Jordan Dawson came home strong on Sunday but earlier VC scores likely meant few doubled up on the Crows’ skipper’s epic 172. Errol Gulden was among the earlier VC options, along with Josh Dunkley.
Geelong v Melbourne
Freak: Duncan (120)
Flop: Cameron (-3)
Rookie Roulette: Chandler (52), McVee (50), JVR (45)
A bit of an irrelevant Fantasy game with most having only Stewart who casually rolled out a hundred. Petracca (125) continued his good run without Oliver, who has now been missing for a month and no certainty to be back. If he is, you could launch – if you have the cash and you’re brave. He’ll be a significant POD, but most will want to have a look at him. Duncan would’ve made his way into my team a couple of weeks ago but for an excess of defenders. It was a high risk, high reward play. Although you could still do it, the pricetag is now such that the risk isn’t sufficiently mitigated for me. Spare a thought for Cameron owners, who a few would’ve brought in due to the lack of forward premium options this week. I’ve done my best to breathe some life into this as a fantasy game but it’s been a bit like breathing life into an Eagles player.
St Kilda v Brisbane
Freak: Sinclair (130)
Flop: Windhager (42)
Rookie Roulette: Wilmot (75), Fletcher (49), Caminiti (45), Phillipou (31), Lohmann (27)
This is more like it with an Oprah-like plethora of tons being notched by relevant superstars. You get a ton, you get a ton! Except for Neale (94), but it was a good nearly. The best 6 backs looked uncertain early but Sinclair has cemented his spot. He picked up a fair chunk of time in the middle and previously I would’ve said he’s in the mould of a Docherty where that split actually decreases his output potential, but I’d now concede that’s not the case.
The pack put the VC on in-form Dunks (120), who removed the captaincy headaches associated with Taranto having the week off. Trade-in target Brad Crouch (116) rewarded owners. You could still bring him in as he’s a chance to be top 8, but if you can get up to a Bont instead it would be hard to pass that up. RoMar (105) got the benefit of a late score update and Steele (104) repaid the faith for holders. Twelve tackles got him there and you can read into that what you will. NWM (102) has continued his outstanding season and those bold enough to bring him in through the byes won’t be regretting it.
Ashcroft (80) can go and is losing cash now. There’s enough on his head to get him to a proper premium but I wouldn’t be trading him ahead of other rookies on field. The rookies in general were pretty floptastic with the exception of Wilmot (75) who has proved to be a great hold through the byes. Fages loves Fletcher and I think he probably gets a good run at it. Lohmann on the other hand is a candidate for omission. Many have brought in Windy for the JS over the last couple of weeks. I’d give him a roasting for that performance but Ross the Boss already did that and I don’t think the poor bloke needs another rocket. He should hold IMO so it isn’t panic stations, but it’s a healthy reminder you don’t want him on your ground come round 16.
Sydney v West Coast
Freak: Gulden (145)
Flop: football as a whole
Rookie Roulette: Sheldrick (111), Ginbae (59), Hewett (47), Long (40), Maric (27), Chesser (23), J. Williams (10)
Traffic cones have formally asked not to be compared to the Eagles now because they actually do a good job of redirecting traffic and provide an element of safety to the public. The Eagles’ usefulness isn’t this good and they can’t even manage safety because everyone is injured. From a fantasy perspective Errol enjoyed kicking the ball around the non-traffic cones with gusto and he was joined by bye round specialist superstar Sheldrick who has gone up a whopping amount of cash this week. The one tiny positive for the Eagles was the tackling game of popular trade-in Yeo (98). Lloyd (73) was disappointing yet again but I suppose the ball never made it into D50 so not much can be said about that. Such was the domination, Sydney subbed Millsy (64) off early. He looked pretty good and his price is unbelievable. You could launch this week or next. You could basically straight swap him for Ashcroft. Hewett presents as a downgrade target ahead of round 16. I need to move on from this game now and immediately book an appointment with my therapist.
Freo v Essendon
Freak: Ryan (143)
Flop: Young (61)
Rookie Roulette: Johnson (99), Menzie (23), Sturt (19)
Nothing exemplifies the swings and roundabouts of this game like the coin toss decision between Young and Ryan a couple of weeks ago which has now netted you plus or minus 82. Redman (57) could also have been on your radar coming off his bye and went the way of Young. Luke Jackson (89) managed a great week despite Darcy (82) being back but trade him now while you’re ahead. Serong (102) has a poor start but came good late, while Brayshaw (129) padded out the stats with a goal and 8 tackles to go with his 29 touches. Nic Martin (112) continues his incredible run and was the only real premium trade in target for the forwards. A tip of the hat to those who did it. Merrett (109) tonned up but this trend of playing him in the forward line is a concern for me. You can’t trade him out but I also wouldn’t be trading him in over the other uber premiums. Hobbs (105) rewarded holders and Parish (83) was at most of the CBAs.
Matty Johnson (99) not only held his spot but pulled out another brilliant bye score before injuring his shoulder at the end. JL didn’t seem too worried about it post-game. He was a trade out target for me to get a final rookie off, but that new BE is tasty.
Collingwood v Adelaide
Freak: Dawson (172)
Flop: none
Rookie Roulette: Pedlar (68), Michalanney (56), Harrison (46)
It’s electric games like this that restore faith in the state of the game and I simply cannot award any Flop to anyone, nobody deserves it. Jordan Dawson is owned by most and doing his best to put himself out of reach for those who don’t have him. To put his score in a bit of perspective, he outscored the margin in the West Coast game, which wouldn’t usually be very remarkable but is this week record breaking. Nick Daicos (120), Laird (111) and Titch (109) were all huge and popular underpriced targets DCam (106) and Keays (90) both paid off. Harvey Harrison was quiet but did enough to jump in price, although he is borderline best 22 and with Ginnivan and McCreery (14) knocking on the door his JS is not ideal.
Gold Coast v Hawthorn
Freak: Day (116)
Flop: Humphrey (36)
Rookie Roulette: Mitchell (91), Oea (47), Weddle (47), Mackenzie (43), Humphrey (36)
A bit of an indictment on old Hawthorn, another victim of the post-bye blues. Will Day played loose across half back at stages and his score reflected that. Anderson (107) ticked the points over and Seamus once again racked up when it was most needed. The other rookies and the ‘good bye’ stopgaps really let us down here, with the exception of GOAT Fiorini (115), who must have heard that everyone traded him, so went straight into the CBAs and racked up 35 touches. Rowell (68) and Humphrey in particular can go and if you didn’t get rid of Atkins (31) when he was dropped you should do so now.
Bring them in: Bont, Mills, Hewett
Cop it on the chin: Young, Lloyd, Redman
Put them in the bin: Jackson, Ashcroft, Humphrey
Read Six Fantasy Things We Learned in Round 15
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