AFL Fantasy with The Traders

AFL Fantasy gurus, The Traders, take to the airwaves each week as the teams drop.

Join Warnie, Calvin and Roy on AFL.com.au and the official AFL Live app for an hour of LIVE radio as they watch the teams land, and give the first tips on what it all means for your Fantasy squad.

Every Thursday until round 23, the boys are joined by special guests and talk through all the big Fantasy issues of the week.

This week they'll be joined by Brisbane Lions youngster Alex Witherden, who has made savvy coaches a pile of cash this year.

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Fantasy coaches are reeling from the news that Patrick Dangerfield has been offered a one-week suspension from the Match Review Panel. The second most selected player in Fantasy Classic was cited for his rough conduct on Matthew Kreuzer on Saturday night.

If he accepts the one-match ban with an early plea, down from two weeks, 56 per cent of coaches will be making a big call this week on what to do with the Brownlow Medallist.

The Fantasy finals work in the same way that the AFL ones do. The top four have a double chance this week, while fifth to eighth face elimination.

Strategy for this round can be different from team to team.

Curveballs like the Dangerfield suspension, injuries to key players and decisions on who to field or bench will play a key role in shaping the way in each league plays out. Not only for Classic, but for Draft leagues. Picking the right free agents in a time of need can go a long way to deciding upcoming head-to-head battles this weekend.

Join Roy, Calvin and Warnie as they help you get the edge over your opponent whether you're aiming for a week off or trying to avoid elimination... or even battling it out in the plate final like Roy is!

Also in this week's podcast:

- All of the action from round 19
- Fantasy news including injuries, suspensions, "Magoos news" and more
- Which teams have the easiest/hardest run home
- Roy's rolling best 22 and the best players from the Fantasy finals last season
- Your burning questions answered

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IT'S THE last round before AFL Fantasy finals and The Traders are taking to the airwaves as the round 19 teams drop.

Join Warnie, Calvin and Roy on AFL.com.au and the official AFL Live app for an hour of LIVE radio as they watch the teams land, and give the first tips on what it all means for your Fantasy squad.

Every Thursday until round 23, the boys are joined by special guests and talk through all the big Fantasy issues of the week. On this week's show:

- The boys get a sneak preview of some of the improvements coming in Fantasy in 2018
- A quick hit of Fantasy news - how's Brad Crouch's cheekbone? Does Stephen Coniglio come in for GWS?
- The boys reveal the round 19 teams from 6.20pm AEST. Who's in and who's out of your Fantasy squad?
- A complete run down of the best captaincy picks and best trades for this week
- All the answers to your social media questions

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Fantasy footy can be a guessing game. You can use the past to help you make decisions on what will happen in the future, but we don't always have a crystal ball to predict what will happen this week or a few weeks down the track.

That hasn't stopped Roy putting together his best 22 for the last few rounds.

The coach of destROY has looked at the top players per position and has made a call on who have been the best of late and who is likely to keep it going for the remaining five rounds.

In defence, Sam Docherty and Taylor Adams quite easily sit in at one and two, but new DEF/MID Connor Blakely also gets a gig with his excellent late season form. Kade Simpson and Rory Laird have been consistent throughout the season with Michael Hibberd showing some great form to round out the back six.

The midfield picks itself.

Tom Mitchell, Patrick Dangerfield and Zach Merrett are the big three that are must-haves. Josh Kelly has enjoyed a stellar season and we can purchase him in Fantasy for much less than he may be offered in a couple of months when it comes to the trade period. Dustin Martin, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy have rarely put a foot wrong. Brad Ebert, who is often seen as a first half of a season specialist, is among a group of players you could throw a blanket over the be among the best for the next month.

The best ruckman, and bargain buy at the start of the season, Matthew Kreuzer is a safe option in the ruck line while Brodie Grundy, sans Mason Cox in the side, slots in at number two.

Up forward, despite a lowly showing last week, Roy ranks Steele Sidebottom rank at the top with Jack Macrae, Isaac Heeney and Lance Franklin the go-to guys. He also suggests Elliot Yeo and Travis Boak are safe picks.

The Traders discuss Roy's best 22 on this week's episode of the Official AFL Fantasy Podcast and name up some other players in the mix.

Also in this week's podcast:

- All of the action from round 18
- Fantasy news including injuries, suspensions, "Magoos news" and more
- A look at Cal's Scale of Hardness for the last five rounds
- Last hurrah trades before finals start
- Your burning questions answered

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's just two rounds left until AFL Fantasy finals and The Traders are taking to the airwaves as the round 18 teams drop.

For the first time, you can join Warnie, Calvin and Roy on AFL.com.au and the official AFL Live app for an hour of LIVE radio as they watch the teams land, and give the first tips on what it all means for your Fantasy squad.

Every Thursday until round 23, the boys will be joined by special guests and talk through all the big Fantasy issues of the week. On this week's show:

- The boys chat to Louie Kebakovski from Champion Data on the latest dual-position players
- A quick hit of Fantasy news - will Danger play? Just how mangled is Pendles' finger?
- The boys reveal the round 18 teams from 6.20pm AEST. Who's in and who's out of your Fantasy squad?
- A complete run down of the best captaincy picks and best trades for this week
- All the answers to your social media questions

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The third and final round of dual position adjustments rolled out on Sunday evening. A group of 15 players holding a single position status were awarded a secondary position based on a changed role in their team in recent weeks.

