those three that we've just said there, Newman, Bergman and McCurcher, we've all got them. Yes. So I think that's going to turn into a bit of a vanilla thing. Now, we've got three more to go. One more each that may not be necessarily vanilla picks, but could be interesting. Yeah, definitely. Value defenders. Right? Yeah, I'm going with Banksy. You know, he's been. Your boy? Well, he's Drew's boy, but throughout the preseason I've looked after him from time to time. So Banksy. How's he boy, too? Yeah. What he did towards the end of the year where he started to really become the man back there for Richmond. It was extraordinary. So let me just have a look. So, 92.7 after round 16. He started pushing his way into taking the kick-ins and things like that. He's priced at. Where are you, Banksy? So he's priced at just under 80, and I think he's going to be like 95 potentially. Okay. So, meet on the bone with that pick. So if you don't want to go as vanilla as the ones you talked about, they're dope. I think he's someone that's going to have a great year. So he's around the Colby and the Bergman Pro Tag. Yes. Okay. So he's under those two. Yep. But I've got his name in the mix. So he's Drew's boy. He shows how much people listen to Drew because 2.4% ownership. 2.4%. He's got some pool. Hey, I think Banksy, yeah. It's a sneaky pick. All right, I'm going to throw mine in there as a bomber. Uh, 399K. Locky, Blackiston. Who? What's it on the list of two half-way through last year? Blackiston. Now, he's defender only. But that's not his role. Well, won't be to start with this and what we're seeing. So he looks like he's going to be the bomber's rock to start the season while Nick Bryan gets back into fitness. And he's a hit of Byzantine. He's a hit of a rock. And they isn't in rocks. Now, I need to call it a rock to play. I'll check the style. Calvin Aida. I reckon you, even with your little feet trying to jump up there, yeah. You'll be able to average 60 years of rock. Easy. So Blackie, will, I reckon. So Locky, Blackiston. I think at 399K. And it's probably the rookie type position that you've got him in, which is going to be the challenge because you might be paying up a little bit because a little bit more than the rookie price sort of plays. But it's still under 400,000 though. It is. So if you want to go with that thousand, that's the most interesting. So I like it. Now, the thing is, he didn't play any rock last year. Like that was his thing. So he's a bit surprised. He averaged two hit outs at game and average 38. Oh, yeah. He's having a day. He's 11 games that he played. So we did well to get in and do that. Yeah. So we'll put him down as a winner. So winning was like a rock for East Freeman. But this is the other thing. He's 27. Yeah. It's not like he's a, I'm actually all over the city. He's not like he's a little drafty that's sort of coming through and has to play in the rock. And that's probably why he's ahead of like Vizentini as well. He actually had some decent numbers. Like in 2024, he averaged, what was it? Ninety-three. Yeah. I'm not knocking around. Yeah. I'm actually all over it. I'm just doing. He's going to absolutely get monstered in there. So like the most relevant thing about him is the opposition rock. It probably worth 203 on him. He's two hundred and three on him. And he's quite athletic too. Like credit where it's true. I think he's going to be great. The fact that he has access to so many points in that role. Yeah. I just think I'm with you on that. He's in my team at the moment. Right. So in for you, care. He is now. You've so. I have a look who he plays early though. Oh no, it's not going to be. He's going to be so. That's the thing. I think a rock should, I don't know, is it 60 at a minimum they should go at? Well that's about what driver average. So yeah. Well, I think yes dog. I think I don't know how we can go under 60, which you take from a rookie. Because if he had the rock status, I think we'd all be locking him as the earth. Right. You wouldn't we? Yeah. For sure. So might as well do that. So he might gain the DPP. He's probably got a good month of a runway. Oh, yeah. Before we take it. We see Brian saying that. I've seen Brian's in full training sort of stuff. So. Oh, is he? Oh, I'm wondering what you think. Why don't you back out? Cabinator finally. Can you give us one for us here? Well, we. Well, we. An interesting one. Well, I don't have it's interesting, but Kitty Coleman. Are you interesting? Well, it is because he's only 30% owned. So I think some people, no, I think some people are going cold on what we thought was a walk up pick. So priced at 53. Yeah. The issue back there, of course, is you've got Zorco. Yeah. Who is a little