AFL GameDay Squad Round 19 Preview | Best Matchups, PODs & Key Trends

Just like that are up to the AFL GameDay Squad Round 19 Preview! Last week we copped some bullets with popular options Rozee and Martin going down with injuries. Coaches who avoided them got a huge advantage whilst others onboard were left to ponder what might have been.

I rolled with Rozee over Butters and it was a very difficult watch on Sunday evening, made only worse by how bad Port Adelaide are! Just teasing Port fans…As always, let’s take a look at each team line for coaches as we try and jag a win towards the backend of the season.

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DEFENDERS

Coaches were burned by a few premium options last week due to a combination of injuries and tags. For those who were tagged such as Holmes and NWM, it is concerning that tagging these players has been quite effective for teams. It might be worth avoiding Max Holmes (118 GDS AV) again due to potential Marcus Windhager tag and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (133 GDS AV) due to potential Oisin Mullin tag.

The scary part of leaving out these players is that with no attention, they typically score very well so proceed with caution. Lachie Whitfield (123 GDS AV) returned last week and put up a huge 143 GDS right away alongside partner in crime Lachie Ash (124 GDS AV) who scored a 123. Both players should dominate this week against Essendon who are barely able to get a side on the park and are a great matchup for defenders.

Richmond also is conceding plenty of points to defenders and play against West Coast this week. Liam Duggan (95 GDS AV) could be an option going at 123 in his last 3 starts and Tom McCarthy (97 GDS AV) who has a bronze worth more than 2024 preseason Flanders bronze also should be good. Harry Sheezel (120 GDS AV) and Colby McKercher (89 GDS AV) have been consistent of late however could be tagged this week against Sydney. Finally, if you are short on options and afraid of tags, Carlton have been softening as a defender matchup of late and I expect Christian Salem (107 GDS AV) to have a safe floor.

MIDFIELDERS

Marcus Bontempelli (122 GDS AV) has been up and down of late by his standards but reminded coaches what he can do when he runs free, scoring a massive 186 GDS last week. Against Brisbane this week he might get some attention from Josh Dunkley (118 GDS AV) but it is not usually a hard tag.

Other popular options like Zak Butters (116 GDS) and Jordan Dawson (130 GDS AV) were also great and helped coaches put up some big scores. West Coast have been conceding the most points to midfielders of late, which isn’t a surprise when you look at their team, meaning Tim Taranto (108 GDS AV) should be a safe option. Carlton are also getting beaten up in the midfield, however you would be a brave coach to go anywhere near Clayton Oliver (100 GDS AV) but I wouldn’t be surprised if Christian Petracca (107 GDS AV) put up a nice score.

Whilst he has been a bit off the top scorers, Tom Green (117 GDS AV) should destroy Essendon and Finn Callaghan (112 GDS AV) going at 127 GDS in his last 3 will join in too. Potential tags are Toby Bedford on Zach Merrett (120 GDS AV) however tagging an Essendon player sounds quite cruel right now. Errol Gulden (125 GDS AV) may also get attention from Will Phillips. Also be cautious with Nick Daicos (125 GDS AV) who was sore last week and is likely to get attention after being effectively tagged hard last time against Fremantle.

RUCKS

Brodie Grundy (116 GDS AV) is going at 143 GDS in his last 3 and is rucking against a bloke at North Melbourne I don’t even know the name of this week. Lock and load in all teams – don’t even think about leaving him out.

Darcy Cameron (118 GDS AV) has the best match up of the premium options this week. Others that I like are Tim English (123 GDS AV) based on form and Rowan Marshall (117 GDS AV) based on match up. Noting that Marshall is not an option if Saints go with a dual ruck setup again. Coxy don’t do it!

