Welcome to the final edition of the Fantasy A-League Form Guide for the 2013/14 season. For the Grand Final, fantasy coaches are given unlimited transfers and can have a maximum of 8 players from each of Brisbane and Western Sydney. So the main concern coaches have this week is being able to fit a strong side in under the cap.
Not helping this problem is the elimination of the Mariners last week, meaning coaches who own Liam Reddy will have to replace him with a more expensive alternative in either Michael Theo or Ante Covic. I'd recommend doing this instead of playing without a keeper as there are limited points on offer in the decider, and picking a keeper might net you 6 important points should your chosen custodian keep a clean sheet. Sacrificing your bench for bottom priced players to increase your available funds may not be such a bad call this round though, seeing as most of the Roar and Wanderers players (especially the ones likely to net you points) are expensive.
If you have any questions on something not covered here, or just want some specific advice for your team, join me in the weekly Beamly (formerly Zeebox) Live Fantasy A-League chat on Friday at 2pm Eastern - click the link at the appropriate time and join the discussion! Otherwise you can use the comments section at the bottom of the page or contact me on Twitter. You can find the full squads for the Grand Final here.
Not helping this problem is the elimination of the Mariners last week, meaning coaches who own Liam Reddy will have to replace him with a more expensive alternative in either Michael Theo or Ante Covic. I'd recommend doing this instead of playing without a keeper as there are limited points on offer in the decider, and picking a keeper might net you 6 important points should your chosen custodian keep a clean sheet. Sacrificing your bench for bottom priced players to increase your available funds may not be such a bad call this round though, seeing as most of the Roar and Wanderers players (especially the ones likely to net you points) are expensive.
If you have any questions on something not covered here, or just want some specific advice for your team, join me in the weekly Beamly (formerly Zeebox) Live Fantasy A-League chat on Friday at 2pm Eastern - click the link at the appropriate time and join the discussion! Otherwise you can use the comments section at the bottom of the page or contact me on Twitter. You can find the full squads for the Grand Final here.
Brisbane Roar (1st)
Unavailable: George Lambadaridis (injured)
Predicted starting XI: Theo, Franjic, Smith, North, Stefanutto, Brattan, Miller, McKay, Petratos, Berisha, Broich
Captaincy options: Besart Berisha
The Roar come into the Grand Final winning 3 of their last 6 (a run that includes a draw against the Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium). Last week they increased their home finals record to 5 wins, 2 draws and no losses, and they have lifted the golden toilet seat twice at Suncorp Stadium previously. However, the Roar have only defeated the Wanderers once in the 7 meetings between the sides, although this season the Roar won the only encounter at Suncorp 3-1 and the two matches at Pirtek ended in 1-1 draws. Notably Brisbane have kept only 2 clean sheets in their last 11 home games, both against Melbourne Victory.
The only concerns for Brisbane heading into the final are Dimitri Petratos and Liam Miller. Should Petratos not be able to start expect Henrique to take his spot on the right wing and Miller to be replaced by Steven Lustica, while the rest of the starting XI remains the same from last week. This may be a problem given Petratos was a favourable cheap forward option in a match between two teams full of expensive players, but Henrique is only slightly more expensive. Of course, wait until line-ups are out on Sunday afternoon before making your move there - or if you aren't able to wait for whatever reason, Mulvey is 99% sure Petratos will be fit. Even if starting, Lustica (1 goal this season, and for Adelaide) is not worth including unless you can't afford anyone else.
Besart Berisha will be a popular captain this weekend. Berisha has scored in both of the games he played against the Wanderers this season. He's also a big game player, being the match winner for the Roar last time they lifted the toilet seat with 2 goals against Perth, and of course netting the deciding goal last week. And he'll likely be taking any penalties the Roar earn.
Of course, for those looking to make up ground they might not want to be so 'obvious,' in which case they may be better off opting for a Wanderers player. Another common pick could be Thomas Broich, however he may prove too pricey for some to include. It's worth noting that despite his strong output throughout the season, Broich has not produced an assist for 4 rounds, and he returned just 2 points in all 3 games against the Wanderers. Ivan Franjic is not worth spending $278k on given he is likely to start at right back; only if deployed on the right wing should you spend that much on him, and even then it's incredibly hard to fit him into your side this week.
Shane Stefanutto is one of the three must-have Roar players for the final (along with Henrique / Petratos and Berisha), for the sole reason that he is the cheapest Roar defender available.
