

Fantasy football is a game in which participants assemble an imaginary team of real life footballers and score points based on those players’ actual statistical performance, or their perceived contribution on the field of play.Well, if only it was really that simple; for those of us that enjoy Fantasy Football, the game is much more than that. Its about bragging rights against your mates, about your attempt to out-wit and out-play everyone else, based on the talent of another person. On the eve of the A-League season, Fantasy Football is up and running; for the more serious fantasy managers, the Premier League has already started. With just days before kick off. are you a seasoned manager or will this be your teams inaugural season? Before we start, lets take a quick look at how Fantasy Football works. The rules are very simple yet the outcomes are very frustrating. You get a budget of AUD $2700000.00, and based on players values you select a team from all the current A-League team lists. All players start with a perceived value based on last seasons statistics and, while choosing no more than three players from any club, you need to fill a team of 15 players (11 on field and 4 substitutes) all within budget. For the beginner: The easiest way to do this is to “auto fill” your team. This is a method whereby the website pre-populates a team, then allowing you to remove who you don’t want and replace them with players of the same value. For example, if the auto fill gives you Besart Berisha for $325K and you don’t want him, you then chose another forward for the same value such as Mark Bridge. Option two is to pick the players you want and then auto fill the remainders. For example, pick a GK, two defenders, two midfielders and two forwards, then select auto fill the remainder. Tip: ensure your auto filled players will play and are not injured. For the seasoned expert: Here within is only one option for the aspiring A-League managers, and to get to this level you must ensure you’re ready to do some homework; selecting a team based on a real thought pattern. You can’t merely create a team in thirty minutes… you must deliberate over “who, why’s and how’s”, all the while keeping in mind player values. Do you pick midfielders who create assists or forwards that score weekly? Do you opt for a balance? Do you select midfielders who break forward and score or opt for a solid defence? There is one piece of advice: homework, homework and homework! Tip: remember, no matter how much you research, Ange Postecoglou and Tony Popovic hold zero thought for your fantasy team and this will add a few grey hairs. The basic rules and scoring: Select a Fantasy A-League squad of 15 players, consisting of: 2 Goalkeepers 5 Defenders 5 Midfielders; and 3 Forwards You select a captain and a vice captain; captain’s weekly points double, and should he not play, your vice-captain will receive this treatment. Teams must be selected with a Captain and Vice Captain prior to the “game week lockout”. Game week lockout occurs fifteen minutes before the first game of that round. For example, round one lockout starts at 19:15 October 11th 2013 and runs for the duration of the round. Points will calculate and tally upon completion of the round; all points and substitutions will take place and results are finalised for each week. No changes can be made during this lockout period. Scoring How do my players score and what for? Playing in a match (or part of a match e.g. at least 60 minutes) Scoring a goal Making an assist (the pass or touch leading to the goal) Keeping a clean sheets (goalkeepers, midfielders and defenders only) Saving a penalty Goalkeeper saves 3 shots or more As well as the above, points can be deducted for some or all of the following: Conceding a goal (goalkeepers and defenders only)

Receiving a yellow or red card

Missing a penalty kick

Scoring an own goal For full scoring points and rules please visit the rules tab to the top right hand corner, just under the deadline clock, or: http://aleaguefantasy.foxsports.com.au/rules Leagues types I have played Fantasy football for a few seasons now, and enjoy it thoroughly. I register my team into many different leagues. You can chose the “traditional league” option where most points at seasons end wins, or the “head to head” option where you play other teams in the league based on your weekly points. Some people play private leagues for money; if you do, remember to bet responsibly… however I personally get more fun from merely the bragging rights of beating my mates, particularly my good mate Mark Riley. Fantasy Football is a lot of fun… its designed to keep you engaged, and if you’re like me, I end up watching other games (which I wouldn’t normally) just to see players in my team. Wait and see, I am sure you’ll find yourself hoping Del Piero scores, as he is your selected captain, even if you go for Adelaide. Or you will find yourself looking for John Aloisi’s twitter handle to ask him why he dropped Jeremy Walker, or who he’s starting this coming Saturday. Fantasy Football creates football managers that many partners refer to as “football monsters”, because Fantasy Football isn’t about “oh, well you did your best”. Fantasy Football is about winning at all costs. We don’t sign up to lose, we are not doing this to be laughed at by the boys in the work place cafeteria because we selected Pedj Bojic as captain, and he didn’t even play. We are doing this because we’re, in our heads, at the end of the season emailing, texting, tweeting and screaming to our mates, ” You should have selected Tom Juric, I showed you!” Fantasy Football starts this Friday night, register your team at: http://aleaguefantasy.foxsports.com.au/ and get your team into the FTSAL league. Our traditional league code is 144-100. Please join ours, get your friends to join ours, and even start your own. Fantasy football is for everyone, have a great and enjoyable year.