AF 2014 Profile: Craig Bird

[Mr.Craig]

Craig Bird



Sydney Swans 21/1/89 179cm/85kg

2011 Ave: 67.6 (20 games)
2012 Ave: 68.8 (22 games)
2013 Ave: 71.4 (20 games)

100+
70-
Sub

2013 Scores: 19, 17, 79, 50, 61, 31, 67, 92, 89, 97, 118, 92, 116, 65, 71, 64, 68, 81, 68, 84

Profile

After a slow start to the year which included a couple of games in the NEAFL and some vests, Bird was able to re-cement his place in the Swans' starting 21 and play some good footy. He performs a variety of roles for the team - half forward, negative forward and sometimes rotating through the midfield. It wasn't until Round 10 that Craig put in a decent DT score but from that point he averaged a respectable 85.0.

Bird has increased his average each year of his career and I would expect that to continue in 2014. With some younger players coming through the risk of vests has been reduced but the main concern continues to be his use as a forward tagger which tends to limit his score to 60-70. His sub affected scores means he is under priced by approximately 5 points and with natural progression I think you can add another few points on top of that.

He will most likely remain just below what you'd expect from a keeper so his selection may come down to if you think he'll get off to a flyer (as he did in 2012 with scores of 112, 82, 87, 97 and 113) and make you some easy cash.

2014 Prediction - 80

Media

http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/111683/Craig-BIRD
http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/bird-happy-winging-it-for-swans-20130605-2nqjo.html

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3YVk_Sbtok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H97gh1ppBmM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzE8LWAed5M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVawbDzmb8o

[Ricochet]

Loves the role he gets through the wings when released but there is always the risk of a lockdown role just around a corner.
Because of that, I can't picture him being in my side

[Rusty00]

Loves the role he gets through the wings when released but there is always the risk of a lockdown role just around a corner.
Because of that, I can't picture him being in my side

Tagged Marc Murphy on the weekend which is your case in point.

[Mr.Craig]

...and scored 97 while he did it. ;)

[SydneyRox]

Generally will get the #1 lockdown role, as opposed to ROK who has the run with/run off role. Solid fantasy without being spectaculor

[henry]

Loves the role he gets through the wings when released but there is always the risk of a lockdown role just around a corner.
Because of that, I can't picture him being in my side

Yeah completely agree. He has been an attractive option for me in the past, but is a role player in the side and as a result can dish out some ordinary stages. Probably not for me.

[Nige]

Love him as a player, decent fantasy option... probably more for a draft team or XVs team though. Might look elsewhere.

[Spinking]

Yep, like the way he goes about it but not on the DT radar as yet.

[Colliwobblers]

captain jack did his time as a tagger - i'll be watching this guy in the next couple of seasons, game of pick the season he becomes a true onballer and start him for a 20-30 ppg average increase...

[Capper]

A tagging/run-with midfielder (on Murphy or Dal Santo) that can also be used as a defensive forward tag (on Birchall). Not really fantasy relevant though. he also may lose his DPP as well

My write up
http://forum.fanfooty.com.au/index.php/topic,87363.msg1223376.html#msg1223376