A-League starts in a week, so no better time to bring you the second installment of the Fantasy Scouting Report. Justin covered Adelaide through Victory last week and now I'll have a look at Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, Wellington & Western Sydney.
If you have any questions about players I haven't considered, or you've seen something that we've missed, talk to me on Twitter or 'ave a go' in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
If you have any questions about players I haven't considered, or you've seen something that we've missed, talk to me on Twitter or 'ave a go' in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Newcastle Jets
Fantasy Guns: Emile Heskey (FWD $275k)
Also Consider: Craig Goodwin (DEF $250k), Josh Brillante (MID $150k), Nathan Burns (MID $250k)
It’s tough to find some genuine quality at the Jets, at least as far as fantasy value goes. There’s not much to work with keeper Mark Birighitti (GK $225k), as he only averaged 2.8 PPG last season. Craig Goodwin is an interesting proposition down back, and could score well, depending how high up the ground he plays (into a wing hopefully). Averaged 3.5 PPG last season and would’ve been higher had the Jets’ defence been stronger.
Since last season, the Jets have lost their top fantasy scorer (Ryan Griffiths), and popular choice Emile Heskey (3.9 PPG) will miss the first few weeks of the season. Keep an eye on midfielders Josh Brillante & veteran Nathan Burns, although a dodgy hammy for Burns raises alarm bells with me. Rumours of a link with Everton brought Brillantes’ name into the spotlight, but defensive midfielders are not smart fantasy choices, unless he starts scoring regularly.
Also Consider: Craig Goodwin (DEF $250k), Josh Brillante (MID $150k), Nathan Burns (MID $250k)
It’s tough to find some genuine quality at the Jets, at least as far as fantasy value goes. There’s not much to work with keeper Mark Birighitti (GK $225k), as he only averaged 2.8 PPG last season. Craig Goodwin is an interesting proposition down back, and could score well, depending how high up the ground he plays (into a wing hopefully). Averaged 3.5 PPG last season and would’ve been higher had the Jets’ defence been stronger.
Since last season, the Jets have lost their top fantasy scorer (Ryan Griffiths), and popular choice Emile Heskey (3.9 PPG) will miss the first few weeks of the season. Keep an eye on midfielders Josh Brillante & veteran Nathan Burns, although a dodgy hammy for Burns raises alarm bells with me. Rumours of a link with Everton brought Brillantes’ name into the spotlight, but defensive midfielders are not smart fantasy choices, unless he starts scoring regularly.
Perth Glory
Fantasy Guns: Shane Smeltz (FWD $275k)
Also Consider: Jamie Maclaren (FWD $125k), Danny Vukovic (GK $250k), Steve Pantelidis (DEF $125k), Steven McGarry (MID $250k), Ryan Edwards (MID $100k)
Perth’s 2012/13 was very disappointing, on all fronts. But a large player turn-over has Glory fans excited again. Even though star striker Shane Smeltz will miss the start of the season, youngsters Jamie Maclaren (scoring for fun in the pre-season), and Reading recruit Ryan Edwards are ready to pick up the slack. Up front is where the problems began for Glory but where the oppurtunities rise for fantasy players. At first glance after his great U20 WC performance, Danny De Silva (MID $150k) may look like a cheap option in the midfield but it's actually Ryan Edwards, who will start in the #10 role and he's $50k cheaper. Win-win situation beacuase once De Silva is eased into the season he will be a cheap trade-in option later in the season.
Trivially, Edwards is the son of the coach, so he should get decent game time! Defensive stalwarts Danny Vukovic (2.8 PPG) (formally Phoenix & Mariners) & Steve Pantelidis (1.7PPG) (formally Victory & Gold Coast), have to make the Glory defensive unbreakable this season. Both are fairly priced.
Of Glory’s overseas players, Steven McGarry (3.2 PPG) was Perth’s second highest scorer last year & boom Brazilian Sidnei (FWD $175k) will be keen to make an immediate impact while Smeltz is out of the side.
