By Oliver Walker-Peel (@olliewalkerpeel)
A-League Men Fantasy is back, and here at Kick360, Kick360 contributor and FPL Addicts panelist Oliver Walker-Peel will take you through the tips and tricks to walk you through the fake world of football this campaign!
The season will kick off on Friday night with a Grand Final rematch between Western United and Melbourne City, where Patrick Kisnorbo’s men will look to seek retribution for last season’s defeat.
Ahead of the opening weekend of action, here is Ollie’s team for the first weekend.
Formation: 4-3-3; Remaining salary: $13,900
GOALKEEPER
Oli Sail (WGN)
Price: $238,500; Next three: ADL (h), CCM (h), NEW (a)
Wellington’s return home for the first two games of the season should benefit the All Whites shot-stopper, who impressed throughout last season.
Sail has a wonderful recent record against the Reds too, averaging 14 points in his last three games against the club he will face this weekend.
Of the goalkeepers to have played 20 games or more last season, only Western United’s Jamie Young averaged more points per game, and is nearly $100,000 more expensive.
The Phoenix custodian looks like a reliable option in between the sticks for your sides, due to his reliability and a cheaper price compared to other goalkeepers available.
DEFENDERS
Ben Garuccio (WUN)
Price: $446,900; Next three: MCY (a), SYD (h), MAC (h)
The highest-scoring defender last time around according to statistics, Garuccio was a key reason why John Aloisi’s men were able to salute in the Grand Final.
Scoring two and supplying another six in 26 outings in 2021-22, the full-back has shown he can be effective going forward, hence his premium price.
He likes facing Melbourne City, given the fact he averages a whopping 17.3 points per game in his last three against them, including a 29-point haul in Round 11 last season.
All the signs point to the Western star showing his class again this season, set to hurt anyone who does not include him in their side.
Leo Lacroix (WUN)
Price: $344,500; MCY (a), SYD (h), MAC (h)
A rock at the heart of the champions’ defence in 2021-22, the Swiss centre-half was wonderful on his first foray into the A-Leagues.
Dependable in a stoic backline, Lacroix’s pace and presence made it a nightmare for opposition attackers to get past him, as the club kept 12 clean sheets.
If last season’s performances were anything to go by, he may well be a shrewd purchase for your sides as the club look to continue its reign as champions.
Jack Hingert (BRI)
Price: $165,300; Next three: MAC (h), MCY (h), WSW (a)
A recent call-up to the Sri Lankan national team, the English-born defender is a Roar regular.
Featuring 21 times last season, Hingert is expected to feature heavily again this season, and given his price point, you could go far worse.
Hingert had one of his better games in recent memory against the Bulls in Round 22 last season, scoring 12 points.
While he may not be up the top of the scoring charts by the end of the season, Hingert looks like a dependable option for the price you will have to pay.
Alex Wilkinson (SYD)
Price: $165,300; Next three: MVC (h), WUN (a), ADL (h)
The former Melbourne City defender looks to be another dependable option in the A-League Men this season.
The best Fantasy performance in his career was a 20-point haul against the Victory a couple of seasons ago, the side he will battle against this weekend.
As a cut-price shout, the Socceroo could be an enabler in your defence, which could allow money to be splurged further afield.
MIDFIELDERS
CRAIG GOODWIN (C) (ADL)
Price: $545,100; Next three: WEL (a), MAC (a), SYD (a)
The highest-scoring player across all positions in 2021-22, the Red should be a lock in any side.
Now a permanent Adelaide United footballer, the 10-time Australia winger scored 10 times last season from the wing, in a dazzling campaign for the former Newcastle Jets player.
The fact he is the only player starting above $500,000 speaks volumes about his quality, along with the fact he averaged more than 13 points across 24 games last season.
If you are going without him, tread with caution, as he will likely punish you.
Mustafa Amini (PER)
Price: $172,100; Next three: WSW (a), NEW (a), CCM (h)
Once on the books at German juggernauts Borussia Dortmund, Amini is preparing for his first full potential campaign in the league since 2010-11.
Owned by about one in seven teams, there are plenty of managers bullish about Glory’s new man, as he looks to light the league up in Western Australia.
With quality that cannot be doubted, both Fantasy players and football fans alike are hoping to see Amini in full flight this season, which would present a tantalising asset in the game if so.
Stefan Colakovski (PER)
Price: $165,300; Next three: WSW (a), NEW (a), CCM (h)
A Melbourne City supporter and academy graduate, Stefan Colakovski has now left for pastures new.
Joining Amini at the Perth Glory, the North Macedonia youth international is hoping a change in setting can allow for his football to flourish.
While not a prolific Fantasy scorer in City blue, many are hoping that a club change may alter that, with 15% of managers putting their faith in him.
It may well be worth doing the same, as his ownership renders him sixth-highest in that category, which may leave you short-changed if you choose to ignore him.
ATTACKERS
Beka Mikeltadze (NEW)
Price: $426,600; Next three: CCM (a), PER (h), WEL (h)
A real differential given his 7% ownership, it is a real surprise more have not gone with the Georgian.
Finding the back of the net 13 times last season, only Melbourne City star Jamie Maclaren (more on him later) scored more in that time.
While north of $60,000 more expensive than the Australian international, this is somewhat mitigated by the potential risk against reward factor of capitalising on the hesitance of others.
If you want to get a jump on your A-League Men Fantasy rivals, Mikeltadze may well be the way to go about it.
Jamie Maclaren (MCY)
Price: $365,700; Next three: WUN (h), BRI (a), MVC (a)
The Golden Boot winner in all of the last three seasons, he just had to be here.
A spell at Hibernian has been both preceded and succeeded by wonderful spells in the A-Leagues, with both City and the Brisbane Roar.
109 goals in the Australian top tier has made him loved by teammates and feared by opposition defences in equal measure, and there is good reason for that.
Whether or not he will get a spot on the plane to Qatar is yet to be confirmed, but irrespective of that, he should have a spot in your frontline.
Charlie Austin (BRI)
Price: $329,000; Next three: MAC (h), MCY (h), WSW (a)
After more than a decade in the top two tiers of English football plying his trade for four clubs, Austin and Australia seem a perfect fit.
His rise from the depths of the English football pyramid to its summit speaks volumes of his character, which should see him succeed in the league.
Almost $100,000 cheaper than Mikeltadze, the Englishman presents real potential value for your teams, and looks to tick so many boxes.
If Austin’s cup form is anything to go by, it may not be his real-life form that fans come to appreciate.
Bench: Alex Paulsen (WGN, GK, $155,100), Aaron Gurd (SYD, DEF, $150,700), Louis D’Arrigo (ADL, MID, $165,300), Arion Sulemani (MCY, MID, $150,700)
Image Credit: Getty Images/Quinn Rooney