pig and will eat it up whenever he wants. But you've also got guys like your wheelmob and your Fletcher. Yeah. Who could push the 90 mark this year? Yeah, definitely. So how many males can you feed in one back one? Yes, the question. But they're going to be better than the 53 that he's at. They're a bit. They're a pretty globe-trotter. They know. They know like they can share it more than most people now. I think it's been pretty glowing of him. lucky night. Fidestie's saying. him and all that sort of stuff. Have you seen highlights of him? Lucky is still has, is still you can tell and nor would he, but just holding back a little bit in the footage I've seen of him. Well we do get to see obviously the opening round game and be confident in him. But then obviously there's a flag of that that he is playing that because they share that by with Nick Newman Roy. Yeah, I can. So do you guys have Kitty and you're saying with the moment? No, no, no, no, no, which is weird. It is I am, I won't have to see a whole lot to be convinced and swinging in. I'm sure. It's one of you haven't pulled out his stats from that grandfinal care. Don't need to, but he's two hundred K less than Newman. Yeah, significant. See that's too much. It's a lot like if you got to go ahead to head with those two. Like two really pretty good about it like that. Yes, he will be. Yeah, that's a lot of time. All right. Cash cows. It's early days for us to know all of these, but I think there's a few names that we probably need to throw out and mention ZQ along to the obvious one. I think he'd be one on field for us. It looks like you have a wing spot for the suns. We need to watch. He's an opening round team, so be able to see where that slot's in. So at the moment, nice one to have there. Josh Lindsay, not exactly sure if he's a hundred percent logged into that West Coast side. So that's a bit of a lot. It feels like he will. Good bowl user. They need it. See what's going on too. You know, Hoff was injured I think last week and a little thing. Sorry, I'm hobble off the ground. He did. Well done. We are reckon the tiger is going to have a lot of rookies for us. Yes, they will. So Sam Grille is one there. Yes. So how you were hot on him when you were doing your tiger's research. That's right. Love the tigers. Yep. So I reckon he's someone that we just have a look at. Like he went 80 plus in the coach's talent league last year. So you want to watch Farrow for the bombers as well. He's got the Defender mid status as well. So that might be handy to have him. If you wanted that basement one, Gibkus might be there. Probably just not going to score. He's but we probably thought that about like Zach Reed last year for the bombers as well. I don't think he's going to come in and do it. No, no. But for you, but the old fashioned slow burn and the feast fit is in the team. Could just be that day out. Yeah, just make that happen. Now one that sort of jumped out of the blocks here a little bit. I heard about him a few weeks ago and now he's getting a bit of a track watch love. Lucky Jacks for the Bulldog. So 230 K. Conceder here. So that's one. I think we just need to watch that might be one of those basement ones that we can have a little bit of a play played in the VFL last year when it's 71. So everything five marks per game. So if he does slot into that back one and the Bulldogs, we know that they can do that. So a few other names just worth monitoring. So wrong. Who Jyserong who went to swans probably plays again a slow burn a little bit of a premium on his price but reef McKinnis too coming back might be there for the pies. Bo Allen too Roy you are hot but probably again a may not smash out massive. No, no, just he'll be solador and like he's definitely one to watch. And I'll just mention Lockhe Carmichael who we've probably talked a little bit about and a few people have got him. He is injured. So that's something that we're they'd know. Sin des for him. And Cooper Simpson is still sort of in that injury group I think. Easy little bit. Yeah. So I was thinking I had mind though. Wonder watch there. I guess we'll if we see this is a thing if you see them in there looking all right in their time is decent enough in those praki games that we'll have coming up in a couple of weeks time. That's because if Cooper Simpson has that half background again that's a walk up 60. You would think so everywhere. So yep they are the pliers but the draft sound comes and we have to adjust our draft. Of course you're ranking. Yeah. Calvin I don't just put it in the average of last year what we do but there's going to be pliers that either go up or go down from there and you've got to think about them. So let's bounce around