Another week, another body count. Even the Traders had to stream in their own Warne Dawg from isolation this week! And just quickly, how impressive is it that those 3 fellas are where they are after all this time? They are the earliest pioneers of fantasy footy content and a huge reason the fantasy community is what it is today. So many stand on the shoulders of those Giants so if any 3 of you bother to read this article, congrats on 500 episodes, you genuine legends.

Anyway, this article aims to assist in filling any holes your weekly lineups may have – whether it be a sneaky loophole option for your benches or a genuine plug and play. These are one week streamers (perhaps longer in some cases, AKA RIVER plays) for mostly redraft leagues; patch and play suggestions for those loose ends that need some tying off, especially if your priority waiver claims were missed.

Here, I will list a team of players with low ownership that may (or may not) be available in your leagues. I will fill a team in the 4-5-1-4 structure catering to AF/DT/UF scoring, as well as Supercoach, in certain cases. But first, let’s see how my round 2 tips performed:

HITS

Steven May (94 AF/108 SC) – a clear hold and may even getter when Lever returns (particularly in SC). 

Riley Bonner (77 AF/96 SC) – I’d be holding Bonner. Mckenzie got hurt again and may miss so Bonner’s use off of half-back could become more of a requirement for Port. 

Willem Drew (95 AF/98 SC) – midfielders against Hawthorn is starting to trend. 

MISSES

Luke Brown (43 AF/45 SC) – yeah look, I’m sorry. 

Curtis Taylor (56 AF/53 SC) – I streamed him with confidence and it just didn’t happen. I’ll watch him again next week in Tarryn’s absence though. 

Ben Brown (34 AF/41 SC) –  how dewy was it at Metricon!? A quintessential case of a key forward having an off-game. 

Brodie Mihochek (47 AF/53 SC) – plays the closest thing to a key-position forward for the Magpies and just couldn’t get it going against weaker opposition. 

Anywho, let’s look ahead to the round 3 streamers:

DEFENDERS

Will Powell – he’s had 2 listless showings so far and made me look impish as an owner and the writer of this article last round. With that said, I’m giving him one more chance this week against a Giants team who simply gifted points to Richmond’s defenders last week. 

Lachlan Ash – would have been drafted in a similar range to Powell and has scored similarly to him as well (poorly, if you didn’t read the above). The similarities just roll on here, as Ash plays the Suns this week and they have been allowing defenders to score recently, so similarly to Powell, I’m giving Ash one more opportunity to make owners not completely regret the pick. 

Ps. I promise I will learn some synonyms for ‘similar’ and all of its relating words.

Callum Wilkie – the Giants’ defenders scored handomsley on the Tigers last week and that is who Wilkie plays in round 3. He won’t blast out a match winning score, but he’ll almost certainly score on par with any D5 you’ll face. 

Harry Cunningham – perhaps you’ll reassess this if McInerney plays. Cunningham is one of my favourite streamers of the modern era and is perennially available for pick up when defensive emergencies arise. Oh, and he faces a Dogs team who let Zac Williams ton up last week. 

MIDFIELDERS

Mitch Robinson – there’s a good chance he was dropped in your league and is back from suspension this week. He also faces the Kangaroos, making him a worthy M7/8.

Lochie O’Brien – go look at what Port’s midfield scored in a loss to Hawthorn last week and then get back to me here. You see that shit? Midfielders scoring big against the Hawks seems like a trend that could stick and with Carlton’s form, O’Brien could score very well on them as your M7 this round. He managed a 96 on the Dogs last week, looking comfortable in running Carlton’s wings. 

Blake Acres – this guy feels like a staple for this article and it hasn’t even existed for a full season. He plays the WAFL Coast Eagles and scored 78 in a loss last round… I don’t care for Acres enough to try and convince you any more than that. 

Marlion Pickett – has been FINE in a depleted Richmond midfield, so if you’re desperate for an M7, then give him a go against the Saints this round. 

Jared Polec – did I hear the lads mention him as a waiver pick-up on this week’s pod? They incepted this idea in my brain if so. The Kangas are missing Tarrant and LDU and Polec has his REVENGE GAME on the Lions this week. In addition, Polec will get no attention because no one at Brisbane will remember that he still plays AFL football. He also has some RIVER* potential given the Kanga’s current line-up. 

RUCK

Lloyd Meek – I feel for you if it’s coming to this, but Sean Darcy and Nic Nat may be absent from the Derby this week, giving Meek an opportunity to score. It’s kind of funny actually, because if you’re looking to the wire for a ruck this round, it means you’re an owner of either Darcy or Nic Nat, because no other first choice fantasy rucks are missing. Lel. 

FORWARDS

Jack Martin – another one who may have been dropped to the wire after missing with H&S protocols. Fizz’s boy takes on the Hawks this week who despite having 2 wins, are still allowing plenty of points to opponents. 

Nick Martin – he doesn’t have the breeziest opponent in the Dees this round, but Essendon are down on some key stocks and Martin displayed his scoring potential in round 1. With Zerret, Langford and possibly Shiel all to miss, Martin might have another shot at putting his fantasy chops on display and has RIVER* appeal. He also plays Friday night, making him an ideal forward line loop-hole play. 

Rory Lobb – Darcy looks like missing, which means more ruck time for Lobb and a more than fieldable score in your forward line. He’s also taking on a decimated Eagles team.

Shaun Higgins – may have been cut in shallower leagues and is worth a pick up against the Pies this week.  

*RIVER play – when a player’s flow is a little longer and stronger than a stream, meaning he may hold value for multiple weeks to come, whether it be due to a role change, injury or other.

Let us know if you’re having a look at any of these bench warmer types this week in the comments or on Twitter: @lionelhutz4prez. And as always…

May your streams flow golden and strong!