• After the siren: Where it's going wrong for the Swans
THEY say a week is a long time in footy and that has certainly been true this week in NAB AFL Fantasy.
After a high scoring start to the season in round one, this round threw up plenty of surprises that brought a few Fantasy coaches back to earth.
RICHMOND v CARLTON – MCG
As the game began, another partial lockout greeted Fantasy coaches as Tigers and Blues players were locked into our squads as the ball was bounced.
FWD/MID Dustin Martin (89) appears in more than a third of teams, and he kicked two goals, including the last of the match to seal victory for the Tigers. He managed 21 disposals but pleasingly 18 of them were kicks; good for Fantasy.
Both Trent Cotchin (79) and Brett Deledio (74) were among the leading scorers at the main break, but quiet second halves saw the midfielders score well below what they’re priced at.
Former Port Adelaide player Matt Thomas, (107) at just $271,100, backed up very well from his round one score of 108. The midfielder again rewarded coaches who selected him after a positive pre-season.
Midfielders Ed Curnow (117), Marc Murphy (103) and forward Chris Yarran (103) were the best for the Blues. Last time the two sides played, Brock McLean (19) was the top scorer. On Thursday night, the midfielder struggled with just two kicks and six handballs and was subbed out in the third term.
ESSENDON v HAWTHORN – Etihad Stadium
Ninety minutes before the bounce, Hawk Sam Mitchell was a late withdrawal from the game due to a calf injury. With unlimited trades, the DEF/MID’s ownership dropped significantly before full lockout was in effect.
The Hawks won the trilling encounter and DEF/MID Shaun Burgoyne (123) finished with 30 disposals to be the star of the match.
Essendon midfielders Brent Stanton (121) and Jobe Watson (120) were busy all night finishing with 25 and 30 disposals respectively.
FWD/MID Paul Chapman (110) was again fantastic for his new club as were underrated first-year players forward Patrick Ambrose (77) and midfielder Martin Gleeson (73).
A groin injury saw DEF/MID Luke Hodge (45) subbed out in the third quarter while fellow defenders Grant Birchall (47) and Will Langford (46) didn’t match their scores from round one.
Nick Riewoldt dominated against the Giants, scoring 148 points. Picture: AFL MediaST KILDA v GWS – Etihad Stadium
Five goals, 24 disposals and 14 marks saw forward Nick Riewoldt (148) the best in the afternoon game at Etihad Stadium.
Tom Hickey (119) kicked three goals resting forward while shouldering most of the ruck responsibility. Shane Mumford (132) won the battle at the stoppages with 46 hit-outs to Hickey’s 20.
Twenty-eight disposals to midfielder Callan Ward (110) and five goals to FWD/MID Devon Smith (109) saw them the only other Giants to score three figures.
In just over a quarter, midfielder Josh Kelly (41) made an impressive debut with 11 disposals and three tackles.
PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE – Adelaide Oval
In the Showdown at the new home of football in South Australia, midfielder Kane Cornes (136) racked up 33 disposals and 10 marks.
Brad Ebert (127) wasn’t far behind with 21 disposals, 10 marks, nine tackles and one goal.
For the Crows, defenders Brodie Smith (123) and Matthew Jaensch (119) were the unlikely top scorers. The latter could be a smokey for your Fantasy backline after posting 89 in round one. He’ll have a decent price rise over the coming weeks if his form continues.
Unfortunately midfielder Brad Crouch (96) will miss about six weeks with a fractured fibula.
More than 30,000 coaches went into round two with FWD/MID Matthew Wright (52) after an impressive 108 against Geelong last week. He spent the majority of his time up forward playing a defensive role, limiting his Fantasy scoring.
Aaron Sandilands was the hit-out king at Subiaco. Picture: AFL Media
Five goals, 24 disposals and 14 marks saw forward Nick Riewoldt (148) the best in the afternoon game at Etihad Stadium.
Tom Hickey (119) kicked three goals resting forward while shouldering most of the ruck responsibility. Shane Mumford (132) won the battle at the stoppages with 46 hit-outs to Hickey’s 20.
