Averaging 374 disposals per game so far in 2012, North only collected 316 at Blundstone Arena on Saturday. It left just Andrew Swallow and Brent Harvey as centurions.
Swallow in particular played a stunning captain’s game. His fingerprints were all over the stat sheet with 25 possessions, 4 marks, 14 tackles, 6 free kicks and a goal for his 134-point effort. It’s the second week in a row he’s posted big numbers after 144-points against St Kilda in Round 14.
It bumps Swallow’s average for the year to more than 100. If he continues on his current form, he could end the year as one of the form Dream Team midfielders in the competition. Harvey meanwhile scored 102 after 3 goals and 23 disposals.
Robbie Tarrant is another who featured highly with 85-points the result of 4 goals from 13 disposals and 7 marks. When Tarrant was mentioned in the Round 13 wrap, his lack of consistency in Dream Team was highlighted.
However, this now makes three of the last four weeks in which he has turned in a solid output. It reflects his growing confidence on-field as he works in well with Drew Petrie and Lachie Hansen.
Owners of Sam Gibson enjoyed his price rise; one of the biggest across all players after 79-points in just his fourth game. The news only gets better however as Gibson’s score against Carlton will replace the 17 he scored against Gold Coast in Dream Team’s three-match pricing system.
Gibson is likely to score comfortably more than 17, meaning his value will skyrocket at the conclusion of Round 16.
Looking ahead to Dream Team possibilities for Friday night and the name which stands out most is Lindsay Thomas. Even though he didn’t play against Carlton in 2011, his two prior games against the Blues have been superb.
In 2010 Thomas kicked 7 goals to go along with 20 possessions and 8 tackles; in 2009 it was much the same, just on a slightly lower scale. He had 4 goals, 14 possessions and 5 tackles that night.
If you have spare trades sitting around and desperately need a league win in Round 16, consider drafting Lindsay Thomas into your team.
| Player | Dream Team |
| Andrew Swallow | 134 |
| Brent Harvey | 102 |
| Robbie Tarrant | 85 |
| Sam Gibson | 79 |
| Scott McMahon | 79 |
| Liam Anthony | 74 |
| Daniel Wells | 73 |
| Leigh Adams | 73 |
| Lindsay Thomas | 71 |
| Nathan Grima | 69 |
| Jack Ziebell | 69 |
| Shaun Atley | 61 |
| Jamie Macmillan | 59 |
| Todd Goldstein | 55 |
| Sam Wright | 53 |
| Ryan Bastinac | 49 |
| Drew Petrie | 46 |
| Matt Campbell | 46 |
| Lachie Hansen (Substituted) | 42 |
| Michael Firrito | 35 |
| Luke Delaney | 31 |
| Kieran Harper (Substitute) | 0 |
North Melbourne v Carlton
Friday July 13, Etihad Stadium
7:50pm
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