[Tippaz]

COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies are heading into the season a little underdone. Their pre-season loss to the Crows shows they’re nowhere near match fitness, and that coach Mick Malthouse doesn’t care about winning practise games. In all seriousness, they remain a strong finals contender because they will play 18 of 22 games at the MCG. They were not a high statistical team last year, and don’t have any big stars. Collingwood are a very well-drilled team and always play as a unit.
FB – Cox, Wakelin, O’Brien
HB – H.Shaw, Maxwell, R.Shaw
C – (Holland), Swan, Lockyer
HF – Thomas, Cloke, Didak
FF – Davis, Rocca, Rusling
R – Fraser, Pendlebury, O’Bree
i/c – Wood, Burns, Johnson, Medhurst
big guns: 22yr old Heath Shaw was unlucky to miss the All-Australian shortlist last year. He often plays loose man in defence and collects a truckload of uncontested marks. He is becoming a true leader at Collingwood, and is very professional in his approach. Dane Swan has become one of the competitions most pure stat machines. Ranked 5th overall in 2007 with 2234pts (average 101.55ppg). He’s a slow moving player who doesn’t have a penetrating kick, and is unlikely to get tagged. Wingman/onballer Tarkyn Lockyer had the season of his life in 2007 raking in 2229pts (average 101.32ppg) which made him the 6th highest scoring player in the competition. He was controversially left out of the All-Australian shortlist, and IMO he really should’ve made the ‘team of the year’. Lockyer rarely misses games, but don’t expect a repeat of last year’s performance. Dane Swan is the one you want!!
hot prospects: Rising Star runner-up Scott Pendlebury is truly a star in the making. He’s an elusive midfielder who moves like Nick Dal Santo. He is also deceptively tall, which enables him to take more marks. He collected 1623pts from 20 games (average 81.15ppg), but towards the end of the year, he was really averaging 90ppg. No.1 tagger Brodie Holland only played 7 games last year due to injury. His price has dropped away considerably. Most taggers are non-statistical but the best ones still find the ball. Holland has been a proven fantasy player before averaging 80ppg two years ago (as a tagger). Ruckman Josh Fraser played through injury last year, and as a result, lowered his stats. His price is lower than it should be. Fraser is one of the big gun rucks who can get 30pos, 10marks on a good day. B&F winner Travis Cloke improved immensely last year holding down CHF, and was easily Collingwood’s best player in the finals. The 21yr old has bulked up over summer and could step another notch. He is capable of 10+marks 20+pos. He just needs to improve his accuracy and kick more goals. Bad boy Alan Didak only played 15 games last year and didn’t have his best year due to off-field dramas. He is undeniably one of the best small forwards in the game and can push up into the midfield. In 2006 he made All-Australian and averaged 75-80ppg.
smokeys: Shannon Cox is a neat back pocket player who could be a permanent fixture in Collingwood’s defence. He played 8 games last year and showed a lot of poise and skill. His starting price should be low enough to fit into your 7th defender slot, so he could be a handy to start off with (a bit like Roger Hayden). 20yr old Irishman Marty Clarke made an impressive start to AFL football. He played 9 games and scored 588pts (average 65.33ppg) mostly as a tagging midfielder in replacement of Brodie Holland. Clarke is a good athlete who has enormous midfield potential, but he’s pre-season form has been quiet. I couldn’t quite find a spot for him in their best22, but expect him to be a 1st team regular. He reminds me of Brent Stanton, and could potentially step up at some stage during the year.
cash cows: John Anthony is a 3rd year player yet to make his debut. He is a tall defender who looks ready to play some games. The injury to Prestigiacomo ought to enhance his chances, but finding stats will not be his primary objective. Nathan Brown (twin brother of Mitchell Brown) was taken at pick no.10 in the 2006 draft. He is a tall versatile player with good athleticism, and has a bright fantasy outlook. Collingwood have been playing him down back this pre-season, possibly in the Birchall mould. I expect him to play 10-15 games this year. Ben Reid was taken pick no.8 in the 2006 draft. He is a 196cm key position prospect who was a shining light in the loss against Adelaide (Nab Cup opener). I can’t see him starting ahead of Cloke/Rocca/Rusling, but the wraps on this kid are pretty big. He should get some games and improve in value.

ESSENDON
The baby Bombers have surprised many over the Nab Cup series. New coach Matthew Knights has brought a new attacking gameplan and aims to rebuild the team with youth. They have a lot of exciting young players aged between 18-23 with plenty of flair and pace. Although the common perception of Essendon has been bottom 4, there’s a lot of room for optimism. The quick handball, fast moving style of play is going to bring a lot of stats, so I’m expecting a lot of good buys here.