Also Consider: Jamie Maclaren (FWD $125k), Danny Vukovic (GK $250k), Steve Pantelidis (DEF $125k), Steven McGarry (MID $250k), Ryan Edwards (MID $100k)
Perth’s 2012/13 was very disappointing, on all fronts. But a large player turn-over has Glory fans excited again. Even though star striker Shane Smeltz will miss the start of the season, youngsters Jamie Maclaren (scoring for fun in the pre-season), and Reading recruit Ryan Edwards are ready to pick up the slack. Up front is where the problems began for Glory but where the oppurtunities rise for fantasy players. At first glance after his great U20 WC performance, Danny De Silva (MID $150k) may look like a cheap option in the midfield but it's actually Ryan Edwards, who will start in the #10 role and he's $50k cheaper. Win-win situation beacuase once De Silva is eased into the season he will be a cheap trade-in option later in the season.
Trivially, Edwards is the son of the coach, so he should get decent game time! Defensive stalwarts Danny Vukovic (2.8 PPG) (formally Phoenix & Mariners) & Steve Pantelidis (1.7PPG) (formally Victory & Gold Coast), have to make the Glory defensive unbreakable this season. Both are fairly priced.
Of Glory’s overseas players, Steven McGarry (3.2 PPG) was Perth’s second highest scorer last year & boom Brazilian Sidnei (FWD $175k) will be keen to make an immediate impact while Smeltz is out of the side.
Sydney FC
Fantasy Guns: Alessandro Del Piero (FWD $375k)
Also Consider: Corey Gameiro (FWD $200k), Richard Garcia (MID $275k), Pedj Bojic (DEF $275k)
Sydney’s attacking breed of football meant that ADP fitted right in last season. He repaid fantasy coaches handsomely too, and should do again this season.
However, the Blues conceded a lot of goals too. They’ve brought Pedj Bojic (5 PPG) across from the Mariners, which is a fantastic acquisition, but expecting him to score as highly as last year is ludicrous. He’s just at that tempting price too, but be wary! Central midfielder Richard Garcia (4.3PPG) is a good choice in my opinion, and will get plenty of opportunities to get on the score-sheet this year, after only six goals and four assists last year.
Corey Gamerio may partner or flank Del Piero this season, and at just $200k is worthy of consideration. Pre-season form hasn’t been terrible either. Nicky Carle (MID $250k) & Brett Emerton (MID $225k) are two midfield rocks, but not great fantasy options. Carle will play a holding and therefore defensive midfield role this year and Emerton proved last year he’s a long way off elite.
The bottom line, if you’re going to select a Sydney player, make sure they’re attacking. It’s recommended you check this piece from the awesome crew at The Leopold Method; it spells bad news for Sydney.
Also Consider: Corey Gameiro (FWD $200k), Richard Garcia (MID $275k), Pedj Bojic (DEF $275k)
Sydney’s attacking breed of football meant that ADP fitted right in last season. He repaid fantasy coaches handsomely too, and should do again this season.
However, the Blues conceded a lot of goals too. They’ve brought Pedj Bojic (5 PPG) across from the Mariners, which is a fantastic acquisition, but expecting him to score as highly as last year is ludicrous. He’s just at that tempting price too, but be wary! Central midfielder Richard Garcia (4.3PPG) is a good choice in my opinion, and will get plenty of opportunities to get on the score-sheet this year, after only six goals and four assists last year.
Corey Gamerio may partner or flank Del Piero this season, and at just $200k is worthy of consideration. Pre-season form hasn’t been terrible either. Nicky Carle (MID $250k) & Brett Emerton (MID $225k) are two midfield rocks, but not great fantasy options. Carle will play a holding and therefore defensive midfield role this year and Emerton proved last year he’s a long way off elite.
The bottom line, if you’re going to select a Sydney player, make sure they’re attacking. It’s recommended you check this piece from the awesome crew at The Leopold Method; it spells bad news for Sydney.
Wellington Phoenix
Fantasy Guns: Jeremy Brockie (FWD $325k)
Also Consider: Carlos Hernandez (MID $300k), Kenny Cunningham (FWD $175k), Reece Caira (DEF $100k)
What will Ernie change at Wellington? Carlos Hernandez was a lock in yesteryear, averaging a mammoth 5.8 PPG in 2009/10. While he and fellow recruit Kenny Cunningham are under minor injury clouds and sat out their final pre-season match last week. Be careful. Solid midfielder Louis Fenton dislocated his shoulder recently and cannot be considered.
