IT'S BEEN a mighty long week for Essendon fans. And we've only reached Wednesday!
But as the Dons lurch towards what is likely to be a deplorable five-win season, there's still some value on their list for astute Fantasy coaches.
Brendon Goddard (FWD/MID, $538,000) and Brent Stanton (MID, $604,000) have the highest projected three-round averages to finish out the season, bringing them strongly into consideration for hard-working Fantasy coaches sweating on semi-finals this week.
Last time Goddard faced Essendon's round 21 opponents, Gold Coast, he notched 137 in a best-on-ground performance. Michael Hurley (DEF, $448,000), a likely inclusion this week, was close behind with 131.
With every Fantasy final from here on an elimination, you need 'wildcard' players in your squad – players whose average might not be that high, but on the right weekend, can pull out a 150+ score that will give you the crucial edge over your opponent. For the Dons, Hurley could well be that man.
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Mitch Robinson is ticking both the consistency and wildcard boxes right now. He's averaging 120.6 from his last six games, and brutalised former club Carlton for a Fantasy-high 166 last Saturday night. Expect Mitch to bring the crazy back to Adelaide Oval on Saturday when the Lions face the Crows.
Consistency has never been a Lance Franklin (FWD, $423,000) trademark, but when the Bud goes big, the points flow swiftly. He's battled a lower back injury over the past two weeks but, if named for the Swans this week, will face a GWS backline devoid of Phil Davis. It's a game the Swans must win for a top-four spot, and Buddy knows how to kick plenty of goals in crunch games.
Elsewhere, Dane Swan's (FWD/MID, $619,000) stunning season makes him a must-have forward for your side. The original 'Fantasy Pig' clocked 117 against this week's opponent, Richmond, in round seven. He's at short odds to better that number on Saturday afternoon, so pop the big C on the big Pig and settle in for a points splurge.
Your club's Fantasy wildcard below $500,000 (and their top score this year)
Adelaide: Rory Sloane (MID, $465,000) – top score 136
Brisbane Lions: Pearce Hanley (MID, $447,000) – top score 166
Carlton: Andrejs Everitt (DEF/MID, $342,000) – top score 113
Collingwood: Travis Cloke (FWD, $351,000) – top score 115
Essendon: Michael Hurley (DEF, $448,000) – top score 118
Fremantle: Chris Mayne (FWD, $435,000) – top score 149
Geelong: Steve Johnson (MID/FWD, $450,000) – top score 117
Gold Coast: Tom Lynch (FWD, $448,000) – top score 111
GWS: Lachie Whitfield (MID, $411,000) – top score 128
Hawthorn: Jarryd Roughead (FWD, $456,000) – top score 140
Melbourne: Tom McDonald (DEF, $373,000) – top score 126
North Melbourne: Brent Harvey (FWD/MID, $474,000) – top score 129
Port Adelaide: Justin Westhoff (FWD, $484,000) – top score 132
Richmond: Anthony Miles (MID, $429,000) – top score 134
St Kilda: Dylan Roberton (DEF, $469,000) – top score 119
Sydney Swans: Lance Franklin (FWD, $423,000) – top score 141
West Coast: Josh Kennedy (FWD, $372,000) – top score 142
Western Bulldogs: Mitch Wallis (MID, $484,000) – top score 147
