ELIMINATION finals. How do you begin to describe them? Similar to an Olympic relay perhaps. You can endure all the hours, preparation and nerves in the lead up, but when it comes to the crunch, you need all your guns firing in concert to be any chance at the gold.
A few (usually) ever-reliable athletes didn't bring their best to the heats at the weekend and we're left with a handful of deflated coaches because of it.
Experienced campaigner Jimmy Bartel (DEF/MID, $419,000) was well below his best with a return of 56. We expect the champ to bounce back against the Lions, a side he has averaged 105 against in his past three games.
Daniel Wells (MID/FWD, $430,000), who, let’s be honest, no one thought would be fit enough to qualify for the finals, registered a mere 53 points. Touk Miller (MID/FWD, $447,000) presents as an ideal replacement, coming off a whopping 139 points and healthy 105-point average across his past six games.
You would think a prolonged rest would have primed Stefan Martin (RUC, $477,000) for the big race, but the ruckman barely got out of the blocks with just 66 points.
Speaking of underperforming rucks, you could safely say that questions on whether Scott Lycett (RUC/FWD, $388,000) would maintain his decent scoring run once Nic Naitanui (RUC, $404,000) returned to the side were comprehensively answered. The big man played out all four quarters to produce a grand total of just eight points. What makes the score even more remarkable is the fact Lycett managed nine hit-outs for the match.
If you are one of the 7837 disappointed Lycett owners who desire just a few more points, consider upgrading to Brodie Grundy (RUC, $528,000) as a point of difference. The Magpie has averaged 110 across his past eight rounds.
Whether you've progressed to the final hurdle or been sent home on the plane, there are still plenty of heroic Fantasy stories to be written. If not, Tokyo is only four years away.
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Top five price rises
1. Rupert Wills (MID, Collingwood) +$52,000: $242,000
2. Sam Menegola (MID, Geelong), +$40,000: $287,000
3. Mitch Brown (DEF/FWD, Essendon), +$31,000: $355,000
4. Reilly O'Brien (RUC, Adelaide), +$30,000: $179,000
5. Josh Cowan (DEF, Geelong), +$28,000: $252,000
Top five price falls
1. Aaron Sandilands (RUC, Fremantle), -$41,000: $350,000
2. Scott Lycett (RUC/FWD, West Coast), -$36,000: $388,000
3. Jack Steven (MID, St Kilda), -$33,000: $492,000
4. Shane Edwards (FWD/MID, Richmond), -$29,000: $324,000
5. Jesse Hogan (FWD, Melbourne), -$29,000: $368,000
Get 'em in
Stephen Coniglio (MID, $531,000): Has hit the ton in seven of his past eight games and should have no problems doing the same against Fremantle at Spotless Stadium.
Luke Dahlhaus (MID/FWD, $424,000): Appears to be back to his best after returning from injury three weeks ago. With matches against Essendon and Fremantle to come, he won't let you down.
Luke Hodge (DEF/MID, $426,000): Has slipped under the radar after an injury-ravaged season, but has a knack of turning it on when it counts most. Met the Eagles three times last year and returned scores of 96, 130 and 127.
Bye for now
Chad Wingard (FWD, $356,000): If you jumped on after his mini mid-season resurgence, it's time to cut your losses. The livewire forward has been ruled out for the year with a hamstring injury.
Christian Petracca (MID/FWD, $307,000): If this was the final six minutes of an intense basketball game, now would be the time to call a sub. Three consecutive scores in the 50s just can't warrant selection on the court.
Sam Kerridge (MID/FWD, $353,000): A substantial 37 per cent of coaches are still struggling to let go. You've stuck by him through the highs and lows, but his best disappeared many rounds ago.
