It’s that time of year again when everyone has their favourite players and their top picks for the season ahead. With all of the Pre-Season talk over and with the help of this very useful website I have assembled my Top 22 players that will average the highest and take your teams to the top this season.
Backs
1. Brendan Goddard (Average 110-115) – This year will be the year where Goddards stamps himself as a former No.1 pick. Rumoured to be spending more time in the middle this season which should definitely boost his SuperCoach scores. His average of 103 last season will surely be beaten.
2. Luke Hodge (105-110) – The Norm Smith Medallist continues to pick up cheap possessions like he did towards the end of last season. Always scores well in SuperCoach (topped 100 in last four seasons) but can he return to his best of 2005 where he averaged a whopping 135? Teams will be more wary of him and tag him like they did last year (McLeod, Kennelly, Gilbee). The tag may deflate his scoring.
3. Chris Newman (100-105) – Given the Richmond captaincy will he relish or plummet with the new role? All signs point towards to the positive for the Tiger’s star, as he is the general on their half-back line, especially as Bowden moves to the end of his career.
4. Lindsay Gilbee (100- 105) – Gilbee is a fantastic user of the ball and looks in control in the Doggies defensive half. He is a Fantasy user and has been for several years, so there is no reason to discount him again this season as the Doggies look to push for the top 4.
5. Sam Fisher (95 – 105) – For sides coming up against St. Kilda who do they tag off the half-back line? This man or Brendan Goddard, both are lethal and rack up plenty of touches. Fisher takes plenty of marks (finishing second to Riewoldt at the Saints in ’08) meaning extra points everytime he wraps his dukes around the pill. His kick to handball ratio isn’t bad either averaging 13.7 kicks to 8.7 handballs per game in 2008.
6. Chad Cornes (95 – 100) – Struggled last season with injury but he looks fit and raring to go this season. He is a prolific Fantasy scorer especially if he gets going, picking up touches all over the ground. If he can repeat the feats of 2007 look out!
7. Corey Enright (90-95) – With Josh Hunt’s season ending knee injury marring Geelong’s defence this year, Enright may have to play more of a defensive role to what he did last year, when he was a free running half-back/On-baller. He just sneaks into the top 7.
Midfielders
1. Gary Ablett (135-140) – How can you go past him. Highest Average in SuperCoach last season (132.5) by a long way, I can’t see him dropping below that this year. Geelong look for him all the time and his ball use is great. If the pre-season is anything to go by, he looks in great stead to top 135.
2. Jimmy Bartel (120-125) – Another integral member of the awesome Geelong midfield. Dropped in SC by his standards last year, but should return and looked good in the pre-season. Still a very classy player and a fantasy star.
3. Chris Judd (115-120) – Although injury has troubled him in the past and may haunt him this season, he will still be able to produce a fairly high average this season. A full pre-season for his troublesome body isn’t a bad thing for his fantasy coaches either.
4. Joel Corey (110-115) – Geelong’s Best and Fairest winner last year he is also vital to Geelong’s midfield. Averaging 109 last season, I believe he can eclipse that this season, as Bartel and Ablett are followed around with the tag and he is allowed to roam free.
5. Scott Thompson (110) – Not often spoken about in Fantasy terms he is Adelaide’s most significant midfielder. He can push forward and kick goals as shown last year against the Tigers when he kicked six goals from 147 SuperCoach points. Unsure whether he is able to break a strong tag but is a class player and will continue to score highly.
6. Dane Swan (105-110) – The man with the new tattoo has probably stepped into the position as the Pies No.1 midfielder. Although many will dispute it is Pendlebury, Swan is the Pies go to man and he will more than likely break last years average of 102.
Rucks
1. Dean Cox – (105-115) – May be a little overpriced this season (up $75,00) but he is still miles in front of the other ruckmen in the comp. His ability to get around the ground and become another link up player in West Coast’s struggling midfield is unrivaled by any other player.
2. David Hille – (90-95) – Has shown in the past he is able to push forward and kick vital goals for the Bomber’s. Hille is always improving and with a full pre-season under his belt he will be fitter and fresher for the 22 games that lie ahead.
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Forwards
1. Matthew Pavlich (115-120) – His predicted average this season may be a little high than some may expect but Pavlich is all class. Can take the contested grab, kick goals and get plenty of disposals – making him a standout fantasy pick. Â
2. Brent Harvey (110-115) – He also has been handed the captaincy for this season. The dynamic half-forward/on-baller looks ready to follow on from his tremendous season last year where he averaged 112 points. He kicks plenty of goals, another great side to his play.
3. Brett Deledio (110-115) – The Tigers 2008 Best and Fairest has become a popular fantasy pick. He also collects plenty of touches and kicks goals. He also has the ability to take a contested grab – worth six points in SuperCoach.
4. Nick Riewoldt (110-115) – Another who goes into Round 1 underdone in preparation. St. Kilda posted ‘that’ video but I’m still not sure, heading into week 1. Despite the talk of his injury, Riewoldt is due for another big average this year. He marks storng, gets plenty of kicks – if only he could turn more of them into goals.
5. Jonathan Brown (105-110) – Another new captain, Brown is a powerhouse capable of scoring big scores. With seven scores of 130+ last year Brown can score very big. He is prone to lack in some games – maybe due to the fact he gets double or triple tagged.
6. Lance Franklin (100-105) – Many of you will have thought Buddy would be higher up the tree. Six is about right, if he could give away less free kicks and convert more goals he would be sitting at number 1. Will the Hawks look more for Roughead this season also?
7. Brendan Fevola (95-105) – If his pre-season form is anything to go by $459,800 looks a steal. With Fevola you need consistency and for his fantasy coaches, they will be dying for it this season. He is a chance of getting to 100 goals.
