Analysis 2023 Preseason Games
- Thread starter wogitalia
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I meant their first year players get big deals. No idea why they went so hard for RAtkins and don’t even play him anyway. I didn’t even know he was getting a big payday there. Hawks took scrimshaw for a 4th round pick becuase he wasn’t playing and was on a decent contract still. Should’ve held off and asked for 1st round pick to come with him.
DFS is excellent but it was a pity they dropped heat maps. I found them very useful. Still have them for the AFLW though. Not sure why it was good for one and not the other.
The other one I use a lot and is really good is
AFL Player Statistics - 2022 (wheeloratings.com)
Wide range of stats to choose from.
The other one I use a lot and is really good is
AFL Player Statistics - 2022 (wheeloratings.com)
Wide range of stats to choose from.
Gold Coast vs Essendon
General - Watched 3 quarters. Looked like two weaker sides playing in trying conditions. Huge wind to one end and both teams looked confused how to handle it both with and against, just no flow or style to the game at all but also not a particularly physical contest. Just a weird game of footy. Didn't help that the camera work was definitely not the A-Team. Will be numerical order all preseason!
Suns - Played their "best 22" for the 3 quarters I watched. They were really good in Q1, possessing the ball well and moving it nicely, fell into the wind trap in Q2 just kicking long over and over again and then fell apart in Q3 as they continued to try and bomb it long into the wind. Had a lot of best 22 guys missing which does make reading too much into anything very difficult.
Missing - Miller, Ellis, Fiorini, Weller, Sexton, J. Anderson, Lemmens, Collins, Powell, King and Budarick,
Chol/Casboult/Lukosius - Played as the main KPF, none are relevant.
Flanders - Played a HF role, pushing very high and getting involved but also hit the scoreboard with a couple. He was among their best to my eye and very active in finding space. Pushed all the way to the back pocket at times so had a very free roaming role. I honestly have never rated him and hadn't really considered him but he definitely piqued my interest with this performance and will be watching very closely. Role was somewhat similar to say a Butters a couple of years ago which produces in the 75-85 range.
Davies - Hard to read with Touk out, but he was clearly the 4th mid and could make a real case he was ahead of Swallow (he had more CBA on my count which did stop at HT). He was very solid and played a good game. Unfortunately I have to say that Touk out does create this situation and I'd expect he falls back to 5th, if in the side at all, when the main stuff kicks off. At a very interesting price and could definitely be fantasy relevant, will watch closely next week but Touk is too much uncertainty for mine right now with lots of other options.
Holman/Hollands - Both manned the wings, both were solid, both are not relevant. Holman slightly more so as a FWD but can't see the scoring needed.
Ainsworth - Same old small forward role. Will be solid again I reckon but not good enough.
Ballard/Day/Graham - Manned the KPD slots, not relevant and one goes out for Collins.
Anderson - Prolific but if today was any evidence his kicking definitely hasn't improved, might even be worse. I honestly didn't see him kick it to a Sun in 3 quarters, I may have missed one or two but he was shocking. Found plenty of it and role was glorious. I'll probably take him in DT formats but his kicking...
Berry - Playing as a forward pressure merchant. Wasn't bad and playing a bit higher than for Lions. At 123k he's definitely relevant and none of the guys out of the side really change his position so that's a positive. Will watch, will score poorly but does tackle at least and could be relevant if other options aren't there.
Rowell - Was really solid, pure midfield role, ball-winning as well which is important. Would not be surprised if he's the breakout 115 guy to be honest, has a much better SC game than Anderson and just needs to be unleashed. Looks genuinely fit as well. I'm not sure I can do it but he's got to be on the radar.
Humphrey - Was excellent, probably their most physical player already in a side desperately needing some physicality. He's a real bull but also showed some class with the ball. Played high HF/Mid role but already shown more than Davies as a forward if they were fighting for a spot. Expect he should be best 22 if he can back this game up and that he should have a good role and very solid scoring capacity. Has been in most of my drafts already but was a big tick today for staying there. Definitely has on-field rookie potential based on this game and juniors.
Long - I don't personally get the hype here, he's 100k too expensive for me but for those who are considering he played half back and took a couple of kick-ins, he was solid and played well but there was no real funnel towards him or any real reason to think he'll go huge to me. I imagine those considering him will have seen enough but for someone who needs some serious swaying, I wasn't moved.
Swallow - Same old for him, good midfield role, some wing minutes, solid hitout.
