REMEMBER how much Fantasy gold there was in Queensland? Just 10 days ago, there was a feast of points ripe for the picking. Rockliff, Ablett, Beams was an ultra-tasty starting trio, if a pricey one.
Now, it’s just tumbleweeds in the midfield, and the best Fantasy prospect north of Sydney is Michael Rischitelli [MID, $449,000]. Yep, he is the top Fantasy points-scorer from either the Suns or Lions after round two.
Gold Coast has confirmed Ablett is cactus for this week, and won't name a return date for the Little Master. If they’re waiting for his shoulder to be strong enough for the rigours of senior footy, you suspect they’ll be waiting a while.
Ablett [MID, $603,000] has dropped $72,000 in value and Dayne Beams [MID, $561,000] isn't far behind him with a $48,000 loss. At least Beams will be playing this week and I suspect he'll rebound strongly against the Tigers after a horror show against North in round two.
Jordan Lewis [$658,000] looks the right swap for Gaz, but he's a $55,000 upgrade. Scott Pendlebury [MID, $602,000] is same price as Ablett but the star Pie had precautionary scans on his ankle on Monday.
Best to play it smart and get David Mundy [MID, $575,000] in now. He’s averaged 129.5 over the first two rounds, and loves a good stoush with the Eagles.
Failing that, Dyson Heppell [MID, $616,000] is your man. Thirty-four touches against the Hawks and facing a shaken Carlton, the blonde Bomber is a reliable pick for captaincy.
Sorry, who broke the ton this week?
Jasper Pittard [DEF, $399,000] – 128 points v Sydney Swans: The Power have been waiting for young Jasper to be their backline distributor ever since he dropped the McMillan from his surname. In a losing cause, he delivered the best Fantasy score of his career last week, and looks a smart pick at under $400,000.
Nick Smith [DEF, $361,000] – 111 points v Port Adelaide: After 123 games of one of the AFL's more consistent careers, the Swans’ defender finally scored his first Fantasy ton. Cue champagne and streamers. Well, at least a fancy Tim Tam until we see if he can double-up against the Giants this week.
You! My team. Now!
Jack Ziebell [FWD/MID $494,000] – avg 104.5: The bullocking Kangaroo monstered the Lions for 131 points on the weekend and as a sub-$500,000 dual-position option, he should be first on your checklist.
Marcus Bontempelli [FWD/MID $447,000] – avg 118.5: And this bloke should be second. The 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star runner-up was brilliant against the Tigers and has been thrown onto the ball by Luke Beveridge, giving the Dogs some midfield class and Fantasy coaches a mountain of points.
I’m not angry, just disappointed
Andrew Carrazzo [DEF, $426,000] - 43 points v West Coast: Mick Malthouse has often turned to the veteran for tagging jobs and so it proved on Friday night. Carazzo joins a number of Blues as Fantasy Kryptonite for season 2015.
Nick Malceski [DEF, $497,000] – 66 points v St Kilda: The ex-Swan talked a big game over the summer but he’s put in a couple of shockers in his couple of appearances for the Suns. He’s way too expensive a defender for such largesse from Fantasy coaches.
Get 'em in
Jimmy Bartel [FWD, $560,000]
Dylan Shiel [MID, $537,000]
Brett Deledio [MID, $527,000]
Brodie Smith [DEF, $485,000]
Tory Dickson [FWD, $260,000]
Farewell for now
Gary Ablett [MID, $603,000]
Ricky Petterd [FWD/MID, $479,000]
Matthew Leuenberger [RUC, $289,000]
Daniel Wells [MID, $326,000]
Nick Dal Santo [MID, $443,000]
