• After the siren: Bombers lose the battle but pass the spirit test
• Around the state leagues: Currie hurt, Sinclair stars
• 2014 ladder predictor
IF YOU ask me, starting round 13 on Friday the 13th was always asking for trouble and the Fantasy gods enjoyed having a laugh at our expense this week.
Popular players Steve Johnson and Dayne Beams were withdrawn on Sunday afternoon, leaving many coaches with zeroes in their midfields. Add these late outs to some below-average performances from our stars, the round was one to forget.
But didn’t we say that last week?
As we hit the second half of the season, let’s take a look at the events of another tough round that will see plenty of rage trades as soon as coaches log on this week.
Carlton v Hawthorn, MCG
Before the bounce, more than 25,000 coaches learned that Hawk Jack Gunston wouldn’t be scoring any Fantasy points this week due to a calf injury. Quite a few coaches reversed their trades and found a replacement for the forward before lockout came into effect.Carlton also lost Lachie Henderson and Michael Jamison.
Matching up on Jordan Lewis (76), Carlton tagger Andrew Carrazzo (122) found plenty of the ball, finishing with 32 disposals and he was the highest scorer for the night. Bryce Gibbs (112) continued his excellent mid-season form scoring his sixth 110-plus score for the year.
Mitch Robinson (110) kicked three goals while Chris Judd (102) made a sound return from his hamstring injury.
WATCH: Friday showreel - Juddy's classy comebackFor the victorious Hawks, Brad Sewell (111) collected 29 disposals and Isaac Smith (102) was busy finishing with 22.
The very consistent Liam Shiels (69) was back to playing a tagging role and as a result, scored well below his 99 average. He has been fantastic this year, increasing by almost $120K but now might be the time to trade him out if he is likely to be playing more defensively from here on in.
Richmond v Fremantle, MCG
The Tigers fell short by 20 points but racked up plenty of Fantasy points along the way, with seven players scoring more than 100 compared to the Dockers’ two.Nathan Foley (114) laid seven tackles to go with his 27 touches to be the best for the afternoon. With his fifth ton in a row, Dustin Martin (111) got the job done once again. He’s still not stringing together four-quarter games but we’ll take these scores from the third highest scoring forward for the year.
Backing up from 87 in his first game, ball-magnet Anthony Miles (105) found the Sherrin 30 times to prove that he is a value pick at under $300K.
Two goals to Ricky Petterd (106) and a massive 53-point last quarter from Brandon Ellis (105) pleased their owners.
One of the most popular players traded in for the injured Jobe Watson was Michael Barlow (113). The midfielder didn’t let anyone who took the punt down, thanks to 23 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and two goals.
Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide, SCG
A huge last quarter that included three goals resulted in Lance Franklin (122) being an important factor in the Swans’ win. The forward had 14 kicks, nine handballs, six marks and kicked five goals for the game.WATCH: Franklin destroys the Power in brilliant second halfKieren Jack (117) laid seven tackles to be the best of the midfielders while Rhyce Shaw (113) racked up 32 disposals running off half-back. The defender is enjoying one his best Fantasy seasons, averaging 95 in the past three weeks.
Ruckman Mike Pyke was withdrawn before the match for team balance leaving Tom Derickx (50) up against the in-form Matthew Lobbe (133). The Power ruckman won the hit-out count 40 to 28.
A game-high 40 disposals handed Brad Ebert (136) the honours of being the top scoring Fantasy player on the ground. He has shown the capacity to score very highly this year with seven scores over 110. He should be considered as one of the top eight midfielders for the season. If we took out his two scores of 62 against Greater Western Sydney and 66 against Melbourne, he would be averaging 117.7 which would rank him third behind Tom Rockliff and Gary Ablett for the season.
Four goals to Jay Schulz (112) and 23 disposals and eight marks for Justin Westhoff (106) were instrumental in keeping the Power in the game.
