Sadly, the AFL has not seen fit to change its pre-game team reporting procedures to make life any easier for fantasy fans (or gamblers) for round 1 in 2008 by only allowing one hour and ten minutes from the official announcement of the Saturday teams at 5pm Thursday to the start of the first game of the season at 6:10pm Thursday local time. That seventy minutes is likely to see an enormous amount of pressure on VirtualSports’ servers, groaning as they are under the weight of more and more competitions this year, as Dream Teamers, Super Coaches, Yahoos and many other participants all try to tweak their squads one last time with the knowledge of the starting benches of six teams. It is highly likely that, due to no fault of the VS crew, many coaches will be unable to make vital late changes and will go into round 1 with zeroes in their 22 that need not have happened. Add to that the fact that we’ll only get extended squads for the Sunday and Monday games, and it’s a huge pain in the you-know-what for fantasy coaches.
So, how to minimise your exposure to this sub-prime risk? Here’s a look at the four days and the fringe players you should be looking at as teams come in.
Thursday 20 March: Teams of 22 at Wednesday 5pm
Carlton v Richmond: Darren Pfeiffer is the best prospect from the Blues who is just at the edges of their most likely 22 for round 1. If he’s named tomorrow, consider him not just for a bench spot, but a spot in your 22 (if you have a rookie slot in your backs open… which you should!). He may not score as much as some of the other hot rookie backs, but at least you know he’ll play if named. Another rookie from the Blues who has shown a bit in the pre-season is Adam Hartlett, though doubt lingers over his fitness - he’s an outside chance to replace Brad Fisher at CHF for the Blues, though the same could be said of half a dozen youngsters at Carlton. On the Tigers side, keep an eye on their young ruckmen. Whoever gets named to back up Troy Simmonds might have to step up a lot this year as Adam Pattison did last year, though it’s no certainty that Pattison will be #2 in ‘08 with Angus Graham in the wings and Tristan Cartledge on the rookie list (with Danny Meyer having just gone on the LTI list). Also, we haven’t seen much of Daniel Connors in the pre-season but if he’s named then he might be a sneaky alternative for a sub-$150k centre like Courtenay Dempsey whom you won’t know about until after lockout.
Port Adelaide v Geelong: Port’s fringe players are mostly uninteresting for fantasy purposes this year, but Geelong have a couple of intriguing options in Brent Prismall and Ryan Gamble. Prismall’s stocks have risen recently with David Wojcinski’s injury, which in conjunction with interrupted pre-seasons to Paul Chapman, Joel Selwood and Kane Tenace has given Prismall’s chances of locking down an early-season midfield spot a much-needed boost. Gamble is a gamble, but at least you’ll know which way the cards fall on Wednesday.
Saturday 22 March: Squads of 25 on Wednesday 5pm, teams of 22 on Thursday 5pm
Collingwood v Fremantle: You would expect Rhys Palmer to be named, and thus to make his way into plenty of fantasy sides as the “safe” rookie centre option. Not many rookies to talk about on the Pie side, with Ben Reid the only outside chance… and I wouldn’t touch him for this season anyway.
St Kilda v Sydney: A lot of interest here. Jarryn Geary, David Armitage and Clinton Jones are all on the bubble for the Saints, while there has been plenty of press about the Swans going young with Craig Bird, Kieran Jack and Jarred Moore all attracting scrutiny. The biggest story, however, might be the surprise inclusion of Brendon Goddard, which would put the wind up many a coach who would look at his 2007 numbers in comparison to those of 2006 and see the big drop, thus making him a tasty cut-price premium prospect. I would advise not having him in your 22 now, for obvious reasons. If you want to go ultra-risky, though, try getting online to swap him in in that 70-minute maelstrom and see how you go!
West Coast v Brisbane: It’s very easy to devise an excellent starting 22 for the Eagles which contains no rookies at all. For precedent, we have the fact that even Chris Judd didn’t start in round 1 of his first year. The Eagles’ new top 3 draft pick Chris Masten is thusly a doubtful starter, and even if there is a spot for a youngun in the West Coast lineup he’ll have to fight for it with the likes of Jamie McNamara and Scott Selwood. Intrigue also surrounds the fact that Selwood is still doing year 12, an affliction which has already written off the first AFL season of Patrick Dangerfield. McNamara in particular is going to be hard to leave on your fantasy bench for the likes of Bird or Geary, but you may have to do it before 5pm just to make sure of having 22 non-zeroes, and then hope to swap him in if he survives the cut. Let us hope that if one of them is to play like Matt Priddis did in round 1 last year, he’s named somewhere important like the centre. As for Brisbane, it’s generally accepted that Albert Proud is an excellent prospect and hopefully will be named on the ground for the Lions, so as to avoid messy extended bench shenanigans.
