Heading into round 15 without Tim Taranto, Stephen Coniglio, Zak Butters and Connor Rozee. We also may have Sean Darcy and Darcy Parish returning which is bound to have an impact on in-form stars Luke Jackson and Nic Martin! It actually becomes somewhat distressing when you open up your GameDay Squad app and you have Tarryn Thomas and Mitch Lewis still somehow stuck in my forward line late on a Thursday afternoon. This is all without mentioning that the Clayton Oliver mystery continues, and in completely un-shocking news, James Sicily has been suspended… again… My list management shortcomings aside…
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!
Tom Mitchell
Collingwood Magpies - Midfielder (MID)
The pig is showing signs of life! Collingwood’s big-name 2023 off-season recruit Tom Mitchell got off to life in black and white in relatively slow fashion compared to his standards, but in recent weeks, he’s reminding everyone of just how damaging he can be! Mitchell’s turned into a full Christmas ham in his last three where he’s averaged just under 30 disposals a game and is going at a more than tasty 134 GDS fantasy points in his last three. The stat I’m particularly loving right now are his tackles! Not only is he finding the ball for fun, he’s giving everyone and anyone a cuddle at the moment tallying up 6 tackles, 13 tackles and most recently 10 tackles in each of his last three games. The 30-year-old is showing he still has some has left in the tank and could prove vital for coaches in these bye rounds.
Conor Nash
Hawthorn Hawks - Midfielder (MID)
A lesser-known name in the fantasy community that is definitely worth a selection ponder is 24-year-old Hawthorn midfielder, Connor Nash. Nash under Sam Mitchell, particularly in 2023 has become a super intriguing prospect for fantasy, he ticks just about all the boxes – a tall, ball-winning midfielder who is seeing about 68% (and climbing) centre-bounce-attendances per game which ranks second amongst all Hawthorn players and he has the ability to score points in all major statistical categories. So why isn’t he in 110% of GameDay Squad Aussie Rules teams right now? His handball-to-kicks ratio might be the worst I have ever seen in my life… not even joking. Some of his worst examples this season include:
Round 5: 8 kicks – 23 handballs Round 7: 4 kicks – 22 handballs Round 8: 7 kicks – 19 handballs Round 9: 7 kicks – 20 handballs Round 12: 4 kicks – 17 handballs
These are pretty large discrepancies BUT when the ratio is even a smidge closer together he’s more than likely to go 100+. It’s just a matter of dodging the games such as the ones mentioned above.
Elliott Yeo
West Coast Eagles - Defender (DEF)
In a week where we lose James Sicily, Sam Docherty, Dan Houston, Caleb Daniel and Bailey Dale, the sad reality is, some of us are going to have to lean on Elliott Yeo this week for some defender cover in this minefield of a bye-round. Now, while I have seen salami sticks with more structural integrity than this means knees, hammy’s, ankles ect ect, he does actually become an intriguing point-of-difference bye-saver this week. He looks to be back in a good level of form as well, posting three scores of 95, 109 and 122 GDS fantasy points in his last three outings. He’s facing an embarrassed Sydney side as well this week which only adds to the intrigue.
SELL
Jack Steele
St Kilda Saints - Midfielder (MID)
There has to be something more to these performances, there has to be! Jack Steele looks a shadow of a man he once was and for a guy who generally takes his game to another level through and post the bye-rounds, he’s been a player that owners cannot touch! His round 14 score of just 66 GDS fantasy points will leave coaches who were desperate for midfield points this week kicking their wounds and the Saints captain barely broke stride all game! Ross “the boss” Lyon claims that Steele has suffered general soreness pretty much all season long, as well as some achilles problems – unfortunately coaches are going to have to stay clear of selecting Steele until the consistent scores of 120+ come back.
Darcy MacPherson
Gold Coast Suns - Forward (FWD)
Young Gold Coast Suns defender has quite literally fallen off the face of the earth in recent weeks, and might become even harder for him to get his feet back on the ground! Darcy MacPherson began the season in scintillating form, averaging 112 GDS fantasy points through the first eight rounds! Since then though? Just 80 GDS fantasy points per game, which renders him just about un-startable from a fantasy footy perspective, especially when you consider he has some low scores of 59 and 66 GDS fantasy point outings in his last 5 games. You add into the mix that Lachie Weller and Connor Budarick are pushing for selection over the coming weeks and you have to wonder if MacPherson has the minerals to keep his place in the Gold Coast Suns side, but then also remain fantasy relevant.
HOLD...
Josh Worrell
Adelaide Crows - Defender (DEF)
A player to keep an eye on over the second half of the year is exciting Adelaide Crows prospect, Josh Worrell. Worrell has only got 7 games to his name since making his debut in 2021, but the #28 draft pick in the 2019 AFL draft has always been in the back of fantasy coach’s minds. The tall defender has played two games so far in 2023 where he was subbed in round 11 for 85 GDS fantasy points and then went on to score 91 GDS fantasy points in round 13. He’s a player who has the ability to play on a key forward, but also peel off and become an intercepting defender, similar-ish to James Sicily. If he can nail down some consistent game time where we can finally see if he has the minerals to become an option now or in the future, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.
Darcy Cameron
Collingwood Magpies - Ruckman (RUCK)
The fantasy community continues to lose their collective minds over star ruckman Tim English and Rowan Marshall and rightfully so. Then we also have emerging headaches in Kieren Briggs and Toby Nankervis putting up some numbers that cannot be overlooked. A name we would be silly to overlook is Darcy Cameron! Collingwood’s number 1 big man has been solid since returning from an injury he sustained in round 3. Since his round 10 return, Cameron has built his scores up, scoring 69, 87, 126 and 103 in that time. He’s a player who could go on with his form and is particularly interesting this week with English, Briggs and Nankervis all on a bye. If you don’t have Rowan Marshall or would prefer a point-of-difference selection, Cameron should be your man.
James Rowbottom
Sydney Swans - Midfielder (MID)
This is what James Rowbottom owners have been crying out for all season long! A very sturdy 126 GDS fantasy points which now becomes his highest total so far this season and a timely reminder of how talented Rowbottom is. In 2022 Rowbottom broke out to be one of the most desired dynasty prospects in all of fantasy footy, this season however, it seems as though Horse has moved him slightly down the midfield pecking order. The likes of Luke Parker, Callum Mills, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden have all spent more time in the guts for Sydney, which is strange considering how well Rowbottom played last season. Nonetheless, this round 14 score of 126 GDS fantasy points should keep owners happy until he is able to break into a larger midfield role.
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!