Fantasy: Round 22 Review
Jack Ziebell again stamped himself as a fantasy star-in-waiting with 132 points against Adelaide.
Jack Ziebell again stamped himself as a fantasy star-in-waiting with a commanding 132-point afternoon against the Adelaide Crows.
The powerful midfielder had nine shots on goal for the game, including eight in the second half after he was moved forward. Those nine score involvements netted him 75 fantasy points alone, and if his forward role continues in the future then it might just be the switch he needs to reach the fantasy elite.
It was Ziebell’s second best fantasy outing for the season, edged only by his 27-possession, nine-mark and nine-tackle game against the Suns, and shows what he’s capable of at his peak.
Levi Greenwood was the only other Roo to notch a fantasy ton, but could have finished higher if he had converted any of his three shots at goal. Still, 103 was a respectable total for one of 2014’s breakout players, and underlined his importance to this group.
Nick Dal Santo snapped a quiet run with a composed 28-possession, 93-point fantasy game. The ex-Saint has added an important dimension to this group, and if he’s able to retain his mid/defender status in fantasy next year then he’ll be extremely valuable indeed.
Leigh Adams started as the substitute again, coming on in the final quarter for the recently re-signed Ben Brown. Adams managed 23 points in limited game time, but he remains an unpredictable fantasy option when the green vest seems a regular fit.
Finally, in his second game Kayne Turner was impressive again. He finished with 82 fantasy points from just 12 disposals, with his two goals and five tackles a highlight. We flagged in the preview that he was someone to consider as a midfield downgrade in AFL Fantasy, and there’s no doubt that if he’d debuted earlier in the season, he would have been all the rage.
There was one late change ahead of this game, with Lachie Hansen again missing, replaced by Aaron Mullett. Hansen has not been able to recapture the fantasy heights of his 2013 season, and has now missed the past three games through injury. An elite reader of the ball and intercept player when healthy, Hansen’s durability remains his Achilles heel for fantasy coaches.
On the other side of the field, Scott Thompson and Richard Douglas both managed fantasy 100’s, while youngster Brad Crouch missed the mark by the smallest of margins. If he’s able to complete a full preseason next year, then Crouch will be a promising selection in AFL Fantasy Classic.
Around the grounds
Michael Walters was outstanding in his second game back from injury, managing 87 fantasy points in a close to best on ground performance. He’ll be heavily underpriced coming into 2015, and is one for the watchlist.
Tom Rockliff went 150+ (again) in what we will most likely remember as the greatest fantasy season of all time. He’ll eclipse the mark set by Dane Swan in 2012, and now we can only imagine what he might have achieved if he’d played all 22 games.
Lastly, Gold Coast trio Jaeger O’Meara, David Swallow and Dion Prestia had their best collective fantasy games since Gary Ablett went down injured. There’s no replacing the great man, but this midfield group showed they will all be fantasy stars for the next decade.