Sunday 23 March: Squads of 25 on Thursday 5pm
Western Bulldogs v Adelaide: Josh Hill is the only interesting Dogs rookie, and I’d only rate him as bench fodder anyway so feel safe stowing him there if he’s named. Kurt Tippett will play, so don’t get spooked if he’s on the extended bench. James Sellar might not play so even if his name makes it onto that list of seven don’t expect it to last until Sunday.
Hawthorn v Melbourne: With so many suspensions on the Hawks you’d expect all of their fantasy-relevant rookies to play in round 1 - it’s the rounds afterward that are the worry, when their three suspended midfielders return. Start Travis Tuck and Jarryd Morton (EDIT: plus Cyril Rioli) without a worry, just have your fingers crossed that they’ll still be there by round 6 (or that their price had peaked by then). Melbourne will most likely name Cale Morton on their bench of seven, which is going to be tricky. He would be worth keeping on your bench in favour of a Saturday rookie, and then he’d also be worth braving the torrent to get him back in your 22 if press reports indicate he’ll play. Also keep an eye on Clint Bartram and Paul Wheatley.
Monday 24 March: Squads of 25 on Thursday 5pm
Kangaroos v Essendon: Expect Bachar Houli, Ricky Dyson and Lachie Hansen to play. Beyond that, you’re on your own. If any of your rookies in this game are named on extended benches, bench them in your side and don’t make them emergencies either. It’s as simple as that.
Oh, and you think that’s all? Hell no! The last deadline is the final teamsheets for Carlton v Richmond, 45 minutes before lockout, and if you completely trust Nick Stevens to be telling the truth about his “neck” injury, then I’ve got some lunar land parcels to sell you, complete with sub-prime mortgages from Bear Stearns. Imagine the disastrous scrambling if Stevo suddenly pulls out in that last hour? Utter chaos!
great work monty!!!
will u add an article on fan footy as soon as the teams are named?
if not where else can we view the teams (thursday)
keeping in mind im from perth and wont be able to watch the news in time
The previews will have the latest teams (listed down the left on the front page). Rest assured the blog will be running hot on Thursday night.
will u be doing these teams (previews) as they become public?
what about cyril rioli?
TOP: Yeah, I’ll blog each team as it comes in.
Good point Simon, I’ll add Rioli. He’ll play too.
Thanks monty, this has been a big help, jsut wish i had the sallary to squeeze in L. Henderson instead of S. tohmpson. Also wondering if you had any thoughts on whether J.Meesen will play?
I doubt it on Meesen, Simon. Jeff White & Paul Johnson is the Dees’ ruck combo as far as I know.
great work once again monty, keep it up and I think I can speak on behalf of 99.99% of people that we love the work you put in.
Also, I’d love to get your opinion on which player is the better option:
- Fev Vs Murphy
and
- Mitchell Vs Carrazzo/Ablett/Lappin/Thompson/Scotland (staying away from the Geelong midfield as they are bound to drop in price)
thanks in advance
Andrew - just leave a comment. Leave your PLayer A vs Player B questions to Bigfooty. Monty does enough work as it is.
Nice work Monty
What about Scott D. Thompson. any chance?
hey just wondering who is everyones lcok for round 1? apart from cornes is there any other player u definatly have to pick??
Sam I am pretty sure the question was directed at monty… not you, so why don’t you save yourself some time and f… off (I think even you can fill in the gaps)
come on fella’s. so whos ya lock for round 1?
Settle down fellas, I don’t mind answering a question or two.
On Fev vs Murphy (I presume you mean Robert?): I wouldn’t go for either of them. My strategy is to take five absolute premiums and then two of Nathan Thompson, Dew and Bradshaw (haven’t quite decided yet). I don’t trust any other forwards.
Of the mids you list, I’m not keen on any of them to improve significantly.
Rowshow: Apart from Chad, I think Cox, Pav and Bird are locks.
What time are thursday’s teams due in?
nice work monty - any thoughts about Daniel O’KEEFE?
I cant go past Goodes Either… he’s gonna rip it up!! And he’s CHEAP!!
No on O’Keefe, Darren. XztatiK: I said in the post, 5pm Eastern.
And would u think Barlow (syd) and Myers (ess) would be included? My guess is yes on Barlow, but unsure on the latter…
David Mackay may also be inline for a selection in rnd 1 due to the Chris Knights injury.
thanks - you’re too kind. What about thoughts on Callam Ward, Trent West, Hugh Minson?
I know this prob isnt the right blog for it, but who would u reccommend out of Stanton and Ablett (in DT)??