and throw up a name or two each year that might go up Roy's. Yeah. You look at it so with. Well now this just has to go up but I say it without any like real confidence that he's done enough to make it go up but my first one you can't have Dan Houston Mr 90 every year be sitting down there at 67. I'm blue. Now I love to change the turning point thing here for him too and the club. It does but I saw him training in the B team at one stage. Wouldn't surprise me. Is that a rocket or is that my rocket? So I don't honestly understand what is going on there to go to look like he did last year. Obviously Port Adelaide ran everything through him. Yep. Back there. Okay. Pais did not go out of their way to run anything through him but he cannot possibly and they're injured. There's so many injuries there as well. They just have to use him. So at 67 I'd bump him well up. All right for me red and black got to think about the bomb is a little bit here. Jordan Ridley. He's at 63. Now we mostly think that he's an 80 plus guy maybe 85 even. He is. He's an 80. Now bit battling this process in injury wise so it's going to be that watch for that. So hopefully your draft day is later when you have more information but he's going to be better than that. Yeah it has to be. It's just that he just doesn't play enough game every year. I know but have been great. There's a lot of criticism about the fitness department. Well now they've made changes. They've made changes. So there's hope that guys like that. Stay on the park. Important yeah. Ten of nine games last two years. So that's where people will be flagged but that's why people are down. That's the riddle for you. Yeah it is. The other one is like just how the bombers are going to look there like if he did mention like an anti-migrant. He's a captain now. Does that get a bump? You get double point for a deck eyedness. This would be ten years. All right pass. Kevin. Oh you got a ball. All right. I said that but last year when he went in the midfield. That's not going to happen now is he? No. No. He's not going to be in the guts much. I'll raise your anti-migrant. With the sick dog. Six? Wow. Wow. So you're living in the economy. He's got a 79. He's known for him a couple of years. 79. I know. The dog's better than that. Hmm. Just very role dependent for the dog. Very role dependent. Now we were worried last year that he's average might go down because he was playing more forward. Yeah but that wasn't the case. Now and he was they had those two defender recruits which then if sick dog was playing back I thought he would like be peeling off getting he plus six is yada yada. I don't know why that role didn't suit him last year. No. So a long way down from his 87 in 24 and he's 105 in 23. He needs to get the bike back. He does. He needs to get angry. He does. Wavy's arms around and demand the switch the damn thing. Come on. Now when you're adjusting your eggs not everyone can improve. So there's got to be something that you might think that go backwards and therefore you might bump down your draft order. Yeah. Roy. Yeah well there has been the Australian open so I'm going to hit one back at you with the bombers and go this. People like Redman. Redman sitting with an 86 average and Archie Roberts with an 85 average. Now if you're talking about Archie Roberts is a gun. I know he's a gun but the Redman is coming back. I'm back. There's kicks and in McGraw going back taking kicks. How is Redman and Archie going to maintain their 86? So what you're saying? You know you said to me before he said the bombers are going to improve all that could be this is what you say exactly that's what you're saying. That's what he said. Oh destroyed. You know what I'm actually saying. They're overloaded with mediocre players. And there he's a squeeze from mediocrity back there. Someone has to take a hit. That's it. I'm only reading this and you think the bombers are going to be much better. The fenders aren't going to have an opportunity to score because they're going to bounce it out of that back line any toilet choice. I mean they're repellent. I think I cleared up what I'm thinking. Yeah she did. Now one Caleb Daniel. Oh you don't what are you like? He said he's so brutal on that. I know. On Caleb. I know. My worry about him is actually he's placing the team and his head was being called for a lot at the end of last year. That's where I was at. He's exactly where he was at. Make sure he doesn't cop a chair in the back of it. Oh my god. That was funny. That is the best thing He's going over every Imagini line with just a risk that he may not have a spot. They certainly went cold on him distributing because he was given the license to be that attacking kick, but