Witts - He looked really solid, covered the ground well and was involved throughout. Interestingly he rested forward when Moyle came on, not sure if that's a tactic this year as not really sure how they line up up forward anyway and whether Moyle might actually be a round 1 chance but Witts was good, pretty much dominated the Bombers rucks as you'd expect. Most impressive was his work behind and in front of the ball as he added a few touches. Had a few incredibly soft FA that cost him two intercept marks as well, so his SC will be severely understated on that. As someone considering him, I came away with no reason to change my position (in either direction).
Constable - Probably the most relevant name so far, his Q1 was huge, at that point I was pretty much at the "structure to start him" point. Did slow down a fair bit in Q2 and Q3 but led their kick-ins (generally a good JS indicator) taking about 2/3 of them and they did look sideways to him at times. Would be good to get a solid indicator on how far away the Weller/Powell/Budarick/Lemmen group is as all 4 play the same position (or can) and with no Ellis everything changes for them, but it was a big tick for mine on all fronts for him. Looks a fieldable level rookie.
Moyle - Not sure how to read this one, from what I could tell, he rucked from the bench which is generally a bad sign but he was really solid outside one shockingly bad ruck contest and did put his hand up. I can't really see them going the two rucks, especially over Chol/Casboult options but who knows. Either way, he's AFL ready and I do really like the Witts/Moyle handcuff option as he's definitely their next ruckman up.
General - Watched 3 quarters. Looked like two weaker sides playing in trying conditions. Huge wind to one end and both teams looked confused how to handle it both with and against, just no flow or style to the game at all but also not a particularly physical contest. Just a weird game of footy. Didn't help that the camera work was definitely not the A-Team. Will be numerical order all preseason!
Suns - Played their "best 22" for the 3 quarters I watched. They were really good in Q1, possessing the ball well and moving it nicely, fell into the wind trap in Q2 just kicking long over and over again and then fell apart in Q3 as they continued to try and bomb it long into the wind. Had a lot of best 22 guys missing which does make reading too much into anything very difficult.
Missing - Miller, Ellis, Fiorini, Weller, Sexton, J. Anderson, Lemmens, Collins, Powell, King and Budarick,
Chol/Casboult/Lukosius - Played as the main KPF, none are relevant.
Flanders - Played a HF role, pushing very high and getting involved but also hit the scoreboard with a couple. He was among their best to my eye and very active in finding space. Pushed all the way to the back pocket at times so had a very free roaming role. I honestly have never rated him and hadn't really considered him but he definitely piqued my interest with this performance and will be watching very closely. Role was somewhat similar to say a Butters a couple of years ago which produces in the 75-85 range.
Davies - Hard to read with Touk out, but he was clearly the 4th mid and could make a real case he was ahead of Swallow (he had more CBA on my count which did stop at HT). He was very solid and played a good game. Unfortunately I have to say that Touk out does create this situation and I'd expect he falls back to 5th, if in the side at all, when the main stuff kicks off. At a very interesting price and could definitely be fantasy relevant, will watch closely next week but Touk is too much uncertainty for mine right now with lots of other options.
Holman/Hollands - Both manned the wings, both were solid, both are not relevant. Holman slightly more so as a FWD but can't see the scoring needed.
Ainsworth - Same old small forward role. Will be solid again I reckon but not good enough.
Ballard/Day/Graham - Manned the KPD slots, not relevant and one goes out for Collins.
Anderson - Prolific but if today was any evidence his kicking definitely hasn't improved, might even be worse. I honestly didn't see him kick it to a Sun in 3 quarters, I may have missed one or two but he was shocking. Found plenty of it and role was glorious. I'll probably take him in DT formats but his kicking...
Berry - Playing as a forward pressure merchant. Wasn't bad and playing a bit higher than for Lions. At 123k he's definitely relevant and none of the guys out of the side really change his position so that's a positive. Will watch, will score poorly but does tackle at least and could be relevant if other options aren't there.
Rowell - Was really solid, pure midfield role, ball-winning as well which is important. Would not be surprised if he's the breakout 115 guy to be honest, has a much better SC game than Anderson and just needs to be unleashed. Looks genuinely fit as well. I'm not sure I can do it but he's got to be on the radar.
Humphrey - Was excellent, probably their most physical player already in a side desperately needing some physicality. He's a real bull but also showed some class with the ball. Played high HF/Mid role but already shown more than Davies as a forward if they were fighting for a spot. Expect he should be best 22 if he can back this game up and that he should have a good role and very solid scoring capacity. Has been in most of my drafts already but was a big tick today for staying there. Definitely has on-field rookie potential based on this game and juniors.