It has become my main DT dilemma… thanks
Iv got no idea who u r Monty but im thinking u must be some sort of angel sent to watch over me and my fantasy team…. Does anyone know if N.Stevens has actually been training?? I dont really rate him but if he is right to go he is too good of a bargain to pass up… Thinking i mite take a punt on Coughlan instead if he is no good.
I’m not going to answer endless player A v player B questions. Most of them are either choices between players I don’t think anyone should be taking anyway, or coinflips between two good players who will probably average the same anyway.
lol - we could just send you our logins and have you select everything for us
btw - quick observation - your list of players above features a lot of midfielders. No judgement there - just an observation. Keep up the great work.
Darren: good point, but that’s because I think there is a lot more choice in the centre rookies than there is in the forwards, backs or rucks. I wouldn’t actually consider any ruck rookies, and there are only three forward rookies I’d even look at, all of which are mentioned above. The backs have more choice - I probably should have mentioned Taylor up there, but Myers, Hansen, Greenwood, Urquhart and Pears are all in the Monday game so I’ve gone right off them all.
Well, when I say I wouldn’t consider ruck rookies, I wouldn’t consider any who are playing in round 1 (hint hint).
hey sorry monty I meant when are the teams for thursday’s games due in, not the saturday games, surely we will get them tomorrow?
yes xztatik tomorrow at 5pm
it says it up there^
hahaha poor monty
getting asked sooo many questions
You blokes reckon you’ve got it tough… 5pm in Oz is 3am over here in New York.
I find myself in the 99.99% bracket! great work monty.
any leagues out there I can join? looking for some decent opponents this year
ta, pete
Hi Monty,
After reading the DT Talk blog I’m under the impression that all final 22 teams will be released by 5pm Thursday, with at least squads before then. Might be worthwhile checking???
Keep up the good work!
Sorry one more
do you think Josh P Kennedy (WCE) will play rd 1 ?
Dan.
That’s incorrect Scumbag. Go and read DT Talk again. Sunday 22s are released on Friday, Monday 22s are released on Saturday. Both after lockout.
When the squad of 25 for saturday’s game is released tonight will there be 18 named on the field followed by a bench of 7 or just 25 names ? If a rookie is named in the 18 we can lock them in, is that right ?
That’s right todd, it’s 18 on the field and 7 on the bench. The only way a player can miss out if he’s named in the 18 is through injury.
cheers mate
Im tossing up between Kreuzer and Leuenberger for the final ruck spot. Any thoughts?
Come on gents…. Who’s got the goss on N.Stevens??!! Is he good to go or not??!!
He said he is fine but make sure you have a reliable emergency ready to step in
I know he said he was fine but they always say that… Has he been training or is “”his knee still infected??”"
As for your final ruck spot John, I heard Kruzer mite not get up for round 1 so u mite want to take that into consideration… Not sure what the issue is. I just heard a passing comment on SEN last night.
Was down at Carlton training yesterday and Stevens didn’t seem to be doing any drills involving head high contact. Was mainly running laps and a couple handball and kicking drills but nothing that involved tackling. I know one of the trainers at the club so I asked him about it, he didn’t give me any straight answers, but I got the idea that they are trying to keep under-raps.
Hope this helps anyone that was asking, cause as soon as I got home yesterday took him straight out.
If it is only a 1 week injury then it is worth keeping him so you dont waste a trade later in the season
I reckon its not worth it. It was very suspicious that after his first game back he can’t play the next week cause of … a “neck injury.” He may be cheap but there are better options that are going to play every game (barring injury) like Griffen, Sherman, Schammer (whos as played every preseason game).
I’m doing the same as James as i reckon its risk not worth taking.
Thanks for the post James and good luck for the year
It’s alright Greg. Just doing what I can to help people out so they can make accurate decisions about player injurys.
Does anyone know the website that teams are first published on, just so we can make adjustments straight away?
Normally Channel ten news (in melbourne) is one of the quickest. But if you don’t have access to a tv, one of; sportal.com.au, foxsports.com.au or afl.com.au
it looks as is masten has a great chace of playing this week
monty,why are you reluctant to pick rookies etc for round 1 ??
Monty are the Saturday squads going to come out tonight or tomorrow and will we actually get the Sunday/Monday squads at all?
Just wondering cos this article says we will, but nothing has turned up yet and the AFl website says:
“More teams to follow on Thursday as they are named”
after the four Friday night teams.
Yeah dunno, I might have got the wrong end of the stick on that one. I’ll have to follow it up.
“It is highly likely that, due to no fault of the VS crew, many coaches will be unable to make vital late changes and will go into round 1 with zeroes in their 22 that need not have happened”
How right you are…..