Matt Suckling
2014 Price: SuperCoach $312,200
2014 Position: MID/DEF
2013 averages: N/A (ACL Injury) (0 games)
2012 averages: 82.7 SC
2011 averages: 90.7 SC
2010 averages: 57.4 SC
Tragedy struck the Hawks in March 2013, losing play-maker Matt Suckling to an ACL injury during a pre-season game. Not only did this disappoint Hawks fans, but the Fantasy Football community as they struggled to sleep at night, knowing they would have to endure a whole season without a proven SuperCoach performer. Many hours of crying in the foetal position were consumed by myself, waiting for season 2014 and the return of the raking left-footer to come quickly. Failing to register a game in 2013 means the Hawthorn defender will come in at a tasty price of $312,200.
To look more closely into Matty Suckling we will have to look at his 2012 season as a gauge.
2014 Position: MID/DEF
2013 averages: N/A (ACL Injury) (0 games)
2012 averages: 82.7 SC
2011 averages: 90.7 SC
2010 averages: 57.4 SC
Tragedy struck the Hawks in March 2013, losing play-maker Matt Suckling to an ACL injury during a pre-season game. Not only did this disappoint Hawks fans, but the Fantasy Football community as they struggled to sleep at night, knowing they would have to endure a whole season without a proven SuperCoach performer. Many hours of crying in the foetal position were consumed by myself, waiting for season 2014 and the return of the raking left-footer to come quickly. Failing to register a game in 2013 means the Hawthorn defender will come in at a tasty price of $312,200.
To look more closely into Matty Suckling we will have to look at his 2012 season as a gauge.
Season 2012 started off with a bang for the Hawks’ number four, as he continued his 2011 form, pumping out huge scores on a consistent basis and averaging 93.1 in his first 14 games. The composed halfback flanker would rack up 20+ possessions on a weekly basis (many coming in junk-time = Ideal for SuperCoach) and not only this but his disposal efficiency was quite remarkable going at 78.2 %. His pace off the halfback flank and his trademark penetrating left boot has burnt opposition sides and at the same time has resulted in a number of happy SuperCoaches.
Suckling was on several people’s priority list heading into the second half of the season, but this is when his form really began to slide. The top quality fantasy footballers are those that continue to pile on the points during the business end of the season, when we need them most to stand-up and deliver in order for us to achieve the ultimate glory. Unfortunately young Matty Suckling failed to do this in 2012 as he went on to average 69.6 in his last 8 games. Now this is where the concern comes in my opinion. By this stage teams had began to cut him out, not allowing his run off of halfback and his penetrating left foot let loose. He still managed to rack-up a number of touches during this time, but it’s the efficiency that was the issue as he was being closely minded. And his ability to break a tag was certainly questioned.
Suckling was on several people’s priority list heading into the second half of the season, but this is when his form really began to slide. The top quality fantasy footballers are those that continue to pile on the points during the business end of the season, when we need them most to stand-up and deliver in order for us to achieve the ultimate glory. Unfortunately young Matty Suckling failed to do this in 2012 as he went on to average 69.6 in his last 8 games. Now this is where the concern comes in my opinion. By this stage teams had began to cut him out, not allowing his run off of halfback and his penetrating left foot let loose. He still managed to rack-up a number of touches during this time, but it’s the efficiency that was the issue as he was being closely minded. And his ability to break a tag was certainly questioned.
‘Consistency is a dirty word’ (If you’re Matty Suckling)
Delving further in too Suckling’s last full season of AFL, we can see that he isn’t the most consistent of fantasy footballers, with his top 5 scores being +100 & 4 of his lowest being -50, this is a huge finding for those who pride themselves on having consistent performers.
What also shows here is that his top 5 scores all come against non-finals contenders, in other words in ‘cleans-up against’ the weaker sides. Now there is certainly nothing wrong with this, but my only concern is that Hawthorn have the one of the toughest draws in 2014 and question marks have to be raised in terms of his non-ability to score big against the ‘good sides’.
