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.
Jack Ziebell ($495,000) was highlighted in the Round 18 fantasy preview as a player to watch against Carlton, and he delivered in spades. He smashed the Blues in the middle, collecting 26 disposals, including a huge 13 contested.
Ziebell also kicked two goals and took eight marks, on his way to a commanding 123 points. Any fantasy coach who took our advice to bring him in this week would have a big smile on their face right now.
Much of Ziebell’s extraction was thanks to the tap work of Todd Goldstein ($666,000), who started the game slowly in a battle against the combination of Matthew Kruezer and Cameron Wood. However, the competition’s top ruckman lifted in the third quarter when the Kangaroos asserted their dominance over the game.
Goldstein collected 41 hit-outs, 14 disposals, five marks, and also kicked two goals. He finished on 102 fantasy points, slightly down on recent weeks but not a score any fantasy coach would complain about.
Returning to elite fantasy form was Nick Dal Santo ($469,000), who after a down week lifted to a score of 95. He gathered 22 disposals and a goal. Dal Santo was matched by defender Sam Wright ($358,000), also on 95. After two quiet fantasy weeks, Wright bounced back with 24 possessions and ten marks.
Also finding plenty of the ball this week was Ben Jacobs ($344,000), who is evolving into one of the more effective taggers around. Lined up against Carlton captain Marc Murphy, Jacobs limited Murphy to 80 points while scoring 87 of his own, thanks to 21 disposals, five marks and six tackles.
On the receving end of a tag was Brent Harvey ($470,000), who copped some close attention from Carlton run-with player Ed Curnow. Harvey battled through and had an impact on the game, with 20 disposals and two goals, netting 83 points.
Around the Grounds
Sydney has galvanised its premiership credentials with a whopping 52-point win over Adelaide. Eight Swans went over the fantasy ton, with pint-sized star Daniel Hannebery ($599,000) leading the charge on 153. Hannebery has always had a talent for accumulation, and against the Crows he put on a brilliant display, raking in 40 disposals, 10 marks and three goals.
Tom Mitchell ($473,000) and Jarrad McVeigh ($484,000) were close behind with 132 and 131 points respectively, with Dean Rampe ($431,000), Kieren Jack ($503,000), Kurt Tippett ($401,000), Luke Parker ($529,000) and Josh P. Kennedy ($586,000) rounding out the remaining centurions.
Richmond is Sydney’s main rival for fourth place on the ladder, and the scrappy win over Hawthorn keeps them in touch with the Swans.
Fantasy points were meagre on Friday night, with only young star Brandon Ellis ($535,000) and dangerous Brett Deledio ($509,000) going over the hundred mark.
