AFL Fantasy is back for another season, and the team at Footy Prophet will again be supplying NMFC.com.au with premium fantasy analysis and tips for the 2015 season.
Aaron Black ($298,000) comes in for the suspended Drew Petrie ($405,000). However fantasy pundits should not expect Black to be able to fill big Petrie’s shoes.
Black was a regular in the side last year, playing in every game including the finals. So far in 2015 he's only played one senior game for a small fantasy return.
While Black has kicked regular goals in the VFL, he hasn’t strung together large numbers of possessions. His price is also at an awkward middle range.
The number one ruck in the competition, Todd Goldstein ($618,000), is likely to continue on his scoring ways this weekend.
Up against a relative rookie in Shaun McKernan ($298,000), Goldstein should be able to assert himself with ease.
His recent output reads like a fantasy coach’s dream. He’s averaging 128 fantasy points over his last six games, and after Essendon he faces cellar dwellers Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne and St Kilda.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again. Get Goldstein into your side as soon as possible!
Another player who should enjoy the game is Jack Ziebell ($506,000), who scored 118 points against the Bombers in round seven.
Ziebell has been very consistent this year, despite a few setbacks due to injury. North will be looking to surge over the next few weeks and the vice-captain's performance will be crucial.
Nick Dal Santo ($456,000) will also be one to watch this week. He also has inconsistent form against Essendon over the long term, but when playing for North he averages 86 points.
Dal Santo hit the ground running after returning from injury and he frames as an excellent back option heading into the business end of the fantasy season.
Around the Grounds
Gary Ablett is back, in case you hadn’t noticed. With two scores of 119 fantasy points over the last weeks, Ablett is looking like a fantasy contender again.
There is still some concern about his shoulder and how it will handle the strain week-to-week, but for the moment we should all celebrate that Gary is back and is looking as prolific, and consistent, as ever.
Of course, we also should revel in Tom Rockliff’s return. After rebreaking his ribs and sitting five weeks out, Rockliff returned against Sydney and had an immediate impact, socring 128 fantasy points and making eleven tackles.
Brisbane play Melbourne this week, and they’ll be looking to make amends for letting Sydney kick away and steal last round. Rockliff generally plays well against the Demons, with seven tons in a row stretching back to 2010.
