How to navigate through the Ross-isms? What to do with a pair of injured Geelong defenders? Who steps up in Elliot Yeo's absence? These are some of the questions that will be answered in the round 1 preview of buy, sell and hold. It’s essential to keep in mind that GameDay Squad is a dynasty fantasy football platform and that will be heavily taken into consideration in this article. Let us know your thoughts on who we have included below on all of our socials - twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
BUY!
Liam Duggan
West Coast Eagles - Defender (DEF)
The big news out of West Coasts camp throughout the week is that Elliot Yeo will be missing the Eagles round 1 clash against North Melbourne after suffering some lingering calf related issues. So while coaches have been scrabbling to find a substitute for Yeo, he might be right underneath our noses already! Liam Duggan looks to be the beneficiary of a cruel situation for the injury-riddled Yeo, Duggan looks set to play a similar role on the other side of the field as Yeo and now looks in pole position to the lead distributer out from the backline. Duggan's got some very decent fantasy pedigree behind him as well, he closed out the 2022 season with an average of 127 GDS fantasy points in his final 5 games and finished the season with an average of 99 GDS fantasy points on the year. With this added opportunity to get the pill in his hands, I think he's someone worth going out and looking for this week.
Tim English
Western Bulldogs - Ruck (RUCK)
Just when we thought we had Rowan Marshall locked away as the bonafide must-start at the ruck position, in comes St Kilda coach Ross Lyon... the quote that has everyone stressed is as follows, "I expect him to play senior footy (this year). It's not outside the realms of possibility (for Round 1) when you think of Jackson and Darcy." That quote is in regards to Tom Campbell suiting up along side Rowan Marshall. So, with the Ross-isms back in full swing, I for one am running as far away as I can from Marshall and finding solace in starting Timmy English instead. The two reasons why I never initially selected English in the first place is firstly, we all thought Rowan Marshall was going to solo ruck for the Saints... how silly we all look now, and secondly, English has had some interruptions with injury this preseason. English performed amicably in the Western Bulldogs preseason game, scoring 104 GDS fantasy points on just 83% time-on-ground, that performance is enough for me to slot him in after the Marshall news.
SELL
Todd Goldstein
North Melbourne Kangaroos - Ruck (RUCK)
295 games for North Melbourne and Toddy Goldstein hasn't been selected in the Kangaroo's and Alastair Clarkson's first starting 22 for 2023. Which I think is a little bit of a surprise considering how well the veteran ruck has played in recent years and for North Melbourne all through their struggles. The exclusion of Goldstein from the starting 22 unfortunately leaves Goldstein redundant as a fantasy asset. I truly hope this doesn't mean the end for the 34 year old, but until his back in the side and playing a decently promising role, he cannot be started.
Michael Hibbered
Melbourne Demons - Defender (DEF)
This is incredibly interesting to me. In a Melbourne Demons line-up that doesn't include Steven May and Christian Salem, Michael Hibbered doesn't even get a sniff on the bench? Melbourne have listed Judd McVee, Trent Rivers, Adam Tomlinson and James Harmes all ahead of Hibbered which is extremely worrying for the premiership winning veteran. Michael Hibbered has been a fantasy stud in the past but has been on a steady decline, my gut feel with the Melbourne line up news is that his days as a fantasy relevant option, might be over!
HOLD...
Jack Bowes
Geelong Cats - Defender (DEF)
We need to hold our horses on Jack Bowes as he misses round 1 with with some calf struggles but don't let that news deter you completely. Bowes made a big move over the off-season, leaving the Gold Coast Suns for the Geelong Cats. In the move it was reported that Bowes was promised a position in the starting 22 and was seen training with the midfield group all preseason long. I think it's often forgotten as well that Bowes has got some fantasy scoring chops about him. In 2021, Bowes average 97 GameDay Squad Aussie Rules fantasy points per game as a defender, so it's not like scoring is a problem for him. All he needs is a sniff of opportunity and he could be a viable player-of-difference option for many coaches who own him!
Mitch Duncan
Geelong Cats - Defender (DEF)
Another Geelong Cats defender who is dealing with some calf issues is fantasy stud and veteran premiership winner Mitch Duncan! Duncan seems to be a bit of a forgotten man for coaches this preseason, I guess it's a little easy to forget that he's coming off a season where he averaged 110 GDS fantasy points per game last season listed as a forward! There could be some speculation surrounding Duncan's role in the team with so many young guns being introduced to the Geelong 22, but one thing is for certain... Duncan is a fantasy beast and should absolutely be in consideration when he's fit and firing to go.