Next up we’re looking at Sydney trying to find some undervalued AFL Fantasy players for your keeper league teams.
Everyone knows Sydney put up a terrible performance in the Grand Final last year, leaving their fans bitterly disappointed. Despite the setback, the Swans remain a developing team with lots of young players, giving hope for a quick bounce back.
Historically, they have been a fantasy-friendly team, with many notable AFL fantasy stars in their ranks. However, last season, we saw a decline in some of these players, leading to questions about the team’s fantasy potential going forward.
Nevertheless, here are some players to keep your eye on for the Sydney Swans.
Take a listen to our latest podcast: Pre-season 2023: Sydney Swans Preview feat. The Statesman
The Undervalued
Peter Ladhams had a shocking year in the 2021 AFL season, struggling for form and not reaching the heights that many expected from him. However, there is hope that he can turn things around in the upcoming season. With Tom Hickey not having much left in the tank and likely to retire soon, Ladhams may step up as the number one ruck for the Swans. If he can secure this role, he has the potential to be a strong AFL Fantasy scorer, providing a significant boost to fantasy coaches who draft him.
Nick Blakey made a solid start to 2022, earning the prestigious 2G4P status after showing some impressive form early on. However, he struggled to maintain that level of consistency as the season wore on, and his output tapered off somewhat. If he can find a way to be more consistent, he has the potential to become an 80+ average scorer in AFL Fantasy. Unfortunately, Blakey has faced some setbacks in the preseason, as he was diagnosed with glandular fever. This is a concerning development, but fans and coaches alike are hopeful that he will be able to overcome this setback and return to the field as the exciting, dynamic player he has shown himself to be in the past.
Braeden Campbell is a young player coming into his third year in the AFL system. Despite being a talented player, he struggled with consistency last year due to frequently being the sub. However, with more experience and development, I am hopeful that Campbell can break into Sydney’s team and become a reliable scorer in AFL Fantasy.
The Breakout Contenders
Dylan Stephens managed to secure a spot on the wing towards the end of the season, which was a positive development for him. However, he didn’t demonstrate anything particularly outstanding in terms of AFL Fantasy performance. He plays an outside midfielder role with some small patches up forward, and given the way wingers score at the moment, I don’t see him being too relevant in fantasy. This may change with more experience and improvement in his game, but I’m not sure he’s the best option for fantasy coaches right now.
The Stash Options
Angus Sheldrick was a massive AFL Fantasy scorer as a junior, which caught the attention of many fantasy coaches. Currently, he plays as a forward for Sydney’s reserves team, but it is important to note that in this role, he may not be able to replicate the same high scores he achieved as a junior player. As he gains more experience and develops his game, his fantasy scores may improve, but for now, it is best to keep an eye on his progress in the reserves and see if he can make an impact in the senior team in the future. He is a player worth holding onto in case he can one day match those junior scores and become a valuable asset for fantasy coaches.
Matt Roberts is a hard-working midfielder with the ability to play forward, making him a versatile player for the Sydney Swans. Although he made his debut with the Sydney Swans in Round 11 and only scored 6 points, he showed his potential in the VFL, playing 19 games and averaging more than 23 disposals and 90.7 AFL Fantasy points per game. With this level of performance, there is a good chance that Roberts could become a strong AFL Fantasy player in the future. With more experience and development, he may be able to find his footing and become a valuable fantasy asset one day.
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