Last season wasn’t the most positive one for Bombers fans, but a new coach brings optimism and hopefully it can have a positive impact on Essendon’s AFL Fantasy scoring.
Read on below to find out about some undervalued players, along with some breakout contenders and stash options.
Take a listen to our latest podcast: Pre-season 2023: Essendon Bombers feat. Adam ‘Warnie’ Child (The Traders/DT Talk)
The Undervalued
Jordan Ridley had a breakout year in 2021 averaging 80 AFL Fantasy points per game but came back to the pack a little bit last season. He had to compete with the likes of Mason Redman, Dyson Heppell, and Andrew McGrath for touches in defence, along with having his kick-ins taken away, and ultimately struggled. His ADP will drop this season, but I still think he offers some value. If Dyson Heppell moves to a wing permanently or other players get injured, I can see him returning to that 80 average. He’s not the safest option but he has the potential to bounce back.
Nick Hind is in a similar position, competing for points with the players listed above. You can basically copy and paste a lot of the above for Hind, but he provides a good run off the half-back flank and Essendon will want the ball in his hand. He’s a safe 75+ average for mine which will be handy in your backline.
Kyle Langford has been given forward status this year, which makes him a more tantalising prospect. If he plays on the wing, there’s potential for him to be a high scoring forward but that role is not set in stone. He’ll be competing with the likes of Dyson Heppell, Nik Cox and Nick Martin among others. With forward status next to his name, he’s worth the punt going a little bit earlier than expected.
The Breakout Contenders
I’m willing to write 2022 off for Jye Caldwell and peg him as a breakout contender for this year. He missed all of 2021 with a hamstring injury, so 2022 was effectively his first season at a new club in a new system. Throughout the year he played a variety of roles; from inside-mid to outside-mid to a forward and also was used as a tagger. Whilst the Essendon midfield is stacked, he appears to have a place in it. He’ll likely play an accountable role again but I think through natural progression and some experience, we could see him lift his average above 80 this season. He should be a player who rounds out your midfield nicely.
I’m a big fan of Archie Perkins and I think 2023 could be his year. He spent most of 2022 as a forward but made the transition into the midfield later in the season and recorded CBA numbers upwards of 70% on some occasions. I think he maintains the split between midfield and forward, meaning he should keep forward status for years to come. He’s a player I think can develop into one of the better forwards in the competition, so get on board now.
The Stash Options
Massimo D’Ambrossio has the makings of a fantasy star, it all depends on his role. After being picked up in the mid-season draft, he started at Essendon on the half-back line where he looked like he had the makings of an AFL Fantasy player. However, as we mentioned earlier, the defensive line is quite stacked with players similar to him and was forced to play forward. I think he’ll maintain the forward role this season but once someone like Dyson Heppell moves on he should secure a more fantasy-friendly role. Stash him away for future seasons.
There will be people mad at me for having Ben Hobbs here and not in the breakout contenders category, but hear me out. As I’ve mentioned, the Essendon midfield is stacked with players like Darcy Parrish, Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel among others who rotate through. I just can’t see him getting enough opportunity to break out in 2023, so I think he’s more of a stash candidate. He’s a player that I think can overtake someone like Dylan Shiel and work his way into the middle full-time, I’m just not sure if it’s this season. Hold him for 2024 when I think he’ll explode.
Find out about the best draftees for AFL Fantasy in our ‘AFL Draft Fantasy Analysis 2022′ podcast exclusively for members.
Support the podcast by becoming a member.
