With big-name stars hogging the spotlight, Mitch Duncan was able to go impressively about his business on the wing, flying under the radar yet again in a phenomenal statistical year and playing every game until a knee injury struck him down in September. Despite the grade three medial tear not requiring surgery, he did go under the knife to fix his AC joint and then again on his hip, delaying his running routine until the new year. With plenty of time left, there should be no qualms over Duncan's health come round one. His role in the team will most likely stay the same post the trade of Tim Kelly, and possibly become even more lucrative if he inherits the wing sweeper role that Joel Selwood played last year. If the preseason runs smoothly, then expect much of the same from Duncan in 2020 and choose him with a pick in the earlier rounds as a set-and-forget midfielder.
Duncan is surely hooping
With big-name stars hogging the spotlight, Mitch Duncan was able to go impressively about his business on the wing, flying under the radar yet again in a phenomenal statistical year and playing every game until a knee injury struck him down in September. Despite the grade three medial tear not requiring surgery, he did go under the knife to fix his AC joint and then again on his hip, delaying his running routine until the new year. With plenty of time left, there should be no qualms over Duncan's health come round one. His role in the team will most likely stay the same post the trade of Tim Kelly, and possibly become even more lucrative if he inherits the wing sweeper role that Joel Selwood played last year. If the preseason runs smoothly, then expect much of the same from Duncan in 2020 and choose him with a pick in the earlier rounds as a set-and-forget midfielder.
Dip from Duncan
Following a stellar 2017, Mitch Duncan's stats fell in all areas, most noticeably in disposals and tackles. We can attribute this largely to a host of new and old teammates stealing midfield minutes. Nevertheless, it remained his second best season to date and he was still able to maintain his 100+ average. Duncan will continue to be a part of Geelong’s core midfield rotations, and will fly under the radar yet again due to the spotlit names surrounding him. For this reason, he may likely slide further down the draft than what is deserved. A welcome member of any fantasy midfield, Duncan should be taken with an earlier middle-round pick.
No moderation for Duncan
External focus in the Cats midfield is understandably on the Dangerwood combo but Mitch Duncan more quietly became one of the elites in his eighth season, adding two kicks and four handballs per game with a slightly higher ratio of contested footy to rank sixth in fantasy scoring for the league. His stat lines are now very similar to those of 2017 All-Australian Josh Kelly, though Duncan missed the 40-man squad. Sometimes it is better for a player in fantasy not to get the plaudits, and with Duncan we have a tireless runner on the outside who enjoys supply from a star-studded engine room that will be graced with the presence of Gary Ablett jnr in 2018. That is enough distracting dazzle for the taggers to leave Duncan alone, most likely, which makes him a very valuable gem for fantasy coaches. He should be drafted in the first round.
