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.
Andrew Swallow ($457,000) will be sorely missed from the side that takes on Fremantle this Saturday. He gathered 97 fantasy points in last week’s strong win over Essendon, and rarely leaves the ground without having an impact.
Swallow came down slightly in price last round, and is likely to decrease a touch more when he returns from a thumb injury in the near future. Given the uncertainty of his return, hold off buying or selling him until more is known about that thumb.
North has brought in Trent Dumont ($120,000) to cover for Swallow in the middle. Dumont hasn’t played since Round 4 when he scored 20 fantasy points as the sub.
There has been a lot to like about Dumont’s form in the VFL recently. He’s averaged 24 disposals and eight tackles from three VFL games for North Ballarat this season and has been named in the bests each time.
Dumont comes at a bargain-basement price, but also with the risk of both the green and orange vest. He is also in the frame to make way for Swallow in the future. The 19 year old will be gunning for some decent game time and fantasy points to make the case for a permanent spot. Fremantle are a tough side to play against, but Dumont has the credentials and toughness to take them on.
Another Roo who is more than up for a tough contest is Lachlan Hansen ($394,000). He had a cracker of a game last week, in particular with his strong intercept marks.
Hansen scored 109 fantasy points last week and appears to be building up to his best. There were some concerns around the key defender's hips but all now appears fine.
With the support down back from the likes of Sam Wright ($416,000), Scott Thompson ($358,000) and occasional defensive rock Drew Petrie ($421,000), Hansen looks a solid bet to generate some big scores.
Hansen’s price will balloon this week if he has a strong game. Trade him in if he fits your team’s needs.
Speaking of ballooning prices, Robbie Tarrant ($300,000) has shot up in value this year and is odd-on to continue this week.
Despite only playing five senior games so far this year, Tarrant has gained the most AFL Fantasy dollars of any Kangaroo. He has averaged 19 possessions and nearly six marks this year, appearing to relish his new defensive role and appearing like a lock in North’s backline.
The time may come soon to cash Tarrant in and upgrade one of your other players, but it’s not this week.
Around the Grounds
Two team stalwarts have been selected for Round 8, after lengthy bouts of injury.
Collingwood fans will be thrilled by the return of Steele Sidebottom ($602,000), who has been out since Round 1 with a broken thumb.
Sidebottom is a key part of the Magpie machine and will be raring to take on the Ablett-less Suns.
The last two times Sidebottom has played the Gold Coast, he’s scored 99 fantasy points. The matchup should be the perfect hit out for Sidebottom, who likely will have lost little fitness over his break.
Also back after a rest is Scott Selwood ($468,000), who injured his ankle in West Coast’s Round 1 win over the Western Bulldogs.
Selwood scored 100 fantasy points in that game, despite attempting to negate the influence of the barnstorming Marcus Bontempelli ($480,000).
It remains to be seen if Selwood will return immediately to that role. If so, his fantasy scoring could well be flat.
