Neds Fantasy Preview: Five A-League Men stars to watch in Round 1

The clock is ticking. Your first Official A-Leagues Fantasy deadline of the season is fast approaching.

With Friday night’s Grand Final rematch kicking off the Isuzu UTE A-League season, time is running short for you to make last-minute changes to the 15-player roster that will take you into the new campaign.

Consider these five fantasy assets to take into battle in Round 1, thanks to Neds.

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Reno Piscopo – Newcastle Jets

  • Ownership: 28%
  • Price: $263,100

Fantasy managers should be just as excited as Newcastle Jets fans when pondering what Reno Piscopo will bring to his new club in 2022-23.

The ex-Wellington Phoenix creator is yet to make more than 18 starts in a single season due to a series of injuries which curtailed his impact at the ‘Nix over three A-League Men campaigns. A former Olyroo with dreams of reaching the Socceroos, when Piscopo is fit and on form, he’s one of the most enjoyable players to watch in the A-League Men.

Jets boss Arthur Papas developed a swashbuckling attacking blueprint at the club last season, with the bulk of his side’s forward play funnelling through Daniel Penha. The Brazilian’s departure has opened the gate for Piscopo to fill the very same role. Given the number 10 shirt at the Jets for his debut campaign in the Hunter Valley, Piscopo could prove as a high risk, high reward fantasy asset heading into Round 1.

Zach Clough – Adelaide United

  • Ownership: 2%
  • Price: $165,300

Zach Clough, is ready to find his rhythm after a subdued start to life at Adelaide United.

Clough arrived Down Under last season from Nottingham Forest, making just 13 appearances in his first campaign. That season came after an 18-month stint “training with the kids” at Forest. By all reports, the 27-year-old is absolutely flying ahead of the new season – and ready for regular minutes.

Former Red Robbie Cornthwaite says Clough is the talk of the town in the City of Churches: “I’ve spoken to Zach – he’s fitter than he’s ever been,” Cornthwaite told KEEPUP.

“He trained in the off-season in Dubai with Declan Rice – the West Ham captain – and Matty Cash from Aston Villa. He’s come back in super shape. Even Craig Goodwin has come out in the media and said Zach Clough is looking really, really good.”

A foot injury to Bernardo Oliveira has put Clough in the box seat to make Adelaide’s number 10 role his own, behind a front three which features Socceroo Craig Goodwin, Ben Halloran and Hiroshi Ibusuki (suspended for Round 1).

Al Hassan Toure – Macarthur FC

  • Ownership: 7%
  • Price: $165,300

This could be a defining season for Al Hassan Toure, the Macarthur FC striker showing eagerness to refine his craft under legendary Manchester United striker and new Bulls head coach Dwight Yorke. Judging by his Australia Cup form, the Bulls forward is revelling under the guidance of his new boss.

Toure scored five goals and assisted one more in five Australia Cup appearances throughout the off-season, bagging a penalty in the final against Sydney United 58 to help clinch the club’s first piece of silverware. 

Should he beat off competition from the likes of Lachie Rose and Anthony Carter to lock down a position in Macarthur’s frontline, Toure will be surrounded by undeniable quality. Ulises Davila, Craig Noone, Daniel De Silva and Daniel Arzani could all start with Toure in Macarthur’s first game of the season against Brisbane Roar on Saturday, October 8.

The creative supply in that attacking unit is frightening, and Toure could be the prime beneficiary of it. 

Bozidhar Kraev – Wellington Phoenix

  • Ownership: 3%
  • Price: $234,500

The Bulgaria international oozing confidence in pre-season looms as an unknown quantity – and a dangerous fantasy asset. Wellington play with two number 10’s – in recent years, David Ball has excelled in one of those roles as the all-rounded contributor, allowing the likes of Dávila, Gael Sandoval and Piscopo to create, notching goals and assists aplenty. This season it’s Kraev shaping up to be that player for Ufuk Talay’s side. 

If in need of convincing when it comes to Kraev and his eagerness to make his impact felt in the final third, hear it from the man himself: ““I would say I am a natural No.10, very creative,” he told KEEPUP in pre-season. 

“For example, not always, but I mostly play high-risk balls forward. I can make three mistakes, but the fourth pass can decide the game.

“So I play on the edge of the risk, creative and also working hard. I have that mentality also to work hard.”

Cadete – Melbourne Victory

  • Ownership: 5%
  • Price: $234,500

A full-back in a Tony Popovic defence is always a tantalising prospect, and Spanish signing Cadete is no different heading into the new season.

Cadete and fellow arrival Noah Smith will compete for a starting berth at left-back for Popovic early in the season; should the former seal his place as a starter, his fantasy price of $234,500 will look an absolute steal.

Victory kept eight clean sheets last season, and conceded just 25 goals – five less than the next-best (Western United’s 30). Cadete is the fourth-most expensive defender at the club. Get yourself a member of that defensive unit and you may see the clean sheet points flowing regularly this season – Cadete could be your cut-price way into that Popovic backline.

Cadete in Austalia Cup action for Victory against Western United.

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