ANOTHER round down as we edge closer to the finals and it's becoming evident that the cream is rising to the top, with one star in particular forcing the Traders to call an emergency board meeting Monday morning. The agenda has one item and it reads: New Pig in the pen?
Listen to the AFL Fantasy Podcast with The Traders at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
THE RUN HOME Forget top four, can the Tigers make top two?
Fantasy Pig
Brodie Grundy: The Pies superstar midfielder, who also happens to regularly appear in ruck contests was at his dominant best yet again, prompting the Traders 'Pig' meeting with the real possibility he could be Snouted alongside Dane Swan, Tom Rockliff, and Tom Mitchell as soon as Monday evening. The possibility of the official honour was flagged last season and the big fella is doing all he can to accelerate the process after scoring 181 from 31 possessions, four marks, nine tackles, 49 hitouts and a goal in what resembles computer game numbers. His domination set the Twitter world alight, with many demanding his snouting and rightly so, especially given the history and significance of the number 180 in Pig folklore. Tune in to the Traders official Fantasy Podcast to hear the results of the meeting.
Honourable mention: Tim Taranto stepped up in the absence of his superstar midfield teammates to show what a star he is in his own right with a dominant performance against the Pies. He showed his intent with an impressive first half that included 11 tackles before finishing the game with a whopping 14 to go with his 31 possessions for 145. He is a machine.
NINE THINGS WE LEARNED The top two recruits of 2019 are Lions
Rage Trades
James Sicily: Looked like he was back to his best a couple of week ago but after two disappointing weeks in a row, he really has to be upgraded before finals. Despite the Hawks winning the game against the Cats, he couldn't get enough of the ball, collecting just 13 possessions and he didn't lay a tackle on his way to just 61.
Honourable mention: Patrick Cripps is obviously carrying an injury and his scoring reflected that on the weekend against the easiest midfield match up in the competition. The midfield star was certainly lacking the explosive power we have become accustomed to when at his healthy best. Although he looked like a bargain last week, he is not himself and needs to go.
Piglet
Hayden McLean had a great debut for the Swans, managing to score 87 despite giving away four free kicks. He only had 16 hitouts but laid an impressive eight tackles and used the ball well while disposing of it 13 times. It was a tough ask for the mature ager, coming up against three rucks, including experienced big man Aaron Sandilands.
AROUND THE STATE LEAGUES Star Saint back, flashy Cat fires