Meanwhile Glenn Moss (GK $225k) isn’t as cheap as I hoped, but is guaranteed game time every match, and is still cheaper than the elite. It appears former Aston Villa academy & Western Sydney player Reece Caira will start at left back is in Wellington’s best XI, and he’s so cheap. Make sure you’ve got him, even if it’s just for your bench. Oh, and if you’ve after goals, a striker named Brockie got 16 last season.
Also Consider: Carlos Hernandez (MID $300k), Kenny Cunningham (FWD $175k), Reece Caira (DEF $100k)
What will Ernie change at Wellington? Carlos Hernandez was a lock in yesteryear, averaging a mammoth 5.8 PPG in 2009/10. While he and fellow recruit Kenny Cunningham are under minor injury clouds and sat out their final pre-season match last week. Be careful. Solid midfielder Louis Fenton dislocated his shoulder recently and cannot be considered.
Meanwhile Glenn Moss (GK $225k) isn’t as cheap as I hoped, but is guaranteed game time every match, and is still cheaper than the elite. It appears former Aston Villa academy & Western Sydney player Reece Caira will start at left back is in Wellington’s best XI, and he’s so cheap. Make sure you’ve got him, even if it’s just for your bench. Oh, and if you’ve after goals, a striker named Brockie got 16 last season.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Fantasy Guns: Ante Covic (GK $300k), Mark Bridge (FWD $325k), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (DEF $300k), Youssouf Hersi (MID $350k), Shinji Ono (MID $325k)
Also Consider: Tomi Juric (FWD $225k), Jerome Polenz (DEF $200k)
Western Sydney were the almost the perfect fairytale story last season, and dominated the fantasy aspect too. They had five players in the top 15 for the league, in terms of total points scored. Their solid defence produced many fine scorers – Nikolai Topor-Stanley (4.3 PPG), Michael Beauchamp (4.1 PPG) & Iacopo La Rocca (4.2 PPG) were in the elite category for defence. Of course, their goalkeeper Ante Covic (4.9 PPG) was the top of the keeping tree too, as outlined in a previous post here.
The Wanderers were pretty strong in offence too, with Shinji Ono (4.5 PPG) all class but outshone by veteran Mark Bridge (4.6 PPG). You can pretty sure on these guys moving forward again. Tomi Juric is an interesting one to consider, coming from Adelaide. He scored twice in seven matches and could force himself into their best XI. He started in their recent praccy match against the Victory. Matthew Spiranovic could be a cheap option down back, and Dean Heffernan (DEF $200k) comes across from Perth. Now that German Jerome Polenz (22 matches last season) is listed as a defender, all WSW’s clean sheets will mean he’ll score a lot higher than last season.
Phew! So much to choose from in the West of Sydney.
That’s all for the second edition of the A-League Scouting Report. If you missed Justin’s awesome wrap on the first five sides: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Heart & Melbourne Victory, hit the link here. Otherwise, feel free to leave questions, suggestions or even your team to rate in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!
Good luck! Make that $10,000 your own.
Also Consider: Tomi Juric (FWD $225k), Jerome Polenz (DEF $200k)
Western Sydney were the almost the perfect fairytale story last season, and dominated the fantasy aspect too. They had five players in the top 15 for the league, in terms of total points scored. Their solid defence produced many fine scorers – Nikolai Topor-Stanley (4.3 PPG), Michael Beauchamp (4.1 PPG) & Iacopo La Rocca (4.2 PPG) were in the elite category for defence. Of course, their goalkeeper Ante Covic (4.9 PPG) was the top of the keeping tree too, as outlined in a previous post here.
The Wanderers were pretty strong in offence too, with Shinji Ono (4.5 PPG) all class but outshone by veteran Mark Bridge (4.6 PPG). You can pretty sure on these guys moving forward again. Tomi Juric is an interesting one to consider, coming from Adelaide. He scored twice in seven matches and could force himself into their best XI. He started in their recent praccy match against the Victory. Matthew Spiranovic could be a cheap option down back, and Dean Heffernan (DEF $200k) comes across from Perth. Now that German Jerome Polenz (22 matches last season) is listed as a defender, all WSW’s clean sheets will mean he’ll score a lot higher than last season.
Phew! So much to choose from in the West of Sydney.
That’s all for the second edition of the A-League Scouting Report. If you missed Justin’s awesome wrap on the first five sides: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Heart & Melbourne Victory, hit the link here. Otherwise, feel free to leave questions, suggestions or even your team to rate in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!
Good luck! Make that $10,000 your own.