AFL GameDay Squad Round 15 Preview | Best Matchups, PODs & Key Trends

The AFL GameDay Squad Round 15 Preview is here, bringing you the latest insights to help you dominate this week’s matchups.

Another week of byes to manage! Thanks for that AFL. It is nice that AFL continues, but I can’t wait for all teams to be playing again soon. This week we will lose Jordan Dawson and Max Gawn who have been regular starters this season. We will also be stretched a bit more in our forward lines without Izak Rankine and Kozzie Pickett not playing. Hawthorn and West Coast have not produced too many high scoring options, the biggest downside is that there is not a team that gets to play against West Coast!

AFL GameDay Squad Round 15 Preview - Positions

DEFENDERS

Defenders have been unbelievable so far this season and especially last week as predicted. I thought Nic Martin’s score of 112 GDS was great, until just about every other premium defender passed this easily. We don’t lose any premium options this week with byes meaning we will need to fade some good players. Bailey Dale (119 GDS AV) isn’t in the top 7 averages but has a perfect matchup this week against Richmond and will be hard to leave out. Brave coaches may consider fading with NWM (131 GDS AV) or Jack Sinclair (125 GDS AV) as they have a very tough match up this week against Collingwood. If you want a unique pick, Jordan Clark (109 GDS AV) plays at home this week against Essendon who are scored heavily against by designated kickers. I think this week with the consistency of defenders it is important to stick with the guns who have been killing it every week!

MIDFIELDERS

Whilst the defender options are quite limited at the moment, the midfield is wide open. The gap between the top midfielder Connor Rozee (131 GDS AV) and the 20th ranked midfielder, coincidentally his partner in crime, Zak Butters (112 GDS AV) is just 19 points. As a contrast for defenders, the gap is 31 points and forwards over 50 points thanks to Bailey Smith taking the P155. This means considering midfielders from a match up perspective is crucial. This week Western Bulldogs players will be licking their lips getting ready to play Richmond who have been an easy target for midfielders as well. Marcus Bontempelli (112 GDS AV) will surely repay roaches he let down last week. Ed Richards (120 GDS AV) and Tom Liberatore (119 GDS AV) are also both options. I will be going with Ed! Other midfielders with decent matchups are Andrew Brayshaw (123 GDS AV) and Caleb Serong (113 GDS AV), just watch out for the weather tonight. Nick Daicons (122 GDS) is 4th best on average but prone to a tag and will likely be targeted by Windhager who has been very effective.

RUCKS

Rucks seem to be very consistent when it comes to good match ups. Certain clubs seem to just give up points to ruckman every week. We lose our man big Max Gawn to the bye this week, so make sure you take him out of your side if he is in!

Based on match ups, Brodie Grundy (108 GDS AV) is a great option against Port Adelaide this week. Tim English (120 GDS AV) has been amazing lately and plays against Toby Nankervis who I think I could score 100 GDS against in my prime. Lock and load! Our other main option is Tristian Xerri (116 GDS AV) however Carlton are a tougher match up and I would avoid if Mr Worldwide Marc Pittonet comes in this week. breaking news – Mr Worldwide is in!

FORWARDS

The difference between the right and wrong forward each week can cause huge swings in coaches teams. I felt like a genius with Jason Horne-Francis on Sunday and then like an idiot shortly after with a poor performance (albeit injury impacted) by Charlie Curnow.

With news that Sean Darcy is out, although these days it should be news when he is actually in, Luke Jackson (105 GDS AV) should be great tonight against an Essendon rookie ruckman. Lock him in! Sam Darcy (102 GDS AV) returned last week and looked amazing. Another great option to include this week against Richmond. Starting to think I might just play the entire Western Bulldogs team this week! With no Todd Goldstein this week, Peter Wright (100 GDS AV) will likely help out in the ruck and could put up another decent score. Jack Macrae (113 GDS AV) has not set the world on fire lately and could be a premium fade option against Collingwood for coaches looking to roll the dice.

Also a reminder to make sure you don’t have any players from:

·      Adelaide Crows

·      Hawthorn

·      Melbourne

·      West Coast

POD Review – Round 14

1. Tom Liberatore – 137 – Good score

2. Caleb Serong – 170 – Massive score! Amazing for coaches

3. George Hewett – 116 – Decent score, dropped off in the last quarter surprisingly

4. Sam Walsh – Out for a while with an injury

5. Adam Cerra – 137 – Good score, has been in hot form!

POD Picks – Round 15

1.        Bailey Dale

2.        Luke Jackson

3.        Tom Liberatore

4.        Sam Darcy

5.        Peter Wright

TAG WATCH

Here are my expected tags this round:

• Windhager → Daicos

• Bedford → Anderson

• Mullin → Neale

Taggers have become more relevant again this year, and identifying those pressure roles can be the difference in nailing a big week or sinking a pod. Daicos could certainly be clamped this week!

BOBS Starter Squad

WEATHER

• Thursday, June 19

  • Fremantle vs. Essendon, Optus Stadium, 8:10 PM AEST (6:10 PM AWST)

    • Weather: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon, possibly easing by evening. Light winds becoming westerly 15–20 km/h, then light again. Temperatures around 11–19°C.

• Friday, June 20

  • Geelong vs. Brisbane Lions, GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, 7:40 PM AEST

    • Weather: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the evening. Light winds becoming northerly 15–20 km/h, then light again. Temperatures around 7–13°C.

• Saturday, June 21

  • Carlton vs. North Melbourne, MCG, Melbourne, 1:20 PM AEST

    • Weather: Sunny. Areas of morning frost in outer suburbs. Chance of morning fog in nearby hills. Winds northerly 15–20 km/h becoming light by midday. Temperatures around 10–14°C.

  • Port Adelaide vs. Sydney Swans, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 4:15 PM AEST (3:45 PM ACST)

    • Weather: Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds westerly 20–30 km/h turning south-westerly during the morning. Temperatures around 10–15°C.

  • Collingwood vs. St Kilda, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, 7:35 PM AEST

    • Weather: Played under Marvel Stadium’s closed roof; weather irrelevant. Dry, stable conditions.

• Sunday, June 22

  • GWS Giants vs. Gold Coast Suns, ENGIE Stadium, Sydney, 1:10 PM AEST

    • Weather: Mostly sunny. Chance of morning frost in outer west. Light winds. Temperatures around 12–18°C.

  • Western Bulldogs vs. Richmond, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, 3:20 PM AEST

    • Weather: Played under Marvel Stadium’s closed roof; weather irrelevant. Dry, stable conditions.

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Good luck!