Long - I don't personally get the hype here, he's 100k too expensive for me but for those who are considering he played half back and took a couple of kick-ins, he was solid and played well but there was no real funnel towards him or any real reason to think he'll go huge to me. I imagine those considering him will have seen enough but for someone who needs some serious swaying, I wasn't moved.
Swallow - Same old for him, good midfield role, some wing minutes, solid hitout.
Witts - He looked really solid, covered the ground well and was involved throughout. Interestingly he rested forward when Moyle came on, not sure if that's a tactic this year as not really sure how they line up up forward anyway and whether Moyle might actually be a round 1 chance but Witts was good, pretty much dominated the Bombers rucks as you'd expect. Most impressive was his work behind and in front of the ball as he added a few touches. Had a few incredibly soft FA that cost him two intercept marks as well, so his SC will be severely understated on that. As someone considering him, I came away with no reason to change my position (in either direction).
Constable - Probably the most relevant name so far, his Q1 was huge, at that point I was pretty much at the "structure to start him" point. Did slow down a fair bit in Q2 and Q3 but led their kick-ins (generally a good JS indicator) taking about 2/3 of them and they did look sideways to him at times. Would be good to get a solid indicator on how far away the Weller/Powell/Budarick/Lemmen group is as all 4 play the same position (or can) and with no Ellis everything changes for them, but it was a big tick for mine on all fronts for him. Looks a fieldable level rookie.
Moyle - Not sure how to read this one, from what I could tell, he rucked from the bench which is generally a bad sign but he was really solid outside one shockingly bad ruck contest and did put his hand up. I can't really see them going the two rucks, especially over Chol/Casboult options but who knows. Either way, he's AFL ready and I do really like the Witts/Moyle handcuff option as he's definitely their next ruckman up.
Essendon - I don't know what it is with the Scott brothers but their constant need to be complete assholes is tiring, like can you ever just be decent humans, even for a week? Brad's version of trolling was I'll slow drip my best players into the match as it progresses. The end result is I have about 2 tenths of sweet **** all to take away from this game for them. They were dreadful in Q1 with the wind, they might have been even worse in Q2 against it and then they absolutely dominated Q3... yeah this sport makes sense. They had very few strongly relevant guys missing to mine.
Missing - Tsatas, Hobbs, Cox, Stewart, Stringer, BZT, Reid and Guelfi.
McGrath - Playing HB as expected, only relevant in that he hurts those around him for mine. Showed nothing to suggest he's suddenly going to demand the ball.
Draper - One of the drip fed guys, didn't play in the 1st half, came on Q3 fresh and ran around like he was fresh. Had a really nice first minute and then kind of just fell into being alright. I honestly don't know how to read it. Probably the best thing for him was that Phillips was awful and Bryan might have been even worse, so Bradbury it is. As someone who said he needed a commanding performance to consider him, being bench for a half and then not doing anything of note was a resounding X from me. I have no idea why you'd start your 1st midfield without your ruck unless you're not sure he's your ruck. Only logical outcome is discipline related which might be just as bad.
Parish - Pure midfield role, I expect he was more prolific that he looked (camera made it hard) as didn't do anything noteworthy which from my history watching him means he probably had 30 touches and scored 125. Honestly, if you're considering him he ticked the box, looked fit and had a great role.
Langford - Seemed to come on in Q2 or didn't get near it in Q1, played wing, was solid. He's probably more relevant than I'm giving him credit with his scoring history but wing has never been a good scoring role for him and didn't see any midfield minutes which is enough for me.
Caldwell - Started forward, pushed on ball later in the game. He played really solidly. There was also nothing from him to justify going further!
Merrett - Pure midfield role. Basically that's the only thing I watched for as multiple coaches he's had have not seen that for him so always a worry. Looked fit and ready for a big season.
Shiel - Think he started on the bench, rotated through the mids, didn't notice him often and expect low TOG. Nothing of note.
Weideman/Jones - KPF, not relevant.
Snelling - Came on in Q3 which might indicate he's clear best 22 or outside, who even knows, Scott dickheads... Interesting price with his scoring history, spotted up in his familiar high HF role and worked hard. Hopefully they play a real formula next week and we can get an indicator as I do think he's fantasy relevant if best 22 in his role.
