Squad Breakdown: Dockers SC roster analysis

• BARGAIN BUYS: Assessing the midfield cheapie crop
• TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: 2021 runner-up drops squad reveal

The goal for the Dockers this year is simple: Play finals footy.

To achieve that, it is clear that they will need to maintain a high level of consistency this season, unlike last year when they showed brief glimpses of finals calibre ability, but would also show why they still have a long way to go.

They’ve drafted well, traded well, and they should get back some pretty key players from injury.

Last season was a breakout year for ruckman Sean Darcy, who catapulted his way into All-Australian conversations.

Sign up to SC Playbook for stacks of extra premium articles across the AFL season, including access to our contributor inclusive Whatsapp group where your SuperCoach dilemmas can be answered minutes before kick off!

Embed from Getty Images

The 23-year-old is still incredibly young, and is showing maturity way beyond his years; there’s no reason to suggest that he can’t have another breakout season this year and become one of the best ruckmen in the comp.

Caleb Serong showed glimpses of his exceptional talent, and now entering his third season, he can be another great example of a third-year-breakout player.

Andy Brayshaw (as we all know) is elite, and with another year of experience under his belt, he can seriously challenge for All-Australian selection this year.

Coming into his third year at the helm, Justin Longmuir now has all the ingredients he needs to turn these boys in purple into a finals team. It’s an exciting time to be a Dockers supporter.

The 22

FB: Luke Ryan / Alex Pearce / Griffin Logue

HB: Hayden Young / Brennan Cox / Jordan Clark

C: Liam Henry / Nat Fyfe / Darcy Tucker

HF: Sam Switkowski / Rory Lobb / Michael Frederick

FP: Michael Walters / Matt Taberner / Lachie Shultz

FOL: Sean Darcy / Caleb Serong / Andrew Brayshaw

I/C: Will Brodie / David Mundy / Travis Colyer / Heath Chapman

EMERG: Mitch Crowden / Lloyd Meek / Bailey Banfield / Joel Hamling

Embed from Getty Images

Premos

Luke Ryan (DEF, $540,300, 5%)

Ryan is coming off a massive 111 against the Eagles, but the question has always been: ‘Is he consistent enough?’.

For example, last year he went on a four-game run where he averaged 116.75, but he also went on a four-game run later on in the year where he averaged 80.25.

In 2020 (his best SuperCoach year of his career), he had a four-game average of 133.75 in the middle of the year, but started the year off with a four-game average of 80.25 (wow twice!) that was seriously bumped up by a 123 in Round 2.

Ryan has a ton of upside, but when you’re buying him, you’re not buying him for a consistent 99.3 average like last year, you’re buying him for a rollercoaster of both emotions, and SuperCoach scores.

I actually really love the pick, especially considering he has a projected three round average of 115.3 to start the year, as well as his extremely low ownership; however, I don’t think I have the guts to do it… Do you?

Andrew Brayshaw (MID, $584,300, 6%)

With the departure of Cerra, this is Brayshaw’s opportunity to step up and take his game to a whole new level.

There’s no doubt he has the ability, and I am super confident that he can become an uber premium midfielder in SuperCoach this season.

High ceiling, consistent, low ownership… He ticks all the boxes. He’s currently in my team, and I think he should be in yours as well after his solid 101 last week.

Embed from Getty Images

Caleb Serong (MID, $451,000, 7%)

Just like Brayshaw, I can make the same case for Serong. Coming into his third year, he’s primed for a breakout, especially with Cerra now out of the midfield, Serong could prove to be seriously under-priced for the quality he can produce.

I started off with him in my team, then I took him out, and now I want him back in after his 100 points from just 71% TOG.

Sean Darcy (RUC, $642,600, 14%)

Darcy is one of the most enticing RUC picks this year, but also one of the riskiest. When he’s 100% fit, he’s one of the best players in the game; but lately, it seems as though his body is comprised of sticks.

While he only scored 47 AFL Fantasy points against the Eagles, Darcy DOUBLED that score in SuperCoach… Amassing an impressive 95 due to all of his hitouts to advantage; imagine what he can score when he starts taking some marks around the ground?

If he’s fit and you can afford him, get him in your team.

Embed from Getty Images

Cheapies

Nathan O’Driscoll (DEF/MID, $123,900, 43%)

O’Driscoll failed to make an appearance against the Eagles, and thus will likely miss out on a Round 1 opportunity, but he did score an 89 in the pre-pre-season.

He’s currently the most owned Docker in the game, and that’s because he will play at some point this year.

I’m not going to start the season with him, but he’ll be a handy downgrade option when the time comes.

Will Brodie (MID/FWD, $224,300, 24%)

Coming off a seriously good 100 in just 67% TOG with 13 CBAs against the Eagles, Brodie is ready to revive his AFL career this year.

However, with Fyfe and Tucker to still come back into the line-up, Brodie’s midfield minutes might take a large hit. At his price, I’m willing to take the risk.

If the Dockers allow Brodie to play some consistent footy this year, he can be one of the picks of the season.

Neil Erasmus (MID, $166,800, 4%)

Erasmus didn’t play in the community series, but last year in the WAFL Colts, he averaged 164… including scores of 204, 141, 161, and 149.

He’ll have to wait a while before he gets his chance in the 22, but when he does, he’ll be a nice little downgrade option.

Embed from Getty Images

PODs

Darcy Tucker (DEF, $323,200, 1%)

I was HOT on Darcy Tucker all pre-season because there was talk that he’d be making his way into the midfield.

Since his injury though, that talk has subsided, but I’m not ready to give up on him just yet.

Prior to his hammy strain in February, Tucker had been training with the midfield group, and by all accounts was training the house down in his on-ball role.

Especially with Cerra out, the midfield usage for him looked strong, but unfortunately his injury put a halt to that.

Even in a wing role (like he’s expected to play), I think that Tucker can put up an average upwards of 75+ this year and be an excellent cheap POD.

FANCY A SAME-GAME MULTI? Topsport offer the best in the business, where the market odds ACTUALLY add up. Give it a try, compare to other bookies, and see the difference for yourself! Use the code ‘SCPLAYBOOK’ when signing up.

Nat Fyfe (MID, $546,500, 2%)

Can Nat finally put his injury woes behind him and find that spectacular form that all SuperCoach players know and love?

Quite annoyingly, in the past few seasons the Dockers have played him down forward for some reason… Luckily for us coaches, that hasn’t worked out for them, so I think we can expect him to return to his natural habitat: On-ball.

In fact, speaking to 7NewsPerth last week, Nat said: “That experiment of playing forward yielded some good results, but it’s officially over. I’m a midfielder and that’s where I’m playing”.

It gives me goose-bumps thinking about all the potential possibilities, if Fyfey can stay fit, he can 100% average 105+ while also throwing in the occasional scores of 140.