In the lead-up to Richmond’s first pre-season match this Friday night, we’re looking at the Tigers’ best AFL Fantasy options. Today we begin with the defenders.
BACHAR HOULI - $461,800
2013 AVERAGE – 85.15
Houli is coming off a career-best season in 2013, cementing himself as one of the elite defenders in AFL Fantasy.
Not only is Houli one of the top scorers, his durability makes him one of the most reliable options, playing 65 out of a possible 67 matches since being traded to Richmond.
Houli finished fourth at Richmond for kicks per game, and posted a career-high kick-to-handball ratio, one of the most important statistics in AFL Fantasy.
The other area Houli increased his production was in marks. He took a career-high 6.2 marks per game, and this number should be a benchmark heading into 2014.
The most frustrating thing for AFL Fantasy coaches is ill-discipline. There is nothing worse than seeing your players give away free-kicks. Houli is one of the most disciplined players in the game, only conceding a free-kick every two games since he’s been at Richmond.
Houli’s tackling isn’t too bad for a general defender, but it is one area that could push his average above 90. His tackles dipped a little in 2013 to 1.9 a game, but he has proved in recent years that he is capable of a couple more per game.
After a slow start to the season against Carlton and St Kilda, Houli’s greatest asset was his consistency. Being the main man running the ball out of defence, Houli came under scrutiny from opposition forwards, but he dealt with it superbly, never dipping below 17 disposals per game after round two.
While Houli most likely won’t be the top scoring defender in AFL Fantasy, he presents durability and consistency.
NICK VLASTUIN - $375,600
2013 AVERAGE – 69.06
The term ‘second-year blues’ gets thrown around quite often, but when it comes to Nick Vlastuin, you’d be a brave man to put him in that category for 2014.
Vlastuin made his debut in Round 5 against Fremantle and missed only one game for the rest of the season.
He played mainly across half-back, but showed countless times that he’ll be a permanent part of the midfield in the not-too-distant future.
His AFL Fantasy potential was displayed in between rounds 6 and 12, where he averaged 21.3 disposals and 93 AFL Fantasy points.
It’s hard to say just how much time Vlastuin will get in the midfield in 2014, but a rise in numbers in inevitable. Vlastuin is a stat filler; he takes marks, lays lots of tackles and can kick goals. Averaging just a few more possessions a game will take his AFL Fantasy average above 80, which would make him an above-average player for that position.
Vlastuin has shown maturity beyond his years, so a type of second season in the Brandon Ellis mould is not beyond the realms of possibility.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR…..
BEN GRIFFITHS - $135,500
2013 AVERAGE – 32
Griffiths is finally enjoying a full pre-season, and is impressing up forward alongside Ty Vickery and Jack Riewoldt. He’ll be looking to have a big pre-season series to consolidate a spot in the round one line-up. Any player with his experience at AFL level, at his price, is worth considering.
KAMDYN MCINTOSH - $158,900
2013 AVERAGE – N/A
McIntosh, entering his second year at the Club, is having a big pre-season. He impressed at the most recent intra-club game on Friday. McIntosh possesses a huge fitness base, and is chance to figure in the Tigers’ senior side if he can string together some solid performances during the pre-season challenge.
BEN DARROU - $115,200
2013 AVERAGE – N/A
Darrou is still a rookie, but has improved with every season at Tigerland, and is looking to be elevated to the senior list in his third season at the Club. He is a specialist lock-down defender, but possesses great speed, and likes to get on the end of attacking chains from the defensive end, increasing his ability to score well in AFL Fantasy.
