ALMOST every preliminary final this week was a rollercoaster. There were some unlikely heroes and also some 'reliable' players that froze on the big stage. There were a whopping 15 players who scored 130 or above with names like Shaun Grigg (152), Toby Nankervis (140) and Ben Cunnington (135) pleasantly surprising their sparse owners in classic and single-handedly getting teams over the line in the draft competition.

Fantasy pig

Rory Sloane has been tough on his owners all year, but he certainly turned it on at the right time in the prelim. He got his teams off to a cracking start on Friday night with an impressive 14 tackles and 29 possessions to score an equal round high 152. What a machine.

• Nine things we learned from round 22

Honourable mention: Jack Macrae had a slow start to the year, which unfortunately eventuated in a few coaches parting ways with him. Well, he has been in ripping form of late and is one of the few Dogs that has shown consistency at a high standard. In a tough game at Ballarat, he was outstanding, collecting 41 possessions to go with six marks and seven tackles for a well-timed 149.

Rage trades 

James Sicily was the form defender of the competition after averaging 28 possessions and a league high 11 marks over the last month. This obviously prompted a career high spike in ownership for the young Hawk and unfortunately he was like origami… he folded under pressure. Of course the treatment from the Blues also contributed as he lost the plot, giving away seven free kicks on his way to 24!

• Around the state leagues: Who starred in your club's twos?

Honourable mention: Future Fantasy Hall Of Famer Luke Hodge also struggled to get his mark and possession count up to what we have become accustomed to the last couple of weeks. On the back of a week where he was a popular trade target, the Blues' structures held firm to keep the great man quiet with just four marks and no tackles for 46. I have a feeling he will repay the faith in his swan song next week.

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Piglet

Jack Graham surprised no coaches that have tracked him since the pre-season as he debuted in outstanding fashion with 13 touches and an impressive 11 tackles as he tries to hold his spot in the finals-bound Tigers.

• After the siren: Which was Buddy's greatest goal?

The top five 

  • Shaun Grigg: 153
  • Rory Sloane: 153
  • Jack Macrae: 149
  • Sam Docherty: 143
  • Tom Mitchell: 143

Trade targets

  • Dayne Beams
  • Dayne Zorko
  • Nat Fyfe
  • David Zaharakis
  • Patrick Ryder

• The run home: How does the final round shape up?

Fantasy mailbag

Haha, well done mate!

Hang in there mate, it’s been a tough year! Only makes you stronger for2018 haha.

Surely Hodge goes big in his last game! Hot tip: If you are in the GF, the matchups for the Power, Lions and Bombers look outstanding for a pinch hit trade target.

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