Do you agree with my prediction for this years top 22? Who is missing? Who should be higher and who shouldn’t be there? What is your top 22 for the season of 2009? I would love to hear your feedback as we embark on another bumper year of Fantasy footy!
dave
March 25, 2009 at 11:26 pm
richo being given the freedom to go upfield i would have thought a shoe in, can’t see to many out marking him and will get plenty of kicks.
Evolved
March 25, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Dal Santo??
Drummond would surely be on the list if he could stay on the park….
ben
March 25, 2009 at 11:52 pm
some fair points. can’t say i agree with a lot of it though. fevola, if he’s fit, will figure much higher and with his eye on the top four will score 140 several times i reckon. at geelong i predict joel selwood will eclipse corey, perhaps bartel, and most of the league to finish at 600k . and with the swans weak, ryan o’keefe will be even better than last year. at least i hope these things happen! good luck boys.
Legend
March 26, 2009 at 1:01 am
You forgot the heart and soul of the AFL, Richoman!
andy
March 26, 2009 at 2:41 am
simon black
Disco (UK)
March 26, 2009 at 3:21 am
A very dependable solid squad, MC.
Here’s a few ‘Top Slotters’ that didn’t make the cut (some maybe not as reliable coz of they’re injury risks):
Back: Drummond, Purgoyne.
Mid: Hayes, Kornes.
Ruc: Sandilands.
Fwd: N.Brown, Chapman.
Smokies: J.Selwood, S.Tuck, B.Hall (vvv smokie!).
Fevola – doesn’t have the discipline, or the dynamic to his game to fetch the ball when teams are clustering or zoning off on him. Will score a 140 one week, then a 35 the next, when he really should score minimum 70, every time.
Disco (UK)
March 26, 2009 at 3:27 am
“coz they’re”, sorry.
vin
March 26, 2009 at 3:31 am
daniel cross? hes consistent ~100 AVERAGE
cke
March 26, 2009 at 6:54 am
o’keefe??
Mitch
March 26, 2009 at 7:39 am
O’Keefe was my definitely my eighth picked. He is in my side at the moment and he was originally in the top 7 before I thought about Fev…Fev will do alright this year
Scumbag
March 26, 2009 at 9:06 am
I can’t see Swan being a top 6 SC midfielder, does not use the ball well enough to be considered. I’d think either one of Dal Santo or S Burgoyne would be more likely to take his spot.
casha
March 26, 2009 at 9:09 am
Dane swan for SC lol would not be in the top 15 options for Mids this year..
you need to understand how players accumilate there scores under the champion data rankings to appreciate the true premiums options this year.
Dane swan is a DT machine but the way he uses and turns over the ball with stuff all effectivness will always will drag his SC score well below other SC premium Mids.
his lack of penetration also goes against him.
Jack
March 26, 2009 at 9:12 am
What about the talk that Goddard is going to miss the first 2 rounds with a hamstring strain Monty? Can anyone shed some more light on this?
Brad
March 26, 2009 at 10:32 am
@ Jack
The rumour about Goddard is not true, at least i dont think it is…haha
Someone started spreading that rumour over on BigFooty and it has taken off like wild fire.
Jack
March 26, 2009 at 10:51 am
Id love it if it were a rumour however a couple of different people on BF heard Brad Hardie report it on radio that he was injured which is why I was worried. Hopefully he was off the mark
Brad
March 26, 2009 at 10:58 am
@ Jack,
It might be a case of a double agent over on BF trying to throw people off.
Someone has thrown out the Goddard rumour assuming that everyone will think that it is a rumour but it is in fact true.
S/C espionage 8 hours before lock out, gotta love it.
L. Gilbee
March 26, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I knew I’d make the list if I had a good haircut,
Beastiano De Costa
March 26, 2009 at 12:24 pm
What about me, it isnt fair?
elliot
March 26, 2009 at 12:52 pm
If goddard was injured it would be reported upon.
today and last night we’ve been informed that Thomson, Smith and Gumblton are all injured. If the rumour were true the media would be all over it.
Bo
March 26, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Terrible list. Thompson and swan ? Over shaun burgone and adam goodes ? i could pick out glaring omissions everywhere.
Fevola over O’keefe and goodwin ? You should have labelled the post Dreamteam top 22 prediction and you’d be more correct.
rubbish.
Heater
March 26, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Its interesting you put Thompson in there, Monty. His PS form has been very average which has resulted in me not having him in my side.
IMO Pendlebury is a better SC player than Swan. Good list though and pleased I have quite a few of them in my side.
EagleHank
March 26, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Will there be a top 22 DT list?
Hank jnr
March 26, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Lets hope so,,,
L. Gilbee
March 26, 2009 at 2:31 pm
My haircut should get me there too!
fishtaylor
March 26, 2009 at 2:32 pm
who is more likely to play out of taylor walker and wade thompson?
L. Gilbee
March 26, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Which one’s got a better haircut? I bet it’s not as good as mine!
Mitch
March 26, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Bo, Scott Thompson will score better than Adam Goodes this year trust me
Brad
March 26, 2009 at 3:46 pm
@ Mitch,
No way mate.
Goodes is “bouncing off the walls” up there.
His groins are perfect and he will be back to his very best, plus he has the captaincy now which will give him even more incentive to perform.
He is a very proud person and will be determined to have a ripping year after what he considered to be a poor year last year.
Hayden Churchill
March 26, 2009 at 4:02 pm
petrie or hille is my problem for second ruck…already have cox
any thoughts??
Daniel
March 26, 2009 at 4:26 pm
@Hayden
Id go for Petrie. Will play more time in the back this year, is a great pack marker, will average high 90’s as he is also given stints in the ruck and up foward at times.