Predicted starting XI: Theo, Franjic, Smith, North, Stefanutto, Brattan, Miller, McKay, Petratos, Berisha, Broich
Captaincy options: Besart Berisha
The Roar come into the Grand Final winning 3 of their last 6 (a run that includes a draw against the Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium). Last week they increased their home finals record to 5 wins, 2 draws and no losses, and they have lifted the golden toilet seat twice at Suncorp Stadium previously. However, the Roar have only defeated the Wanderers once in the 7 meetings between the sides, although this season the Roar won the only encounter at Suncorp 3-1 and the two matches at Pirtek ended in 1-1 draws. Notably Brisbane have kept only 2 clean sheets in their last 11 home games, both against Melbourne Victory.
The only concerns for Brisbane heading into the final are Dimitri Petratos and Liam Miller. Should Petratos not be able to start expect Henrique to take his spot on the right wing and Miller to be replaced by Steven Lustica, while the rest of the starting XI remains the same from last week. This may be a problem given Petratos was a favourable cheap forward option in a match between two teams full of expensive players, but Henrique is only slightly more expensive. Of course, wait until line-ups are out on Sunday afternoon before making your move there - or if you aren't able to wait for whatever reason, Mulvey is 99% sure Petratos will be fit. Even if starting, Lustica (1 goal this season, and for Adelaide) is not worth including unless you can't afford anyone else.
Besart Berisha will be a popular captain this weekend. Berisha has scored in both of the games he played against the Wanderers this season. He's also a big game player, being the match winner for the Roar last time they lifted the toilet seat with 2 goals against Perth, and of course netting the deciding goal last week. And he'll likely be taking any penalties the Roar earn.
Of course, for those looking to make up ground they might not want to be so 'obvious,' in which case they may be better off opting for a Wanderers player. Another common pick could be Thomas Broich, however he may prove too pricey for some to include. It's worth noting that despite his strong output throughout the season, Broich has not produced an assist for 4 rounds, and he returned just 2 points in all 3 games against the Wanderers. Ivan Franjic is not worth spending $278k on given he is likely to start at right back; only if deployed on the right wing should you spend that much on him, and even then it's incredibly hard to fit him into your side this week.
Shane Stefanutto is one of the three must-have Roar players for the final (along with Henrique / Petratos and Berisha), for the sole reason that he is the cheapest Roar defender available.
Western Sydney Wanderers (2nd)
Unavailable: Tahj Minniecon, Golgol Mebrahtu, Mark Bridge (injured)
Predicted starting XI: Covic, Polenz, Spiranovic, Topor-Stanley, D'Apuzzo, La Rocca, Mooy, Ono, Hersi, Haliti, Juric
Captaincy options: Tomi Juric or Brendon Santalab, Shinji Ono, Youssouf Hersi
Following last weekend's 2-0 Semi Final win the Wanderers have won 3 of their last 5 games domestically. They've had an extra day's rest than the Roar and also have had no ACL this week in the lead up. Away from Pirtek in the A-League, the Wanderers have won just 3 of their last 11, keeping 3 clean sheets in that run (against Perth, Wellington and Newcastle). This includes the aforementioned 3-1 defeat at Suncorp.
The major news for the Wanderers is the omission of Mark Bridge through injury. In his stead, one of Labinot Haliti, Kwabena Appiah or Shannon Cole may start on the left of attack. If Cole starts, he is a must have (regardless of where he plays) thanks to his 'bargain' price and should strongly be considered for your captain if playing in the front 3. Haliti and Appiah are cheap forward options that, should they play, can help you save money for the big guns in midfield.
The lack of ACL makes the Wanderers starting XI harder to predict than normal, though it can be assumed one of Tomi Juric and Brendan Santalab will start up front. I think Juric is the better option, though wait until the teams are released before opting for one over the other. Both are worth considering as captain if starting. Santalab, Juric and Haliti are the Wanderers' only 3 scorers against the Roar this season.
Jerome Polenz, Adam D'Apuzzo and Matthew Spiranovic are the cheaper options for your defence should they start; those looking to save on their back line will probably field some combination of them and Stefanutto, unless Cole starts.
Shinji Ono and Youssouf Hersi are both worth considering if you can fit them in, and possibly captaining. Hersi has scored just 3 goals this season, however 2 have come in his last 2 games. Aaron Mooy will probably find himself playing deep in midfield unless Ono is deployed off the bench. Mooy's effectiveness may be further hurt if Cole also starts, as that is another player he will have to share free kick duties with.