that was not working at all. So yeah, he's going to take a hit for sure. Yeah. Zorco is one of those offenders. He's one of those offenders who went over 100 last year. Now, the big fella's 36 years old. - That's 36. - 36. After he's by, he went at 19. - He went an average of 90. He went at an average of 90, but in the finals he dominated. So I think this is gonna be the thing with him where he nearly like manages himself with these younger guys around him. They will do the bulk of the lifting until it's time where he wants to do something. - He's gonna have great games. - He'll have some weird ones. But - Yeah, it differently will. - Picking him up at an average of 102. - At my rank and he's slightly overs and a slightly frustrating season in draft. - Yeah, okay. - Just saying. - Yep, I will adjust him on your rankings, which I don't think any of us have in our draft. Racking jet was still going up nice and high, but we'll have our draft kit after, later on in February to get you prepared for your draft days. Go and get your leagues set up now. And yeah, work out what day you're going to do that. We recommend it's close to the start of the season as you can because you have a little bit more news and when you do use your draft rankings or use ours that hopefully they work for you. - Got a question for the traders? Tweet the boys at AFL Fantasy or head to facebook.com/AFLFantasyOfficial. Tweet, Tweet, Tweet. - All right, we've got plenty of questions, which is great to see coming through on the social. So at AFL Fantasy around the place, got them on X and also on Instagram. So on the story there, thanks very much for sending those in. We'll get through as many as you can. The walking Wicked says, "A fine with picking all three of Rosie, Bergman and McCurcher when given how locked in three to five other North and Bort players are." We'll maybe be feeling six to eight of them when they play each other in round one. Jesus, cause we're going to be going up and be at that where you can be leaving. - We're leaving. I've got no problem with it. - No, no, no, no. - That's all right. - I think they're all just walk-ups and we don't ever think it. - One of the things if you are thinking a little bit further forward though, round 12, they share the same buy. And it's the first buy of those mid season buy. So that's unfortunate. - That's a lot of things. - That's a long while. - Yeah. Adam Asif, Kitty-Cowman, Kale goes, "80 plus night in round two, your jump on." - I'd be a jump on, wouldn't it? - It's a no, 53. - Yeah, 80's a jump on. - Yeah. - So he's got bulldogs and then you start with the swans. - Yeah, not many, you start with the swans. - And then you just, spoon says, "Geef Haydnaz early until after, oh sorry, early until after his Easter boy." - Yes, yes, at this stage. - He's going to be one of those ones. Kale's starting him. - And I don't mind that a little bit. - And the fear of that because of trying to get him. - Yes, big timidies. The other thing is, so in that round four buy, he only shares that with the giants. So yes, you'll probably have your flanders and maybe fill up who and a couple of those guys as well. But I think if you don't have him, when do you get to get him? That's my concern. - Yeah. - John Baker Royce says, "Kale Mules, "the energy has to get back to 100 average." Look, it's-- - He's playing in the back line, so that's been-- - Look, he got the tools too. - He's got the tools too. - Doesn't he, Roy? - Sure, too. Yes, he can. Why? Because he's just a good player and he's still in a ripe age bracket where it's Kale Mules. It's a guy that's gone over 110 twice. Obviously, he was one that embraced the midfield. He's scoring more than down back, but yes, he can do it. Do I think he will? I think he'll just be a tick under 100. - Well, he was 98 and he's lost. - He has a slim improvement then. - Yeah, for sure. - I know that 90, but yeah. Has an early boy. - Hmm. - Yes, the answer is I think he can push that triple figure. - Roll and lock out. Ah, so what are your thoughts on a couple of value after you're in Locky Blackeston? - Tick for me. - And CJ. What are you reckon about CJ? - I find his mate is very interesting. I think he's going to be, have a career. Yeah, they, like he offers something that they, they really need. And I think he's going to be given a green light to have a hundred, - Yeah, a hundred, seven hundred and thirteen. A few people got excited about that. - They did. - But I think he backed it up with not really bad. - Yeah, it was really bad. But yes, I think he'll be better than he's been in the past. I still wouldn't do it. - Price in 54. - Yeah. Like he could easily put 20 on that. - He could. - These will be a big watch