In this blog we will have a brief look at the previous and upcoming rounds of the AFL. In round 13, who's performances stood out for the right or wrong reasons and which players made the GDS Squad of the round. With round 14 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 13
Def- Lachie Whitfield - 146 – GWS
Def- Bodhi Uwland – 143 - GC
Def- Joel Jeffrey – 142 - GC
Def- Jack Sinclair – 141 – St K
Def- Jayden Short– 130 – Rich
Def- Elliot Yeo – 129 - WC
Def- Luke Nankervis – 129 - Ade
Mid- Errol Gulden – 178 - Syd
Mid- Jy Simpkin – 157 - NM
Mid- Lachie Neale – 150 – Bris
Mid- Josh Daicos – 148 - Coll
Mid- Jordan Dawson – 141 – Ade
Mid- Nic Martin – 140 – Ess
Ruck- Max Gawn – 160 – Mel
Ruck- Tristan Xerri – 148 - NM
Fwd- Sam Flanders – 195 - GC
Fwd- Eric Hipwood– 167 - Bris
Fwd- Alex Sexton – 154 - GC
Fwd- Zac Fisher – 144 - NM
Fwd- Nick Larkey– 130 - NM
Fwd- Isaac Heeney – 126- Syd
Fwd- Liam Baker – 122 - Rich
Squad Base Total – 3220 GDS points
The performance of the week
Sam Flanders (+ Alex Sexton) vs St Kilda Saints
Sam Flanders of the Gold Coast Suns was the standout GameDay squad player of the round, amassing an impressive 195 points in his team's controversial loss to St Kilda. Despite being listed as a forward, Flanders has been playing across the half-back line and through the midfield, a move that has significantly boosted his involvement in the game. His ability on the field was on full display as he racked up a staggering 42 touches, with 30 of them being kicks.
He seemed to almost always be linking up with Alex Sexton who has had a similar shift in position this season. The two of them combined for a total of 52 kicks and 29 marks which is incredible if you played both.
This is an example of why its important to consider the player rather than just their positional listing in GameDay squad when making selections. St Kilda have conceded the most points to defenders this season but only concede an average amount of points to forwards. If you had have considered Flanders and Sexton as forwards you may not have seen the goldmine that was sitting in front of you.
The flop of the week
Touk Miller vs St Kilda Saints
Touk Miller, also of the Gold Coast Suns was this week's dud of the round, managing to score just 59 GameDay Squad points. His underwhelming performance was largely due to the tight tagging from Marcus Windhager, who limited Miller to just 14 touches for the entire game. By halftime, Miller had only managed 3 disposals, a testament to Windhager's effectiveness in shutting down one of the Suns' key players.
Miller would have been a popular pick amongst those who owned him given he was coming up against a struggling St Kilda midfield. Admittedly, he hasn’t had the best season, but this was his lowest score of the year by a fair margin.
This round's outcome serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of considering matchups and potential tagging threats when selecting your GameDay Squad lineup. Previously, Hawthorn with Finn Maginness were our biggest tagging threat, but it looks like Windhager is now the man to look out for. For us managers, this experience underscores the need for thorough analysis and adaptability in lineup decisions.
Round 14 Team to Beat (based off available players)
Def- N. Wanganeen-Milera (StK)–GDS average of 118.62 and positional ranking of 6th
Def-Harry Sheezel– (NM) – GDS average of 132.75 and positional ranking of 2nd
Def- Nick Daicos – (Coll) – GDS average of 124.85and positional ranking of 3rd
Def-Luke Ryan– (Fre) – GDS average of 135.92 and positional ranking of 1st
Def-Jarman Impey– (Haw) – GDS average of 92.92 and positional ranking of 23rd
Def-Hayden Young– (Fre) – GDS average of 117.17 and positional ranking of 7th
Def-James Sicily– (Haw) – GDS average of 97.64 and positional ranking of 14th
Mid-Caleb Serong– (Fre) – GDS average of 129.75 and positional ranking of 2nd
Mid-Errol Gulden– (Syd) – GDS average of 132.42 and positional ranking of 1st
Mid-Josh Dunkley– (Bris) – GDS average of 123 and positional ranking of 5th
Mid-Chad Warner - (Syd) – GDS average of 121.08 and positional ranking of 7th
Mid-Will Day– (Haw) – GDS average of 99.14 and positional ranking of 32nd
Mid-Tim Taranto– (Rich) – GDS average of 114.5 and positional ranking of 14th
Ruck-Toby Nankervis– (Rich) – GDS average of 108.42 and positional ranking of 5th
Ruck-Tim English– (WB) – GDS average of 116.38 and positional ranking of 3rd
Fwd-Dylan Moore– (Haw) – GDS average of 99.85 and positional ranking of 8th
Fwd-Isaac Heeney– (Syd) – GDS average of 130.83 and positional ranking of 2nd
Fwd-Liam Baker– (Rich) – GDS average of 106.1 and positional ranking of 3rd
Fwd-Dayne Zorko– (Bris) – GDS average of 134.5 and positional ranking of 1st
Fwd-Shai Bolton– (Rich) – GDS average of 96.25 and positional ranking of 10th
Fwd-Zac Fisher– (NM) – GDS average of 105.42 and positional ranking of 4th
Fwd-Joe Daniher– (Bris) – GDS average of 103.17 and positional ranking of 6th
Good week to START…
Will Day (Hawthorn Hawks) vs Richmond Tigers
Will Day is my sneaky good pick for round 14 in GameDay Squad. With six teams on a bye, you’ve got to think outside the box, and Day fits the bill perfectly. He’s been one of Hawthorn’s best fantasy options all year, even if he hasn’t always been a top choice in your lineup. But with so many big names out of action this week, Day could be your fantasy saviour.
He’s up against Richmond, a team that’s had its share of ups and downs. The only consistent thing about Richmond at the moment is how many points they give away to defenders and midfielders. This matchup gives Day a prime chance to rack up points. He’s got the knack for getting disposals, taking marks, and doing the dirty work defensively—all things that add up in GameDay Squad scoring.
This round is all about finding those hidden gems, and Day is exactly that. He’s been flying under the radar, but his consistent performances for the Hawks show he’s got what it takes. With a lot of big guns resting, now’s the time to slide Day into your lineup. He’s got a high ceiling, and against a shaky Richmond side, he might just score big.
So, if you’re looking to make a smart move this bye round, give Will Day a shot. He could be the difference-maker you need to come out on top in round 14.
Expected GDS Score: 145 GDS fantasy points
Good week to DROP…
Jordan Dawson (Adelaide Crows) vs Sydney Swans
Jordan Dawson might be a risky pick for our GameDay Squad midfields this week due to his tough matchup against Sydney. With players like Chad Warner, Errol Gulden, and Isaac Heeney, the Swans have one of the hardest midfields to score against. Just last week, the highest number of disposals any of their opposition managed was only 23, and the top GameDay Squad score was a mere 108 points. This highlights how challenging it is for players to rack up points against Sydney's strong unit.
While Dawson has been a solid performer and a reliable choice in most matchups, the Swans’ midfield prowess makes him a gamble this week. The scarcity of decent scores against them indicates that even top players can struggle. It’s not just about Dawson's talent but the overwhelming defensive pressure Sydney applies, which severely limits opposition stats.
Dropping Dawson might seem bold, but it could be a savvy move. With so few players managing to score well against Sydney, taking him out of your lineup could set you apart and prevent a low-scoring week. Fantasy success often hinges on making these strategic decisions, and avoiding a likely underperformer like Dawson this round could be the edge you need.
Expected GDS Score: 95 GDS fantasy points