Twenty-eight disposals to midfielder Callan Ward (110) and five goals to FWD/MID Devon Smith (109) saw them the only other Giants to score three figures.
In just over a quarter, midfielder Josh Kelly (41) made an impressive debut with 11 disposals and three tackles.
PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE – Adelaide Oval
In the Showdown at the new home of football in South Australia, midfielder Kane Cornes (136) racked up 33 disposals and 10 marks.
Brad Ebert (127) wasn’t far behind with 21 disposals, 10 marks, nine tackles and one goal.
For the Crows, defenders Brodie Smith (123) and Matthew Jaensch (119) were the unlikely top scorers. The latter could be a smokey for your Fantasy backline after posting 89 in round one. He’ll have a decent price rise over the coming weeks if his form continues.
Unfortunately midfielder Brad Crouch (96) will miss about six weeks with a fractured fibula.
More than 30,000 coaches went into round two with FWD/MID Matthew Wright (52) after an impressive 108 against Geelong last week. He spent the majority of his time up forward playing a defensive role, limiting his Fantasy scoring.
Aaron Sandilands was the hit-out king at Subiaco. Picture: AFL MediaFREMANTLE v GOLD COAST – Patersons Stadium
In wet conditions in Perth, Aaron Sandilands (104) scored more than half of his points from hit-outs. With plenty of ball-ups around the ground, he won 58 hit-outs for the night.
Midfielders Michael Barlow (130) and David Mundy (123) had 65 disposals between them, with the majority by foot, boosting their Fantasy scores.
As expected, Ryan Crowley (38) went to Gary Ablett (80) and held the Gold Coast captain to 24 disposals. Ablett was one of five players to not take a mark in the match.
DEF/MID David Swallow (89) was top scorer for the Suns, spending most of his time running through the midfield.
On debut, defender Kade Kolodjashnij (72) showed some excellent signs. As one of the best Fantasy prospects from the NAB Under 18 Championships last year, his 19 disposals was hopefully a sign of things to come for the future Fantasy star.
SYDNEY SWANS v COLLINGWOOD – ANZ Stadium
In the other Saturday night game, Scott Pendlebury (152) was by far the best performer on the ground with 33 disposals and a massive 10 tackles. The Collingwood midfielder made 48,879 coaches very happy about his selection.
Bargain midfielder Dayne Beams (113) will see his first price rise this week. Calvin’s number one captain choice for the round didn’t let his supporters down collecting 30 disposals, six tackles and kicking a goal.
FWD/MID Lewis Jetta (104) was surprisingly the only Swan to score a Fantasy ton.
One of the first picked for many sides over the last few years, Dane Swan (68), was far from his dominant best. The midfielder had registered just 25 points at half-time.
In wet conditions in Perth, Aaron Sandilands (104) scored more than half of his points from hit-outs. With plenty of ball-ups around the ground, he won 58 hit-outs for the night.
Midfielders Michael Barlow (130) and David Mundy (123) had 65 disposals between them, with the majority by foot, boosting their Fantasy scores.
As expected, Ryan Crowley (38) went to Gary Ablett (80) and held the Gold Coast captain to 24 disposals. Ablett was one of five players to not take a mark in the match.
DEF/MID David Swallow (89) was top scorer for the Suns, spending most of his time running through the midfield.
On debut, defender Kade Kolodjashnij (72) showed some excellent signs. As one of the best Fantasy prospects from the NAB Under 18 Championships last year, his 19 disposals was hopefully a sign of things to come for the future Fantasy star.
SYDNEY SWANS v COLLINGWOOD – ANZ Stadium
In the other Saturday night game, Scott Pendlebury (152) was by far the best performer on the ground with 33 disposals and a massive 10 tackles. The Collingwood midfielder made 48,879 coaches very happy about his selection.
Bargain midfielder Dayne Beams (113) will see his first price rise this week. Calvin’s number one captain choice for the round didn’t let his supporters down collecting 30 disposals, six tackles and kicking a goal.
