Collingwood was one of the best AFL Fantasy scoring teams in the competition, but that changed in 2022.
However, there are still a few players that we think could be good value options for your draft and keeper league teams this season.
Read on to find out who these options are.
Take a listen to our latest podcast: Pre-season 2023: Collingwood Magpies featuring Kaes.
The Undervalued
Brayden Maynard only averaged 72.4 last season, after coming off a breakout year in 2021 averaging 81.5 AFL Fantasy points. The reason for his decline was being forced to play as a key defender, as Collingwood suffered a number of injuries to tall defenders throughout the year. If the key position players around him can remain fit, he can bounce back to being an 80+ averaging defender next year.
Jamie Elliott is by no means an elite scorer but can be a handy contributor to your team if things go his way. He plays up forward with small stints in the midfield, which allows him to consistently average in the 70s. Providing Tom Mitchell’s arrival doesn’t restrict his midfield minutes, I can see him averaging in the mid-70s and being a handy forward option considering the lack of depth at this position.
The Breakout Contenders
When Josh Carmichael gets a game, he can absolutely rack up the AFL Fantasy points. He was picked up in the mid-season draft last year after averaging 105 points in the SANFL. He played up forward at AFL level despite being picked up as a midfielder, but still managed to have a couple of big games in 2022. If he could squeeze into Collingwood’s midfield full-time, he would be a good scorer but I’m not sure that’s going to happen given that he’s not the best user of the ball. Regardless, he’s listed as a forward which makes him more attractive this season and I’d be aiming to pick him up late in drafts in the hope he can live up to his fantasy potential.
Trent Bianco comes into his fourth season at AFL level, after earning his place in Collingwood’s best 22 last year. He’s a pretty versatile player who has a good leg and can play a variety of roles. He’s listed as a forward in 2023, but I think he’ll find himself playing on a wing or a half-back flank which could translate to some good AFL Fantasy scoring. I’m unsure of his ceiling but he has a good junior pedigree, and given his forward status, he’s worth looking at.
The Stash Options
I’m not sure if Finlay Macrae can squeeze into Collingwood’s midfield next season, but he had a good year in the VFL in 2022. He averaged 91.8 in the magoos and had some big games in terms of AFL Fantasy scoring but he could only manage two games at AFL level and was largely ineffective. He’ll struggle to get a game again next season, but he’s one I’ve got my eye on for the future.
Arlo Draper is another player who is a way from cementing a spot in Collingwood’s best 22, but he’s a classy player who can play in the midfield and off a half-back flank. He was a good underage fantasy scorer averaging 101.8 in the SANFL U18s and put up a few decent scores in the VFL throughout 2022. Draft him late and hope for a 2024 breakout.
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