You may know him as a highly reliable defender in the Swans backline, but Marty Mattner also doubles as our resident aficionado of the AFL’s fantasy football game, Dream Team.
In his down-time at the club during the season, Marty can often be found in front of a computer in the Learning Centre, putting in the hard-yards to perfect his team. He’s also very keen on looking at other people’s Dream Teams and offering a few handy tips on where they can improve.
So this season, Marty’s agreed to put his $8.78million salary cap where his mouth is and let us follow his team’s progression from the embryonic stage of pre-season, all the way through the Dream Team season, and hopefully a finals berth.
Click on the video player above for Marty’s full rundown on his defensive line-up
In this opening package for SwansTV, Marty takes us through his defensive line and the players he’s opted for. Here’s who he currently has in his defence for the beginning of the season:
Brendon Goddard, St Kilda ($474, 200) - “He’s a quality St Kilda defender, and plays a bit through the midfield as well. He’s been in my team the last few years, and he’s the first picked nearly every week.”
Andrew Carrazzo, Carlton ($454,800) - “He’s a quality midfielder/defender as well, and he’s good value”
Brett Deledio, Richmond ($452,100) - “Those three (Goddard, Carazzo, Deledio) I’ve had for the last few years, so I’ll stick with what I know and what I’ve done. They’re all pretty good players.”
Martin Mattner, Sydney ($301,100) - “Got to have myself in there”
Brian Lake, Western Bulldogs ($255,200) and Phil Davis, GWS ($225,900) - “Two players who’ve played a bit of AFL and are good value around the $200-to-$250,000 mark.”
Marty Clarke, Collingwood ($141,500) - “He’s gone back to Ireland, and then come back this year to play, so he’s a bargain at $141,000.”
Tomas Bugg, GWS ($104,200) and Steven Morris, Richmond ($104,200) - “On the bench, a couple of young players who are good value as well.”
Make sure you re-visit sydneyswans.com.au next week as Marty takes us through the all-important midfield and who he has banked on to earn him big points in 2012.
To sign-up and play AFL Dream Team, click here.
