Is this Port Adelaide young gun finally coming into his own? A pair of Tigers that we can no longer trust in fantasy? Is Luke Ryan a must-start for the rest of the season? There are so many questions coming out of round 21. But let's turn our attention back to fantasy footy for a second and identify some risers in form and others who should be falling out of favour with all fantasy coaches. Let us know your thoughts on who we have down below on all of our socials -twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
RISERS
Zak Butters (Port Adelaide Power - Forward)
A lot of coaches have ridden the rollercoaster that has been owning Zak Butters in season 2022, with the likes of various injuries and role changes throughout the year often dictating his fantasy score, but it's all starting to pay off now. Since coming back from injury in round 17, Butters owns an average of 111 GDS fantasy points. His best in that span was his most recent game in round 21, Butters had 28 disposals, 8 tackles and 4 free kicks for, taking him to a massive score of 135. A lot of coaches knew Butters had this form in him and he’s a must-start for the rest of the season.
Mason Wood (St Kilda Saints - Forward)
Sticking with the forward position, another who is in red hot form is St Kilda Saints big man Mason Wood. Listed as a forward in GameDay Squad fantasy footy but mostly running up and down the wing for the Saints, Wood has made round 21 his fourth 100+ GDS fantasy point game in a row. In those four games, Wood has scored a goal, had double-digit kicks and has had no less than 5 marks in each game. Averaging 115 GDS fantasy points in this run of form, he’s a great point-of-difference option for a position in fantasy that has struggled for form all season.
Luke Ryan (Fremantle Dockers - Defender)
The man with two first names, Luke Ryan went ballistic in round 21 as his Fremantle side put the Western Bulldogs to the sword. Running off the half-back line, Ryan himself had 25 kicks, 15 marks and 4 tackles which took him to an eye-watering 177 GDS fantasy points on the day. This makes it his fourth 100+ GDS fantasy point outing in a row as he begins to force himself into every coach's starting lineup. Considering his own personal form and how well his team is playing, any Luke Ryan card you own must be strongly considered to start!
Fallers
Matt Rowell (Gold Coast Suns - Midfielder)
Matty Rowel had a period from round 12 to round 17 where he averaged a more than healthy 112 GDS fantasy points. Since then? A mere 79 GDS Fantasy points a game. Most of his statistical categories have regressed, his kick-to-handball ratio has completely flipped to a handball-heavy game style, and his tackling totals have dropped significantly. We’ve seen now that Rowell can score well for fantasy, just as he did when he hit the ground running in his rookie year, so now we just need to hope he can find that form and hold it in season 2023.
Nathan Broad (Richmond Tigers - Defender)
Nathan Broad started the season in red hot form kicking it all off with scores of 87, 121, 120 and 107. He was playing more of a free role back then but has since had to revert to playing a more key-defender type role. Fast forward to now and Broad has hit rock bottom, his past two scores of 39 in round 20 and 33 in round 21 means no coach can trust Nathan broad to score them a serviceable amount of points, no matter the rarity you may own.
Jack Graham (Richmond Tigers - Forward)
Unfortunately, we are sticking with Richmond. This time to the forward line with Jack Graham. He too has had a very streaky fantasy season and has hit some horrible form as of late. His past 3 scores of 51, 51 and most recently 72 make it tough to start him. It would be tempting to start a player like Jack Graham in the forward line where the options are scarce and he is capable of cracking a ton when he’s on song. But the consistency isn’t there which makes it hard to recommend letting him anywhere near your starting team.
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