Champion Data’s Fantasy Freako reveals the role change for Eagle Dom Sheed after the return of Andrew Gaff

He’s been in career-best form since August last year but the numbers, as revealed by Champion Data’s Fantasy Freako, point to a role change for Dom Sheed with the return of Andrew Gaff. Here The Phantom’s Lair podcast here.

West Coast’s Dom Sheed. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images)

• Is it time to get Scully in your Draft league?
• The Phantom’s Round 4 Review
• Power moves to save your season

He’s been in career-best form since August last year but the numbers, as revealed by Champion Data’s Fantasy Freako, point to a role change for Dom Sheed with the return of Andrew Gaff.

If you include the JLT Series, between Round 21 last year and Round 2 this season, Dom Sheed averaged 31 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven marks, six clearances and 111 SuperCoach points per game.

And in a six-game stretch starting at the qualifying final against the Magpies, Sheed posted eight consecutive SuperCoach tons, four in excess of 130.

LISTEN TO FANTASY FREAKO TALK GAFF, TAGGERS, SHANE MUMFORD & MORE ON THE PHANTOM’S LAIR PODCAST BELOW

After averaging just 20 disposals in the previous 12 matches, the strongly-built left-footer, who was dropped on two separate occasions in 2018, was back playing the same full-time ball-winning midfield role that saw him average 28 disposals per game at the 2013 under-18 Championships.

But there was one thing missing.

His name was Andrew Gaff.

Andrew Gaff, left, has tallied 70 disposals in two games after returning from suspension in Round 3.

The star midfielder returned to the Eagles side in Round 3, after serving an eight-game suspension for his hit on Docker Andrew Brayshaw, and it had a direct impact on Sheed’s role.

“There were a lot of questions about Sheed in relation to Andrew Gaff not starting in the team and, from what we’ve seen since Gaff returned in Round 3, he’s been played forward,” Champion Data’s Fantasy Freako told The Phantom’s Lair Podcast.

While Gaff’s inclusion during the JLT Series didn’t seem to have an impact, it’s been a different story so far in the regular season.

After spending 91 per cent of the first two weeks in the midfield, Freako revealed Sheed played just 49 per cent of the Round 3 game in the middle.

While Sheed still recorded 111 SuperCoach points against the Magpies, it was thanks, largely, to three important goals.

And against the Dockers in the Derby, Sheed’s midfield time was, again, limited with the 24-year-old spending 43 per cent of the game in forward-half.

Dom Sheed has suffered a stark SuperCoach scoring decline in recent weeks. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images)

This time, SuperCoaches we affected with Sheed finishing with just 17 disposals and 65 points to his name.

Gaff tallied 35 disposals — for the second-week running — nine marks, eight contested possessions and 104 points.

“It’s a stark decline. If I was an owner I’d be slightly concerned,” Freako added.

For the 45,139 SuperCoaches who have Sheed, it’s not yet time to panic trade but as Freako finished with “it’s definitely one to keep your eye on”.

Originally published as Champion Data’s Fantasy Freako reveals the role change for Eagle Dom Sheed after the return of Andrew Gaff