The fantasy landscape is ever changing each week and it is fantastic, starting back on Friday night we witnessed Ben Ronke put on a master class display kicking 7 Goals (AF: 121, SC: 120) as a small forward in just his 3rd game in the AFL, Jack Macrae (AF: 155, SC: 156) continues to power through every game like a hot knife on butter and for his owners these are glorious times.
The shift from the good to the bad has to be acknowledged unfortunately, we have seen the re-emergence of the tag in footy over the early part of the season move into a fully blown epidemic of our stars who we love being targeted – This can make for a very frustrating weekend checking in on your team.
Round 8 Notable Performances (Good & Bad):
James Sicily (AF: 104, SC: 110) again provided his coaches a great start to the weekend, he has averaged 11.3 Marks from his last 3 games. It was no surprise John Longmire reduced the influence of Tom Mitchell (AF: 58, SC: 72), previous history foreshadowed what was to unfold on Friday night. Daniel Howe (AF: 70, SC: 46) closed down Josh Kennedy (AF: 62, SC: 73) quite effectively on Friday night, Kennedy has recorded fewer than 20 Disposals in 3 of his last 5 games.
Despite suffering a leg injury Lachie Whitfield (AF: 98, SC: 95) returned to the game and pushed through for a decent score, the recent scores for Jeremy Finlayson (AF: 59, SC: 61) are reflective of his actual average. Despite a poor score in Round 3 Elliot Yeo (AF: 112, SC: 113) has been very productive this year, he has averaged 26.4 Disposals from his last 5 games.
Ed Curnow (AF: 142, SC: 118) continues to throw up some huge scores, he tagged Zach Merrett (AF: 81, SC: 79) out of the game. Devon Smith (AF: 117, SC: 101) has been ultra consistent for fantasy coaches this season, he is averaging 8.1 Tackles per game (AFL Rank 2).
Touk Miller (AF: 107, SC: 108) has put together a solid month of footy, he has averaged 23.8 Disposals from his last 4 games. Clayton Oliver (AF: 122, SC: 143) continues to produce as the No.1 midfielder at Melbourne, he is averaging 16.4 Contested Possessions per game (AFL Rank 5).
Tom Rockliff (AF: 127, SC: 98) produced his best game for the Power finishing with 31 Disposals & 9 Tackles, Robbie Gray (AF: 104, SC 122) provided Port Adelaide with a good forward option especially in the 3rd Qtr. Rockliff & R.Gray may continue to flip roles in the coming weeks, one to watch out for. It was a slow week for Rory Laird (AF: 83, SC 89) finishing with 27 Disposals, it was the first time this season he has recorded fewer than 30 Disposals.
Despite missing last week Marcus Bontempelli (AF: 117, SC: 132) has put together back to back solid games, his 4 Goals against Brisbane contributed to his high score in Round 8. Those that were not frightened to go with Dayne Zorko (AF: 115, SC: 121) again were quickly rewarded, Stefan Martin (AF: 113, SC: 112) hasn’t been impacted by the inclusion of Oscar McInerney (AF: 84, SC: 81) in the past 3 games.
Connor Blakely (AF: 131, SC: 114) recorded a career high 35 Disposals against St Kilda, Nat Fyfe (AF: 106, SC: 126) finished with 36 Disposals against the Saints but this was offset by recording just 2 Marks. Luke Dunstan (AF: 120, SC: 99) has averaged 24.5 Disposals from his last 2 games, Bailey Banfield (AF: 47, SC: 47) restricted Jack Steven (AF: 90, SC: 88) to a season low 23 Disposals.
Ben Cunnington (AF: 139, SC: 143) recorded an AFL record 32 Contested Possessions in Round 8, he also set a personal career high 38 Disposals. Pre-game Damien Hardwick said he expected Ben Jacobs (AF: 56, SC: 63) to tag Trent Cotchin (AF: 114, SC: 155), Jacobs instead went to Dustin Martin (AF: 48, SC: 64) restricting him to just 16 Disposals.
Jack Crisp (AF: 147, SC: 119) was the designated outlet from the Collingwood backline recording an equal season high 32 Disposals, Taylor Adams (AF: 124, SC: 120) returned to the midfield for the Magpies recording an equal career high 12 Tackles. Patrick Dangerfield (AF: 106, SC: 137) is right on the cusp of busting open a game very soon, his next month ahead is right there for the taking.
Good Luck for Round 9
