Dude, where’s my Walsh!? Is a fan favourite firmly on the outer? Can a Collingwood superstar turn it all around? These are some of the questions that will be answered in the round 21 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!!!
Sam Walsh (Midfielder - Carlton Blues)
I feel a little bad because I haven’t written about this bloke at all since the pre-season. We are a dynasty fantasy football platform and sometimes we need to be reminded about the young studs out there that need to be added to everyone's teams at all costs. One of those few is Sammy Walsh. Because it feels like he’s been in the league for ages already, it’s easy to forget that Walsh is still only 22 years old. Pair that fact with another, which is that he is already one of the best players - not only in fantasy footy - but in the actual league. Back to fantasy though and he’s having an unreal season to date, since missing the first round of the season with an injury, Walsh has gone on to average 122 GDS fantasy points and hasn’t dropped below triple digits in any outing so far this year! The guy is probably literally out of this world, and you shouldn’t rest until he’s in your squad.
Keidean Coleman (Forward - Brisbane Lions)
I wrote about this guy only a few weeks ago but, it's hard to keep his name out of your mouth when Keidean Coleman is just so exciting as a dynasty prospect. He’s a GDS unicorn, which means he’s a forward-listed player who is playing a half-back role for the Brisbane Lions. His use by foot, accuracy in all facets of the game, intelligence and coolness under pressure make him so fun to watch and even more fun to own. In round 20, we saw the best of him yet. He may not have had his best score, but if it wasn’t for some match fitness issues, Coleman would have been headed for a career-best score! The match fitness issues aren’t really his fault, he’s missed time with various injuries and health/safety protocols, but we might be talking about one of the best dynasty prospects in fantasy football right now.
SELL...
Nic Naitanui (Ruck - West Coast Eagles)
It’s easy to fall back in love with Nic Naitanui because he is so jaw-droppingly exciting to watch when he’s fit and healthy - key words ‘fit and healthy’. While he may have managed to play 22 games last year in 2021, staying on the park has always been Nic Nat’s greatest downfall. His game totals since 2016 are as follows: 2016 15 games, 2017 0 games, 2018 15 games, 2019 3 games, 2020 16 games, 2021 22 games and 2022 6 games so far. As sad as it is to say, at the age of 32, having consistent injury problems and not being as impactful as he once was, I can’t view Nic Nat as a fantasy-relevant option going forward.
Jaeger O'Meara (Midfielder - Hawthorn Hawks)
It feels like I have been waiting for Jaeger O’meara to take the next leap in footy production for about a billion years and it still hasn’t happened. The 2011 number one pick in the mini draft to the Gold Coast Suns promised the world once he finally entered the AFL in 2013 and enjoyed a stellar debut season. Finishing the season averaging 23 disposals, 5 tackles and 4 marks a game, O’Meara was on track to be a fantasy superstar! Fast forward to 2022 and O’Meara has still failed to register a single season average of over 100 AFL fantasy points. Hawthorn has some promising midfield talent coming through the ranks right now in Josh Ward, Jai Newcombe, Finn Maginness and more, so I fear that sooner rather than later, O’meara starts to find himself behind the young pack.
HOLD
Jack Crisp (Defender - Collingwood Magpies)
Just about everyone in the entire world had Jack Crisp pegged as a top 3 defender for the season, I bet we all want a time machine now! I was one of them, he was my number one ranked defender going into the season, but a mix of roles that no one saw coming has thrown him into a loop. His new role, playing as a swooping midfielder was initially viewed as a positive change for fantasy. The old monicker of “midfielders score more” meant that when we saw Crisp lining up at stoppages, the entire fantasy community was excited! But after his last 5 scores of 95, 109, 106, 94 and most recently 71, owners of Crisp who stuck by him for so long now sit with their tails between their legs. Hopefully Crisp can return to the half-back flank full time because, at his best and playing in position, he really is a top 3 defender option.
Ed Richards (Defender - Western Bulldogs)
Ed Richards?
Yeah, Ed Richards. Playing exclusively off the half-back line for the Bulldogs, Ed Richards has got some serious form under his belt! After doing absolutely nothing of note for the first 17 rounds, Richards has turned his form on its head and is averaging 119 GDS fantasy points in his last 3 outings. An average like that in recent form will put him in the conversation to start on some teams. I can see Richards being a great capped comp starter, someone who can be played as a player of difference and can be played at silver level. To make it clear, I don't think Ed Richards is the answer to everyone's fantasy problems. However, at 23, playing a fantasy-friendly role and averaging a good amount of points in his last three, I definitely have my eyes on him.
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