Brandon Starcevich has been the main beneficiary of the mystifying reversal of fortune of Alex Witherden, who looked in his debut season to be a rolled gold 200-game player but this week was dropped for poor form. Starcevich has taken his spot on a half back flank and is fast becoming as productive in a fantasy sense as Witherden was, in a defence bearing the organisational stamp of the recently retired Luke Hodge. It's an easy position to play in some senses, but Witherden's example shows that it's not a doddle. For now, Starcevich's star is rising.
Brandon Starcevich has been the main beneficiary of the mystifying reversal of fortune of Alex Witherden, who looked in his debut season to be a rolled gold 200-game player but this week was dropped for poor form. Starcevich has taken his spot on a half back flank and is fast becoming as productive in a fantasy sense as Witherden was, in a defence bearing the organisational stamp of the recently retired Luke Hodge. It's an easy position to play in some senses, but Witherden's example shows that it's not a doddle. For now, Starcevich's star is rising.
Starce jnr needs starts
Following four AFL appearances in his debut campaign, Brandon Starcevich's 2019 was curtailed by a hamstring injury which limited him to one further senior outing. The half forward runner was consistent in the NEAFL, averaging 16 touches and four marks. Starcevich is enjoying an injury-free preseason as he aims to fight for his place in the ones. Battling a host of fringe players for a spot in the best 22, Starcevich has a high ceiling but a low floor, not to mention red flags over fitness and job security. Unlikely to present as a fantasy interest for now.
Young dog, old tricks
You can chuck Brandon Starcevich's four senior games last August in the bin as a learning experience. His more natural game came in the NEAFL where he averaged 16 disposals, five tackles, three marks and 73 fantasy points. Comparisons inevitably come with his uncle Craig, though his exploits up the ground remind one more of a young bull called Jonathan Brown. Expect to see a lot more of Starcevich in the seniors in 2019, as his upside is considerable and he needs the experience. He should fill the HFF spot vacated by Hugh McCluggage's pending move to the guts and score somewhere near the same rate. This may come later in the season as he gets used to the pace, making him more of a midseason pick up than a draftable commodity.
Contested brand on
The name conjures memories of key position heroics, but unlike uncle Craig you could find Brandon Starcevich in his junior years more often at the coalface winning his own footy. He has also spent times at both ends of the ground, though his disposal average has not hit 15 at any level. Brisbane has drafted a number of utilities in recent years, and Starcevich could turn into anything from Brendon Goddard to his uncle. Either way, he is likely to start too slowly on the stat sheet to excite any interest in draft leagues, even though he will probably play seniors early.