What also shows here is that his top 5 scores all come against non-finals contenders, in other words in ‘cleans-up against’ the weaker sides. Now there is certainly nothing wrong with this, but my only concern is that Hawthorn have the one of the toughest draws in 2014 and question marks have to be raised in terms of his non-ability to score big against the ‘good sides’.
Now the big bonus in my eyes is that Suckling is returning from injury and teams most certainly will not be tagging Suckling early, mainly because of the influence of fellow play-makers Grant Birchall & Sam Mitchell, this should allow Suckling to ease back into AFL and build his confidence back up. Clarkson has massive wraps for Suckling and there should be no issues with him walking straight back into the Hawthorn line-up.
In saying this I’ve got next to no doubt that he will be used as the substitute early in season 2014, which creates concern about his immediate price rise. With the possibility of a couple of sub-affected scores early on in the season, this could mean he may even drop under 300K, which is also something to keep a close eye on.
The other talking point is where does Clarkson plan on playing Suckling next year? With the emergence of Sammy Mitchell moving down back and the ever-consistent Grant Birchall continuing to flourish, he may find himself with a move up forward, although I find this highly unlikely. Watch this space, NAB Cup should be a good gauge on both his fitness & positioning.
In saying this I’ve got next to no doubt that he will be used as the substitute early in season 2014, which creates concern about his immediate price rise. With the possibility of a couple of sub-affected scores early on in the season, this could mean he may even drop under 300K, which is also something to keep a close eye on.
The other talking point is where does Clarkson plan on playing Suckling next year? With the emergence of Sammy Mitchell moving down back and the ever-consistent Grant Birchall continuing to flourish, he may find himself with a move up forward, although I find this highly unlikely. Watch this space, NAB Cup should be a good gauge on both his fitness & positioning.
Verdict
2014 Predicted Status: Mid-Pricer
Predicted Average 2014: 75-85 SC
Selection Status: Hard not to select Suckling at his price, expect him to make you some cash, but expect to move him on (pending output)
Predicted Average 2014: 75-85 SC
Selection Status: Hard not to select Suckling at his price, expect him to make you some cash, but expect to move him on (pending output)
Final Word
2014 will be a true test for Suckling, as he looks to recapture his career best form, but coming back from an ACL won’t be an easy task. The 25 year old has plenty of footy ahead of him and the Hawks won’t be rushing him back without fair caution.
I will certainly be keeping a close eye on Suckling’s NAB Cup form, to get a gauge of both how he is traveling and how Al Clarkson plans on using him. Will he be a sub early, in order to ease back into senior football? Will he move forward with the emergence of Mitchell across halfback? They are all interesting questions that will come to fruition early next year. Remember to watch the early season drop, to get him even cheaper than 300K(as he may be sub affected)!
At $312,200 I’d expect him to start in a number of Round 1 squads (pending fitness), as he certainly presents loads of value and should make your side between 100-150K, but don’t be expecting 100+ scores every week & expect the sub-affected scores of 30.In saying all this Suckling could certainly get back to scoring big if all goes well with his recovery and as his confidence builds up he is capable of being that fourth or fifth Defender each team desires.
I will certainly be keeping a close eye on Suckling’s NAB Cup form, to get a gauge of both how he is traveling and how Al Clarkson plans on using him. Will he be a sub early, in order to ease back into senior football? Will he move forward with the emergence of Mitchell across halfback? They are all interesting questions that will come to fruition early next year. Remember to watch the early season drop, to get him even cheaper than 300K(as he may be sub affected)!
At $312,200 I’d expect him to start in a number of Round 1 squads (pending fitness), as he certainly presents loads of value and should make your side between 100-150K, but don’t be expecting 100+ scores every week & expect the sub-affected scores of 30.In saying all this Suckling could certainly get back to scoring big if all goes well with his recovery and as his confidence builds up he is capable of being that fourth or fifth Defender each team desires.