Another round of the Isuzu UTE A-League is upon us – and so is another chance for you to make last-minute renovations to your Official A-League Men Fantasy squad!
Consider these five fantasy assets to take into battle in Round 6, thanks to neds.
Marco Tilio – Melbourne City
- Ownership: 3%
- Price: $358K
- Average points: 8.8
Marco Tilio has scored two goals and notched one assist in his past two appearances for Melbourne City. He’s put himself in an excellent spot to make his fourth-consecutive start after earning just 18 minutes across two games to start the season.
This weekend, however, Tilio has added motivation to excel, after missing out on Graham Arnold’s 26-player Socceroos squad bound for this month’s FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar. Fellow City forwards Mathew Leckie and Jamie Maclaren will be on the plane, and should either of them see their minutes reduced as a result, Tilio could find even more chances falling his way.
City face a Newcastle Jets outfit which has leaked six goals in two games, scoring none of their own in the same timeframe.
Bozhidar Kraev – Wellington Phoenix
- Ownership: 5%
- Price: $303K
- Average points: 7.0
Bozhidar Kraev scored his second goal of the season in Round 5, as Wellington’s stacked attack clicks into gear.
Why consider the Bulgarian international as a fantasy option this weekend? Let him speak for himself:
“I’m more comfortable, I know now what the system is, how the team is playing, what the coach wants from me,” Kraev told reporters in midweek. “I am very in and focussed to do my job, and for the moment I think I’m doing well.
“The day when I had my first interview I said I’m a creative player, that I create, I assist, I score. I’m happy that it wasn’t just words. For the moment it’s working, I’m trying to create, and that’s all about my position – to create something.”
Ben Halloran – Adelaide United
- Ownership: 2%
- Price: $337K
- Average points: 9.4
With World Cup-bound Craig Goodwin writing all the headlines of late, Ben Halloran has quietly gone about his business on the right flank for the Reds. The time has come for fantasy managers to take notice.
Halloran has bagged a goal and assist over the past two rounds, taking his goal tally to two for the season – equal to Goodwin’s scoring output on the opposite flank. Together with Hiroshi Ibusuki, both Goodwin and Halloran form part of one of the most fearsome attacks league-wide – but Halloran is priced almost $300,000 cheaper than Goodwin after five rounds. Want a Reds attacking asset but can’t fork out for Goodwin? Consider Halloran as he looks to score in consecutive games.
Nicolas Milanovic – Western United
- Ownership: 1%
- Price: $225K
- Average points: 7.2
Nicolas Milanovic has started just one of five games for Western United this season. He’s refused to let lack of game time reduce his on-field impact, scoring three goals in 135 minutes.
The Western super-sub’s value is surging in the wake of his escapades off the bench – nine goals were scored by substitutes in Round 5 – an all-time Australian national league record – proving you can find value not just in nailed-on starters heading into Round 6.
Jacob Farrell – Central Coast Mariners
- Ownership: 9%
- Price: $349K
- Average points: 8.8
Jacob Farrell has found his feet with the Mariners after a shaky start to the season. Farrell played 90 minutes in Rounds 2 and 3 as Central Coast drew to Wellington and lost to Perth. He was dropped to the bench in Round 4 and with his side trailing Western United 2-0 was introduced at half-time. The full-back scored the Mariners’ go-ahead goal in a 4-2 win, earning his starting spot back and keeping a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Western Sydney last weekend.
He scored five points across his first two appearances of the season but has subsequently bagged 30 more in two convincing performances.
