AND JUST like that, the regular season is over for the majority of leagues, final eights are set and it’s time for the big boys to play off for the ultimate bragging rights … and maybe a little pocket money. This week, I have reluctantly banned myself from writing about Tom Mitchell in the Pig section, but I have to mention he dominated once again with 160 points and is playing himself into a position to threaten Tom Rockliff’s record. Watch this space.

Fantasy Pig

Patrick Cripps is a beast, we know that and we saw on Saturday night the damage he can do against the Suns, who were helpless trying to stop him. The recently signed up star did it all with 37 possessions, six marks, 11 tackles and a goal for a round-high 162. He is playing himself into strong consideration for the rolling 22 given his scores in the last six weeks of 109, 146, 106, 96, 122 and 166.

Honourable mention: We flagged with Brodie Grundy last week that he is seriously playing himself into Pig consideration and explained the criteria required to receive such an honour. Not only did he embrace the concept, he vowed to do everything he could to earn a snout. That was on full display against the Tigers where the big fella was at his dominant best with 48 hit-outs, 23 possessions, three marks and an impressive 10 tackles. It would be great to have a ruck in the pen somewhere down the track … sooner rather than later at this rate.

FROM THE TWOS Who put their hand up in the second tier?

Rage trades

Michael Hurley seemed like a safe under-priced option for the injured James Sicily a couple of weeks ago and it has turned into a swift reminder why you can’t take a risk on blokes like this. The ‘10mark per game’ expectation is long gone after scoring a measly 38 points while doing a terrific job keeping Lance Franklin quiet. He had just 12 possessions and took three marks and never looked close to being involved in a switch. He has to go; the minute lockout ends.

Honourable mention: Patrick Dangerfield was disappointing, even as a forward. Despite six Cats reaching triple figures (including forwards and midfielders), Danger was not among the points, getting his hands on the ball 26 times, but only taking two marks and laying one tackle for 66 points despite a favourable match-up with the Lions. He was in fact the 12th highest scoring Cat for the day.

THINGS WE LEARNED Melbourne midfield up with the best

Piglet

Jarrod Lienert backed up his excellent debut last week with 15 possessions, five marks and two tackles. He showed his potential in an excellent first half where he finished the second quarter on 50 points. He has good job security based on form and ball use and would serve as a good emergency and last-minute cash cow.

THE RUN HOME How the contenders are shaping up

Trade targets
  • Patrick Cripps
  • Lachie Whitfield
  • Jarrod Lienert
  • Brodie Grundy
  • Gary Ablett
Fantasy mailbag

It’s a tough one but Grundy is hard to resist! Get the big fella in.

Oh, that is brutal!

He got off to such a bad start! You would have been worried!

Haha, gold!

Oh, the humanity!

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