Braydon Preuss dominated last week's preseason practice match against Adelaide, in a pattern that has followed him across several AFL clubs. Preuss has always looked like a million dollars in February, leading to fantasy interest which eventually fizzles as it becomes clear he is not going to play a full senior season. Sometimes the problem is better rucks ahead of him, sometimes it is fitness, and other times it is his penchant for suspension. There always seems to be something holding Preuss back from fulfilling his evident promise, and he burns fantasy coaches who buy him.
Braydon Preuss dominated last week's preseason practice match against Adelaide, in a pattern that has followed him across several AFL clubs. Preuss has always looked like a million dollars in February, leading to fantasy interest which eventually fizzles as it becomes clear he is not going to play a full senior season. Sometimes the problem is better rucks ahead of him, sometimes it is fitness, and other times it is his penchant for suspension. There always seems to be something holding Preuss back from fulfilling his evident promise, and he burns fantasy coaches who buy him.
Braydon Preuss returns to the Greater Western Sydney side today after a short injury lay off, rejoining his tandem ruck partner Matt Flynn. It is a combination that has been fruitful for the Giants, and when both are fit they appear to be best 22 for a club challenging for a finals spot. For his many fantasy owners, it has been a ride for the ex-Demon as he has battled injury and team balance issues, making him a questionable option as a downgrade from Max Gawn. Preuss represents a risk/reward play in comparison to premiums like Tim English or Jarrod Witts.
Braydon Preuss returns to the senior side this week after a silly suspension into what seems a lot like a ruck tandem with Matt Flynn. He and Flynn have been tried solo this season but neither has really shown the capability to carry the load by themselves, and a double ruck combo is very popular this year anyway with the increased importance of scores from stoppages. Traditionally, tandems have been bad for both players for fantasy; maybe the new rule environment means there is still value there. Preuss is a worthy cash cow, if he can stay on the park and in the 22.
Preuss sells insurance
Following a surprise decision to force a trade to the Demons during the 2018 trade period, Braydon Preuss was predictably used as a bit part player. Dropped on three occasions, the sporadic nature of his involvement made difficult his performance assessment. The former Roo demonstrated his quality when fielded as a lone ruck, registering 44 hit outs and 14 touches against the Blues in round 16. Preuss is an imposing big man that, when opportunity presents, has shown to be a more than competent ruck for the level. Following the surprise drafting of Luke Jackson, it appears that opportunities for stints in the ruck will be limited in the long term. Preseason injury to Max Gawn makes him an essential handcuff if you pick Gawn early, worth trading for if someone pinches him early on draft day.
Preuss in blue and red
The trade by North Melbourne of Braydon Preuss to Demonland shocked many, but in a copycat league it was nearly inevitable that Melbourne would seek a second genuine ruckman. As to why the Roos gave him up, one has to ask why he wasn't playing seniors last season as they committed to 30-year-old Todd Goldstein. He averaged 47 hitouts, 14 disposals and 103 fantasy points in a full reserves season, but only totalled six goals to make it 34 from 58 games in four years of VFL action. You can chuck Preuss' magoo stats in the bin, as he is not going to be playing anything like that role for the senior Melbourne side, unless All-Australian Max Gawn is struck down by injury. The departure of Jesse Hogan means Melbourne need a full forward, and in Preuss they seem to have one who will also support Gawn in ruck. The ex-Roo hasn't played as a forward since his junior days, and it would be a brave draft league coach who would use a pick on him, unless as a handcuff for big Max.
Preuss in blue and white?
It looked like Braydon Preuss was going to take the AFL by storm when given sole ruck duties in his second game, where he blitzed the Geelong tandem for 46 hit outs. He was not given another opportunity without sharing ruck with Todd Goldstein, so he could not replicate his VFL form where he reached 71 hit outs against Casey and averaged over 110 fantasy points. It is as obvious as the nose on Brad Scott's face that the Kangaroos have to play Preuss over Goldstein in the seniors. He has even added 15 touches a game in the reserves to fill out his game, and he got at least one shot on goal in each of his eight senior matches. Given that Goldie is barely draftable at this point, Preuss is the North ruck you want. You can probably get him late due to job security concerns.
