SOME would argue that there have been plenty of challenges already, but the byes present a whole new ball game for AFL Fantasy coaches.
After their sojourn in China last round, Gold Coast and Port Adelaide will enjoy their week off a little earlier than the rest of the competition. Normal rules apply for Fantasy Classic. That is, scores from the 22 on-field players will count this round and the regular two trades to use to manage squads.
Appearing in more than 31 per cent of teams, Robbie Gray is the most popular Power or Suns player who will be missing this round with the bye.
The rules are tweaked for rounds 12-14 to help coaches tackles the multi-bye rounds. The best 18 scores from the 22 players on-field will count for the weekly score and three trades are allowed leading into each of these rounds.
It is widely considered that the bye rounds is moving time for Fantasy coaches. The aim is to come out on the other side with much better squads. Using the three trades available, coaches to be seeking to trade out cash cows and upgrade while fielding the best players possible.
Working towards a 'completed' side by bringing in the players deemed to be in best 22 come season's end is preferable.
Roy names his best six defenders, eight midfielders, two rucks and six forwards.
It changes weekly based on form, but he believes this crew is who coaches should be aiming for.
In the back line, Rory Laird, Elliot Yeo, Jake Lloyd, James Sicily, Kade Simpson and Jeremy Howe are his go-to players.
The engine room includes the in-form Jack Macrae and Ed Curnow, with Fantasy stars Tom Mitchell, Patrick Dangerfield, Nat Fyfe, Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio and Scott Pendlebury rounding out the top eight.
Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy look set to make up the preferable ruck combination.
A blanket could be thrown over the forwards, but Roy thinks Isaac Heeney, Toby McLean, Lance Franklin, Robbie Gray, Tom Rockliff and newcomer to the list, Jack Darling should be in the sights when completing the crew up front.
The big Eagle has been in magnificent from in recent weeks. Scores of 101, 113, 121 and a blistering 151 thanks to a six-goal haul on Sunday has put Darling in the mix as one of the desired picks according to Roy.
Roy, together with Calvin and Warnie debate which players should be in Fantasy coaches’ sights as they aim to improve their squads over the next month on this week’s episode of the Official AFL Fantasy Podcast.
BECOME A COACH: Play AFL Fantasy
Also in this week’s podcast:
- All of the weekend's action
- News from around the grounds, including Magoos News
- Trade tips
- Bye round strategy
- Potential dual position players added following round 11
- Your questions answered
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