too, I think. - Yes. - With what they're doing there. - Yeah. Bailey wants to know, could Judmock VB be a shout? Apparently got a distribution role of half back. But a few others, they could limit, yeah. Of course, like it's clocks. - Yeah. - They guy for that. - What's he priced at? Because it is an interesting one. I was tracking what his role was going to be. - Yep, hang on, where is he? - So he's a 54. - Oh, that's pretty true. - So that's another one who'll put 20 on that. They got a couple of nice games too. Their second and third game is going to be a free-for-all. The issue with someone like him for me is, like he's never done it before. Like he hasn't had a 75 before. - No, but he could. - It's got the tools. - He does. - Lewis. - Havons is asking, where do we say Khaled wins a lining up for the days this year? - That's a good one to watch, Eric. - Especially for draft. - Yeah, he's one that I bump right up in draft. - He's a 54 or so. - He's nine, yes. - Yes, see that's another one. I think Chuck a 20 on him. I think he's going to have a big bump. Has to get more responsibility. Is he, there was talk about him actually been in the CBA mix, is that true? - Well, it sort of needs has to be with what's gone out. - You would think so. There's a few names in the mix. Probably wing, Wayne. - Is he sure we'll be winging, Eric? And that's kind of the-- - I feel like I just default to him being spinning most of his time on the wing. - But, press isn't watching. - Check out that. - He'll be like, put his pigs. - She's 54 years on X. Okay, he got me pumped on Ridley. Is he really an option? - Well, come on, be responsible. - I don't. I think he's got an upside, definitely. But the risk is there and it's quite a decent risk because of his limited pre-sacinths as far. - Yep. I think it's a thing. I think we might have better value as such. - Like I liked Ridley. It was only a couple of years ago. He was average in like 88. - But the bides are just a bit unknown too. They're going to be so good. I mean, I didn't mean to say that. I just think there's better and safer value options down back in the Ridley. - There you go. - Panayoti wants to know. Thoughts on Josh Weddle. - Weddle. - Interesting. - Now that's an interesting idea. - He's relying on a breakout year with some more mid-time. Now, is the mid-time going to be there? I think it's, he's not massively in the mix for that, I don't think. But they've told the-- - I think you'll definitely get, I don't think you'll definitely run through there. - He will. - Do you know why? Because he's got the tools, can't he? - That's too much for the fee. And a leap mid-fueled out. - Every time he's been in there, he hasn't really done a lot. Like he seems to offer more when he's playing on the positions. - Probably one for draft, but yeah, I think definitely keep an eye on him. When they settle him somewhere, I think he's going to, I think he's a jet, but he's not someone to take a risk on starting with. That seems like the kind of risk that could really have you on the back foot. - He's time. - He's time. - Jim's jet saying, Cooper seems in 340K, if 9-1. Yeah, I guess. - I'm big on it. - So that's a good watch to see where he's sitting. - Yes. - That's what I'm going to do. Digby, and also Harry's got here, Ratsam Banks here. Digby does add there. Do you consider if Jaden Short is fit and playing half back? Like is that something that's going to limit his output? - That's common sense to flag that. I think you're a spot on, but he did play. Shorty was playing with him at the end of last year from memory. - Shorty played five stone games. - Yeah. So I think Banks is surpassed Shorty. - Are you reckon? - Yeah. - So. - So on that then, Chloe's got this question. Who's got the better upside out of Banks and the Berg? - I'm sticking with Berg just over. - And for that early run as well. - Yeah. - It's really nice. - Berg. - He's a name we didn't mention before. Looking at Tom McCarthy here for the Mighty Blues 11, and Banks to take the games to new levels. Tom McCarthy. - Yeah. - What are we thinking there? So he's like in the midfield. - Yeah. He's definitely one to watch. And I was, because I've been writing defender articles and stuff like that. He's always the next guy I would have written about when I pull up Stumps and press C. - So when he was, yeah, he was always that enough. - He's been, yeah. - When I hit a wall, I hit a wall. - Odd. - Yes. - And he's always been the next guy I'm going to talk about because I like him in the midfield. Like we've said, it's not for everyone. Sometimes you are better being down back, but I like him in the mid and down back to be honest. I just hate that they cannot score. - Yeah. - So I'm