DPP Watch
Ultimate Footy has updated their dual position player list for the first time this year, and the results were… underwhelming. You can find the list on UF here, but I’ve got you covered if you’re of the lazier persuasion.
- Mackay AD – F Added B
- Salem ME – B Added C
- Murphy AD – B Added F
- O’Brien HW – F Added B
- Hoskin-Elliott CW – C Added F
- Smith ES – F Added C
- Sexton GC – B Added F
- Billings SK – F Added C
- Fogarty GE – C Added F
WHE is the only update of real value, players like Dev Smith, Salem, and Billings while relevant in most leagues have just added midfield eligibility. Not a game changer, but a nice bit of flexibility come bye rounds, should your league play through.
Will Hoskin-Elliott
Currently: Midfielder
Possible Secondary: Forward
Average: 77.0
A goal in every game is an encouraging sign for owners, and Hoskin-Elliott seems to be playing as a wing/forward, really opening up games with his run on the outside. If Collingwood are up and about, WHE should be right there with them. Be prepared to ride the waves with the Pies, as he may not be able to score as well if the team struggles but should hold a half decent scoring floor by getting up the wing.
AFL Fantasy coaches look to see if you can grab him from free agency or with a lowball trade. The forward update should be near the top of the list in round 6.
Cale Hooker
Currently: Forward
Possible Secondary: Defender
Average: 72.8
They say when a great idea goes over your head, you can hear it go “woosh”. So, when John Worsfold took an All-Australian defender and threw him up forward, it created a woosh so violent it was heard around the club, earning him the nickname ’Woosha’.
Despite that, the move was quite successful in allowing Joe Daniher to flourish. Throw in the emergence of James Stewart and Essendon had 3 talls up forward, a set up the Bulldogs took advantage of by rebounding from defensive 50 with no pressure. Hooker was sent back to his natural position against Port Adelaide and the difference was night and day. Expect him to stay back there and as a bonus, his scores should stabilise. A good trade target that could be a valuable asset come bye round should he get the nod as a defender/forward.
Brendon Goddard
Currently: Midfielder
Possible Secondary: Defender
Average: 88.3
A surprise omission in UF (along with Whitfield) sees Goddard stay as a pure midfielder for now. We now have another couple of weeks to make moves to secure BJ in the hopes of a change down the line.
He seems the clean-up man using his foot skills to get Essendon out of trouble. Hooker taking intercept marks can only mean good things for the pretzel king, giving him ample supply to rebound from. With 28 touches at 89% and a goal on Sunday, he’s going get you points wherever he is. Even better in leagues that factor effective disposal.
Robbie Gray
Currently: Forward
Possible Secondary: Midfielder
Average: 108.3
Robbie Gray seems to be moving much better than last year, and as a player of his class, has gone straight back into the midfield. Given he missed round 1 through suspension, he hasn’t been made eligible to be played in the middle for UF, but if he keeps turning up for centre bounces, he should get the update soon.
Most fantasy coaches would rather play him as a forward in order to play an extra mid, however having the round 10 bye along with Gold Coast, Gray will provide flexibility during the main bye rounds (12-14).
Dustin Martin
Currently: Midfielder
Possible Secondary: Forward
Average: 103.8
In round 2 it was Dangerfield, round 3 Bontempelli. This week it was Dusty’s turn to sit forward all game. Kicking 6 goals, he had the most success of all 3. But will any of them get forward status? With players this valuable, it’s hard to see them staying forward in a game where their teams struggle in the centre, limiting their time there and the likelihood of DPP status.
That doesn’t mean we can’t hope. Dion Prestia has made his debut for the year, joining the midfield along with Cotchin, Graham, and inexplicably Conca. Hardwick could keep Dusty down forward if they can keep getting the ball out of a contest. Cross your fingers the Tigers keep rolling and Dusty can get a few weeks of kicking snags.
Lachie Weller
Currently: Midfielder
Possible Secondary: Defender
Average: 66.8
Another player UF had as a DPP mid/def since the start, Fantasy should see Lachie Weller get defender eligibility in round 6. He shouldn’t be worth too much as a midfielder, but his scores have been improving enough to give him a run as a defender. A definite pick up in AFL Fantasy leagues. At 85% ownership in UF, he is popular as a defender and won’t be easy to get if granted DPP status in AFLF, so pick him up early and hold until the first wave of changes.
There’s always going be a few changes around, some by team need others through injury. Feel free to drop a comment if there’s anyone you think needs a closer look or deserves DPP status moving forward.
Hi Sam,
Loving the additional content that’s being provided. Especially the DPP watch as now, without having Tesltra and the heatmaps, it’s hard to gauge who’s really in line for a change.
Hard to say, but is Goddard a ‘lock’ for a change in the next UF changes you think? Weighing up making a move or not.
Also, Chris Masten? Likely to be fools gold, but if he had a B next to his name, might be worthwhile. Is he likely for a change, or is it one of those, ‘he’s a midfielder working up and back’?
Cheers, glad to be of help!
I would have thought Whitfield was a lock to change in the last one, and that didn’t exactly work out. So it’s hard to say.
UF themselves say that a player must “primarily” play in the new position, using 70% of game time there in the last 3 rounds as a guide.
The AFL keeps pretty tight grasp over the GPS heat map data; Telstra gives more of a ‘possesion’ map.
Goddard seems to move up the ground a bit as an attacking defender, though I wonder if Zach Merrett going down early in the Crows game meant he had to play more midfield, skewing his percentages. He does seem to be used as a defender, so I’m still of the opinion he’ll get the nod.
Masten is an interesting proposition, I’d need to give him a closer look as he seems to have gotten possessions on the wing, though last game v GC was definitely more defensive.
If Shuey doesn’t play this week, Masten could be asked to do a little more in the midfield. I guess this gives me an excuse to watch the Carlton West Coast game!
Very good point with Goddard and Zerrett going down. I made a move and traded for Goddard, so fingers crossed the change comes through.
Hopefully Shuey does get up, would make Masten someone to think about. Maybe.
Cheers
Stephen Hill: Add B
Blakely: add B
Connor Blakely would have to. Given he already has B status in UF, and his play has been in the back half, AFLF should really follow suit.
I’ll admit, I haven’t seen enough of Hill to make a call on, though his possession map is interesting. Will need to see where he spends most of his time this Saturday!
I’m onto AFL Stats Pro. Get to see footage of every action a player had in a game. The eye test is the truest test in AFLF nowadays I feel – I’ve read a lot of commentary post-DPP additions about where a player manned up (e.g. manning a forward at centre bounces regularly = def). It’s complex though, particularly with wing players that can spend whole games on the def50 arc..
Great article mate!
Thanks mate! Loving your style with the injury wrap up.
Any thoughts on Polec, Tom phillips and Stephen hill picking up defender status?
Also maybe the bont picking up fwd status
From what I’ve noticed, Polec and Phillips are playing on the wing. I’m gonna have to give a look to Hill though. Seems a bit of interest with him!
Bont, like Danger and Dusty, will spend a lot of time forward. Given their talent, I think they spend too much time in the mids. UF needs a player to spend 70% game time for 3 rounds in a new position as part of their criteria for DPP. They may spend quarters/halves/games forward, but 70% over 3 games may end up a bridge too far. But I’ll be keeping a keen eye on ’em!
Cheers for the response mate. Also heard something about dumont and lachie Weller playing down back, might be relevant for deep draft leagues
Any thoughts on Jack Ziebell getting fwd status?
I think it would make sense, he seems a natural forward. Hopefully as North get better and players like LDU step up Ziebell can get forward a little more.
Could play the Toby Greene role. Interested to see how this one plays out!