• Nine things we learned from round 20
• Forecast the final eight with the 2014 ladder predictor
• Around the state leagues: Young Hawk in mix to replace Roughead
MOST of the big boys came out to play in the first round of NAB AFL Fantasy finals. If you didn't have Tom Rockliff as your captain this week, then you're either commiserating on Mad Monday from losing your elimination final, or you're picking up the pieces to go again next week after going down in your qualifying final.
The unique players in our match-ups will obviously decide the fate of our teams over the remaining rounds.
Round 20 was a high-scoring affair but those backing in a Steve Johnson or a Nick Dal Santo as a point of difference this weekend may have their tail between their legs and cursing the Fantasy gods.
Richmond v Essendon, MCG
Richmond supporters were given hope of a finals spot, or maybe even finishing in ninth spot, with the Tigers' three-goal win over the Bombers.Brandon Ellis (123) posted his seventh score over 110 for the season. If you are already taking notes for your 2015 team, place the midfielder on your watchlist after averaging an impressive 105.25 since the bye.
Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin (113) did what he does best collecting 22 disposals, seven marks and six tackles. Ruckman Ivan Maric (106) moved well around the ground and while not dominating the ruck contests, he finished with 16 disposals. Usual suspects Dustin Martin (106), Brett Deledio (104) and Anthony Miles (100) , who a multitude of coaches traded out this week, all performed above their average.
For the Bombers, midfielder Dyson Heppell (129) knocked up 31 disposals, six marks, four tackles and a goal to top the scoring in the finals-like match.
There was some doubt on David Zaharakis (111) after injuring his knee last week, but he was able to shake off any concerns and rack up a game-high 32 disposals. Fellow FWD/MID Paul Chapman (105) also had a productive game kicking two goals.
Greater Western Sydney v North Melbourne, StarTrack Oval
Leading by just four points at half-time, the Kangaroos turned it on after the main break to run out 75-point winners over the Giants in Canberra.Midfielders Ben Cunnington (130) and Ryan Bastinac (117) collected 29 and 28 disposals respectively and forward Drew Petrie (114) kicked five goals. Petrie rallied the troops kicking three in the third quarter that helped him to 44 Fantasy points for the term.
FWD/MID Brent Harvey's (97) Fantasy game was much like his team's. A below average 25 points at half-time before pulling it together to almost reach his season average with 72 points in the second half.
Ball-magnet Toby Greene (127) could have added a few more points to his name had he put the ball on his boot more often. Ten kicks and 25 handballs along with nine marks and five tackles makes Greene another name to add to your 2015 watchlist.
Heath Shaw (123) and Devon Smith (108) were the other Giants able to crack the Fantasy ton.
The unique players that would have hurt a few in their elimination or qualifying finals were Callan Ward (61) and Nick Dal Santo (30). Ward has scored the most Fantasy points of all players who appear in less than five per cent of teams. Dal Santo's 30 points, his lowest of the year and fourth lowest in his 279-game career, has increased in popularity since gaining defender status.
One of the breakout players of the year, Levi Greenwood, was a late out due to leg soreness meaning his 4707 coaches called on a bench player to replace him or copped a donut.
Carlton v Gold Coast, Etihad Stadium
Carlton forward Jarrad Waite (134) booted five goals to take his three-round average to 125.3 in his side's 39-point win over Gold Coast.WATCH: Blue Jarrad Waite stakes a contract claimDale Thomas (124) took 11 marks to go with his 27 disposals and Bryce Gibbs' (122) 28 touches helped them to big scores. Tom Bell (121) joined them with a 120+ score thanks to four goals, 19 possessions and 10 marks.
Defender Kade Simpson (109) played his regular role running out of the backline racking up plenty of mark-kicks.
