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. Stay tuned for a wealth of information from the experts as they help you to fantasy glory.
FORM & HISTORY
Both teams remain in the lower reaches of the ladder, although Geelong are only two points outside of the top eight. Geelong will enter the game having won four of the past five games against Brisbane. The two sides have encountered many timeless classics since 2000 with both games in 2013 separated by a total of six points.
Round 13 2013 may have produced the best game between the two sides. Geelong kicked away to a 52 point lead before the Lions stormed home to win after a goal after the siren in Ash McGrath’s 200th game. Four Cats eclipsed the fantasy ton in that game with Steve Johnson ($436 000, MID/FWD), Jimmy Bartel ($488 000, MID/FWD), Joel Selwood ($474 000, MID) and Mathew Stokes ($373 000, MID/FWD) all accumulating 31 disposals for respective fantasy scores of 129, 125, 121, 116.
In the most recent encounter, Tom Hawkins was the main threat inside fifty. He kicked a career high seven goals for a return of 132 fantasy points. He wasn’t the Cats’ top fantasy scorer however, with Joel Selwood compiling 139 points to take the cake. Stefan Martin was the best for the Lions with 124 points while Zac O’Brien also impressed with an even 100.
THE LEAD UP
Off the field, Geelong saw one of their own hang up the boots this week. Hamish McIntosh called it quits after injury riddled his time at the Cattery. He played 19 games for the Cats across three seasons and was regarded as a team favourite in the locker room.
A victory over the Giants in Canberra last week saw Geelong catapult back into the stronghold for the finals spots in the top eight. Only Joel Selwood on return, managed to crack the fantasy ton. Selwood managed a team high 103 points while Steve Motlop ($473 000, MID/FWD) and Jimmy Bartel also produced quality scores of 97 and 90 respectively. Chilly conditions in the nation’s capital didn’t allow for a pristine game of football, but the run and carry through the midfield by Motlop and Jordan Murdoch was a real highlight.
The Lions remain entrenched at the bottom of the ladder and suffered another loss at the hands of North Melbourne in Brent Harvey’s 400th match. The Lions have lost six of their seven interstate games this season as they travel to Simonds Stadium where Geelong haven’t had their most successful record. Winning only two of their five matches at their home ground this season, Geelong will be favourites to rectify their home record. The matchup is also the first time where former-Cat Allen Christiansen will face his old side where he played 65 games between 2011 and 2014
KEY MATCHUP
The game between Geelong and Brisbane will be determined by many matchups. Allen Christensen and Corey Enright ($476 000, DEF) or Daniel Rich on Selwood both loom as deciding factors, but the most pivotal in determining the better side appears between each side’s big men. Stefan Martin and Mark Blicavs ($546 000, MID/RUC) are the second and third best fantasy ruckmen at present and will go head to head this weekend. Blicavs, the more dynamic of the two, was subdued against GWS in Round 17 with 78 points. Martin, who has been sharing more of an even load in the ruck in recent weeks with Matthew Leuenberger, managed 96 points last week. Both men have the ability to not only contribute in the ruck contests, but also around the ground and this may prove to be a key matchup ahead of Saturday’s game.
BOOM OR BUST
Against the Giants last week, Tom Hawkins was the dominant big man on the ground. He kicked 5.1 playing on a much smaller and inexperienced opponent in Aiden Corr. He returned his second highest fantasy score of the season against GWS and although 2015 may not have been his most productive in a fantasy sense, Hawkins may repeat his efforts against Brisbane this weekend. North Melbourne, who previously played Brisbane in Round 17, has four players who kicked two goals or more, which goes to show there will be plenty of opportunities for Hawkins against an unexperienced defence.
FOOTY PROPHET’S FANTASY FIVE
1. Jimmy Bartel ($488 000, MID/FWD)
2. Mitch Duncan ($476 000, MID)
3. Josh Caddy ($522 000, MID)
4. Joel Selwood ($474 000, MID)
5. Mark Blicavs ($546 000, MID/RUC)
