The Daily Fantasy Verdict – Jimmy Bartel
I’m going to be honest with you community; I’ve gone through every piece of literature written about James Bartel and his impressive football career over the last week. I’ve read articles written by Jock from four years ago, I’ve read analysis from community members, I’ve read Dex Files, I’ve read my own articles, I’ve watched videos, hell I’ve even read articles about a house he sold once! The common element in all of these pieces of media is this; he’s a good bloke and an even better fantasy football selection.
Now I know that I always go for the old blokes when it comes to fantasy footy, but why wouldn’t I? Players like Corey Enright, Bob Murphy, Boomer Harvey and Nick Riewoldt have all been consistent performers over the years, guys that you can lock in and not really worry about again, they’re old but get the job done. Jimmy Bartel tops this list, he tops this list when it comes to consistency and he tops this list when it comes to fantasy averages.
2016 Prices: | $470K SC, $494K AF, $7.7K CoachKings |
2016 Position: | DEF/MID |
Games last season: | 11 |
Average last season: | 87.2 SC, 89.2 AF, 96 CK |
100+ SC Games last season: | 5 |
Sub 80 SC games last season: | 3 |
SCPrice range last season: | $430K – $549K |
Missed games last season: | 11 |
I’m not dumb, I can hear you all saying “Bartel was rubbish last year, too old, you’re insane, too pricey, you have a bad moustache etc.” but let me respond with this, Bartel still averaged 87.2 Supercoach points and 89.2 AFL Fantasy points in what many would consider to be a terrible year.
The reason he has the putrid smell of a disappointing 2015 campaign is because we are so used to him playing every week and playing well. Yes it’s true he missed half the season and yes it’s true that he’s very, very long in the tooth but in typical Lekdog fashion, prepare to have some numbers thrown at you.
In the Single J Top 10 Countdown Jock Reynolds declared this man the new Corey Enright; I think he’s always been a Corey Enright type and here’s why…
2005 was Bartel’s lowest averaging year on record (outside of 2015) averaging 96.4 Supercoach points. Guess what? That means he had a DECADE of averaging higher than 96.4. In fact in the last eleven seasons Bartel has an average of 104.5 Supercoach points and 20 games per season (that’s including his 11 games in 2015), he is consistency incarnate. I’ll say this about his 2015 season just to give him a fair shake of the sauce bottle, if we remove his round 3 Supercoach score of 5 from the stats sheet his average jumps to an impressive 95.4 for the year.
I’m no fool, Bartel is past his prime but my rule is defenders need to be cheaper than $500K and average more than 90, Bartel has already achieved one of those requirements and should do the other.
The case for:
- I love my consistent players and Bartel is one of those. Should excel off halfback this year with stints through the midfield.
- Geelong has an improved list this year and additions like Dangerfield and Henderson should compliment Bartel’s play style.
- Age is just a number baby, he’s done it before and there’s no reason to think he can’t do it again despite being almost 33 years old.
- At $470K Bartel is priced to average around 87 Supercoach points, if we look at his non-injury affected average of 95.4 in 2015, there is actually scope for Bartel to increase in value slightly.
The case against:
- Number of games. There are concerns that Bartel will be rested against weaker teams. I personally see Enright being rested before Bartel and I don’t think he’ll want to be rested if he’s playing well with the new boys.
- Won’t set the world on fire. Bartel won’t be setting any new records, whilst he is still capable of racking them up (41 possesions against north Melbourne in 2015) he isn’t going to break out like an Elliot Yeo or Kade Kolodjashnij might.
- Other options. There are a fair few cheaper options that might outscore or at least equal what Jimmy Bartel will produce in 2016. Yeo, KK, Smith, Malceski are all examples of players who will cost less and potentially score more. By selecting Bartel you are paying an insurance premium of around $20K.
The Verdict
- CoachKings – Should be a midpricer and if he’s gelling with the new Geelong structure then I think he’s a very safe option.
- Supercoach/AFL Fantasy – I love the older blokes, especially when they are consistent. Now if I’m being offered a player who effectively averaged 95 in 2015, has Midfield and Defensive eligibility and has been one of the most consistent fantasy footballers for over a decade all for a discounted price of $470K, I’m taking him to the bank every time in Supercoach. For AFL Fantasy he’s actually too expensive for me, a definite upgrade target after his bye.
Was concerned about being rested with the old blokes, but seeing his consistency over the last decade and Luke Hodge's success last year…
D1 Lock for me, rest of the backline is looking tricky however
Very similar thoughts here mate, love the positive look at things!
Lockety Lock LOCK!
A likely top 8 defender at a handy discount.
Addict you are a very smart human.
Footy is life.