Jaeger O'Meara (114) was the best for the Suns and not far behind him was David Swallow (104). Last weekend, Swallow was subbed out with an Achilles injury. He was declared fit to play, but Fantasy coaches jumped off in their droves. Unfortunately I was one of those who traded him out due to thinking he may not be at his best due his injury. Yep, I was wrong and I don't think I'm going to pursue a career in injury diagnosis. Oops!
Midfielder Dion Prestia (64) copped the Andrew Carrazzo (67) tag. While he still managed 18 disposals, he was held to his lowest Fantasy score of the season.
Hawthorn v Melbourne, MCG
Not surprisingly, the Hawks took the four points and an outstanding game from Jordan Lewis (144), racking up 34 disposals, saw him top the Fantasy scores. The underrated Lewis has averaged 104.9 points ranking him in the top 20 players for the year.Forward Jarryd Roughead (110) booted five goals but may find himself on the sidelines after being reported for tripping in the second quarter.
WATCH: Showreel - Roughead rules the roostMidfielder Liam Shiels (109) and defender Grant Birchall (106) collected 28 and 26 disposals respectively. The latter took nine marks enjoying some run out of the backline. DEF/MID Sam Mitchell (93) had 30 possessions despite copping attention from Daniel Cross (62).
Unfortunately for Luke Hodge (89) owners, the Hawthorn captain was substituted at three-quarter time. Thankfully this was purely the club managing his workload, but coaches were left wondering what could have been after 22 disposals, six marks and four tackles leading into the last term.
The only two Demons to score a Fantasy ton were Max Gawn (111) and Nathan Jones (102).
Port Adelaide v Sydney Swans, Adelaide Oval
The Swans held onto second spot as they won their 15th game of the season.Only five per cent of coaches in the competition are enjoying the work that Ben McGlynn (115) has been doing this year. Behind Lion Stefan Martin, McGlynn is averaging the second most Fantasy points of all players available as forwards, averaging 102.7 in his 16 games this year. His previous best season average was 85.7 in his first year as a Swan back in 2010.
Midfielder Josh Kennedy (110) found the ball in his hands 34 times while FWD/MIDS Luke Parker (106) and Craig Bird (102) gathered 51 disposals and 16 tackles between them.
For the Power, Travis Boak (144) had 31 touches, seven marks, nine tackles and kicked two goals in a good old fashioned captain's effort as he battled against one of the best teams in the competition. Illness last week may have limited Robbie Gray's (121) output however it wasn't the case on Saturday night collecting 37 disposals and six tackles.
Geelong v Fremantle, Simonds Stadium
With a kick after the siren, David Mundy (100) could have had an extra five Fantasy points and given his side the win had he kicked straight.On the undercard to the main event of the actual game was Steve Johnson (58) v Ryan Crowley (39). Many Fantasy coaches, including our very own Calvin, traded Johnson out to avoid the potential low points he would score up against his nemesis. This proved to be a sound decision as Stevie J was held to 15 disposals and he may have a bit to worry about with the Match Review Panel come Monday afternoon.
WATCH: Showreel - Crowley v Stevie JHarry Taylor (133) took 19 marks controlling the backline for the Cats alongside teammate Corey Enright (107), who enjoyed 27 disposals, 25 of which were uncontested. The hard-at-it Joel Selwood (130) was at his tackling best, laying 11 for the game.
Thirty-three disposals helped Michael Barlow (137) to be the top-scoring Fantasy player on the ground. He gets the job done week in, week out. The midfielder has averaged 119.3 in his last three and his season average is now at 111.1, the best of his career.
Despite battling through the match with a shoulder injury, classy midfielder Nathan Fyfe (111) still gathered 25 touches, four marks, eight tackles and kicked two goals.
Brisbane Lions v Adelaide, Gabba
Sorry Crows supporters, I looked past your team's impressive 105-point win and looked straight to Tom Rockliff's (180) huge numbers.The new member of the Fantasy Pig Pen dominated the game with a 'quadruple-double' racking up 22 kicks, 18 handballs, 10 marks and 10 tackles. Rockliff has been the most selected captain in these Ablett-less rounds and he once again rewarded those who clicked C on him.