Midfielder Daniel Hannebery (54) was shooting for his eighth consecutive 100 but it wasn’t to be as Kane Cornes (53) held him to just 13 touches. Port Adelaide’s coaching staff would have been happy with Cornes’ performance, but his Fantasy coaches, including me, were disappointed with him playing defensively managing just 18 disposals.
West Coast v Gold Coast, Patersons Stadium
The Suns couldn’t snatch the come-from-behind victory but managed to have the two highest possession winners on the ground. Dion Prestia (139) had 20 kicks and 18 handballs to bring his four game average to 123. Gold Coast captain and most popular skipper in Fantasy Classic, Gary Ablett (118) had 33 disposals for the game.Watch the last two minutes as the Eagles and Suns go to the wireDefender Eric Mackenzie (120) took 14 marks to top the table for the Eagles. In the absence of Dean Cox, Nic Naitanui (116) was the most dominant ruckman on the ground. Those coaches who decided to trade Cox to Naitanui would have pocketed over $100K and will enjoy some price rises thanks to his recent good form.
Josh J Kennedy (115) kicked seven goals but it was fellow forward Jeremy McGovern (95) that is the talk of the Fantasy community. Going into round 13 priced at $155,160, the 22-year-old kicked three goals and his job security is looking good, being able to play roles at both ends of the ground.
As DEF/MID Xavier Ellis (77) starts making some cash again, it’s time to trade out Kade Kolodjashnij (34). The Gold Coast defender has made over $100K and averaged more than 70 points in his first 10 games but coaches should take the money and run.
Adelaide v North Melbourne, Adelaide Oval
I for one need to put my hand up and say I doubted Brent Harvey (126) - not only from the start of the season, but also as the year progressed. He may be 36 but he is averaging five points more than the next best forward in the competition.Harvey has played every game and on Saturday night, his 31 disposal and two goal effort slotted him at No.1 for the game.
Unfortunately for the Kangaroos, his performance wasn’t enough for them to win the match.
Crows midfielder Scott Thompson (120) collected 30 disposals, defender Brodie Smith (107) finished with 29 and the consistent Rory Sloane (106) were important in the victory.
Now the highest-averaging ruckman of the year, Sam Jacobs (101) took the Fantasy honours against Todd Goldstein (85). Surprisingly, Goldstein didn’t kick the ball once in the game but won the hit-out count 38 to 33.
Did you know that Patrick Dangerfield (73) hasn’t scored three figures since round nine? No prizes for guessing when I, and many others picked him up! His four game average stands at 76.5. Good news for those without him - his price will remain below $500K.
Levi Greenwood (109) went to Dangerfield and was able to rack up 32 disposals himself while shutting down the FWD/MID. Greenwood is now averaging over 100 for the season and his last five, he has gone at 117 per game.
Brisbane Lions v Greater Western Sydney, Gabba
Going about his business quietly, Callan Ward (129) is in less than 3 per cent of teams and is averaging a whopping 124 in his past three games. He gathered 31 touches in the Giants’ 45 point win over the Lions at the Gabba. If you’re looking for a point of difference for you side that has the ability to score big, Ward ticks the boxes.Tom Scully (116) had 30 disposals and with 26 possessions and two goals, Adam Treloar (115) has snuck in to be the eighth best midfielder after 13 rounds.
A further six Greater Western Sydney players scored more than 90.
DEF/MID Pearce Hanley (113) took nine marks playing as an attacking defender and Jack Redden (103) worked tirelessly through the midfield.
Holding down the No.1 ruck spot, Stefan Martin (100) was impressive. The RUC/FWD scored 99 last week playing on Will Minson and held his own on Saturday night up against Shane Mumford (83). With a very low breakeven, he will skyrocket in value in the coming weeks if he can keep up his work rate.
Calvin’s No.1 captain choice and highest scoring player this year, Tom Rockliff (75) was quiet with just 19 disposals being beaten by Dylan Shiel (111) head-to-head.
