As we all shrugged our shoulders and took almost nothing away from the AFLX matches, we look ahead to the JLT matches. Of course, this week the reranks are more a reaction to a few injuries that have popped up and the clubs have been good enough to actually admit them to us. Next week will no doubt be a big week for reranks as JLT matches occur and we head into the last couple of weeks before the bulk of drafts take place.
GOING DOWN
TOM ROCKLIFF – SC M12 to M21; DT M10 to M18
I’m just over Rockliff. I know, the ceiling, whatever. Too many shoulder injuries and now knee issues that are allegedly keeping him out of the JLT. Honestly, I just want someone else to draft him so I don’t have to deal with it. He’s kept in a range where if I’m drafting around pick 40 and he’s there I’ll be okay with it, but honestly, he’s just a terrifying player to own and equally to come up against!
GRANT BIRCHALL – SC D54 to D66; AFLF D47 to D58; UF D52 to D63
Already missed so much of the preseason, now set to miss round 1 of the season proper. His scores have been on the decline for a few years, would now just rather leave the 80 average for someone else. Still draftable in deep leagues, but things aren’t looking great for a turnaround.
DAN HANNEBERY – SC M38 to M46; DT M39 to M45
Shaky preseason to go with his crummy back half of 2017. Hamstrings terrify me at best, especially when you’re not a key position player. Still draftable, but has just slid into M5 range. I do think it franks last week’s move of Heeney to F1.
RISING
ALEX NEAL-BULLEN – SC F66 to F44; AFLF F65 to F35; UF F67 to F37
Really broke out last year and think he can at least repeat. Had a nice-ish finish to the year with a score build that shows he can succeed in multiple ways, building out possessions with either marks or tackles. Dom Tyson’s injury opens up some minutes in what’s becoming a competitive Melbourne midfield, but ANB showed his wares and succeeded last year. To be fair, was probably a low rank to start but the forwards are a bit of a minefield.
RILEY BONNER – SC D61 to D47; AFLF D58 to D43; UF D63 to D58
Been on the list for a couple of years and only managed a handful of games, but one was an impressive final and has shown fantasy ability in his few matches. The Port backline looked a hard to read area heading into the preseason with spots tough to grab. But Broadbent’s injury has opened up a spot, and now with Polec looking likely to miss at least the JLT and in serious doubt for the first couple of rounds with a hamstring injury, there’s a spot on the wing that could go Bonner’s way. The Port side has so many moving parts its still tough to get a read on so the D5 range is fair and won’t kill your draft capital. The fact The Phantom likes him gives me confidence.
Who do you see slotting in Jordan de Goey’s spot during the indefinite ban?
Really hard to say what Collingwood want to do. They’ve a number of underdone forwards in Elliot, Greenwood and Fasolo. I honestly don’t think De Goey’s out too long. Probably just throw Goldsack forward with Varcoe.