There are a few new faces at Brisbane Lions this year that could have an impact on players’ AFL Fantasy scoring.
Regardless, here are a few names we think might be worth picking up for Brisbane Lions.
Take a listen to our latest podcast: Pre-season 2023: Brisbane Lions feat. Leigh Drennan (We Got The Chocolates)
The Undervalued
Jarryd Lyons’ value will have bottomed out after being omitted from Brisbane’s finals side. Whilst I don’t think he’s a walk-up starter anymore, particularly with the additions of Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft, I do think he plays at some stage during the 2023 season. If he does play, he will be used as a midfielder, as we saw him trialled as a forward last year but was ineffective. It would only take an injury or two for him to return to Brisbane’s midfield and if he does, he’ll be a reasonable scorer. He’ll be sliding in drafts this year but is still worth a later pickup and should score well when he plays.
Another one who will be impacted by Dunkley and Ashcroft is Cam Rayner. Before those midfield additions, I thought he was primed for a breakout in 2023, but I don’t think it will eventuate now. However, I do think he offers some value in your forward line as he should get stints in the middle and will kick a few goals here and there. He has the potential to average in the 70s this year and with the lack of decent forward options this year, he’s worth considering.
Charlie Cameron is undervalued every year, as his role as a small forward prevents him from scoring well consistently. However, he is a great week-to-week proposition because he often kicks a few goals and when he does he puts up decent scores. He scored 70 or above in eight matches last season, which you’d happily take from your last picked forward. I recommend picking him up as a streamer or loop-hole option and using him when he has friendly matchups.
I’m adding Rhys Mathieson to this list purely because he’s listed as a forward in 2023. Whilst I think he’s a long way back in terms of the depth chart at Brisbane, he’s a player who will be used when there are injuries or other midfielders need a rest. When he does play he can score well in the midfield, so he’s another player to pick up for depth. Put him on your field if he looks like getting a game and he should score okay when he does.
Jack Gunston will be the third tall option up forward for Brisbane and will hopefully get less attention than Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood. Gunston might not be the AFL Fantasy scorer he used to be but I think he can offer some value if he’s fit.
Connor McKenna returns to AFL football after a couple of years back in Ireland. He looks like he should be a fantasy scorer, but doesn’t get enough of the footy to produce the goods. He’s not one I’m looking at for now.
The Breakout Contenders
It was great to see Darcy Wilmot make his debut in the finals last season. Whilst he didn’t score big in terms of AFL Fantasy, he does play a fantasy-friendly role in the back line for Brisbane providing run and dash off the half-back line. He’s not afraid to take the game on and with a little more experience under the belt, I think he could be a slight chance as a breakout contender for 2023. Even if it doesn’t eventuate, I think he’ll be a good pickup for the future.
Some would argue that Keidean Coleman has already broken out, but expect him to take his game to another level this season. He missed a lot of 2022 through injury and if he’s fit and firing for the whole season, he should comfortably average above 80 AFL Fantasy points per game.
The Stash Options
Deven Robertson is another player who I think is a long way back in the midfield depth chart, so I don’t think he’ll have a huge impact in 2023. However, I think he’s a chance to be traded at the end of the season if he doesn’t cement himself a spot at Brisbane. Given that he was an underage gun in terms of AFL Fantasy, he could be a handy player if he lands at a struggling club in the future that can give him midfield time. It is for this reason that I recommend picking him up for the future and hoping that he gets traded at the end of the year.
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