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
Isaac Rankine stepped up significantly, with a 34-point differential in CBAs compared to last week, culminating in a season-high 106 AFL Fantasy points. This uptick in involvement is particularly timely given Matt Crouch’s suspension, suggesting that Rankine’s increased midfield presence could persist into next week, providing fantasy coaches with a promising option.
Liam Baker also experienced a notable increase, with a 32% rise in CBAs this week. With a spate of injuries hitting Richmond’s midfield, Baker’s expanded role could make him an attractive choice in AFL Fantasy circles, potentially offering high returns as he takes on more responsibilities in the centre.
In another development, Sam Durham saw a slight increase in CBAs, although the numbers are skewed as he exited his last game early due to injury. With teammates Archie Perkins and Will Setterfield out, Durham was well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunity for more midfield time.
Lastly, Jy Simpkin witnessed a 32% increase in his CBA count this week. This rise can be attributed to Colby McKercher’s early injury in the game. This shift back into the midfield for Simpkin could complicate his anticipated gain of forward status. Fantasy coaches will be hopeful he doesn’t spend too much time in midfield, which could jeopardize his potential for dual-position eligibility by week’s end.
Fallers
Seb Ross experienced a significant reduction in CBAs, with a 54% drop from the previous week. This decrease is directly linked to the return of Marcus Windhager to the Saints’ lineup following his suspension. Ross’s reduced role in the midfield may affect his fantasy viability, as Windhager reclaims his position and reasserts his influence in the centre.
Tom De Koning also saw a 29% decline in his CBAs as Carlton opted to include a second ruckman, Marc Pittonet, in their game against Adelaide. De Koning’s performance as the sole ruckman had been promising, raising concerns among fantasy coaches about the impact of playing dual ruckmen. The potential ongoing strategy to utilize two ruckmen could diminish the scoring potential for both, a situation that would be disappointing for those relying on De Koning’s previously unchallenged role.
Additionally, Rory Laird observed a dip in his CBAs, coinciding with Izak Rankine spending more time in the midfield. As suggested in our podcast, we wouldn’t be surprised if Laird is returned to the half-back flank at some stage, a move aimed at enhancing the dynamic of Adelaide Crows’ midfield.
James Worpel also faced a downturn in midfield involvement, which can be attributed to increased midfield time for Henry Hustwaite and Dylan Moore. This shift occurred in what turned out to be a shocking loss for Hawthorn, further complicating the midfield dynamics and possibly signalling a reassessment of roles going forward.
Surprises
Jared Rivers spent a notable amount of time in the midfield this week. Christian Salem suffered an early injury in the game and conventional wisdom might have suggested that Tom Sparrow would be the player to take on more midfield duties in Salem’s absence like usual. However, Rivers stepping into this role marks a significant tactical adjustment.
The shift of Rivers into the midfield not only alters the dynamic in the centre but also raises questions about the implications for the half-back line, especially with Salem expected to be sidelined for an extended period. This rearrangement could potentially pave the way for Judd McVee or Blake Howes to see a boost to their fantasy numbers.
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
