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A late comeback charge on Sunday saw North fans with plenty to smile about as the Kangaroos secured a 13-point win over the reigning premiers, Hawthorn.
A supergoal from Lindsay Thomas snatched the lead late in the piece before Ryan Bastinac sealed the deal with a goal in the last minutes.
There was plenty to be excited about from a fantasy perspective also.
Undoubtedly the most exciting performance of the game was from North Melbourne skipper Andrew Swallow, who had a game high total of 98 fantasy points for the day.
Swallow picked up 24 disposals for the day, laid six tackles, delivered the ball inside 50 five times, and kicked a goal to be North’s best on the day.
RELATED: Swallow's post-match interview
After having his past two seasons heavily affected by an Achilles injury suffered in 2013, Swallow looks like he is set to get back to the high level of performance he showed in 2012, when he averaged 102.6 fantasy points per game.
With a bit of luck, he may even exceed his past performance and push for a career best year in 2015.
Priced at $508,000 in AFL Fantasy Classic, he’s a tempting option, and a great pick-up in the draft-based game AFL Fantasy Elite as well.
North fans got a good look at a re-jigged backline on Sunday as well, with Sam Wright ($374,000) and Ben Jacobs ($267,000) both impressing when carrying the ball out of the back half.
Wright and Jacobs had five rebound 50s apiece, the equal-most of any North players on the day, and finished on scores of 76 and 71 respectively in the shortened-time game.
The Kangaroos aren’t short on half back options – with Shaun Atley, Luke McDonald and Aaron Mullett just a few others who can play their footy there – but Wright and Jacobs look like they could have a fantasy impact this year if they cement best 22 spots.
Also much improved was Ryan Bastinac. The midfielder had a wayward 2014, seeing his fantasy average drop by nine points, and he struggled to maintain a starting spot in the side.
However, Bastinac looked solid on Sunday, winning four clearances, laying four tackles, collecting 19 disposals and kicking his goal on his way to a score of 74 points from only 67% time on ground in the shortened-time game.
The departure of Levi Greenwood seems to have left space for Bastinac to get more of the ball in 2015. While his pricetag of $433,000 won’t appeal to many in AFL Fantasy Classic, he makes for a great late draft selection in AFL Fantasy Elite.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on young forward Mason Wood ($260,000), who impressed with a goal and ten disposals leading to 43 points. While he has some way to go yet, he’s clearly got talent and could push for a regular spot in the side in 2015.
RELATED: Wood's post-match interview
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The most exciting fantasy performance was from Swallow, who had a game high total of 98.