Champion Data, the official stats gurus of the AFL, keep tabs on every player in every game and have highlighted those who are playing in a different position to their initial Fantasy position allocated.

Fantasy coaches find most value in players who are originally listed as midfielders and acquire either forward or defender status. That's not to say the flexibility of a forward or defender adding midfield status isn't a good thing, but at this stage of the season it's all about fielding your best 22.

Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom ranks second at the club for disposals inside 50 since round 12 and shares his time between the wing and forward line. At $635,000 it is going to take a decent upgrade to grad the new No. 1 Fantasy forward who is averaging 108.8 this season.

It'll be worth paying the big bucks for Sidebottom as he has score 100 or more in each of his last nine games.

Connor Blakely's role playing across half back has seen him gain defender status. Averaging 110.8 in his last five matches, and top scoring in the Western Derby on Sunday with 149, Blakely is relishing his new role and his Fantasy owners are enjoying the ride!

On this week's episode of the podcast, The Traders discuss all 15 DPP additions and give their take on the Fantasy relevance as we head towards the last six rounds of the season.

Also in this week's podcast:

- How round 17 played out
- Fantasy news including injuries, suspensions, "Magoos news" and more
- What to do with Patrick Dangerfield
- The best Fantasy run home
- Roy's rolling best 22
- Your burning questions answered

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On Monday, Hawthorn veteran Luke Hodge announced his retirement from AFL. He will play out the last seven rounds.

This weekend's match against the Cats will be Hodge's 300th in what has been a career full of amazing highs. Four flags, a couple of Norm Smith Medals, multiple All-Australian nods and most importantly, a Fantasy footy staple of our sides for more than a decade.

The former Hawthorn skipper has a career high of 159 Fantasy points scored against the Western Bulldogs in 2015. That same year yielded his best Fantasy return. An average of 111 from his 17 matches.

Hodge's career average is currently 89.7.

This season the 33-year-old has knocked up four tons so far for an average of 90.4.

Roy, Calvin and Warnie pay tribute to one of their favourite footballers on this week's episode of the podcast. They discuss his career and thank him for the insight he has given the Fantasy community over the years.

Also in this week's podcast:

- How round 16 played out
- Fantasy news including injuries, suspensions, break evens, "Magoos news" and more
- Interesting trade scenarios
- Social media questions answered
- A look ahead to what Calvin thinks will be another high scoring round

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The advice last week was to avoid picking 19-year-old Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy despite an impressive 80 point game on debut. The issue, Aaron Sandilands would be back.

Those ideas have now changed.

A season ending hamstring injury to Aaron Sandilands and 114 Fantasy points thanks to 33 hitouts, 16 disposals, 7 tackles and a goal has made Darcy hot property this week.

Darcy was taken at pick 38 in the 2016 National Draft and has been impressive in the WAFL averaging 29 hitouts and 77 Fantasy points from his 11 games. He now has a chance to shoulder the majority of the Dockers' ruck load.

With the lowest breakeven in the competition of -28, Darcy's price has already increased by $75,000 and is set to be a popular late season cash cow.

The Traders discuss on how you can take advantage of Darcy's new found opportunity on this week's episode of the Official AFL Fantasy Podcast.

Also in this week's podcast:

- The highs and lows from round 15
- Fantasy news including injuries, suspensions, "Magoos news" and more
- Trade advice
- Social media questions answered

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Last round was something incredible.

Maybe we should have seen it coming on Thursday night. There were a few headaches at team selection with Suns Aaron Hall (hamstring) and Michael Barlow (leg) out as well as Matthew Scharenberg and David Myers being omitted. Then the Hawks causing an upset over the Crows.

Friday came around and the term 'carnage' got a new definition.

First it was Gary Ablett putting out of his 300th with a calf injury and his team mate Kade Kolodjashnij was withdrawn from Sunday's game. Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe was the next big name to go along with breakout star Josh Kelly.

There wouldn't have been too many coaches in the country that didn't cop a hit.

Add to that the first quarter injuries and single digit returns for Dayne Beams and Joel Selwood, made for a tough weekend.

It is onward and upward as The Traders look ahead to round 15. They will be hoping that players celebrating their milestone this weekend actually suit up and show a bit more than Heath Shaw. In his 250th game, Shaw scored 29 Fantasy points. His 245th lowest return of his career.

Photo credit: Heath Shaw Twitter.

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The bye rounds are in the rear vision mirror, but the road ahead isn't clear.

The most traded in player last week will be the most traded out for round 14 as Geelong's Scott Selwood's hamstring injury sees him ruled out of Sunday's game against Fremantle. Up until the third quarter last Thursday night, "Scooter" was putting his hand up as the best mid-season mid-priced pick up of the year.

On Saturday night, Michael Barlow broke his left fibula and the subsequent surgery will mean he has played his last game of the year.

The injured duo have been popular Fantasy selections in recent weeks and they headline the big issues on the Official AFL Fantasy Podcast with The Traders.

Roy, Calvin and Warnie discuss the best options to bring in for the run home.

Also in this week's podcast:

- The highs and lows from round 13
- Fantasy news including injuries, suspensions, "Magoos news" and more
- Bye round stocktake
- Social media questions answered

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.