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.

You couldn’t ask much more from a ruckman than what Todd Goldstein ($588,000) delivered this weekend. Against some inexperienced opposition talls, Goldstein smacked 62 hit-outs, his second highest tally for the year. He also had 15 disposals and six tackles for a fine total of 135 fantasy points.

Goldstein is firming as the must-have ruck this season. He has stretched his lead as number one for hit-outs, and is now sixth for total fantasy points scored this year. His nearest ruck rival, Stephen Martin, is also spending two weeks out thanks to suspension. It would take a herculean effort for any other ruck to catch Goldstein now. It’s just a question of whether you have the cash reserves to bring him in.

Nick Dal Santo ($448,000) is starting to pick up speed after his long lay-off with injury. Playing through the midfield, Dal Santo scored 116 points. It was his second ton in a row thanks to a team-high 32 disposals and seven tackles.

Also in sterling form is Ben Cunnington ($471,000) who finally ended his string of four fantasy scores in the 90s with a century. His 108 points came from 29 possessions, five marks and two goals in the second quarter. He has been rocketing along since Round 7 and would be higher up the fantasy leader board if not for a couple of weaker scores which have dragged his average down.

Jamie Macmillan ($424,000) also followed up his massive score from last week with another beauty, a 99-point effort on the back of 28 disposals and eight marks.

As expected, Robbie Tarrant ($256,000) was given a key defensive role this week and his fantasy score reflected his focus on spoiling the Suns’ attacking play, rather than rebounding. His cash loss this week was slight, but he now faces an uphill battle to retain his value in the long term. It unfortunately makes the case for cashing him in all the stronger.

Around the Grounds

Two hard-fought contests brought out the best in two champions.

In Sydney’s clash against Port Adaide, Josh Kennedy ($531,000) was electric and showed amazing strength through the contest, netting 33 disposals, seven marks, eight tackles and two goals for a grand total of 151 fantasy points. He was one of the main reasons Sydney managed to clinch the win.

Back in Melbourne, Collingwood lost marginally to Hawthorn, but the Pies nearly stole the win thanks to the work-horse effort of Scott Pendlebury ($598,000). Pendlebury never gave up and finished on 152 points thanks to 37 disposals, six marks and ten tackles. He exemplified the pressure the Pies brought to the game and also consistency in the fantasy game – only three of his scores this year less than 100.

Expectations were low on Gary Ablett Jnr ($576,000) this week, and while he still looks underdone he managed to deliver a pretty decent fantasy return of 119 points. 31 disposals and three goals is a great day in most people’s books, but you get the sense that Ablett is just warming up. His price dropped a hefty sum this week, and is likely to again in the coming weeks. Get your trades ready to bring him in