His teammate Stefan Martin (123) doesn't stop either, posting another fantastic score with 14 kicks, 12 handballs, 10 marks and 30 hit-outs.
Over the last few weeks, here at Fantasy HQ we had been talking up getting in Crows for the Fantasy finals due to their favourable draw. Their thumping win over the Lions brought plenty of points with Rory Sloane (160) leading the way. Still relatively unique, Sloane's ownership has increased significantly over the last couple of weeks and the 14,202 coaches now with the midfielder will be more than happy with the decision to include him in their side.
Sam Jacobs (129) won 39 hit-outs and 19 disposals for his best return of the year. Also racking up a personal best for 2014, Taylor Walker (122) kicked six goals. Matthew Jaensch (118) and Brad Crouch (118) were among the leading ball-winners gathering 25 and 30 disposals respectively.
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium
There was a lot of love for Lenny Hayes (68) on Sunday afternoon. However the Bulldogs were happy to rain on his parade (even with the roof closed) running out 23-point winners.Adam Cooney (106) was the sole player score a Fantasy ton. He was able to reach triple figures thanks to three goals. His teammate Stewart Crameri (89) also kicked three majors but it was Jake Stringer (81) who led the goal kicking in the game with four.
WATCH: Showreel - Cooney back in touch against SaintsSaints defender James Gwilt (98) spent time forward in the second half finishing with three goals. Jack Steven (97), Adam Schneider (95) and Leigh Montagna (91) were the next best for St Kilda.
Calvin’s number two pick in his weekly captain’s column, Jack Macrae (74), had quite a few coaches sweating early in the game. The COD (Captain of Difference) took until the last minute of the first quarter to get his hands on the ball and was sitting on just 17 points at the main break. While 74 isn’t a great score to take as your captain, or to have as a point of difference in your midfield, things could have been much worse!
FWD/MID Luke Dahlhaus (60) was disappointing as he spent a lot of time in the forward-50. He was awarded five free kicks, but gave away three to limit his scoring.
West Coast v Collingwood, Patersons Stadium
To finish off a super Sunday of Fantasy scoring, the Eagles steamrolled the Magpies to the tune of 60 points and 1919 Fantasy points to 1479.Enjoying his best season to date, the ultra-consistent Matt Priddis (146) was best on ground with 42 disposals, five marks, seven tackles and one goal to win quite a few coaches their match-up. The midfielder has averaged 117.5 since the bye with just one score under 100 in those 11 games. Priddis appears in just 7.4 per cent of teams.
Sam Butler (140) took 14 marks as he patrolled the defensive 50. All collecting over 30 disposals, midfielders Luke Shuey (129), Mark Hutchings (124) and Andrew Gaff (116) played the game on their terms while Dean Cox (116) gave them first use winning 31 hit-outs. Forward Jack Darling (109) kicked four goals.
Thirty-five disposals for Dayne Beams (125) placed him at the top of the table for the under-performing Magpies. Jamie Elliott (110), Scott Pendlebury (107) and Steele Sidebottom (101) collected 21, 31 and 33 disposals respectively.
How did the Traders go in round 20?
I thought it was season over on Saturday night after my unique midfielders Steve Johnson and Brent Stanton scored well below their average up against the likes of Joel Selwood and Josh Kennedy. But after a super Sunday where Sam Jacobs and Matt Priddis stood up, I ran away 49-point winners with my score of 2527.The Warne Dawgs live to play another week, booking a place in the semi-final. Roy's 2463 was enough to award his boys a week off for a preliminary final appearance in round 22. Like many others, destROY had Tom Rockliff as his captain but it was Brandon Ellis and Robbie Gray that helped get him over the line.
Although Calvin didn’t make the eight in our league, he would have knocked over a few coaches in leagues he was added to with his 2460. His genius move (his words, not mine) of trading Steve Johnson out worked wonders.
