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.
North Melbourne has made no changes so far to the side that went down gallantly to Port Adelaide last week.
With Daniel Wells ($326,000) set to miss his second consecutive match, Brad McKenzie, Jamie Macmillan and Trent Dumont have been named on the extended interchange bench.
Of these, Dumont ($120,000) has the most exciting fantasy potential. He was named in the best for North Ballarat in the VFL last week, managing 28 disposals, five marks and a scintillating 13 tackles!
If Dumont is included in the final side and debuts, he could start as the sub and Geelong is a tough outfit to play against. Expectations of monster scores should be held in check. However, if he avoids the green vest, then consider him as a rookie pickup if you have space.
The big news that North fans all wanted to hear is that the fearless Jack Ziebell ($465,000) has been named, although he’s certain to face numerous tests between now and Sunday to prove his fitness. Ziebell bled on the field and in AFL Fantasy dollars last week. His injury-effected seven points assured that he is going to come down in price for a few weeks yet, unless he pulls a big score out of the bag.
If Sunday rolls around and Ziebell is fit, those who have him already should back him in against a Geelong weaker than the competition has known for years. Those who don’t own him might want to wait a little to see if that price bottoms out in the next few weeks.
Robbie Tarrant ($166,000) was very sturdy in his first senior game since Round 13 last year, with 21 disposals and a goal for 80 AFL Fantasy Points. He held Justin Westhoff well and used the ball nicely. Tarrant’s effort was reflected in a healthy price jump, and he has likely secured his spot in the team for the foreseeable future. If there’s a spot on your forward line or bench, then consider him. If he keeps scoring this well, his value will only keep rising.
It’s also great to see supporting players like Ben Jacobs ($282,000), Mason Wood ($264,000) and Robbie Nahas ($390,000) get a chance to show last week’s strong performance can be repeated. Of these, Nahas could be the most valuable in fantasy, who now has two good performances in a row (97 and 70 points) and is the more likely to avoid the green vest.
Around the Grounds
Who would have thought that just two weeks after a punctured lung and broken ribs, Tom Rockliff ($737,000) would get named to play. Let’s be frank, Rockliff hasn’t taken to the ground yet and there’s every chance he’ll be a late omission.
Even if he does play, it will be with a rib protector. Still, you have to respect his commitment to his team and the game.
He’s sure to be underdone and comes at a ridiculously high price (which hasn’t moved this year as yet) but it’s hard to ignore the most prolific fantasy player in the competition when he puts his hand up to play.
The other big return this round is that of Matthew Lobbe ($505,000) who hasn’t played a game this year and who is desperately needed by his team. Lobbe averaged nearly 90 points as a lone ruck last season, while this year he will share duties with former Bomber Patrick Ryder ($475,000). It remains to be seen if the talented big men will complement, or counter, their individual points scoring.
