In the constantly shifting landscape of AFL Fantasy, Centre Bounce Attendances (CBAs) emerge as a pivotal metric for assessing a player’s midfield involvement and, consequently, their impact on fantasy leagues. This past weekend’s action revealed significant shifts in CBAs, highlighting players experiencing notable increases or decreases in their involvement. Such fluctuations are crucial for AFL Fantasy coaches and football enthusiasts, signalling potential changes in roles, fitness levels, or team strategies, and providing essential insights for upcoming rounds.
Risers:
Jack Crisp
Jack Crisp has seen a 35.5% rise in his CBA numbers over his last three games compared to his season average. This increase comes as Tom Mitchell is out until at least Round 13, De Goey has been ruled out with a fresh injury. This shift in roles suggests that Crisp’s enhanced midfield involvement might continue, making him a key player to watch in the coming rounds.
Ed Richards
Ed Richards continued his increased involvement in the midfield, stepping in for the absent Tom Liberatore. He emerged as the top scorer for the Western Bulldogs, indicating that his elevated role in the centre bounces is paying dividends in terms of fantasy points.
Reuben Ginbey
Reuben Ginbey experienced a 50% rise in his CBA numbers as West Coast Eagles look to utilize their younger stars more. This strategy paid off, with Ginbey playing a crucial role in their victory against Melbourne. His increased involvement is promising for his fantasy prospects, highlighting the Eagles’ commitment to developing their young talents.
Max Holmes
Max Holmes saw a 41% rise in his CBA numbers, a necessity driven by Geelong’s need to adapt with several senior players out and a poor performance against Gold Coast. While his increased midfield time was due to these specific circumstances, it is likely that Holmes will return to his usual role at half-back once the team stabilizes.
Jye Caldwell
Jye Caldwell saw a 28% increase in his CBA participation due to the absence of Darcy Parish, who is now ruled out for three weeks. Caldwell is expected to put up strong numbers during this period, making him a valuable addition to fantasy teams looking to capitalize on his increased midfield role.
Fallers:
Mark Blicavs
Mark Blicavs saw an 88% decrease in his CBA numbers as Geelong opted to give Toby Conway a full game in the ruck. This significant reduction indicates a shift in Blicavs’ role, potentially impacting his fantasy output.
Jack Sinclair
Jack Sinclair received only 5 CBAs for the game as he returned to his usual role in the backline. Interestingly, this shift actually improved his scoring, as he received less attention and was able to play more freely.
Surprises:
Harvey Gallagher
Harvey Gallagher was used at a season-high 69% of CBAs. While this increase didn’t translate to a significant scoring boost, it’s a positive sign for the future. I rate him highly and believe he has the potential to become a more prominent player in the midfield.
Tom Sparrow
It was unexpected that Tom Sparrow returned to 0 CBAs this round. With the return of Christian Salem from injury, Sparrow’s role was diminished. However, given Melbourne’s ever-changing midfield rotation, Sparrow’s CBA numbers could rise again soon.
Brent Daniels
Brent Daniels saw a season-high 44% of GWS’s CBAs, potentially filling in for the injured Josh Kelly. This shift indicates that Daniels is one to watch for increased midfield time, as he could become a more consistent part of the team’s centre-bounce strategy.
Mattaes Phillipou
Mattaes Phillipou attended 10 centre bounces for St Kilda, which was surprising given he was dropped last week. This significant increase indicates future plans for him in the midfield despite his recent omission.
Analyse the CBAs from the weekend in our user-friendly tables in our premium resources section – featuring advanced analytical tools to better measure the most significant changes, seasonally and week-to-week.
Preview of Advanced CBA Stats:
| Player | Club | Pos | LG% | LG%vsPG% | Avg% | L3Avg% | LG%vsAvg% | L3G%vsAvg% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reilly O’Brien | AD | R | 90 | +8 | 87.7 | 90 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
| Jack Steele | SK | C | 100 | +15 | 86.6 | 75 | +13.4 | -11.6 |
| Lloyd Meek | HW | R | 83 | -12 | 86.2 | 86 | -3.2 | -0.2 |
| Jarrod Witts | GC | R | 90 | +5 | 85.6 | 86 | +4.4 | +0.4 |
| Tristan Xerri | NM | R | 76 | -16 | 85 | 84 | -9 | -1 |
| Max Gawn | ME | R | 72 | -16 | 84.6 | 81 | -12.6 | -3.6 |
| Toby Nankervis | RI | R | 85 | -9 | 84.3 | 86 | +0.7 | +1.7 |
| Lachie Neale | BL | C | 90 | +5 | 84 | 84 | +6 | 0 |
| Tim English | WB | R | 65 | -27 | 82.6 | 81 | -17.6 | -1.6 |
| Oscar McInerney | BL | R | 84 | -4 | 82.5 | 83 | +1.5 | +0.5 |
View more CBA Analysis numbers here.
Key:
LG% – Percentage of CBAs last game
LG%vsPG% – Percentage of CBAs last game versus percentage of CBAs previous game
Avg% – Average of CBA percentage in games played
L3Avg% – Average of CBA percentage over the past three games
LG%vsAvg% – Last game CBA percentage vs average CBA percentage
L3G%vsAvg% – Last three games CBA percentage vs average CBA percentage
