In this blog we will have a brief look at the previous and upcoming rounds of the AFL. In round 12, who's performances stood out for the right or wrong reasons and which players made the GDS Squad of the round. With round 13 not too far away, who should coaches consider starting and which players have positive matchups. Have a read below and gain an edge over your competition in GameDay Squad Aussie Rules! Let us know your thoughts on who we have down below on all of our social channels: twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
GDS Squad of the week for round 12
Def- Jordan Clark - 181 - Frem
Def- Luke Ryan – 166 - Fremantle
Def- Jake Bowes– 154 - Geel
Def- Bailey Dale – 148 - WB
Def- Nick Daicos – 141 – Coll
Def- Mitch Duncan – 140 - Geel
Def- Mitchell Hinge – 130 - Ade
Mid- Marcus Bontempelli – 183 - WB
Mid- Sam Walsh – 155 - Carl
Mid- Mason Wood – 154 – St K
Mid- Matt Crouch – 153 - Ade
Mid- Jack Crisp – 144 – Coll
Mid- Noah Anderson – 138 – GC
Ruck- Toby Nankervis – 156 – Rich
Ruck- Tom De Koning – 136 - Carl
Fwd- Dylan Moore – 161 - Haw
Fwd- Sam Flanders – 140 - GC
Fwd- Liam Baker – 136 - Rich
Fwd- Jack Ginnivan – 127 - Ess
Fwd- Josh Treacy – 123 - Frem
Fwd- Sam Switowski – 122- Frem
Fwd- Alex Sexton – 120 - GC
Squad Base Total – 3208 GDS points
The performance of the week
Dylan Moore vs Adelaide
Dylan Moore was our GameDay Squad performer of the week, delivering an exceptional performance that stood out despite not being the highest score of the round. Moore scored 161 points, a season high for him, thanks to an outstanding all-around game. He slotted 5 goals, had 27 disposals consisting of 17 kicks and 10 handballs, took 5 marks, and made 3 tackles.
This remarkable performance, particularly impressive for a player listed as a forward, significantly contributed to not only our teams, but also Hawthorn, securing an unexpected victory against Adelaide. Moore's performance demonstrated his versatility and ability to influence the game in multiple ways. His goal-scoring prowess combined with his high disposal count showcased his work rate and effectiveness on the field.
While Marcus Bontempelli topped the round with 183 points, Moore's contribution was crucial and deserves recognition. His ability to step up and deliver such a high score not only boosted his fantasy value but also played a pivotal role in Hawthorn's triumph. Moore's 161 points underline his potential and highlight why he was our standout performer of the week, providing a vital edge to both his team's success and his fantasy managers' squads.
The flop of the week
Jordan Dawson vs Hawthorn
Jordan Dawson was our underperformer of the week, delivering a disappointing 75 GDS points. This output fell significantly short of expectations, especially considering the matchup and his usual performance standards. Several other players, such as Zak Butters and Gryan Miers, also had lacklustre performances, but Dawson's was particularly underwhelming given the circumstances.
Going head to head with Will Day, should have been given the opportunity to find plenty of the ball. However, he only managed 15 touches throughout the entire match. This lack of impact was surprising and concerning, especially as he was expected to play a crucial role for his team.
In the last quarter, Dawson was moved forward, and there were indications he might have been nursing a minor foot injury. Despite this, more was needed from him to meet the expectations of both his team and his GameDay Squad managers. His inability to influence the game significantly contributed to his low score, making him the standout flop of the week.
While I have no doubt he will bounce back straight away, it’s a painful reminder that fantasy sports can be somewhat unpredictable. No matter how much you analyse the data, there will always be anomalies.