Couldn't agree more mate
I've already lost the key…
One of the easier selections I would have thought Phil haha
He is an auto pick for defence , no fear of being rested imo either. He is a general across 3 lines no rest for him this is Geelongs chance to win a permiership with the mass influx of players over 2 years and mass retirement of the old and bolds (Forced or otherwise)
And the changed sub rule also suits Jimmy , so He is an auto pick for me and the Fridge in the KrakenKats!
I think we can all rest easy with this man in our backlines, the type of player we all needed in 2015 in defence!
Only thing more consistent than this bloke is the Fridge!
Fridge has grown several inches in Diameter Lol . Thanks Lek i can get anotner 6 pack in there now Whoop whoop! ” To the Fridge!! ”
HAPPY STRAYA DAY !
Fridge must have put in a big preseason, happy straya day to you too mate
GR8 player but my strategy this year is the next generation. The new breed.
I respect a man with a strategy
Cats man and its sad to say but have to say no – was ordinary last year disposal and marking let him down and I even had him retired at years end. Still think Stevie J should have been kept for Jimmy.
I'm going SHAW, SMITH, MALCESKI and SEEDSMAN as D1-D4.
BONNER, BROAD, HARTLEY, McDONALD – TEPENYAKI (or similiar) as my rookies.
I like the big spend on Shaw, Smith and Malceski will SURELY give us something this year.
Seedsman is an interesting one, is he in the best 22?
Seedsman is their best 22 for sure. seedsman will start at half back, allowing brodie smith to push into the midfield.
I think Jimmy is an absolute lock in defence, the question I have is should we select Shaw? He was super consist last year, and pumped out some quality scores, but with his big price tag is he worth it? Is our money spent better elsewhere? I’m leaning towards selecting him. Cheers
Don't think he's a bad selection and he'll probably have another super productive season but I struggle to pay more than $500K for a defender let alone $600K plus.
Just would rather spend that sort of coin on another line but that's more a personal philosophy than anything.
Any defender who will score 100+ is welcome in my team, not matter the cost.
My first draft team I started with defence and went Shaw, McVeigh, Bartel. Lock. Lock. Lock.
You have to lock Shaw in. Pay the price, he's going to be a top 3 defender, guaranteed.
I don't have him locked in yet, might have to sacrifice a premo in the midfield for him, play an extra rookie…
I think you're better off, you don't want to have lots of 50/50s. You want to lock in the guns from day dot, the ones who are a sure fire top 10 in their position.
Although he's expensive he actually finished 2015 with a price of $604k so he hasn't copped a huge pre-season price rise like many other players do. He also hovered around the 600k mark for a lot of 2015. I don't see his average dropping dramatically this year so I think his price, although high, is quite fair. Season keeper, locking him in.
Solid argument for his inclusion Lekdog, love your work. I’m a bit on the fence at the moment, reckon his price will win me over though. Defence is a notoriously fickle beast and Jimmy really logs a bad game
Thanks Kev! You're right, defence is always a fickle beast and I think Jimmy's consistent past is enough to get him across the line.
Finished last season with a 125, walked up to me and said im going around again. I looked at the price tag and said pick a spot, he went str8 to D1 and hasn't moved since and I expect he wont move from my def all year.
Age is just a number and numbers are Jimmy's second name.
I like it , alot Stirley have him D 3 atm may even slip to 4 , but he is a starter in the KrakenKats . Lock! Nuff said
Bloody hell sorry mate , Spell check is a wank3r . Stirlsy my apologies
You just brought a bloody tear to my eye mate :')
Love your work Legdog, happy Australia day, l am picking all the oldies, Shaw, Mc Veigh, Bartal and Malceski, looking forward to another supercoach season, cheers
Cheers Alex, love people who back the old blokes.
He is certainly under consideration by me.but i am keen to go with 12 keepers that i think provide the best value regardless of position rather than a few on each line and not sure if i will be able to fit him in on that basis.
Fair enough Luskin, keep coming back to our articles and let me know who you'll be locking in!
5 star assessment, L-dawg. Why you are one of the few whose SC powers can touch the hem of the SC gods.
Been dickering back and forth with Shaw and McVeigh. Both are going to do well but have a feeling not to warrant their initial price tag. Also, like you I like going cheaper in the backline as it is the least predictable. But Bartel could be the gold. That Cats team suffered from top to bottom last year. With Danger in the fold and making some cuts will breath new life into the team
The injury concern is the only thing locking me in. More greys = more naggers. Again, brilliant review.
Ah Throttle, you always now how to brighten my day with your kind words. There is a slight injury concern but hey history says Jimmy will play 20 games, McVeigh will certainly drop in price and when he does he'll be welcomed to the Puppies.