Geelong v St Kilda, Simonds Stadium
More than 36,000 coaches heard the news 90 minutes before the game that Steve Johnson was a late withdrawal. Not only has he let his coaches down with a three game average of just 75.67, he caused a few donuts this week.I’m feeling for those who brought him in for Watson despite his breakeven still being high.
Stepping up in Johnson’s absence, Jimmy Bartel (148) took 13 marks to go with his 32 disposals. Fellow DEF/MID James Kelly (125) also relished the opportunity for extra midfield time laying 11 tackles and collecting 25 touches.
Mathew Stokes (141) finished with the most disposals on the ground with 36.
Three goals each to midfielder Mitch Duncan (124) and forward Tom Hawkins (115) helped boost their scores as the Cats dominated both the Fantasy and game scoreboard.
Captain Joel Selwood (70) also kicked three goals, spending a lot of time forward. He was restricted to just eight kicks and three handballs.
No Saints topped the Fantasy ton. Seb Ross (97) was their major ball-winner with 28 disposals.
Forward Nick Riewoldt (41) struggled to have any influence on the game. St Kilda’s captain spent time forward and back but only kicked one goal to register his second lowest score of the season. His price will be getting closer to $400K after this week.
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium
To add to the Johnson withdrawal earlier in the day, 40 per cent of coaches lost Dayne Beams from their midfield due to a calf injury.The Bulldogs won a thrilling game thanks to a stellar effort from Charlie Sutton Medal winner, Tom Liberatore (126). The midfielder finished with a 'triple-double' – 12 kicks, 22 handballs and 10 tackles – to post his seventh score over 110 on the trot.
The year's breakout player to date, Jack Macrae (117), found plenty of the ball and Liam Jones (112) booted four goals.
Brent Macaffer (48) went to Ryan Griffen (104) but the Bulldog captain was able to break the tag, helping his team to the win with two goals. First-year Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli (92) played an outstanding game.
Former Giant Taylor Adams (122) gathered 30 disposals and laid seven tackles. FWD/MID Sam Dwyer (117) along with midfielders Scott Pendlebury (113) and Dane Swan (103) combined for 81 touches playing through the centre of the ground.
Travis Cloke (103) kicked six majors and Jamie Elliott (103) booted four.
Essendon v Melbourne, MCG
To finish what was a tough weekend coaching my Fantasy team, watching my Bombers go down by a point just made it that little bit worse!Watch the last two minutes from Sunday's MCG thrillerThe score from Brendon Goddard (157) helped with the pain. 31 disposals, 10 marks and eight tackles was outstanding in the hard-fought contest. He was well supported by David Zaharakis (129) who kicked two last-quarter goals, but it wasn't enough as the Bombers went down.
Lynden Dunn (121) put in a four-quarter effort rebounding out of defence and holding down his position. The defender had 29 disposals and 11 marks to be best on ground for the Demons. Jack Viney (110) and Nathan Jones (100) finished with 26 and 27 disposals respectively.
While his ownership is down to 20 per cent, Dom Tyson (93) reached his breakeven to please those coaches who had no choice but to hold him this week.
Starting substitute Christian Salem (35) played just over a quarter but kicked the winning goal of the game for 35 of the most important Fantasy points of the weekend for Demons supporters.
How did the Traders go in round 13?
Despite losing his captain and wearing a donut in the midfield, The Calvinators were the best of The Traders with a massive 2153. Calvin brought in Stefan Martin this week for Dean Cox and decided against trading Jamie Elliott and Dom Tyson this week.My Warne Dawgs were next with 2111. I was pretty happy with this considering disappointing scores from Brent Stanton and Kane Cornes. I was able to field 22 players thanks to Cameron Shenton coming on for the injured Dayne Beams.
Unfortunately not a lot went right for Roy. Tom Rockliff wore the captain’s armband for destROY, as he registered his lowest score for the season. He was also down one midfielder due to having no cover for Beams and ended up with 1957 for the week.
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