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

It may well have been Geelong’s most conclusive victory of the season, leapfrogging Port Adelaide into ninth place and well into finals contention. The defensive matchups were as expected with Tom Lonergan heading to Jay Schulz, Jared Rivers onto Justin Westhoff and Jed Bews to Chad Wingard.

The first half ebbed and flowed on the scoreboard, however it was evident Geelong were the better of the two sides, as Port Adelaide continued their inconsistency that has plagued their 2015 season thus far. Geelong were able to kick their way into the lead early in the second quarter while the Power drew level in various stages, were never able to regain the lead.

Justin Westhoff was shifted from forward to defence in the hope of sitting back behind the ball, cutting off Geelong attacks and subsequently rebounding from the defensive half. However, Westhoff’s move ensured Harry Taylor along with Jared Rivers to a lesser extent, were able to do the exact same thing and with greater effect.

Early in the first quarter, James Kelly ($413 000, MID/DEF) was injured with an ankle injury and was promptly substituted out of the game. Port Adelaide was also forced into using the substitute early with Matt White succumbing to a hamstring injury in the second quarter.

Geelong’s veterans lead the way while the new crop of talent also pulled their weight, eventually resulting in a 23 point victory to the Cats.

THE STANDOUTS

Corey Enright ($487 000, DEF) was simply at his evergreen best on Friday night. In game 299, ´Boris’ managed 29 disposals and 112 AFL Fantasy points. He was given free reign for most of the night allowing him to work further up field. In defence he was a brick wall, taking nine marks while also rebounding from the defensive fifty on six occasions. Offensively, he was equally as potent, sending the ball inside fifty six times and operated at 79% efficiency. Enright reaped full praise from the commentators and media throughout the night, and deservedly so.

In the absence of key personnel and depleted midfield stocks, Josh Caddy ($456 000, MID) has ripened and has come of age in season 2015. Following scores of 99, 89, 95 across the past month, along with 106 in Round 6, Caddy blossomed against Port Adelaide scoring a season high 126 points. He was everywhere against the Power, compiling 26 disposals and eight tackles. Furthermore, Caddy doesn’t rely solely on disposal numbers and has transformed into a goal kicking midfielder this year; adding two more majors to his 2015 tally.

Now, usually three players are featured in our Standouts section, however it’s difficult to only recognise the Geelong ruck division – Rhys Stanley ($354 000, FWD) and Mark Blicavs ($514 000, MID/RUC). Up against a bigger, stronger Matthew Lobbe, the pair pulled their weight effectively nullifying Lobbe who was without recruit Paddy Ryder in support. Stanley had a game high 12 tackles and was arguable best afield despite playing 0 minutes in the final quarter with an ankle complaint. Blicavs played on ball as prerequisite, and contributed 20 hitouts however it was both players’ athleticism and synchronicity that may be revolutionising the ruck position.

WHO FELL SHORT

The Round 11 preview hinted Andrew Mackie ($412 000, DEF) as a likely matchup for Angus Monfries who has restricted a plethora of running half backs in recent weeks and exactly that transpired. Monfries comfortably won the battle and restricted Mackie’s influence entirely. Mackie managed just 10 disposals for the night and did little more to warrant a typical fantasy score. He finished on 36 points and is likely to plummet in price as a result, which may poise as an ideal upgrade after Geelong’s bye round and his breakeven score has steadied.

Joel Selwood ($481 000, MID) played his bit in the Geelong midfield, however was restricted in having any absolute influence on the game. On a positive note, Geelong’s younger midfielders in Josh Caddy and Cam Guthrie excelled however it simply wasn’t Selwood’s night. 16 disposals for the Geelong skipper was well below expectation as he continues a rollercoaster season if form warrants any indicative measurement. With Kane Cornes now retired, Port Adelaide’s Hamish Hartlett was assigned the task of going head to head with Selwood. Selwood was obviously unfocused with the attention, giving away costly free kicks and costly fantasy points.

Steven Motlop ($444, MID/FWD) was another who simply did not produce enough, resulting in a subdued fantasy score of 62. Usually, coaches are ecstatic when a player kicks 2.2, yet Motlop may be an exception and wasn’t able to impact the game in multiple avenues. Tackling appears to be Motlop’s main issue that may help inflate his fantasy scores; only registering two on Friday night. On a positive, Motlop has remained fairly close to his starting price while this week’s game may prove as the last straw for many frustrated coaches who may trade him out in Geelong’s bye round.  

FOOTY PROPHET'S FANTASY FIVE

• Mark Blicavs (2nd) was sublime against a quality midfield. His flexibility was again a highlight as he was able to rotate on ball and in the ruck.
• Joel Selwood (13th) was well curbed by Hamish Hartlett went relatively unseen for the game besides a fifty metre penalty that resulted in a Westhoff goal.
• Josh Caddy (1st) was among the Cats’ best, throwing his weight around in the midfield and also spread forward to kick two goals. His elevation in 2015 continued and this game was perhaps his best.
• James Kelly (Injured) was substituted out of the game in the first quarter and may be sidelined for up to 8 weeks.
• Mathew Stokes (7th) was again unheralded in the match despite contributing to the team. He scored 80 points playing mainly on a wing and looms as the perfect post-bye upgrade.

NEXT WEEK

Next week, the Cats face Melbourne who are coming off a narrow loss to St Kilda in Round 11. Having played on a Friday night, Geelong are blessed with a nine day break before facing the Demons at Simonds Stadium. A win would push Geelong further up the ladder and solidify themselves as a finals aspirant. Rhys Stanley is likely to be in doubt after he took no further part in the win over Port after three quarter time, while James Kelly is certain to miss. The game against Melbourne will also be Corey Enright’s 300^th game after joining the club following the 1999 draft. As arguably one of the best half back flankers in the history of AFL football, Enright will be the centre of attention this week moving closer to the Sunday afternoon clash with the Demons.