FB – Ramanauskas, Michael, Fletcher
HB – Peverill, Ryder, Nash
C – (Monfries), Watson, Winderlich
HF – McPhee, Lucas, Lovett
FF – Davey, Lloyd, L-Murray
R – Hille, Stanton, McVeigh
i/c – Lay****, Houli, Dyson, Welsh
big guns: Adam McPhee will be playing a different role as a forward/midfielder in the Ryan O’Keefe mould. He will no longer get easy kicks around halfback, but should still score well enough to justify his pricetag. He has got a good endurance base and will continue to take lots of marks around the ground. Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher had an outstanding All-Australian year in 2007. He often plays loose and is the “go-to-man” in Essendon’s defence. Fletcher is one of the best long kicks in the competition and is a real weapon in setting up goals. However, the 32yr old may struggle to reproduce under this new style of play. He’s far better suited to SuperCoach. 21yr old Brent Stanton is Essendon’s no.1 midfielder. Although he’s not an elite player, he has a huge motor and will outrun any tagger. He regularly picks up 30+ possessions and usually gets about 90% gametime (very high for a mid). 30yr old Scott Lucas is set for another big year. His recent 5 goal haul against the Bulldogs was one of the standout performances in the Nab Cup. He’s kicked 179 goals over the last 3 seasons (in a bottom side), yet has never made All-Australian. Lucas rarely gets injured and hardly ever misses games. Captain Matthew Lloyd will once again spearhead the team at full-forward. The last 3 years have delivered lower goal tallies than the Matthew Lloyd of 1999-2004, but nevertheless, he remains a proven fantasy pick who can take marks and kick lots of goals.
hot prospects: 23yr old centreman Jobe Watson is becoming a true stat-rat and is on the verge of big gun status. He is an in-and-under type player who specialises in clearances and racking up possessions. He also takes marks and lays plenty of tackles. His pre-season form has been good. 22yr old Ricky Dyson has been the form player of the pre-season Nab Cup and has got to be one of the most improved players in the competition. He looks set for a spot in Essendon’s midfield (most likely on a wing) where his stats could go through the roof. This is surely a great bargain! 2nd year player Bachar Houli has also had a massive pre-season and is likely to start rd1. This 19yr old is extremely profressional in his approach and has a strong enough body to play as an inside midfielder. I anticipate he’ll play off the bench and rotate with Watson/Stanton/McVeigh. He has been clocking up possessions at will in the Nab Cup series, and is going to be bargain centre. This could be the next Priddis (fingers crossed) – get on board! Misclassified forward Angus Monfries looks set for a midfield tagging role. His Nab Cup form has been very good and he appears to be finding more stats. The 21yr old has always been a promising young talent, but this could be a breakthrough year.
smokeys: Mark McVeigh is an under-rated player. He played a number of positions last year, but was predominantly a midfielder. This year, he is set for a full season in the midfield which could easily help his stats. His pre-season form has been quiet, but the 27yr old Bomber is a recognised leader and has always been a consistent player. Jay Nash has disastrously been misclassified as a centre and would probably have to emulate Nick Malceski to prove his worth. But the 22yr old halfback flank has improved out of sight over the past 12 months after establishing himself in the 2nd half of last year. His pre-season form is on a par with Malceski, so he’s actually worth considering. 19yr old Leroy Jetta played the first 4 games of 2007 before injuring his groin which ultimately kept him out for the season. He is a 2nd year player with electrifying pace who is clearly gifted in performing ‘chasedowns’. He recently got 8 tackles against the Bulldogs. Although I don’t consider him to be in their best22, I expect him to get a regular game. You will find he’s cheap enough for your 7th forward slot and could be a handy selection to start off with.
cash cows: 20yr oldrookie elevation Heath Hocking has shown potential over the Nab Cup campaign and is bound to get senior games this year. I am led to believe this is the son of Gary Hocking, and like his old man, is a bit of a ball magnet. 20yr old Sam Lonergan is a 3rd player who hasn’t had senior experience. He’s been good this pre-season and has obviously had a big summer. Matthew Knights will be keen on putting games into these younger players, so I’m expecting to see Lonergan play too. 20yr old Jay Neagle (son of Merv Neagle) is another 3rd year player on the rise. I thought he was Essendon’s best player against St Kilda (in the Nab Cup semi-final) kicking 4 goals as a lead-up forward. He looks quite tall and strong, and it seems likely he will play games this year. 19yr old hardnut Kyle Reimers is a ferocious young talent who has had a great pre-season. His forwardline pressure has been outstanding, and he’s been kicking goals too. He is very close to Essendon’s best22 and his fantasy outlook is looking pretty good. His price is slightly above base, but it’s worth paying extra for him. 18yr old David Myers was taken at pick no.6 in the 2007 draft. He is listed at 191cm, and described as a versatile defender who can also play midfield. He will probably play about 10 games with a limited amount of gametime, but has some stat-potential.

