Every year the Herald Sun releases the little black book giving advice on who to buy and who to avoid. I will point out some of the ones they overlooked and errors they made while also offering my own suggestions. Of course I will praise the decisions that I agree with and why I agree with them.
Essendon
Essendon with a new coach panel, new belief and a more defensive game plan made the finals this year for the first time since Matthew Knight's first year in charge. This season should be one of consolidation for Essendon this season to prove that them making the finals was not a fluke. As putting games into younger players especially their midfield brigade so captain Jobe Watson has support. Natural improvement of the team should spell improvement for their fantasy stars such as Watson, Hurley and Zaharakis.
The Superstar
Jobe Watson - If he stays fit through a whole season he will win a Brownlow, that is how good he is. Consider last season before getting injured in round 8 he had 11 votes to his name, finishing with 15 votes for the season. Last season he averaged 106 but prior to his injury he was averaging 120 in the first 7 games. He is the main midfielder in the Essendon line up and that does not look like changing in the immediate future. Can play, and will go up to 115ppg if he plays the whole season. One to definitely consider especially since he is priced at 106.
Bank 'Em
Brent Stanton - This season if you see someone boo him, give them a clip over the ear. This bloke can play. and his stats suggest it. Durable missing only a small handful of games over a 5 year period while averaging close to 100. Granted he will never be that super premium that guys like Watson are but he could be a handy pick if you want to free up some cash elsewhere or have a point of difference which could come in handy. Essentially you could do a lot worse than picking Stanton, and remember if you boo him you should probably give up on supporting football.
David Zaharakis - Another example of what a break out season should look like. Last season he improved 22 points on his 2010 average. This season he looks set to break the 100 point barrier if last season is any indication. His midfield time will increase and with players staying on the ground longer he will rest in the forward line and has shown he knows how to kick a goal (Anzac Day goal would be big points for him). Last season he kicked 31 goals. Basically jump on and enjoy the ride as at his price he has a lot of value.
Buy 'Em
Brendon Lee - We all love mature age rookies for a handful of reasons including they are older, stronger and battle hardened. Lee is all of those things and to top it off he dominated at the WAFL season. He averaged 29 disposals a game to go with 4 tackles. The only knock on him is that his kicking effeciency is at 50% but that is offset by the fact he averaged 13 contested disposals a game. If he gets a game round 1 jump on and if he get upgraded during the season you have the perfect downgrade target. Sure to help out the Essendon midfield.
Courtney Dempsey - Sat most of the season out after injuring his knee. Essendon see him has a play maker and considering he presents value coming at a heavily discounted rate for 2011. All of this on paper sounds great, but that is on paper and here is reality. In the past two seasons he has played 15 of 45 games (missing 1 final), he is 26 and when fit he is highest averaging year was 75ppg, which was back in 2009. Frankly I cannot justify picking a player who has shown so little and to boot has very poor durability (over 5 seasons has only played more than 4 games twice. Should not even consider to be honest.
Suggested Player
Michael Hurley - I have already raved on about him enough so I will keep this really short. Can mark, can kick, can kick a goal and will improve. The focal point of the Essendon forward line and looks like he has got a preseason under his belt. To top it off he is the youngest elite forward in the competition. All this suggests along with the improvement of Essendon that he will see more of the ball and as such his scores will improve.
Bury 'Em
Ricky Dyson - How is he still on the Essendon list at this point? Is 26, did not play a game last season until round 16 and when he did play he only averaged 58. More baffling is the fact that he can actually player, last season when he played his kick hit rate was at an elite level while also being fourth for meters gained and third for intercept possessions. He should be a fantasy relevant player but for whatever reason he is not. Utterly frustrating and as such avoid at all costs.
Scott Gumbleton - Sixth season at the club which in theory means he is due for a breakout, unfortunately Gumbleton is a walking injury. Since his debut he has played 22 out of a possible 112 games. The signs are there he can play but sadly his body is ruining it for him. If he gets some games into him and get his body right amazingly he could be a great downgrade option. Since he has something to offer it is hard to bury him. That and he helped us all out back in 2010.
Suggested Player
Courtney Dempsey - As his previous entry. Still annoyed that he is being considered so he goes here.
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