Shaw overs, had a brilliant year, wait for the price drop, then jump on
Agree. Leaning towards McV, Bartel and either KK (maybe B. Smith but confidence not as high). Lock and load, set and forget.
Hmmm Cool!!! I'm From NY…..I lived in Amittyville, and West Windsor NJ (by Princeton). I lived in Melbourne and now live in Brisbane!!! I saw ur comment last yr and I just saw this one! Surprised to see american in footy……..you are the first Ive met. All my friends back in states make fun of me for watching footy and playing SC! They just don't want to understand all about the NFL!!!! LOve the NFL by the way by far my fav sport but footy is 2nd!!!
Well nice to meet you!!!
Brendan
Fellow New Yorker! Nice to meet you as well, Brendan.
Grew up in Ohio but have been into footy for the last four years. Got into SC after seeing the Pies-Saints epic Grand Final. Was such an amazing game.
Watch more college football than NFL (i.e. Browns fan). Most of my friends don't "get" footy. Same reasons as yours. They see why I like it but just don't have the patience to learn a new sport. Don't even bother explaining the intricacies of SC, which is by far the best fantasy game.
Was actually looking to move to Oz but couldn't get any bites on the job front. Long shot but I tried.
What's your footy team? I'm a GWS guy. Started watching footy when GWS came into the league and didn't want to jump on a bandwagon. Glad I did. Enjoy watching them grow as a team. Might have a chance to make the finals.
They don't want to understand footy…..all about the NFL. Sorry for poor sentencing typing fast.
Who is a better selection at D2, Jarrod McVeigh or Jimmy Bartel? Both experienced and consistent campaigners and fantasy selections. I'd especially like to hear your thoughts Lekdog as you love selecting the older blokes.
Hey brother, I'll be slotting in Bartel over McVeigh initially. Save a few dollars and should have similar output. We probably need two of Shaw, McVeigh and Bartel to begin with. I'll likely move someone out of my midfield to fit Shaw in…
Thanks mate. I appreciate the help.
i have both (and Shaw). The lack of premium defenders this year means that you will need to put Shaw, McVeigh, bartel in your team at some stage. You could wait and hope they drop a bit in price, but even then it won't be much and you burn a trade. Put them in now and forget.
Yes Derek I have those as 1-2-3 as well!
i can see him sneaking into the 8-10 defenders of the year
based on this i say LOCK now.
Those who wait for after the bye, could be a good stregey in case of injury, however you may miss crucial points
Agree Wheels, history says he won't miss much gametime either
the more i look at Libba, O'Meara & Crouch i believe i need at least two. There is so much value with O'meara at M7 when you compare to Smith/yarran at D4 (O'Meara $100k less than Smith).
only problem then is D4. What is Whitecross's chances of playing for the Hawks this year?
I took Libba and O'meara….I have Malceski @ D4
do you have Libba at M5 or M6?
I have Libba m5
Whitecross doesn't play is my feeling. Last year I went with three rookies onfield in defence and up forward…might be my plan this year too
3 onfield rookies in defence…i wouldn't be able to sleep at night. last year i went with only 1. (had KK @ D5)
Some times you have to YO before you LO
Also like the way you're comparing the midfielders to the defenders price-wise. Very smart way of valuing correctly
sounds good, but i still need a reliable player at D4 and probably at D5.
Is it worth dropping Bird for a rookie to upgrade another rookie to Crouch/O'Meara
I may be completely wrong but I’m expecting bird to average 90+ and just about be a keeper f6. With him being a popular pick I think there is more to lose by not selecting him than to gain. I’d find another way….
Im torn between Bartel, Docherty and Langdon…. Thoughts??
Bartel will get his points from possessions in a pretty strong team. He is the guy that manages to sneak out the side or forward at a crucial time. Langdon intercept marks but I dont see him ever being a high possession high scoring defender. Docherty has some serious dash off the half backline, you would think he will improve on that. Was a classy TAC player, great kick, and ball will be down there a lot.
Personally Jimmy has the runs on the board, can play forward, back and is never out of a game. Will go 90s then next game 130. Rarely out of a game of footy. He is my pick. Docherty should be around the same as Bartel. If he was in a better side he would be a great choice. Will be one of the better defenders in the next few years. I just think he is going to be short on support down back and it will be down there a lot.
Langdon, he has been consistent since he came into AFL I cant see him improving on that too much more SC wise.
Yeah I like him a lot at that price. Might play loose man quite a bit a lot throughout the season. D2 for me at the moment behind fellow old timer Matty Boyd
Locked Bartel in the moment he hurt his knee and scored a 5 in round 3. Is underpriced, so represents value.
Great right up Lek, Jimmy a lock for me