Late Week Pickups – Round 16

 

 

 

Each week I’ll be looking at players who are sitting in the free agency pool that can be used in your matchup that can give you a little extra scoring power. When using these players, I use Ultimate Footy’s ownership of 75% or less to give everyone a go for those that play in bigger leagues.

 

Blake Hardwick: In just 63% of teams, Hardwick has been having a pretty good year in defence. In just 63% of teams he is coming up against an improved Western Bulldogs team.

 

Hardwick has only played the dogs once where he scored 87 in Supercoach and 71 in AFL Fantasy. With the Dogs improved pressure in their forward 50, you can expect a lot of contests and for Hardwick to get plenty of it as well as marks as the Dogs aren’t the most efficient team going inside 50.

 

Stephen Hill: Playing his 200th game this week, we can expect a bump for Hill with Fyfe going down with a hamstring injury. Hill was given defender status in Ultimate Footy this week.

 

In 70% of teams and playing at TIO stadium in Darwin against the Demons, there will plenty of space for Hill to get the ball. It’s always hard to predict which position a player will play in a Ross Lyon coached team, but I’m expecting Hill to play a mixture of inside mid and in defence to help cover the injury of Blakely.

 

Ryan Griffen: Another midfielder who gained DPP this week is Ryan Griffen. While most of us grab our vomit bags when his name is mentioned he has some value this week with the injuries and suspension to Patton and Cameron.

 

In just 42% of teams the Giants could look to Griffen as a marking option inside 50 as he stands at 192cm tall. With Hopper out of the team, Griffen will get small runs through the midfield but I suspect he will be used as a marking/pressuring forward against the Eagles this week.

 

Charlie Dixon: I know we use the 75% rule when talking about waiver and late week pickups but this is too hard to ignore. This is about a sweet as match up as you’re going to get.

 

In 79% of teams Dixon and the Power come up against the Saints who are without their 2 biggest key backs in Carlisle and Brown. Dixon should be able to account for him and have a big day out on Saturday.