AFTER Warnie reviewed the first six NAB Challenge games, here’s Calvin with his take on the standout Fantasy players from the next six matches in this carnival of football.
WEST COAST v FREMANTLE
Arena Joondalup, February 18
In what was a very one-sided affair in favour of West Coast, plenty of AFL Fantasy news came from the 84-point demolition.
The highlight of the night was clearly Xavier Ellis’ 72 points from just 48 per cent game time. Ellis is a bargain this year at just $135,500 and looked at home after leaving the Hawks. He’s a perfect bench option in our midfield if he can stay fit and hold his position in West Coast’s best 22.
Many have been questioning the fitness of Aaron Sandilands but he proved he was worthy of a selection in your team in 2014. He’s cheap at $244,500 and showed enough with his 71 points in 72 per cent time on ground.
Premium stars Nat Fyfe (530,900) and Dean Cox ($526,000) showed us what you can expect, racking up solid numbers. Cox scored 74 points in less than half a game and Fyfe scored 103 points despite the fact that the Eagles had the ball for the majority of the game.
Dom Sheed ($235,800) won the Larke Medal in the 2013 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for being the best player and showed why he was rated so highly. He’s ready to go for round one and scored 61 from just over half the game.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v ST KILDA
Simonds Stadium, February 19
Despite the fact that Simonds Stadium resembled a swimming pool, Matthew Boyd ($563,300) was back to his old school best, top scoring for the game with 120 points. Let’s not forget that while this future Fantasy hall of famer averaged 103 last year due to injury, he did average 115+ for three years prior to that.
Lin Jong was selected at pick No.9 by the Bulldogs in the 2012 rookie draft and impressed in the wet with 73 points from just 66 per cent time on the field. He’s only $215,300 and worth watching when he plays against the Dockers on Wednesday.
However it was the Tom Hickey ($282,700) and Billy Longer ($194,400) battle that drew the most attention as they strive to be St Kilda’s No.1 ruckman. The honours went to Hickey who played 71 per cent of the game for his 85 points, before being subbed off and then back on for Longer who only managed 19 points in his limited minutes.
Shane Savage ($364,900) was solid, but failed to really cement himself in our Fantasy teams with 75 points. He’s not off the radar completely, but certainly one to watch in the Saints’ next game against Greater Western Sydney.
A cheap rookie by the name of Eli Templeton ($115,200) showed the Saints what he was capable of as he fights for round one selection. 43 points in just over half a game was quite impressive. Another kid to keep a close eye on.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v SYDNEY SWANS
StarTrack Oval, February 20
After this game, across Australia, Fantasy coaches were re-shuffling their teams to make room for Tom Mitchell in their forward lines. He had 34 touches for his 138 points and did this in just 72 per cent game time. He had 91 points in the second half and is now a player who we must have in our teams come round one.
Tom Derickx ($135,500) assumed ruck duties for the Swans and was quite impressive against new Giant Shane Mumford. Derickx scored 65 and is shaping up as a great bench option for your rucks.
Although he only scored 58 points, Gary Rohan did have 23 in the last quarter and showed enough potential for now. He’s currently locked into many benches at a price tag of $138,400 and should stay there for now. But make sure you monitor his next game on February 27 just to be sure.
Toby Greene only played 72 per cent game time and managed a lazy 30 disposals for his score of 101. He averaged 96 in his debut season only to suffer second-year blues which dropped his average back to 77 last year. He’s a bargain if he continues his NAB Challenge form.
The last player on my watchlist in this game was Jed Lamb ($243,400). He played just over half the match but still managed 56 points. But is he in the Giants’ best 22? Time will tell, so keep monitoring him over the next few weeks.
HAWTHORN v NORTH MELBOURNE
Aurora Stadium, February 21
From this Tasmanian clash came several Fantasy highlights and Lock (Luke) McDonald was one of them. He scored 75 points in the Roos’ 65-point defeat and is a great selection in your backline for $243,900.
Fantasy team preview: North Melbourne
Hawthorn defender Will Langford ($135,500) and forward Derick Wanganeen ($115,200) shone with 101 points each as they fight to be selected in the Hawks’ best 22 come round one.
Robin Nahas ($178,100) had 13 disposals for his 70 points. Nahas comes with some solid Fantasy credibility. He has averaged 84 before with Richmond and could be a good choice if you are looking for cheaper options in your forward line.
Fantasy team preview: Hawthorn
However it was Ben Cunnington and Liam Shiels who got the biggest scores for the night with 112 and 114 points respectively. Cunnington achieved his ton in just 60 per cent game time but it’s Shiels who is shaping up as a ‘smokey’ in our midfields for 2014. The flag-winning Hawk is priced at an average of 63 ($343,800) but has averaged 80 and 103 before.
Back in 2011, Shiels ran hot for a four-week period averaging a massive 135 points a game over that time. He top-scored in the Hawks’ first NAB Challenge match with 122 points and appears to be back to his best this year without the tagging role he’s had in the past.
COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND
Wangaratta Showgrounds, February 22
With 34 disposals,11 marks and four goals, Trent Cotchin ($511,300) absolutely dominated for his score of 154. He averaged 94 last year, 16 points less than he did in 2012. Cotchin is under-priced and looks in hot form.
Brett Deledio (134 points) and Dustin Martin (114 points) were also awesome. They had 32 disposals each and certainly satisfied any Fantasy coach who had them on their watchlist.
Dane Swan ($636,600) played his first pre-season game and picked up just 80 points. This is typical of our boy Swanny though – don’t let this deter you from locking him in for the season ahead.
A few players did disappoint me over the course of the game. Clinton Young scored 60 points from 73 per cent time on ground and is awkwardly priced at $218,300. With cheaper options stepping up over the NAB Challenge, it’s going to be hard to justify his selection.
Alex Fasolo ($208,400) is nearly in the same boat. He scored 41 from 72 per cent game time and although we should expect low numbers from small forwards from time to time, Nathan Buckley’s decision to use him as a defender in this game was concerning.
BRISBANE LIONS v GOLD COAST
Tony Ireland Stadium (Townsville), February 23
In Townsville, Tom Rockliff ($558,800) showed us all why he is a great selection the midfield this year. He scored 130 from 32 disposals and eight tackles. He was everywhere in this game and has averaged 112 points per game before, a number he should get close to again in 2014.
Jack Redden ($514,200) topped scored with 142 points. Redden is pretty cheap based on what he can do but it was Harley Bennell ($462,900) who caught my eye. He scored 87 points in just over half a game and looks set for a big year.
So too does Dayne Zorko ($400,100). He scored 84 from just 67 per cent game time and let’s not forget he averaged 94 in his first year. As a forward, he’s a great selection this year.
Claye Beams ($187,400) continued his return to AFL with 57 points from 75 per cent time on ground. He’ll take his time to find his feet and I’m not willing to cross him off my list just yet.
At the price of just $224,400, Jesse Longeran is a value pick after being injured for the majority of 2013. Interestingly, he was given the tagging duties on Daniel Rich. This is a bad sign for his Fantasy scoring this year although he still managed 69 points.
The Traders will be back after the last batch of NAB Challenge games are completed to see who should find a place on your NAB AFL Fantasy watch list. In the meantime, follow @AFLFantasy on Twitter and like AFL Fantasy on Facebook.
