Welcome to all GameDay Squad coaches, AFL fantasy coaches, AFL fans or just the curious. GameDay Squad is going to be releasing a series of AFL seasonal reviews that will provide you with all the fantasy insight and recommendations your heart desires. We are just weeks away from the commencement of the 2023 AFL season and if you are late to the party and haven’t done your fantasy research, let GameDay Squad handle that for you. Enjoy this installation of fantasy breakdowns for the Richmond Tigers.
Must start player:
The choice here will be to no surprise for those who kept up to date with the AFL offseason. The must-start Richmond Tiger player for this upcoming season is undoubtedly Tim Taranto. The most significant feature as to why you must start Taranto, he is a midfielder who will be a forward in your Gameday Squad fantasy teams. His production is going to be top of the forward position because of this, last season we got a taste of how good Tim Taranto could be and this year all Gameday Squad coaches are hoping to see 20+ games from the superstar, as the best ability, is availability.
Dream legend card:
Tim Taranto was the talk of the town this AFL offseason, signing a 7-year $ 750,000-per-season mega deal. If you ask me, that is money well spent! Tim Taranto has shown that he is already one of the best fantasy forward options in the game. Don't let his fantasy rankings from last season fool you, he finished the year as the rank 23rd forward. This seems like a major concern, but his fantasy average score per game last year was the highest of all forwards at 112. The only concern for Tim Taranto is staying on the field this season, he will be a top contender to finish the year as the best fantasy forward, so get him on your team right now. As a dynasty option? 7 years of being the focal point for the team, at only the age of 25 years old. I am all in!
Avoid this Bust:
Dustin Martin is the player you need to avoid at all costs this season, and wow does that hurt to say out loud. His AFL resume will drop your jaw to the floor, a 3-time AFL premiership winner, 2-time Brownlow medal winner, 3-time Norm Smith Medal winner, and 4-time all Australian honours. He has Australians with AFL aspirations doing the Dustin Martin, or as they used to call it the don't argue. His iconic mullet which has now taken over the sporting world. What a decade from an absolute legend of the game. But when it comes to Gameday Squad fantasy, accolades don't help you win, fantasy points do! Unfortunately, Dustin Martin's days of fantasy dominance are well behind him, so please don't fall into the 'name value' trap when creating your GameDay Squad fantasy team.
Value on the rise:
Daniel Rioli is in for a great season with the Richmond Tigers, he is a defender for the 2023 season and is looking extremely poised coming off the half-back flank. His skill is undeniable, and his playstyle perfectly suits the role that he is destined to take over this upcoming season. His quick and effective boot, elite decision-making, and blistering speed are a combination made in heaven for half-bank flank who is looking to slingshot the ball out of defence and kickstart an offensive attack. This means fantasy points and plenty of them. His switch from forward to defender has increased his fantasy potential exponentially, with us being fortunate enough to see the fruits of his labour towards the later end of last season. Daniel Rioli increased his fantasy average score per game by over 30 points from the year prior. Expect that trend to stay and as Daniel Riolo only gets more comfortable in his new role, his fantasy points will continue to improve.
Value on the decline:
Toby Nankervis for the 2022 season finished as the 4th ranked Ruckman and acquired a healthy 99 fantasy point average per game throughout. Over the past 4 seasons, the biggest concerns regarding Toby Nankervis was how many games he was going to suit up for that season. Last year he was able to compete in 23 games, which is tied with the second-most games played for a season in his career. That trend seems to be gone, which is amazing for fantasy coaches, but a new trend looms which could be considered worse than his previous unavailability issues. I am referring to his inconsistent fantasy output, as a Gameday Squad coach it's extremely difficult to warrant spending capital on a Ruckman like Nankervis when there are going to be many weeks throughout the year when he seriously lets you down. Inversely, on a matchup-to-matchup basis, Nankervis is going to top all ruckman in particular weeks. So be cautious when starting Toby Nankervis this season, but if you play your cards right, there is still elite production to take advantage of in 2023.
2023 Hot take:
The Richmond Tigers get back to their winning ways in 2023 and will finish the season within the top 4 teams. Not only that but Dusty Martin and all of Tigerland will be making an appearance at the MCG when Richmond makes the 2023 AFL grand final!