Setterfield - Awful price at 350k but role was very good. Started midfield (which again means nothing) and stayed there all game. Didn't really do anything with the great role, not sure he even had a touch until Q3 but role was there and that is the most important thing.
Ridley - He was solid. Couple of nice intercept marks, took 3/5 kick-ins that I noticed, pushed up early but faded out after that. Bombers incessant long kicking didn't help. He was the best of their defenders though.
Laverde/Hind/D'Ambrosio/Kelly - Same roles as last year at HB, same production.
Perkins - Didn't notice any midfield minutes, still at HF, not sure if he had low TOG or just didn't get near it but big X against him being in my side from this game either way.
Wright - Had an all time mare of a game, like absolute stinker level. Looked like the old GC Wright who was playing with lubed up oven mitts on. Positive, he found good wide open spots to take easy marks, negative, everything after that. Also one of the worst ruck outings you'll see, was destroyed.
Heppell - Started wing, like Shiel, not sure if low TOG or just nowhere near it, think it was low TOG though and believe Langford replaced him.
Durham - Honestly, not dissimilar to Heppell here. Started wing but never seemed to find any of it. It kind of felt like Langford replaced him also
Bryan/Phillips - God they were bad but at least they had a half to showcase it. I actually quite like them both but they were so low effort and so outclassed.
Baldwin - Might actually be the most relevant Bomber from this match. Played KPD, played it very well. Got active in intercept work, got active in moving the ball up the field and being an option on intermediate kicks. Honestly, just played well all 3 quarters. Now I don't know if he wins the spot and holds it, don't even know if he's best 22 given Scott's exquisite trolling but at 170k in that role I think he could definitely be a viable option if he locks down the spot. Not dissimilar to SDK last year for a comparison of potential.
Redman - Kicked a nice goal, otherwise pretty quiet. Role as expected, looks fit, can still rip the ball by foot. Still a lot of competition for the pill. Those who like him wont have changed their mind, those who wanted convincing wont be.
Davey Jnr - Sneaky good option, again with the caveat of who bloody knows what their best 22 is, but he played all 3 quarters, played a HF hybrid role, highish in style basically. Pressure work was solid, kicked a nice goal, showed some flashes. At his price, with that role and DPP he'd be a lock if he is there round 1. One of those does a little bit of everything types that keeps the score ticking over. Not going to be an on-field rookie but really strong bench candidate.
Martin - Terrible role, pure HF and very limited pill as a result. Another strong X for mine but will watch again as he has some great sloot tendencies.
Walla - He looks like he spent the last year in the same paddock as me, his spare tyre might be even more impressive. He's magic but he looks in terrible shape fitness wise. He spent a lot of time on the pine and definitely felt like the "if the quarters were 8 minutes long" quote is the most accurate representation of where he's at fitness wise. What he did was classy as always but be surprised if he had more than 4 touches in the 3 quarters. Still, if he's there round 1 he's worth noting.
Menzie - I'd say he was their best player over the 3 quarters. Playing a pure forward pocket role, rarely left the F50, but he's got some serious smarts, tackles everything that moves and showed real class on his finishes albeit not sure the first goal exactly did what it was meant to. Depending how you read it he was either best 22 and confirmed it or outside the best 22 and just smashed the door down demanding a spot. It's fantasy AIDS and at 155k he's not exactly cheap but I'd say he should be a clear best 22 guy and is capable of making cash from that point. I expect we have better options as the Bombers looked bad which only makes the role worse but if he's there he's an option at least.
Missing - Tsatas, Hobbs, Cox, Stewart, Stringer, BZT, Reid and Guelfi.
McGrath - Playing HB as expected, only relevant in that he hurts those around him for mine. Showed nothing to suggest he's suddenly going to demand the ball.
Draper - One of the drip fed guys, didn't play in the 1st half, came on Q3 fresh and ran around like he was fresh. Had a really nice first minute and then kind of just fell into being alright. I honestly don't know how to read it. Probably the best thing for him was that Phillips was awful and Bryan might have been even worse, so Bradbury it is. As someone who said he needed a commanding performance to consider him, being bench for a half and then not doing anything of note was a resounding X from me. I have no idea why you'd start your 1st midfield without your ruck unless you're not sure he's your ruck. Only logical outcome is discipline related which might be just as bad.
Parish - Pure midfield role, I expect he was more prolific that he looked (camera made it hard) as didn't do anything noteworthy which from my history watching him means he probably had 30 touches and scored 125. Honestly, if you're considering him he ticked the box, looked fit and had a great role.
