The first bye round! How exciting! As if it wasn't hard enough to find a winner with the entire player pool available, now remove Rowan Marshall, Josh Dunkley and Andy Brayshaw from selection and we have ourselves a week long migraine to deal with! That's not to mention the MRO's we've had to deal with this week and all the injury news as well. It is weeks like these you wonder why the hell you play and get so invested in footy fantasy and no matter how hard it gets, you keep coming back!
But anyway, it's time now to get stuck into some fantasy chatter! GameDay Squad is a little bit different to your more traditional AFL Fantasy and AFL Supercoach platforms. Some features that make it a little bit of a different experience are:
There are no weekly trade restrictions, this means that you can take your MRO frustrations out stress free.
In GDS the cards you use to play are virtual player cards which you can collect from player card packs, with that, there is a fully functioning peer-to-peer transfer market which you can trade, auction and sell player cards that you own. Yes, this means that you can not only rage trade but rage sell all of your James Sicily cards!
It’s also essential to keep in mind that GameDay Squad is a dynasty fantasy football platform and that will be heavily taken into consideration in this article.
Let us know your thoughts on who we have included below on all of our socials - twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
BUY!
Luke Jackson
Fremantle Dockers - Forward (FWD)
He’s obviously got the bye in round twelve but with big dawg and Freo’s first-choice ruckman Sean Darcy going down with seemingly the 89176th hamstring injury in 2023, Luke Jackson looks like a prime candidate for some boom scores if Darcy were to miss time. Darcy’s timeframe for the injury is still vague, but I’d be looking to snap up a Jackson card as soon as possible just in case he does get the keys to the car. In GameDay Squad Aussie Rules, Jackson is listed as a forward as well, which makes selection a little bit easier to swallow for those still unsure. For AFL Fantasy it’s a little different, using a trade on Jackson probably isn’t as viable as in GameDay Squad where the freedom of trades is infinite.
Hugh Greenwood
North Melbourne Kangaroos - Midfielder (MID)
With a distinct lack of options in the midfield this week, we're going to have to get creative people, sooo.... Hugh Greenwood looks a new and improved man under Brett Ratten! In a round where GDS coaches are going to have to replace the likes of Andy Brayshaw, Jack Steele, Chad Warner and Lachie Neale, maybe an extreme player-of-difference is the play in round 12? Averaging 110 GDS fantasy points since Ratten took the reins at North Melbourne, Greenwood has turned back the clock to potentially save some coaches out there from some dreaded donuts! His role looks rock solid as well! Leading all North Melbourne midfielders for centre-bounce-attendances in round 11, a game in which he scored 125 GDS fantasy points with the added opportunity. I think you could do a lot worse than Greenwood against a banged up Bombers engine room, and the best part is, he could be sitting in your reserves already! He makes sense for AFL Fantasy coaches as well! His BE is only 14 points, cash generation through a bye round is a genuine god-send!
Kieren Briggs
Greater Western Sydney Giants - Ruckman (RUCK)
In a sad truth, many GDS fantasy coaches will be without Rowan Marshall in round 12 due to the Saints having a bye. If you don't have the obvious back ups in Tim English or Toby Nankervis like myself, consider GWS big man Kieren Briggs! We only have two games worth of sample size… 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 truly believe that Briggs has shown the most even with just two games under his belt. Who knows, if Briggs keeps up this form, he might become a legitimate point-of-difference option!
SELL
Blake Acres
Carlton Blues - Midfielder (MID)
The life of a winger in Aussie Rules fantasy footy! Probably the most prominent boom or bust position in fantasy, once again proven by one of the best boom or bust players in the business - Blake Acres! After going on a trademark naughty Acres stretch of 131 GDS fantasy points through rounds 5-8. Since then though? Scores of just 66, 82 and 87 GDS fantasy points to bring him straight back down to earth. Owning and starting wingers is a dangerous game (Josh Daicos excluded) and it might be time to cash in while that huge stretch of scoring is fresh in everyone's minds still.
Wil Powell
Gold Coast Suns - Defender (DEF)
Yuck... 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.
HOLD...
Noah Anderson
Gold Coast Suns - Midfielder (MID)
I kicked and screamed telling you all to buy Noah Anderson a few rounds ago and well... I'm sorry? I mean who could have predicted he would go for three scores of 103, 91 and 103 GDS fantasy points after tearing the league up for back to back 150+ games. It's only right I own up to a wrong call there but please don't trade or sell any Noah Anderson cards. Yes, he has had a rough patch and we will always and should always expect more than a last three round average of 99 GDS fantasy points, but there is still no denying Noah Anderson's talent and value as a dynasty prospect. Must hold!
Jack Viney
Melbourne Demons - Midfielder (MID)
The hiney! Jack Viney has been decent without setting the world alight 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 still averaging a tidy 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... you guessed it.... 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 idea to select Viney with Oliver out was 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. Even with the burn, I think he should remain in consideration again in round 12, Oliver is set to miss his second consecutive game and there are so many gaps to fill with the byes. Viney is a great hold and consider option.
Hayden Young
Fremantle Dockers - Defender (DEF)
A handfull ago, in this very blog, I stated that Hayden Young was a huge buy option and do you want to read something cool? Hayden Young's last 5 game average: 119 GDS fantasy points
Nick Daicos' last 5 game average: 115 GDS fantasy points Hayden Young has finally looked liked the player many fantasy coaches touted him to be. What's dangerous is he still isn't even on kick-in duty yet! With his scoring improvements, I am seeing far too many people try to cash in on Young! This is not the time to sell Hayden Young, aside from Nick Daicos, Hayden young is the best dynasty defender prospect at the position! Ride the Hayden Young wave and do not sell! Even if he does have a bye.
The information contained in the article is not intended and should not be understood or construed as financial advice. As always please do your own research, my placing history suggests you should absolutely do your own research!