In 2015, the Cats are thrilled to be partnering with fantasy experts footyprophet.com to bring you all the insight you need about AFL Fantasy and the Cats’ fantasy value. Every week Footy Prophet will rank their ‘Footy Prophet Fantasy Five’, ranking the top 5 players predicted to score the highest and then will review the results in the review!

THE WRAP UP

The most talked about match of the round yielded a positive result for Geelong, with the club registering its first win of the season and leaving a gallant Gold Coast still winless after three rounds. Tom Hawkins was a late withdrawal due to personal reasons and he was replaced by fellow key forward, Josh Walker. 

Jimmy Bartel ($511,000 FWD) was back in the side after suffering a concussion in round one, but he wasn't to have an impact with the football. The 31 year old was substituted out of the game in the first quarter with a knee injury. Despite a blistering 5 goal first quarter, two to Josh Walker ($246,000 FWD), Geelong went in to the first break down by 8 points.

The second quarter was a tighter affair, with only four goals kicked in total, but it brought about another injury to a key Cat. Matthew Stokes ($460,000 MID) injured his ankle, later to be seen in a moon boot and on crutches, he would take no further part in the game. Geelong again, down by 12 points at half time.

Enter Joel Selwood ($582,000 MID). An 11 possession, plus a goal, lifted his teammates as they kicked 6 goals to 1 in the third to take a much needed lead into the final quarter. The downside saw Tom Lonergan take no further part in the game after suffering a head knock and needing to be stretchered off just before the three quarter time siren.

Down to one fit man on the bench, Geelong held on as the Suns threw everything at them in the final quarter. This win will go down as one of the better victories Geelong has had in recent times. A much needed win and a gutsy win, but improvement still needs to be made if Geelong are to win again next week.

Geelong's midfield group were again beaten convincingly in the clearances and allowed too many inside 50s, putting the defenders under pressure.

THE STANDOUTS

Mark Blicavs ($392,000 RUCK, MID) had a quiet first quarter but he worked his way into the match superbly, his endurance helping his performance improve as the game went on, finishing with 97 AFL Fantasy points. He spent a lot of time inside defensive 50 and led Geelong for one percenters. Blicavs was used as the backup ruckman to Rhys Stanley but relished the chance to get around the ground. He kicked what turned out to be the sealing goal in the final quarter. With another 20+ possession game under his belt, Blicavs is fast becoming one of Geelong's most valuable players, and he has plenty of room for improvement.

Jackson Thurlow ($253,000 DEF,MID) played his first game of football for the year and his first since suffering a lacerated kidney in December. He played the game out well and looked to have recovered his fitness and strength base. Matched up primarily on Dan Gorringe, Thurlow used his agility to his advantage gathering 19 possessions and 6 rebound 50s. He ran forward on his opponent and hit the scoreboard for Geelong as well. If he can maintain this kind of output, 90 AFL Fantasy points, Thurlow will make his coaches a pretty penny.

Cory Gregson ($191,000 MID) seems to be getting better and better each game he plays. His confidence must be growing. The number 28 found the football 21 times in a hotly contested match and really summed up the conditions well. In a rain affected match, Gregson's desperation to get the ball long and forward by any means resulted in a much needed goal to Josh Walker. With a couple of goals to his name as well, Gregson's AFL Fantasy score of 71 doesn't do him justice, but coaches of this “cash cow” will be pleased.

WHO FELL SHORT

Jordan Murdoch ($356,000 FWD) finally earned himself a position in the senior lineup after missing rounds one and two but he didn't do a great deal and may have trouble maintaining his position. In 2014, Murdoch was one of Geelong's go to men when they needed to break the lines and generate some run through the midfield. Kade Kolodjashnij kept him to just the 7 touches on Sunday and managed to curb his dash and keen goal sense. 38 AFL Fantasy points is a poor return, especially for his price.

Steve Johnson ($542,000 MID) may have still been feeling the effects of the knock he suffered in Round 2, or he may have simply been very well held by Trent McKenzie. A mixture of both sounds appropriate, as Johnson didn't look himself. He played primarily forward of center but couldn't threaten the scoreboard as much as Chris Scott would have liked. 19 touches and just the 1 goal to his name led to an AFL Fantasy score of 71, far below his lofty standards.

Nakia Cockatoo ($232,000 MID) started the game as the substitute but was activated before the quarter time siren. He looked to take all of three quarters to warm up and get into the match before showing some promising signs in the final quarter. None-the-less, 9 touches isn't quite what AFL Fantasy coaches would have been expecting. 45 fantasy points saw a drop in price of $14,000 this week alone. Cats fans should still have hope, five inside 50s from his nine disposals does at least show signs of his damaging potential.

FOOTY PROPHET'S FANTASY FIVE

Last week we predicted who Geelong's top 5 AFL Fantasy players would be. Some of them we got right, a couple we got wrong. Let’s take a look.

  1. Joel Selwood (1st) was best on field and best in fantasy. 38 touches and 12 clearances for 137 AFL Fantasy points led the way for the rest of his teammates. With two strong performances in a row, Selwood looks to be back in his best form.
  2. Steve Motlop (2nd) was glad to be back on the field after club suspension ruled him out of last week’s loss. He was in just about everything on Sunday. Big first and last quarters, with a goal in each, set him up for another very solid 113 AFL Fantasy points.
  3. Jimmy Bartel (22nd) injured his knee in the first quarter and was subsequently substituted out of the match. It looks like Geelong will miss the key playmaker for a number of weeks.
  4. Cameron Guthrie (8th) looked to line up on Dion Prestia throughout the match but was playing quite loose. He managed to get 20 possessions himself while hunting the football and still led Geelong for tackles at the end of the day.
  5. Tom Hawkins (DNP) was a late withdrawal due to personal reasons.

NEXT WEEK

Geelong will remain at Simonds Stadium again in round four and will enjoy a 7 day break before they face North Melbourne. The Kangaroos are coming off a bruising narrow loss to Port Adelaide and will be looking to make amends. Geelong on the other hand will be out for revenge after their Semi Final loss to North Melbourne in 2014. Questions during the week will surround team selection. Walker and Gregson were impressive in the seniors this week while Sam Blease, Jake Kolodjashnij, Hamish McIntosh and Dean Gore were good in the VFL. Jared Rivers, George Horlin-Smith, Billie Smedts and Tom Hawkins will also be vying for recalls.