FREMANTLE
Could this be the sleeping giant of the competition? They have been teasing us for a long time, but I think the penny has finally dropped under new coach Mark Harvey. When he took over midway through last year they started winning games. He brings a tough, uncompromising attitude which reflects in the way they play. A lot of their fortunes rest on the shoulders of skipper Matthew Pavlich. However, the season-ending injury to Paul Hasleby will hurt them immensely.
FB – Hayden, McPharlin, Grover
HB – Mundy, Mi.Johnson, Black
C – (Dodd), J.Carr, Peake
HF – Headland, Pavlich, Crowley
FF – Solomon, Tarrant, Farmer
R – Sandilands, Schammer, Bell
i/c – Warnock, Palmer, M.Carr, Ma.Johnson
big guns: 32yr old ex-captain Peter Bell could be heading into his final year of football, but his presence will be invaluable due to the loss of Hasleby. He should play as a small inside midfielder for the majority of the season. He won’t take a lot of marks, but he is prolific in possessions, tackles, clearances, and effective disposal. Bell scored 1950pts from 22 games last year (average 88.64ppg), but I think he’s better suited to SuperCoach. Midfielder Josh Carr is a tough in-and-under player who has had reasonable success at the fantasy level. He is a fierce natured character who continually misses games through suspension (his ultimate downfall). Nevertheless, he is capable of producing big numbers, and wouldn’t often get tagged. Star player Matthew Pavlich is the focal point of this team. He is an elite fantasy pick who hasn’t missed a game in over 5 years. In the 2007, he was the 4th ranked player overall with 2244pts (average 102.00ppg), and was the highest scoring player in the forwards. The 26yr old is at his peak, and is an obvious selection.
hot prospects: 22yr old halfback David Mundy has all the makings of being a top fantasy pick. He’s listed at 192cm, has a good motor, and reads the play quite well. He just needs to be more influential. Mundy is heading into his 5th season – and it’s about time this guy delivered! 22yr old midfielder Byron Schammer had a year to forget. I believe he had complications with an appendix operation, which kept him down to just 7 games. His price is well below par. Schammer can play inside midfield or wing, and is expected to return to the starting lineup. I don’t know much about his pre-season, but the Hasleby injury makes him important. 24yr old wingman Brett Peake had a similar year to Schammer. He only played 10 games due to injury, so his price has gone down too. Peake was the no.1 player in the competition for running bounces in 2006. He is important to the Fremantle lineup, but his fantasy outlook is probably more suited to SuperCoach. The inconsistent Des Headland has been re-classified as a forward. And it couldn’t have come at a better time… (in light of the Hasleby injury). He is capable of producing midfield stats and could spend a lot more time onball, which makes him one of the best misclassification tips going around. He recently starred against West Coast in the Nab Cup. If Freo are serious about moving up the ladder Headland needs to deliver! Erratic full-forward Chris Tarrant made headlines for all the wrong reasons last year, and his form was inconsistent. He needs to have a big year. He is quite good at moving up the ground earning extra marks & possessions, but his goalkicking needs to improve. 50+goals is the target.
smokeys: Michael Johnson is a mobile tall defender who can pinch hit in the ruck. He takes a lot of marks across halfback, and is an excellent reader of the play. The 23yr old CHB has some statistical benefits, and could improve his game. Small defender Roger Hayden was a surprise nomination for the All-Australian shortlist last year. His defensive mindset stops him from producing the big numbers, but I expect him to be more attacking this year. He just needs to find some cheap ball. Dean Solomon look-a-like Ryan Crowley is a clone of his older teammate. A tough, hard, team man! The 24yr old utility could find some extra time in the midfield (wing/onball), which would help him lift his stats. 211cm ruckman Aaron Sandilands is the tallest player in history, and will inevitably get the most hitouts in the competition (barring injury, of course). Before his injury last year, he showed glimpses of big gun potential, but his season faded badly. If he can get his body right he ought to improve his fantasy status.
cash cows: 20yr old Garrick Ibbotson is heading into his 3rd season and is priced just above base. He’s listed at 187cm, and described as a speedy defender. He played 1 game last year, and I would expect to see more of him this year. Everyone is going to buy Rhys Palmer. Taken at pick no.7 in the 2007 draft, the 18yr old inside midfielder was a stats-machine throughout the U18s carnival. He looks set to play rd1, and the Hasleby injury is going to boost his gametime significantly. This is my idea of the new Joel Selwood, and is pretty much a must-have. Buy him! 19yr old Chris Mayne has caught my eye in the pre-season. He was taken at pick no.40 in the 2007 draft, and is described as “a powerful leading medium forward”. Freo could do with some more goalkickers, so keep an eye on him. He might play some early games.