2021 is shaping to be an interesting year for the Dons – a couple of big departures, the arrival of some new young guns and a new coach. A bit of a shakeup could mean more opportunities for a few players in your keeper league side.
Here are some players we think are should consider and perhaps disregard for Essendon this season.
Jye Caldwell (C,F)
I don’t really want to pump up Heff’s “boy” too much but I actually do think he is going to be a gun.
Had a slowish start to his AFL career but comes into his magical third year breakout season after averaging 67 in 2020.
That average was up around 10ppg from his debut season and there is no reason why that can’t continue that trend this year.
He’s a genuine gift for fantasy owners this year with the C,F DPP but I can’t see him playing too much in the forward line for the Dons.
What I loved about Caldwell last year was that he accumulated the ball without much fuss at times. You’d check the AFL app and he’d magically have 5 or 6 touches that you often didn’t notice.
The Dons have brought him in to give them come class on the ball which he will definitely provide.
Not sure how long he’ll have his forward status but by next year you may not care as he could be on his way to becoming a premium mid.
Sam Draper (R)
Hands down big Sammy Draper is the number one ruck for Essendon in 2021.
Debuted in Round 9 last season and averaged a modest 50.6.
That number is only going to keep growing and if he can have a proper injury free crack at AFL level he’ll well and truly be a very good ruckman for years to come.
Only has Andrew Phillips behind him and he’s really a break in case of emergency backup.
I think you still have to bide your time a bit with Draper as he’s still green and learning his craft but the talent and fantasy ability is there.
He’ll be one who improves a stack by playing most of this season and at the end of the year we’ll get a good idea of just how good he can be.
Nick Hind (F)
It was an interesting pickup by the Dons to recruit the 26 year old Hind.
With Saad and McKenna departing the club, they are obviously keen to add in some pace which Hind provides.
Where he plays will be the big question. If he goes to a HBF then I think he could be a handy pickup fantasy wise as a forward in 2021.
I’m interested to see what his arrival means for the likes of Guelfi, Cutler and even Redman.
Hind had his best game as a forward last year playing for the Saints where he kicked 3 goals and had 105(BCV) points against Sydney.
But do I think he’ll be the answer to your fantasy problems? No.
Apart from that big score; in his short career he’s only had a few 60’s and 70’s.
He could be handy as backup for your side but will be one to monitor this pre season to see what role he plays.
Dyson Heppell (C)
A lot has been made about Heppell’s injury woes over the last couple years.
He could only manage three games in 2020 and that explains his 41 average last season.
When he’s fit he’s a gun. He averaged 100+ four years in a row from 2014-2018 and even managed a 94 average in 2019 when his ankle first started to trouble him.
At his best he’s a premium but will he return to that level is the big question.
I think he’s probably a hold if your league allows it, as a good mid can be hard to come by. He’ll be one to continually monitor this preseason to see how he’s progressing and if he looks on track to play early in the season then he’s going to be a consistent player for you.
Also don’t buy into the HBF rumours. He’s a genuine midfielder and the Dons have plenty of options back there.
David Zaharakis (F)
Poor Zaka has really fallen off a cliff over the last few years.
In 2018 he averaged 97, in 2019 he averaged 79 and in 2020 his average dropped to 68!
A whole 31ppg from 2018 to 2020!
He just sneaks into my Best 22 for the Dons and that’s purely for his experience but guys like Guelfi, Cutler and Perkins are all firmly breathing down his neck.
Zaharakis played some really average games last year but in his defense he was played out of position as a forward.
Yes, he does get forward status this year but for me he’s still firmly a do not touch player.
He’ll have the occasional good game but is now firmly in the team role phase of his career. Think Nathan Jones and Jordan Lewis who finished their glittering fantasy careers as untouchables. They were only in the team to play a role.
Unkeepable and probably undraftable. Sorry Zaka.
Mason Redman (B)
Poor Mason really got shafted by the rise of Jordan Ridley.
I thought he’d be that attacking/intercepting defender but the Ridler stole that right out from under his nose!
In 2019 he was playing a more attacking role but in 2020 ended up being more of lockdown defender and that was evident in his scoring drop from 69 to 58.
He’ll still have some good games but it looks likely they will all be based on matchups and that may be hard to predict.
Unfortunately if you invested in him last year you’re not going to get much for him thanks to Ridley.
Draft late as defense cover.
Take a listen to our latest podcast: Pre-season 2021: Collingwood, Essendon and Fremantle
