In the ever-dynamic world of AFL, Centre Bounce Attendances (CBAs) serve as a critical metric for gauging a player’s involvement in the midfield and, by extension, their potential AFL Fantasy impact. As we peel back the layers of this past weekend’s action, we spotlight the players who’ve seen notable shifts in their CBAs – be it a significant uptick or a surprising downturn. For AFL Fantasy coaches and football enthusiasts alike, these fluctuations can signal changes in role, fitness, or team strategy, offering valuable insights for the rounds ahead.
Risers
Lloyd Meek made a notable entry into Hawthorn’s lineup, assuming the number one ruck role in place of Ned Reeves. Meek’s influence was immediate, culminating in a commendable 92 AFL Fantasy points. This performance underscores Meek as the better fantasy option between the two. Should he remain in the side, Meek emerges as a valuable waiver wire pickup for fantasy teams looking for ruck support.
Similarly, Henry Hustwaite‘s inclusion in Hawthorn’s team was another development that caught the eye. Hustwaite participated in 52% of the centre bounce attendances for Hawthorn, marking a significant 40% increase from his last appearance. For a young player in a team focused on development, Hustwaite’s involvement in the midfield is a promising sign for his future contributions. It’s encouraging to see a talent like him gaining experience in the engine room, suggesting a bright future ahead as he continues to develop.
For the Adelaide Crows, Jack Soligo was notably more involved in the centre bounce attendances this week. This move aimed to inject some dynamism into the Crows’ midfield. Despite the team’s loss, Soligo’s increased role should be seen as a positive step for the young player’s development. His performance in the middle demonstrates the potential for the future, and it would be prudent for the Crows to continue utilizing him in this capacity, aiding both his growth and the team’s midfield versatility.
Fallers
Tom Sparrow experienced a significant reduction, with his CBAs dropping by 41% compared to last week. This downturn is a critical development, especially considering the fluctuating midfield dynamics at Melbourne. Compounding the uncertainty, Christian Salem was utilized in the midfield again this week, which adds a layer of unpredictability to who will consistently play in the midfield. Given this volatility, fantasy coaches might consider steering clear of both players, if possible, until a clearer picture of their roles emerges.
Another surprise adjustment came with Nick Daicos, a player who has received attention with his recent midfield performances. This week, however, he saw a 31% reduction in his centre bounce attendance. The strategy appears to be an effort to mitigate the focused attention Daicos has received by leveraging his skills on the half-back line instead, allowing him a freer run and potentially diversifying the team’s approach. While this shift may alter Daicos’s immediate fantasy output, it presented an opportunity for Tom Mitchell to excel. Mitchell capitalized on the weekend, delivering a strong fantasy performance. Should this trend continue, Mitchell’s current value, perceived to be at a low point by some, could represent a strategic pickup for savvy fantasy coaches looking for midfield strength.
Surprises
This week, Willem Drew emerged as a significant outlier, commanding the highest number of CBAs for Port Adelaide, a development that notably saw him eclipsing Ollie Wines—a player many had pegged as one of the mainstays in the Power’s midfield for the season. This shift in dynamics could be partially attributed to revelations post-game that Wines may have grappling with an injury, potentially explaining his reduced presence. This context underscores Drew’s performance and his capacity to deliver substantial scores when playing in an inside midfield role. Given his demonstrated ability to post high scores during his stints in the midfield, Drew’s current form makes him an attractive prospect for draft and keeper league coaches.
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Steele | SK | C | 81 | -5 | 88.4 | 87 | -7.4 | -1.4 |
| Reilly O’Brien | AD | R | 80 | -4 | 87.7 | 84 | -7.7 | -3.7 |
| Rowan Marshall | SK | R | 88 | +12 | 87.7 | 87 | +0.3 | -0.7 |
| Max Gawn | ME | R | 90 | -2 | 86.6 | 89 | +3.4 | +2.4 |
| Tom Green | GWS | C | 85 | +5 | 86 | 83 | -1 | -3 |
| Luke Davies-Uniacke | NM | C | 83 | +3 | 85.1 | 83 | -2.1 | -2.1 |
| Ned Reeves | HW | R | 82 | -5 | 84.5 | 79 | -2.5 | -5.5 |
| Lloyd Meek | HW | R | 77 | -13 | 84.4 | 82 | -7.4 | -2.4 |
| Jarrod Witts | GC | R | 82 | -11 | 84.2 | 86 | -2.2 | +1.8 |
| Tristan Xerri | NM | R | 83 | +3 | 83.4 | 82 | -0.4 | -1.4 |
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