Round 13 Team to Beat (based off available players)
Def- N. Wanganeen-Milera (StK)–GDS average of 118.08 and positional ranking of 4th
Def-Lachie Whitfield– (GWS) – GDS average of 118.45 and positional ranking of 6th
Def- Nick Daicos – (Coll) – GDS average of 129.33 and positional ranking of 3rd
Def-Harry Sheezel– (NM) – GDS average of 133.55 and positional ranking of 2nd
Def-Harry Himmelberg– (GWS) – GDS average of 94.09 and positional ranking of 28th
Def- Liam Duggan – (WC) – GDS average of 118.83 and positional ranking of 5th
Def-James Sicily– (Haw) – GDS average of 98 and positional ranking of 18th
Mid- Zach Merrett – (Ess) – GDS average of 128.67 and positional ranking of 3rd
Mid-Errol Gulden– (Syd) – GDS average of 128.27 and positional ranking of 4th
Mid-Josh Dunkley– (Bris) – GDS average of 125.82 and positional ranking of 7th
Mid- Jordon Dawson - (Ade) – GDS average of 128.25 and positional ranking of 5th
Mid- Matt Crouch – (Ade) – GDS average of 117.91 and positional ranking of 12th
Mid-Sam Walsh– (Carl) – GDS average of 132.38 and positional ranking of 1st
Ruck- Max Gawn – (Mel) – GDS average of 136.09 and positional ranking of 1st
Ruck- Tristan Xerri – (NM) – GDS average of 114.09 and positional ranking of 4th
Fwd- Bradley Hill– (St K) – GDS average of 98.75 and positional ranking of 14th
Fwd-Isaac Heeney– (Syd) – GDS average of 131.27 and positional ranking of 2nd
Fwd-Alex Sexton– (GC) – GDS average of 100 and positional ranking of 11th
Fwd-Dayne Zorko– (Bris) – GDS average of 136.18 and positional ranking of 1st
Fwd- Sam Flanders – (GC) – GDS average of 131 and positional ranking of 3rd
Fwd-Zac Fisher– (NM) – GDS average of 101.91 and positional ranking of 7th
Fwd- Jake Waterman– (WC) – GDS average of 100.10 and positional ranking of 9th
Good week to START…
Errol Gulden (Sydney) vs Geelong Cats
Starting Errol Gulden in your GameDay Squad lineup this week is a must for all players. Gulden is set to face Geelong, a team that surprisingly concedes the second-highest points to midfielders. This matchup gives Gulden an excellent chance to take advantage of this freedom, potentially leading to a very high GameDay Squad score.
Having had a bye last week, Gulden comes into this game well-rested and fully recovered. This break should enhance his performance levels, making him an even more attractive option for your squad.
Gulden's recent form has been exceptional, boasting the highest three-round average for a midfielder at 141.5 points. This demonstrates not only his skill but also his reliability, marking him as the in-form midfielder of the competition. His recent performances suggest a strong likelihood of continuing his impressive scoring streak.
Given these factors, Gulden is poised to be a top performer in this round. The combination of a favourable matchup against Geelong, the benefits of a rest period, and his outstanding recent form makes him a must-start player for your GameDay Squad. It feels like a huge score is brewing and I wouldn’t want you to miss out on it.
Expected GDS Score: 180 GDS fantasy points
Good week to DROP…
Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) vs Brisbane Lions
While Marcus Bontempelli delivered an impressive 183 GDS points last week, sitting him out of your GameDay Squad lineup this week is a strategic move worth considering.
Despite his high scoring potential, Bontempelli faces Brisbane this week, a team known for conceding the least amount of points to midfielders. This defensive prowess can significantly curb his performance, making it risky to rely on him for a repeat of last week's stellar output.
Bontempelli's inconsistency throughout the season further justifies this decision. His performance has fluctuated significantly, making it challenging to predict his output against strong opposition. Brisbane's ability to neutralize key players suggests that hemight struggle to make a significant impact, which would result in a disappointing score.
Opting to bench Bontempelli this week allows you to mitigate the risk of a potential low score. Instead, you can explore other midfielders with more favorable matchups, such as Dawson or Gulden. While it might seem counterintuitive to sit out 2023s highest scorer, the strategic advantage could put you in a comfortable position.
Expected GDS Score: 95 GDS fantasy points