Langford - Seemed to come on in Q2 or didn't get near it in Q1, played wing, was solid. He's probably more relevant than I'm giving him credit with his scoring history but wing has never been a good scoring role for him and didn't see any midfield minutes which is enough for me.
Caldwell - Started forward, pushed on ball later in the game. He played really solidly. There was also nothing from him to justify going further!
Merrett - Pure midfield role. Basically that's the only thing I watched for as multiple coaches he's had have not seen that for him so always a worry. Looked fit and ready for a big season.
Shiel - Think he started on the bench, rotated through the mids, didn't notice him often and expect low TOG. Nothing of note.
Weideman/Jones - KPF, not relevant.
Snelling - Came on in Q3 which might indicate he's clear best 22 or outside, who even knows, Scott dickheads... Interesting price with his scoring history, spotted up in his familiar high HF role and worked hard. Hopefully they play a real formula next week and we can get an indicator as I do think he's fantasy relevant if best 22 in his role.
Setterfield - Awful price at 350k but role was very good. Started midfield (which again means nothing) and stayed there all game. Didn't really do anything with the great role, not sure he even had a touch until Q3 but role was there and that is the most important thing.
Ridley - He was solid. Couple of nice intercept marks, took 3/5 kick-ins that I noticed, pushed up early but faded out after that. Bombers incessant long kicking didn't help. He was the best of their defenders though.
Laverde/Hind/D'Ambrosio/Kelly - Same roles as last year at HB, same production.
Perkins - Didn't notice any midfield minutes, still at HF, not sure if he had low TOG or just didn't get near it but big X against him being in my side from this game either way.
Wright - Had an all time mare of a game, like absolute stinker level. Looked like the old GC Wright who was playing with lubed up oven mitts on. Positive, he found good wide open spots to take easy marks, negative, everything after that. Also one of the worst ruck outings you'll see, was destroyed.
Heppell - Started wing, like Shiel, not sure if low TOG or just nowhere near it, think it was low TOG though and believe Langford replaced him.
Durham - Honestly, not dissimilar to Heppell here. Started wing but never seemed to find any of it. It kind of felt like Langford replaced him also
Bryan/Phillips - God they were bad but at least they had a half to showcase it. I actually quite like them both but they were so low effort and so outclassed.
Baldwin - Might actually be the most relevant Bomber from this match. Played KPD, played it very well. Got active in intercept work, got active in moving the ball up the field and being an option on intermediate kicks. Honestly, just played well all 3 quarters. Now I don't know if he wins the spot and holds it, don't even know if he's best 22 given Scott's exquisite trolling but at 170k in that role I think he could definitely be a viable option if he locks down the spot. Not dissimilar to SDK last year for a comparison of potential.
Redman - Kicked a nice goal, otherwise pretty quiet. Role as expected, looks fit, can still rip the ball by foot. Still a lot of competition for the pill. Those who like him wont have changed their mind, those who wanted convincing wont be.
Davey Jnr - Sneaky good option, again with the caveat of who bloody knows what their best 22 is, but he played all 3 quarters, played a HF hybrid role, highish in style basically. Pressure work was solid, kicked a nice goal, showed some flashes. At his price, with that role and DPP he'd be a lock if he is there round 1. One of those does a little bit of everything types that keeps the score ticking over. Not going to be an on-field rookie but really strong bench candidate.
Martin - Terrible role, pure HF and very limited pill as a result. Another strong X for mine but will watch again as he has some great sloot tendencies.
Walla - He looks like he spent the last year in the same paddock as me, his spare tyre might be even more impressive. He's magic but he looks in terrible shape fitness wise. He spent a lot of time on the pine and definitely felt like the "if the quarters were 8 minutes long" quote is the most accurate representation of where he's at fitness wise. What he did was classy as always but be surprised if he had more than 4 touches in the 3 quarters. Still, if he's there round 1 he's worth noting.
Menzie - I'd say he was their best player over the 3 quarters. Playing a pure forward pocket role, rarely left the F50, but he's got some serious smarts, tackles everything that moves and showed real class on his finishes albeit not sure the first goal exactly did what it was meant to. Depending how you read it he was either best 22 and confirmed it or outside the best 22 and just smashed the door down demanding a spot. It's fantasy AIDS and at 155k he's not exactly cheap but I'd say he should be a clear best 22 guy and is capable of making cash from that point. I expect we have better options as the Bombers looked bad which only makes the role worse but if he's there he's an option at least.