Is this ruckman actually a useable option? Is this pair of young dynasty options being spoken about enough? The Gold Coast Suns are vulnerable, does that vulnerability wear off on their players fantasy stock? There are so many questions coming out of round 11. But let's turn our attention back to fantasy footy for a second and identify some risers in form and others who should be falling out of favour with all fantasy coaches. Let us know your thoughts on who we have down below on all of our social channels twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
RISERS
Chad Warner – MID, Sydney Swans (128 points)
In a season where Harry Sheezel, Nick Daicos, Tom Green and Errol Gulden are setting the league alight, it can be easy to forget that Sydney’s Chad Warner is having himself an incredible fantasy season. Warner did prove that he had a bit of fantasy nouse about him in 2022, averaging 105 GDS points per game but in 2023, the Chad has taken his game to another level, this time by adding some consistency to his scoring. Averaging 111 GDS fantasy points to date off the back of statistical averages of 15 kicks, 10 handballs, 3 marks and 4 tackles a game. The 22 year old has been trusted with a pure midfield role and with a game style that oozes fantasy points, it’s time we start talking about him more and more.
Nic Martin – FWD, Essendon Bombers (148 points)
What a performance that was from Nic Martin! The 22 year old Bombers budding star lit up Optus Stadium for 22 kicks, 9 handballs, 10 marks and 3 tackles which took him all the way to 148 gds fantasy points on the night! Since he stepped foot out onto an AFL stage, Martin has exuded fantasy relevancy, showing in glimpses big scores and bigger performances on field. These past two weeks have once again proven he has all the tools for the job, he just needs sustained opportunity. With teammates Darcy Parish and Will Setterfield being ruled out because of injury, Martin had been trusted to play up the ground, in more of a wing role after exclusively playing either as a half-back flanker or half-forward flanker up until the midfield depth crumbled. His production in his two wing games? 119 and 148 GDS fantasy points in each outing! He’s an externally exciting prospect for fantasy that you need to keep an eye on for any indication of sustained opportunity around the ball.
Kieren Briggs – RUCK, Greater Western Sydney Giants (127 points)
Only two games worth of sample size from Greater Western Sydney big man Kieren Briggs… but it is quite the sample size! Facing one on one with Rowan Marshall in round 10 and then Jonathon Ceglar in round 11, Briggs has managed to put up two scores of 96 and 127 GDS fantasy points in the two outings. Now, GWS’ ruck situation is about as genuine a carousel as it can possibly be, you never know who is going to get the call up and who is going to be fit between Briggs, Matt Flynn and Brayden Preuss. I do however thing that Briggs has shown the most even with just two games under his belt. It would also be an extremely hard ask to start Briggs over the likes of Tim English or Rowan Marshall. English and Marshall are by far and away the number 1 and 2 ruckman in the league right now for fantasy and starting Briggs over the two might be to harsh an ask right now. But! If you want an extreme point-of-difference player at the position or potentially a bye round filler, you could do a lot worse than Kieren Briggs I believe.
FALLERS
Wil Powell – DEF, Gold Coast Suns (62 points)
There’s no easy way to say, so I’m just going to say it. That was a feral game from Gold Coast Suns defender Wil Powell… The struggles started early for Powell with two of his first three kicks in the game being ruled insufficient attempt, resulting in demerits right from the get go. You could tell he went into his shell early from there on, only managing to total 13 kicks, 3 handballs, a very uncharacteristic 2 marks and 2 tackles for only 62 GDS fantasy points on the night. The 62 points in round 11 caps off a really bad run of form for Powell who has now averaged just 81 points through his last 3 matches, a run of form I personally thought Powell had left in the past. Disappointing for owners.
Jack Viney – MID, Melbourne Demons (73 points)
Jack Viney has been incredible to start the 2023 season. I think it’s fair to say that he’s a guy who isn’t the most popular starter in GDS Aussie Rules, but, is averaging 101 GDS fantasy points while notching up seven scores over 100+ GDS fantasy points. Viney was in poll position in round 11 to post up a massive score with team mate and superstar Clayton Oliver missing the game due to suffering a hamstring injury. Those who took the punt on Viney will be now feeling a bit sorry for themselves! It was a good play! I think the play to select Viney with Oliver out would have been smart in hindsight… Viney however had other ideas. Just 73 GDS fantasy points from 9 kicks, 7 handballs, 1 mark, 3 tackles and even a goal on 81% centre-bounce-attendances! Incredible opportunity with not a lot of production which will leave owners who started Viney licking their wounds.
Alex Witherden – DEF, West Coast Eagles (70 points)
Just when you think that Alex Witherden has turned a corner and has won back some trust from owners of his player card, he goes and crawls to just 70 GDS fantasy points in round 11. Witherden had been incredible in the previous two rounds, scoring 126 and 148 GDS fantasy points in round 9 and 10. Given his history of fantasy scoring power, you can forgive fantasy coaches who took a punt on starting Witherden against the Bombers at home one the weekend but unfortunately this is who he has become. Until his can string together a good handful of games together, he will remain untrustworthy and unfortunately, unusable.