Bartel showed just why he’s the most expensive player in the League with a BOG Dream Team score of 118 in the 18-point win over the Power.
The star midfielder was allowed to roam free without a close tag for much of the day and capitalised with 28 possessions, five marks and a goal.
Bartel’s traditional Power opponent and DT favourite Kane Cornes also did as he pleased and racked up 31 touches for a return of 94 points.
Chad Cornes, whose price dropped because of injury last year, showed why he’s considered good value as a $379,500 defender, finishing with 99 points in his usual midfield role.
Cornes’ teammate Danyle Pearce also notched up 99 DT points. The dynamic midfielder only touched the ball 20 times, but picked up more points for disposing of the ball by foot 15 times and handballing just five.
Dual All-Australian big man Brendon Lade, who also dipped in form and price last season, continued his resurgence (70 DT points) and at $326,500 could be worth a look in the ruck.
Young defender Nathan Krakouer, who is being tried in Peter Burgoyne’s defensive sweeping role, could be another low-cost smoky after scoring 61 DT points against the Cats.
Geelong was without some of its biggest DT performers in Gary Ablett Jr and Joel Corey on Saturday, but there were plenty of players ready to step up.
Mathew Stokes, who dominated Dream Team with 30 possessions and three goals last week, continued his rich vein of form with another 21 touches to go with four match-winning majors.
The livewire forward is hardly a bargain-basement buy at $391,200, but he appears set more for time in the midfield this season.
James Kelly (88 DT points) and Shannon Byrnes (76) were two other mid-range onballers to take advantage of their teammates’ absence.
Brad Ottens barely troubled the statisticians with just 12 DT points in his first hit-out of the season, but he didn’t get much game time either.
Third-year fringe player Simon Hogan also looked the goods with 66 DT points and a price tag of just $86,600. But it remains to be seen whether he can crack into the Cats’ best 22 for the start of the regular season.
Toyota AFL Dream Team top scorers
Port Adelaide
1. Chad Cornes, 99
2. Danyle Pearce, 99
3. Kane Cornes, 94
Value bet: Nathan Krakouer, 61 (DT value $189,300)
Geelong
1. Jimmy Bartel, 118
2. Mathew Stokes, 96
3. James Kelly, 88
Value Bet: Mathew Stokes 96 (DT value $391,200)
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
