THE familiar faces of some of our favourite AFL Fantasy superstars have been prominent in the first two rounds.
Although they come at a cost, they have demonstrated why they are worth every cent, even to the point where many coaches are readjusting future trade plans to bring them in ASAP!
This week I am going to look at some a player from each line who has started the season in a blaze of glory.
Defender: Shaun Burgoyne [DEF/MID, $446,954] seems to do this to me every year. After an average pre-season where his best looked behind him, he has burst into the midfield and averaged an impressive 106 with 88 coming in the first round and a massive 123 vs the Bombers on Friday night.
In that game he started forward, before moving into the middle racking up 30 possessions, seven marks and five tackles to be the only Hawk to reach triple figures in Fantasy.
Although the writing is on the wall to pick him up, in 2012 Burgoyne began with an early impressive streak of 122, 113 and 95 before I traded him and he delivered returns of 47 and 67 in the following two weeks.
Tread very carefully, but his form cannot be denied.
Midfielder: The ever reliable Scott Pendlebury [MID, $625,253] has taken his game to the next level and elevated himself to the ‘must have’ category.
Over the first two games he has dominated the competition for 122 and 152 against tough opponents in Fremantle and the Sydney Swans respectively. He is such a rich vein of form that he looks un-taggable as he approaches a stretch in the season against opponents who have historically leaked Fantasy points to him.
Pendlebury's most recent scores against his next three opponents reads 127, 86 (but 121 and 122 prior to that) and 126 so his selection this week (against the Cats) looks risk-free given his career best Fantasy form.
He is currently only owned by 29% of the competition so take advantage this under-selected star who could finish the season as the top scorer.
Ruckman: Former premium ruck Shane Mumford [ RUC, $463,383] looks injury-free and is embracing his role at the Giants. After scoring 110 in the first round against the Swans, he backed it up with a dominant Fantasy performance against the Saints with 132 points from 46 hit outs, 18 possessions, a goal and eight tackles.
He started the season extremely under-priced for what he is capable and has since risen over $40,000 as a result - but with the Demons his next opponent and a break-even of just 37 points, there's plenty more cash to be made from 'Mummy' yet.
Forward: Veteran and genuine superstar of the competition, Nick Riewoldt [FWD, $585,652], has rewarded the 13% of coaches that started the season with him after scores of 125 and 148 against the Demons and Giants respectively.
Despite the draw increasing in difficulty for the Saints over the next month with game against the Eagles, Crows and Bombers, it is hard to see Nick dropping below 100 when he looks as fresh and agile as he has in years.
Although his goal-kicking has been impressive, it has been his ability to take uncontested marks through hard running that have ensured his huge scoring.
The rub
After finishing week one in eighth position overall, I fell from grace hard in week two. I wish I had four trades in the bank to bring these guys in and get me back on track!