FORWARDS

Forwards are very tough to predict each week. Matthew Kennedy (115 GDS AV) is going at 78 GDS in his last 3 and might be coming out of coaches sides this week after being in the top 2-3 forwards this season. There aren’t many match up based obvious selections in the forward lines this week so I expect coaches will look mostly at the top averaging players. Young gun Daniel Curtin (73 GDS AV) is going at 103 GDS in his last 5 and is becoming an option. Luke Parker (100 GDS AV) is also in form with a low of 110 GDS in his last 5, which hurts after burning so many coaches in Rounds 10 and 11 with a 46 and 58 respectively. He could be a trap this week if LDU and George Wardlaw return so keep an eye out on selection.

Key forwards have been reasonable against Gold Coast and coming off a big win last week might be gassed against the Crows, meaning I like the selection of Riley Thilthorpe (96 GDS AV) this week. Whilst he hasn’t been amazing, Liam Baker (91 GDS AV) might be another this week that we pick hoping for a safe 90 rather than a key forward that can flop. Certainly will be a challenging week for the forwards and any score above 100 outside of Bailey Smith (assuming he isn’t a late out) I will be celebrating.

POD REVIEW FROM LAST WEEK

1.     Archie Roberts – 141 GDS - Great pick, Richmond giving up points for fun to defenders

2.     Hugh McLuggage – 80 GDS – Not a great pick, received attention unfortunately and the other midfielders took over

3.     Toby Nankervis – 93 GDS – Think I need to stop picking him in good match ups, no good once again

4.     Peter Wright – 50 GDS – Horrendous, avoid Essendon forwards from now on

5.     Colby McKercher – 105 GDS – Was tracking well but had a quiet last quarter. Finding a lot of handball receives just needs more marks and dare I say, tackles

Top 5 PODs for Round 19

Want to separate from the pack? Here are five PODs that could help you do just that:

1.     Finn Callaghan

2.     Christian Salem

3.     Christian Petracca

4.     Liam Baker

5.     Riley Thilthorpe

BOBS Early Starter – Team of the Round

Based on matchups, form, and GameDay Squad strategy, here’s an early look at a high-upside squad for Round 19:

Weather Watch

Low chances of rain this weekend but keep checking as we get closer to gameday.

Thursday, July 17

• Essendon vs. GWS Giants

  
  

  🕢 7:30 PM AEST – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne (Indoor – no forecast)

Friday, July 18

• Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs

  
  

  🕢 7:40 PM AEST – The Gabba, Brisbane

  
  

  🌤️ Forecast: Pleasant with sunshine, 23 °C

  
  

  ☁️ Rain impact: None expected

Saturday, July 19

• Hawthorn vs. Port Adelaide

  
  

  🕜 1:20 PM AEST – UTAS Stadium, Launceston

  
  

  🌥️ Forecast: Mostly cloudy, highs ~14 °C

• Sydney Swans vs. North Melbourne

  
  

  🕓 4:15 PM AEST – SCG, Sydney

  
  

  🌤️ Forecast: Partly cloudy, around 18 °C

• Carlton vs. Melbourne

  
  

  🕢 7:35 PM AEST – MCG, Melbourne

  
  

  🌥️ Forecast: Mostly cloudy and breezy, about 14 °C

• West Coast Eagles vs. Richmond

  
  

  🕗 8:10 PM AWST / 10:10 PM AEST – Optus Stadium, Perth

  
  

  🌫️ Forecast: Mostly cloudy, high ~17 °C

Sunday, July 20

• Geelong vs. St Kilda

  
  

  🕐 1:10 PM AEST – GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

  
  

  🌤️ Forecast: Mostly sunny, ~15 °C

• Collingwood vs. Fremantle

  
  

  🕒 3:15 PM AEST – MCG, Melbourne

  
  

  🌤️ Forecast: Mostly sunny, ~15 °C

• Adelaide vs. Gold Coast

  
  

  🕓 4:40 PM AEST – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

  
  

  🌥️ Forecast: Times of cloud and sun, ~16 °C

Final Thoughts

Round 19 I think we will see some wide ranges of scores across coaches teams. There is no shortage of options however many of them a similar with few being “must play”. Keep an eye on final team selections and late changes before locking in your squad. Stay tuned for more insights from Blokes on the Ball, and good luck in GameDay Squad Round 19.