To buy, to hold, or to sell? That is the question facing fantasy managers ahead of Round 2 in the Liberty A-League.
The first round of Official Liberty A-League Fantasy is in the books in 2023-24 – and as always, the standout stars, under-performers and those picking up injuries have left managers with plenty to think before settling on a Round 2 squad.
Read on as aleagues.com.au takes you through the players to consider buying, holding or selling ahead of Round 2’s first lockout deadline on Friday night.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE A-LEAGUES FOR THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES!
INS AND OUTS: Gielnik named for Victory debut as Matildas return to the fold
SIGN UP FOR A-LEAGUES FANTASY AND TIPPING!
Buy
Vesna Milivojevic (Canberra United MID $483k)
Hop on the Milivojevic hype train before it leaves the station.
The Canberra United midfielder scored a Round 1 brace against Adelaide United in a continuation of her sublime form in 2022-23; prices will begin to fluctuate after Round 3 and if you fail to bring Milivojevic into your squad by then, you run the risk of her price tag ballooning out to a figure you can no longer afford.
Milivojevic looks certain to be one of the stars of the show in the Liberty A-League this season, and is predicted to score 21 points in Round 2 against Melbourne City. What are you waiting for?
Grace Jale (Perth MID $449k)
A Grace Jale rocket on her Perth Glory debut wrapped up Goal of the Week honours – and the New Zealand international looks set to play a pivotal role in the Glory squad moving forward this season.
Jale is classed as a midfielder but will get forward to make her presence known in the final third for Alex Epakis’ side. Like Milivojevic, Jale is an expensive fantasy asset who will only move further out of your price bracket if you don’t move her into your squad early doors.
Lysianne Proulx (Melbourne City GKP $203k)
With a starting price just $53k above the cheapest in the game, Canada international and Melbourne City keeper Lysianne Proulx looks an absolute steal after Round 1.
City were rock solid in a 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix, with returning captain Rebekah Stott leading a resilient rear-guard that protected Prouxl from conceding – but when she was tasked with making saves, the Canadian did so with conviction. Looking around the league at other starting prices for top-line goalkeepers, you can save a pretty penny by shifting Prouxl into your team, opening up funds to spend across the board.
Hold
Holly McNamara (Melbourne City FWD $373k)
Just five points in Round 1 for Holly McNamara – but despite failing to get on the scoresheet or register an assist against Wellington, the Matildas young gun caught the eye in a win over the ‘Nix.
It’s important to get ahead of trends in fantasy and there was no doubt that the player who took to the pitch in Round 1 was close to, if not the best version of McNamara we have seen since an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in February 2022. Her electrifying pace was a standout quality in a performance that should have her current fantasy owners excited about what’s to come.
Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC FWD $478k)
Owned by more than half the managers taking part in fantasy this season, Cortnee Vine is by far and away the most popular player in the game. It means that for the 48% of teams without the Sydney star, a Round 2-haul from Vine could prove catastrophic to their ranking due to the 52% that would benefit from the points gained.
Vine registered eight points without a goal or assist, earning her points with shots on target (three points), key passes (two points), successful dribbles (one point) and two appearance points. Before prices begin to fluctuate after Round 3, it’s worth holding on to Vine to see what she can produce in Round 2.
Hannah Keane (Western United FWD $496k)
Much like Vine, it’s too early to be making a knee-jerk reaction to Hannah Keane’s four-point total in Round 1.
Last season’s top scorer was a fantasy goldmine in a stellar campaign for Western United; Keane was kept quiet by an impressive Perth Glory in Round 1 – but a trip to Western Australia is never easy, particularly in the opening round. If you have Keane in your squad, hold on for another round and see what the striker can do at home against a Melbourne Victory defence that leaked two goals against Brisbane Roar in Round 1.
Sell
Grace Maher (Western United MID $455k)
Grace Maher will almost certainly have a brilliant season for Western United – but playing as a centre-back at her new club will put a limit on her ability to score and assist in green and black.
At Canberra, Maher was one of the most dangerous players in the league, but the natural midfielder will be tasked with defensive duties for much of the campaign unless Western’s plans or approach alter under head coach Mark Torcaso.
Classed as a midfielder but playing in defence, Maher won’t get the benefit of those valuable clean sheet points despite playing a crucial role in Western’s backline. A reluctant sell at this stage in the season.
Natalie Tobin (Sydney FC DEF $354k)
From the joy of Saturday night’s record-breaking crowd of more than 11,000 at the Sydney Derby came the heartbreak of Sydney FC captain Natalie Tobin’s season-ending ACL injury.
Tobin was selected in 30% of fantasy teams for Round 1 – but that figure has only decreased to 20% since the news of the injury. Those managers still facing the unenviable task of replacing Tobin’s supreme defensive assets with another fantasy option must move quickly in order to avoid a Round 2 DNP (Did Not Play).
Annalee Grove – (Adelaide United GKP $241k)
Annalee Grove is another player with high ownership who will not feature in Round 2 due to a concussion. Grove conceded four goals against Canberra in Round 1 to end the week on a fantasy score of -2. The Reds keeper is currently still in 13.% of teams heading into Round 2.
