Fantasy: Round 21 Preview
Drew Petrie could be in for another high-scoring Fantasy game against the Bulldogs.
Three players are in the mix to return to North Melbourneβs senior team to face the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, with play-making midfielder Daniel Wells the potential star inclusion.
Wells has had a nightmare of a season, managing only five games at an average of 66 points, before a foot injury saw him miss almost four months of action.
Wells, who was a Syd Barker Medalist in 2013, made his return to football via the VFL last week, playing for North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium.
It may yet be the case that he remains outside the team and plays another week at VFL level in order to build up fitness. If he does return, it will be exciting both for North fans and fantasy coaches.
Also in the mix to return is Levi Greenwood, who was a late withdrawal from last weekβs 75 point win over the GWS Giants due to leg soreness.
If fit, the hardworking midfielder would be an instant inclusion into Northβs best team. He is currently averaging 101 points per game this year, the most of any North player.
Northβs third possible inclusion is a potential debutant, Mason Wood. The goal-kicker has been impressive at VFL level this year. He promises a lot when he does break through; whether it will be this week is not yet clear.
Brent Harvey isnβt far behind Greenwood in Northβs overall tally for best fantasy average, still running at an average of 100 points per game this year.
Harvey was a match winner when he faced the Dogs in Round 2 earlier this year, gathering 25 disposals and kicking three goals.
With Mitch Wallis sitting on the sidelines, Harvey is all the more likely to have a dominant game if he is not greeted by Liam Picken.
No doubt Jack Ziebell will be looking forward to the game as well. He copped a limiting shoulder injury in Round 2 meeting and will be keen to assert himself this time around.
Ziebellβs career best fantasy score of 156 came against the Bulldogs back in Round 17 2011, when he accumulated 41 disposals and a goal to lead North to a 31-point win.
Last but not least, keep an eye on Drew Petrie. The big man booted five goals against the Giants last week and put in a season-high fantasy score of 114. The Bulldogs are a little short on key defenders and Petrie could be in for another flyer.
Around the Grounds
Injury carnage has hit fantasy coaches now in the middle of fantasy finals, with Steve Johnson, Jimmy Bartel, Ben McGlynn and Jarryd Roughead (suspension) all set to miss this week.
This will throw plenty of fantasy teams into chaos and could be season defining, for better or worse.
However, this week will also see a number of important players return to their sides, with none more notable than 2012 Brownlow Medallist, Jobe Watson.
Watson is one of the top fantasy scorers in the game, and hereβs hoping for our teamsβ sake that heβll be ready to fire right away.
Michael Hibberd, Dane Swan, Luke Ball and possibly Michael Walters are also in line to return to AFL action in Round 21.