Fox Sports: AFL Exchange Period Top 5 for DFS
THE trade period rocked everyone’s socks.
But now the dust has settled, it’s time to take stock and work out what it all means.
Plenty of the player and pick trades are irrelevant from a fantasy sense, but a handful of them will have major ramifications.
I’ve come up with the top five moves to monitor, along with the help of Fox Footy’s Ben Waterworth and Riley Beveridge.
Names like Sam Mitchell, Dion Prestia, Brett Deledio, Jaeger O’Meara (and more!) couldn’t find their way into the final five, but get honourable mentions on the Fox Fantasy Daily special edition podcast, wrapping up the exchange period through our fantasy-framed glasses.
Fox Fantasy analyst Phil Prior dials in Fox Footy lead Ben Waterworth to assess the recent AFL exchange period from a fantasy perspective.
You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app. Search for Fox Fantasy Daily.
5. Nathan Hrovat (from Bulldogs to Kangaroos)
Opportunity is what Hrovat couldn’t nail down in 2016, but he’ll be straight into the senior side at North Melbourne. The Roos recently farewelled a number of long-time mainstays and it’s likely Hrovat will take on a Boomer Harvey-style role across half forward and offer strong presence… something around the 20 touches and a goal-a-game mark.
4. Michael Hibberd (from Bombers to Demons)
If the 26-year-old can pick up where he left off in 2015, and the year-long suspension doesn’t have an adverse effect, Hibberd could be one of the most consistent and productive defenders in the League in 2017, in a side set to play an attacking brand under Simon Goodwin. His possession-getting and marking game is fantasy-friendly… so now we keep fingers crossed he starts next year underpriced in all formats!
3. Jarrod Witts (from Magpies to Suns)
Say hello to Gold Coast’s first-choice ruckman in 2017, after falling behind Brodie Grundy at Collingwood early last season, despite continuing to put up ‘Goldstein-like numbers’ in the VFL. He’s 208cm’s and entering his apex age period, now 24. Not only will Witts make an immediate impact, bumping up his fantasy average to over 80 points-per-game, but the Suns’ midfield group’s also set to benefit… assuming a few of them stay healthy!
2. Jack Steele (from Giants to Saints)
St Kilda showed ‘Steeley’ resolve in finally landing the player it’s been after for some time. Why were the Saints so keen? He’s a hard, contested-type midfielder with a thirst for tackling. Steele was starved of senior opportunities at the star-studded Giants, but he’s all but assured of being used as a ball-winning mid in Alan Richardson’s side, allowing the likes of Jack Steven to play more of a distributing role on the outside.
1. Tom Mitchell (from Swans to Hawks)
He’s the man at Hawthorn now. Like, THE man. Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell have made way, leaving the former Swan in charge of the Hawks’ new age engine room. And he’ll be up to the challenge. Tom Mitchell is coming off a breakout campaign, ranking elite in a lot of fantasy-conducive statistical metrics (like fifth in both total tackles and disposals across the season)… so imagine the numbers he could chalk up without the likes of J.P Kennedy, Hannebery and Parker in the midfield rotation! Could average 30-a-game in 2017 and 15 goals last season was evidence he’s now a goalkicking asset as well.
Original Article from Fox Sports
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