In this blog we will have a brief look at the previous and upcoming rounds of the AFL. In round 14, who's performances stood out for the right or wrong reasons and which players made the GDS Squad of the round. With round 15 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 14
Def- James Sicily – 167 - Haw
Def- Dan Houston – 164 - Port
Def- Lachlan Bramble – 158 - WB
Def- Mitchell Hinge – 154 - Adelaide
Def- Lachie Whitfield – 140 - GWS
Def- Nick Vlastuin – 135 - Rich
Def- Bailey Dale – 131 - WB
Mid- Marcus Bontempelli – 168 - WB
Mid- Hugh McCluggage – 157 - Bris
Mid- Errol Gulden – 151 - Syd
Mid- Tim Taranto – 146 - Rich
Mid- Rory Laird – 144 - Ade
Mid- George Wardlaw – 140 - NM
Ruck- Brodie Grundy – 142 - Syd
Ruck- Tim English – 141 - WB
Fwd- Joel Amarty – 159 - Syd
Fwd- Isaac Heeney – 156 - Syd
Fwd- Joe Daniher – 156 - Bris
Fwd- Dayne Zorko – 155 - Bris
Fwd- Cameron Zurhaar – 140 - NM
Fwd- Rory Lobb – 125 - WB
Fwd- Taylor Adams – 122 - Syd
Squad Base Total – 3251 GDS points
The performance of the week
Marcus Bontempelli vs Fremantle Dockers
This week, Marcus Bontempelli showed everyone why he's one of the league’s top players, earning him my pick for GameDay Squad performance of the round. Due to being unwell earlier in the week, many fantasy managers (including myself) were unsure about starting him. His match up wasn’t the best and there were a lot of things going against him. But those who did were in for a treat.
Bontempelli absolutely crushed it against Fremantle, racking up 30 disposals, with 20 of them being kicks. He also plucked 8 marks, laid 5 tackles, and kicked 3 goals, showcasing his all-around game.
His performance was a big boost, especially since his scoring has been a bit up and down this season compared to last year when he was the leagues top GameDay Squad scorer. With 168 GameDay Squad points, he not only had his second best game of the season but also scored the highest of any player this round.
For those who trusted him despite the health concerns, Bontempelli’s amazing game was a reminder of why he's a must-have in any fantasy team. It’s a handy reminder that sometimes overthinking it can be your downfall.
The flop of the week
Lachie Neale vs St Kilda Saints
This week, Lachie Neale unfortunately earned the distinction of GameDay Squad Flop of the Week. In what should have been a favourable matchup against St Kilda, Neale managed only 70 GameDay Squad points, falling well short of expectations.
By halftime, Neale had recorded just 9 disposals, finishing the game with a mere 20. This lacklustre performance was particularly disappointing for GameDay Squad managers who anticipated a strong showing from such a quality player.
Notably, this marks the second consecutive week that the flop of the week has faced St Kilda, which is hardly a coincidence. Neale found himself matched up against Marcus Windhager, who effectively tagged him out of the game. Last week he also kept Touk Miller to just 14 touches, meaning Windhager's tagging prowess is something us managers will have to consider going forward when making our selections.
Despite this week's setback, Neale's overall talent and proven track record suggest he will rebound. However, this week against Port Adelaide could result in some similar frustrations.
Round 15 Team to Beat (based off available players)
Def-Lachie Whitfield (GWS)–GDS average of 122.23 and positional ranking of 4th
Def-Harry Sheezel– (NM) – GDS average of 131.54 and positional ranking of 2nd
Def—Dan Houston(Port) – GDS average of 116.38 and positional ranking of 7th
Def-Luke Ryan– (Fre) – GDS average of 131.92 and positional ranking of 1st
Def—Liam Duggan(WC) – GDS average of 115.85 and positional ranking of 8th
Def-Hayden Young– (Fre) – GDS average of 117.23 and positional ranking of 6th
Def—Jordan Clark (Fre) – GDS average of 121.15 and positional ranking of 5th
Mid-Caleb Serong– (Fre) – GDS average of 126.92 and positional ranking of 5th
Mid-Errol Gulden– (Syd) – GDS average of 133.85 and positional ranking of 1st
Mid—Sam Walsh(Carl) – GDS average of 127.89 and positional ranking of 3rd
Mid-Chad Warner - (Syd) – GDS average of 118.82 and positional ranking of 8th
Mid—Zach Merrett(Ess) – GDS average of 127.62 and positional ranking of 4th
Mid—Nic Martin(Ess) – GDS average of 129.92 and positional ranking of 2nd
Ruck—Max Gawn(Mel) – GDS average of 137.69 and positional ranking of 1st
Ruck—Tom De Koning(Carl) – GDS average of 95.38 and positional ranking of 6th
Fwd—Sam Flanders(GC) – GDS average of 136.33 and positional ranking of 1st
Fwd-Isaac Heeney– (Syd) – GDS average of 132.77 and positional ranking of 3rd
Fwd—Gryan Miers (Geel) – GDS average of 101.31 and positional ranking of 8th
Fwd-Dayne Zorko– (Bris) – GDS average of 136.08 and positional ranking of 2nd
Fwd—Alex Sexton(GC) – GDS average of 106.75 and positional ranking of 5th
Fwd-Zac Fisher– (NM) – GDS average of 104 and positional ranking of 6th
Fwd-Jake Waterman– (WC) – GDS average of 101 and positional ranking of 9th
Good week to START…
Tom De Koning (Carlton Blues) vs Geelong Cats
This week presents a prime opportunity to start a player in your GameDay Squad side that you’ve likely never considered. With it being a bye round, several of the usual starting rucks are unavailable, requiring managers to look elsewhere to fill their rosters. While Max Gawn is the obvious choice for the number one ruck position, the second slot poses a more challenging decision.
For me, Tom De Koning stands out as the best option among the serious candidates this round. He is in excellent form, averaging 123 points in his last three games. Moreover, De Koning faces Geelong this week, a team that concedes the fifth-most points to rucks. This favourable matchup will only increase his potential to deliver a strong score.
Considering the absence of several top rucks due to the bye, Tom De Koning emerges as a strategic and unique choice for your GameDay Squad side. His recent form and advantageous matchup make him a solid choice, and he’ll definitely be a unique pick.
Expected GDS Score: 140 GDS fantasy points
Good week to DROP…
Joe Daniher (Brisbane Lions) vs Port Adelaide Power
This round, it’s probably wise to steer clear of Joe Daniher for your GameDay Squad forward line. Daniher is set to play against Port Adelaide, a team that has consistently stifled tall forwards throughout the season. To put it in perspective, only two tall forwards have managed to score over 110 points against Port Adelaide all year.
While Daniher typically contributes well across various areas on the ground, Port Adelaide’s defensive strategy is notably effective at shutting down players like him. This means I can’t see him hitting his usually high ceiling.
There's a good reason why my recommendations often include avoiding players facing Port Adelaide. They concede the fewest GameDay Squad points on average of any team, demonstrating their ability to shut down players, week after week.
Given the matchup, Daniher’s potential for a standout performance is limited. While he’s generally a solid pick and currently in great form, this week’s game against Port Adelaide is likely to be a tough challenge. For a more reliable forward option, it’s best to look elsewhere this round to ensure you don’t fall too far behind.
Expected GDS Score: 85 GDS fantasy points
