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.
Todd Goldstein ($672,000) was made to work for his points last round by Matthew Leuenberger, and will be tested by another Matthew, Kreuzer, when North play Carlton this weekend.
The last time Goldstein played the Blues, he smacked 43 hit-outs and made eight tackles, but his fantasy scores have never been too imposing.
Given his current hot form, there’s no reason Goldstein can’t lift past that and post a big fantasy score.
There is now clear daylight between Goldstein and his closest fantasy ruck rivals. Stefan Martin, Mark Bliclavs and Sam Jacobs are all falling off the pace, while the North big man continues pumping out consistently high fantasy tons.
Jack Ziebell ($492,000) suffered a significant price drop last round and is ripe for the plucking. He generally scores very well against Carlton, although his last score, 28 fantasy points in 2014, was sub-effected as he had just returned from injury.
It’s hard to ignore Ziebell at under $500,000. After Carlton, North Melbourne play Melbourne, St Kilda, and Fremantle, all teams the vice-captain has a strong record against.
With the fantasy finals on the way, if you haven’t filled your quote on your forward line, then Ziebell is your man.
Also significantly under-priced for what he can produce is 400 gamer Brent Harvey ($464,000). Back to his best with two fantasy tons in the last two weeks, 'Boomer' looks a great late-season pickup if fantasy coaches can stomach the risk he’ll be managed into the finals.
Harvey hasn’t scored 100 points against Carlton since 2009, but the Blues are in all sorts this year. With North’s strong midfield core of Ryan Bastinac ($386,000), Andrew Swallow ($505,000) , Ben Cunnington ($470,000) and Nick Dal Santo ($468,000), he has the support to post another big total.
It’s also great to see Kayne Turner ($241,000) string together some consistent performances.
After returning to the seniors in Round 15, Turner has begun to impact the scoreboard, kicking goals and applying pressure on the opposition.
While he has featured often this season in the green or orange sub vest, Turner now has two full games behind him, averaging just over 10 possessions, nearly six tackles and 70 fantasy points.
It’s difficult to say if Turner will be able to hold his spot in the side for the fantasy finals. If you already have him, then he may be handy bench cover. He’ll certainly one to watch next year with interest.
Around the Grounds
Sydney has both regained and lost a champion this week.
Lance Franklin ($446,000) was a late withdrawal last week, but appears to be ready to take on the Adelaide Crows.
While Franklin hasn’t set the fantasy world alight in recent weeks, he is capable of amazing tons. He scored 113 points the last time he played the Crows and Sydney will want him to kick a bag to regain their momentum after two large losses.
Sydney has a tough run in the next few weeks, but in the fantasy finals play Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda and the Gold Coast. An investment in a bargain-priced Buddy could pay off handsomely.
Pulling out of the game against Adelaide is veteran star Adam Goodes ($406,000).
Goodes’ output had been improving in recent weeks, as shown by his excellent 103 points against old foe Hawthorn in Round 16.
The booing has taken its toll though and it’s not certain when, or if, Goodes will return.