FWD/MID Lewis Jetta (104) was surprisingly the only Swan to score a Fantasy ton.
One of the first picked for many sides over the last few years, Dane Swan (68), was far from his dominant best. The midfielder had registered just 25 points at half-time.
Former captain Nick Maxwell (93) enjoyed his 200th game. It was one of the defenders best Fantasy scores of his career. Maxy is one of the good guys, but don’t get too excited and jump on him for your squad.
BRISBANE LIONS v GEELONG – Gabba
The most expensive player in Fantasy Classic, Steve Johnson (153) justified his price tag. The midfielder had the ball on a string finishing with 23 kicks and 14 handballs. Fewer than 20,000 coaches have the Geelong superstar, making him a unique selection.
Midfielder Jack Redden (131), FWD/MID Dayne Zorko (130) and DEF/MID Pearce Hanley were the best for the home side.
Defender Corey Enright (43) couldn’t match his score of 108 last week. The Geelong veteran fell short of his breakeven and he’ll suffer a price drop this week.
A nice score of 85 last week saw Josh Caddy’s stocks rise during the week. The FWD/MID finished with just 55 points. Fortunately his price will stay relatively steady.
MELBOURNE v WEST COAST – MCG
The Eagles enjoyed a 15-goal win but both sides had some Fantasy wins.
Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones (129) collected 34 disposals, six marks and eight tackles to show his 147 last week wasn’t a fluke. The midfielder will be one of the big movers as prices change.
Luke Shuey (126) had the ball 30 times and kicked two goals while Chris Masten (111) also chimed in with two goals and 25 disposals.
Cheap Eagles midfielder Xavier Ellis (90) reignited his pre-season form posting a much improved score on last week thanks to 26 disposals. New Demon Dom Tyson (111) now has two Fantasy tons to his name in the space of two weeks. The midfielder will see a jump on his starting price of $218,400.
Last round Dean Cox (51) and Scott Selwood (48) were among the best for the Eagles scoring 221 points between them. This week it was a different story as they combined for just 99.
New Demon Dom Tyson scored his second consecutive AFL Fantasy ton. Picture: AFL Media
WESTERN BULLDOGS v NORTH MELBOURNE – Etihad Stadium
To close the round, North Melbourne took the four points and champion FWD/MID Brent Harvey (118) kicked three goals topping all scorers. Midfielders Sam Gibson (117) and Nick Dal Santo (108) both had more than 30 disposals for the Kangaroos.
Eight tackles helped Adam Cooney (116) to triple figures.
Dogs’ forward Luke Dahlhaus (93) is embracing a change of role, spending more time up the field, to be a fruitful mid-priced option. His price is heading north.
DEF/MID Luke McDonald (74) improved in his second senior game.
He’s been sitting on our Fantasy ruck bench for more than 12 months now, but finally Daniel Currie (49) got his opportunity, playing his first AFL game. The 25-year-old supported Todd Goldstein (62) in the ruck, kicking one goal.
HOW DID THE TRADERS GO IN ROUND TWO?
Heard the phrase “from chocolates to boiled lollies”? Well, that pretty much sums up our performance for round two.
The three of us had a dream start last week. We all ranked in the top 25 overall for the round and scoring in the high 2300s.
Then this week happened.
Unlimited trades meant some big changes to our sides to make sure we had all of the cash cows, mid-priced and premium players that would form the nucleus of our starting squads before the limit of two trades per week kicked in.
To be fair, it was a low scoring round as quite a few popular players under performed. Anything over 2000 this round was a good score.
My Warne Dawgs finished on 2053 which wasn’t as bad as it could have been considering I had five players on my ground scoring 55 or under. Calvin’s 1867 was a far cry from his massive score last week. Word is that Roy has a crisis meeting at destROY HQ this week after scoring a disappointing 1753.
It’s a normal Fantasy round this coming week... finally. As the first game is on Friday night, lockout will come into effect at 7:50pm AEDT when the ball is bounced in the Hawthorn v Fremantle clash.
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