looking at him here. - They're 18th four. - Yeah. - Points four last year. And does that change? - No. - Don't think so. - No, it doesn't. - And his last three games last year, he had 40% or more of the CBAs. - Yeah. - Average in 80th rows. - Yeah. - Like that's just what it is. - And he's just, how are they going to get more, average more this year? No one from West Coast went over 85 last year. So it's not even saying a no for him is nothing against him. No, it's against the whole organisation. (laughing) - Trent Rivers thoughts. - Ah. - When? Where is it going to happen, Trin? That's the thought. Another year. He's a real weight and sea because that's another one that could have you on the back foot wreck your season because you literally feel like you're the only person in Australia that has him. Yep. I mean if it doesn't come off, it's no good. You said a minute ago, "Kar, will someone has to be in there?" Someone's got to be in there. But why is there talk of even like the winters instead of rivers? I'm not hearing much talk about him being the one to save the day in there at all. And from memory when he's actually worse in there. Yeah, he prefers it. There hasn't been enough time to say, "Yep, this is what we, yeah." So it's a no. It's a no. All right, Sam, what's a no? We put this one on you, Kale. Why are we not hearing Jasper Fletcher's name? Well, we are. We are. It's everywhere. Yes. I've been talking about it for years. I love Fletcher. Also like Wilmot, which is why. Yeah, what's he going to do? Well, and that's a little bit of mid-close. So I like Fletcher over Wilmot. Yep. The problem is there's so much value back there that I just put a line through him because he's got an early buy. Yeah, agree. And that's the only thing against him. Otherwise, I launch right into areas of someone like Fletcher. He's a great one for draft. So he's priced at 83, Wilmot at 80. So they're going to be 90-ish this year. I don't think there's enough meat on the bone for classic and the early buy crosses on both of them. Yeah. Let's go for Mitchell here. Simple one. Rosie or Wang? Rosie for me. Rosie. A betterbie. Yep. Kale's got both though. Daniel has this one, a draft question. What defender would you take in the first round of draft? So I think the top three could justify being a first rounder. Yeah. Think Nassai goes fairly early. Yeah. So what picked it I had in the draft? We did it. We've got Whitten, Rosie. I think I've got weed ahead of Rosie. Right. Well, I went Rosie first rounder. I think I had picked seven. Yep. I could see three of them going the first round if not far off that turn because you've done that with a midfielder. So I think it really early on Rosie. But I don't think the next group are going early until the third. If you can get one of those bugs in the second round you're laughing. 100%. Yes. Yes. Good question. Great question. Great question. I think the next group though. Yeah. Next on the list there. Yeah. Yeah. Where they sink layers. Yeah. And you'll probably not be able to pick a sneaky one of them up a little bit deeper. So that's where I think I've got why I've got Sinclair ahead of Ash Roy. Yeah. Just stuff would feel so much safer having him. Yeah. Then Ash because he's Oh, we did one game dog. One guy. Age. Age comes into that. Yeah. Ash gets. Break out Ash. Yeah. He'll go again. He will. Maddie Roberts from Matt Jeffrey here. He's he best 23. He's not. He's not Roy. I think he is. I just cannot believe how that unfolded at the end of last year. Yes. I think he is. So as soon as meals came in he went out and he went to the VFL and he didn't come back. So it's a big big look. We can't risk going there but yes. I think Matt will be back. That's very good. That's how I say this one here. My mate for Riley. My mate has Salem on his never again list after some shocking scores. Can we trust him this year? Now he's someone we haven't spoken about yet but I think he deserves some love. He does. So we've got our mate Jake Bowie out for quite a while. Yeah. And my benefit there. I guess the hard thing is he's at 93. Yeah. Can he improve on that? Yeah but it's probably a you're taking a bit of a punt to do that in a new system and all of that. He's gonna it'll get a truckload of kick-ins. Yeah. He's gonna get instant spikes. So Jake had 72 kick-ins last year. And Stephen Mays another one. Stephen May 78. Yeah and he knows. I can now say they'll laugh at Stephen bullying his way into the square to take it. I think Salem will get in the way. Salem could get in that. 40 kick-ins this year. Yeah. So I think there's a tiny little bit of moite on the bone. There is. With him. I look back to the two years prior to last year where did an amazing job