Avoid Mateo Poljak and Iacopo La Rocca if possible, as if starting they will likely play deep in midfield. However, if you are running out of money - which is likely in this game - 2 points are better than none. Most coaches will likely be looking to make compromises this week anyway.
Predicted starting XI: Covic, Polenz, Spiranovic, Topor-Stanley, D'Apuzzo, La Rocca, Mooy, Ono, Hersi, Haliti, Juric
Captaincy options: Tomi Juric or Brendon Santalab, Shinji Ono, Youssouf Hersi
Following last weekend's 2-0 Semi Final win the Wanderers have won 3 of their last 5 games domestically. They've had an extra day's rest than the Roar and also have had no ACL this week in the lead up. Away from Pirtek in the A-League, the Wanderers have won just 3 of their last 11, keeping 3 clean sheets in that run (against Perth, Wellington and Newcastle). This includes the aforementioned 3-1 defeat at Suncorp.
The major news for the Wanderers is the omission of Mark Bridge through injury. In his stead, one of Labinot Haliti, Kwabena Appiah or Shannon Cole may start on the left of attack. If Cole starts, he is a must have (regardless of where he plays) thanks to his 'bargain' price and should strongly be considered for your captain if playing in the front 3. Haliti and Appiah are cheap forward options that, should they play, can help you save money for the big guns in midfield.
The lack of ACL makes the Wanderers starting XI harder to predict than normal, though it can be assumed one of Tomi Juric and Brendan Santalab will start up front. I think Juric is the better option, though wait until the teams are released before opting for one over the other. Both are worth considering as captain if starting. Santalab, Juric and Haliti are the Wanderers' only 3 scorers against the Roar this season.
Jerome Polenz, Adam D'Apuzzo and Matthew Spiranovic are the cheaper options for your defence should they start; those looking to save on their back line will probably field some combination of them and Stefanutto, unless Cole starts.
Shinji Ono and Youssouf Hersi are both worth considering if you can fit them in, and possibly captaining. Hersi has scored just 3 goals this season, however 2 have come in his last 2 games. Aaron Mooy will probably find himself playing deep in midfield unless Ono is deployed off the bench. Mooy's effectiveness may be further hurt if Cole also starts, as that is another player he will have to share free kick duties with.
Avoid Mateo Poljak and Iacopo La Rocca if possible, as if starting they will likely play deep in midfield. However, if you are running out of money - which is likely in this game - 2 points are better than none. Most coaches will likely be looking to make compromises this week anyway.
That's All, Folks...
That's all for the Grand Final edition of the Fantasy A-League Form Guide. As this is my final post here for the season, I'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has read the form guide, and also to those who have joined in the live Beamly chats. I hope you have found something useful here that has helped you improve your Fantasy A-League game plan. Thanks also to those who helped spread the word by sharing my articles on social media - every retweet was a huge help.
Thanks to Josh at SuperCoach HQ for publishing my articles, and to Edwin at Beamly for hosting the weekly web chats. Both are top lads and well worth a follow if you are on Twitter.
Congratulations to likely overall winner Ben, who has also been very helpful through tweeting articles with injury updates and indications of changes to line-ups. You can (should) follow him here.
As always, if there's anything I've failed to mention here that you'd like advice on you can use the comments section, contact me on Twitter, or join in the Beamly (formerly Zeebox) chat on Fridays at 2pm Eastern. And if you enjoyed the article, please use the buttons below to share it with your mates on Twitter and Facebook! Cheers, thanks for reading, and best of luck to your teams in the final!
Thanks to Josh at SuperCoach HQ for publishing my articles, and to Edwin at Beamly for hosting the weekly web chats. Both are top lads and well worth a follow if you are on Twitter.
Congratulations to likely overall winner Ben, who has also been very helpful through tweeting articles with injury updates and indications of changes to line-ups. You can (should) follow him here.
As always, if there's anything I've failed to mention here that you'd like advice on you can use the comments section, contact me on Twitter, or join in the Beamly (formerly Zeebox) chat on Fridays at 2pm Eastern. And if you enjoyed the article, please use the buttons below to share it with your mates on Twitter and Facebook! Cheers, thanks for reading, and best of luck to your teams in the final!