THE SECOND round of the byes almost felt like the rookie game at NBA All-Star weekend, as the majority of many teams were made up of young cash cows - and many of them embraced the added responsibility.
Connor Menadue, Tom Ruggles, Rhys Mathieson, Josh Smith, Tom Phillips and especially Lincoln McCarthy all outdid themselves.
Fantasy Pig
Rory Sloane has certainly embraced the added responsibility in the Crows midfield and is having a stellar season. That was on display again Thursday night when he dominated with 30 possessions and a whopping 13 tackles on his way to 139. As a Thursday night game creates the opportunity to chase a loophole captain, Sloane was invaluable for his coaches with his third huge game in the past six rounds, including scores of 140 and 155.
Honourable mention: Adam Treloar has been unlucky not to be nominated yet this season, but that is not to say he hasn't shown plenty of snout. He had another sensational game against the Dockers with 33 touches and a goal for 127.
• Six things we learned from round 14
Fantasy Prestigiacomo
Unfortunately, we got our first reminder in a long time as to why Heath Shaw has been nicknamed 'Headache Heath' in Fantasy circles over the years. He was tagged against the Blues and recorded just 42 points. To put that into context, it was about 70 below his 2016 average. However, Shaw has been so good, many coaches like myself are giving him a free pass as I am sure he will make up for it next week.
Honourable mention: Jimmy Bartel wasn't his dominant self against the Saints, collecting just 12 possessions on his way to 45. The week off will do him the world of good.
• Around the state leagues: Who starred for your club in the twos?
Piglet
Tom Phillips was a popular trade this week and he certainly didn't let his coaches down, scoring 92 from 19 touches, six marks, three tackles and 1.3. He didn't do his job security any harm and will be a handy scorer in the last round of byes next week as well as a good cash cow beyond that point.
Phillips kicks his maiden AFL goal #AFLPiesFreo https://t.co/qquIwt7cFW
— AFL (@AFL) June 24, 2016
The top 10
Rory Sloane: 139
Gary Ablett: 129
Adam Treloar: 127
Dustin Martin: 127
Matt Crouch: 126
Bryce Gibbs: 126
Brayden Maynard: 123
Sam Mitchell: 121
Jack Riewoldt: 119
Michael Walters: 119
Click here to subscribe on iTunes
Fantasy Mailbag
@CalvinDT @RoyDT mckenzie 34 haha,@WarnieDT is gonna cop it from you two in the video tonight
— Patrick Parham (@patty605) June 26, 2016
Ha ha, we tried to keep a lid on it! Worst trade ever by Warnie!
Way back when #34 used to be a good number @WarnieDT #Shaq #McKenzie#AFLFantasy @RoyDT @CalvinDT pic.twitter.com/wqTFA1JqJd
— aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) June 26, 2016
So much for the lid on it!
@WarnieDT @CalvinDT @RoyDT I've been at a course all day - 34 points, did Trent McKenzie get injured again? #AFLFantasy
— Taezer (@Taezer87) June 26, 2016
As Draymond Green would say… Nope #keepalidonit
@WarnieDT @RoyDT @CalvinDT can one of you please put up a poll on how many people were sucked into getting Trent McKenzie? #34
— Nathan Baynes (@one38and7the36) June 26, 2016
Only one, haha! #WarneDawg
Top five trade targets (post bye):
Luke Parker
Max Gawn
Bernie Vince
Tom Mitchell
Zach Merrett
For more, follow me @RoyDT and @AFLFantasy on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
• After the siren: Cats anything but flat-track bullies