to hit the park every week. And I still feel like he's an injury risk which is probably ridiculous because he proved to be durable last season. Yeah. I think you get him for about what he's worth. I agree. Yeah. Here's a good one from Alex. Is Luke Ryan still an option? Luke Ryan Ryan. So we've talked about a few young guys getting kicks potentially across halfback for the dockers. And I think a lot of those kicks of what we used to see in Luke coming out of Luke Ryan's hands. So I think he's not an option. He dropped what over 20 points per game last year. And I think now that is where he sits. Which is incredible considering he took twice as many kick-ins as Jordan Clire. And he needed everyone to get the average to where it was. I don't think he scored 100 in like the last nine or 10 weeks. If they took away points from kick-ins. Yeah. He's average in 60 something. Yeah. Come on Luke. So he's a no from me. But yeah. I mean, keep it if they decide to wind back the clock like we have this podcast. There you go. He could be back on a bargain. Alright, firing through a couple of last names here. Tom Stewart for Koop. Look if he didn't have an early boy. I'd be considering this. So okay. Now I know Kyle, you're always one for, well, if we take that score. Yeah. Yeah. But so he got, what did he get knocked out in that pre-limp? Yes. Right. So the three games prior to that, he turned up. Yeah. So that's Tom Stewart. He's still got it. But with the early boy, I'm just going to say, no, that's a good way out for that one. And save yourself a headache because he won't play every game. He did become a headache. He was tweaking knees and getting knocks. But yes, I think he's underpriced for sure. And Chris has got, we did speak to Archie Roberts, but is it just a no? Look at a no, but even though he plays for the comments, I do actually like him. I like him. I think he's a great player. Got good fantasy chops. He does. He does. Jim wants to know, should I go Kitty Coleman or a rookie? Yeah. So we've talked a little bit about not really actually on pods, but we feel like we're we're thinking more guns and rookies in a lot of ways that we're going. If we've got the rookies out, that's the key part of that. Well, that's a thing. But thing, you know, with Kitty is, if he's fit, he's in every week and he's got a role every week. So I think there's still a time and a place, even with a predominantly guns and rookie strategy to squeeze someone like Kitty in, if he goes well in that opening ground. I think so. And normally I heard, am I dumb to spend up on six mid price/premium in defense? I think we're going to have the, I think you need at least one rookie on field. And potentially two because the gap, are you there aren't they? Yeah, I can see where they're looking. Yeah, there's a lot going on in the back. We've got a lot of names in. We've mentioned a lot today. Yeah, even if you wanted to go unique with someone like Robert, you can see how people have squeezed in. I've had a look at a team with that setup. Yeah. Because you're just like, oh, they're all like 10, 15. Please. It's a bit too much for me though. So I say no, but I like the way you think and having a look at it. All right. This will be the last one from Lucas. How many points does Sam Taylor have to score in opening round two to select him again this year? That's yours. 300. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That was a good idea. That's all I'm giving. And Doug, at least that like, he already needs to score 10 points and you got up a million dollars. You know what the thing that I got the most enjoyment out of that? That I couldn't get rid of him. So there was that because I and I thought it couldn't get any better than that. But then there was a week, like God knows how long we're in, probably a month in. Doug still had him and put him on the ground and then complained because it was a good match up and he thought he would. Well, that's enough for him to do it. And that's enough of for me. I said, he said himself, don't do it. And you went against the actual dude. The source was the dude. He told you not to do it. Dog knows best. Look at him. Well, I don't. Hopefully you listen to Cal and Roy from this podcast. Head to fantasy.afl.com.au so you can pick your team, get yourself started. If you haven't started yet, I'll keep tweaking. As a lot of us have been for a little while now, you can follow us on social media at AFL Fantasy and we'll have plenty of tips and tricks for the rest of this preseason. But forget to subscribe to the podcast. Boys, there's the defenders. You've been listening to the official AFL Fantasy podcast for more expert advice from the traders. Head to afl.com.au/fanski.