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 match panned out as expected, a comfortable victory for Geelong as pressure continues to mount over Carlton. Prior to the opening bounce, Andrew Carrazzo was withdrawn for the Blues and was replaced by ruckman Robbie Warnock. Tagger Ed Curnow found his way, as expected, to Joel Selwood ($529 000, MID) while Cam Guthrie lined up on childhood hero Chris Judd.

Despite the depleted midfield stocks, Steve Johnson played forward, managing 1.2 for the game. Geelong had all of the momentum early, kicking the first four five goals of the game before Carlton replied through Menzel and Thomas. Curnow was effective in curbing Joel Selwood’s influence despite a deficit leading into the first break, Carlton dominated the statistics before Geelong mounted an attack in the second and third terms to eventually march away 77 point victors.

With Selwood well kept, the young wave of emerging Cats took the reins and boasted fantasy scores reflecting their dominance. Cam Guthrie ($389 000, MID) collected 93 fantasy points despite playing on Judd, who finished with 12 disposals, while Josh Caddy, Mark Blicavs, Jordan Murdoch and Tom Hawkins ($339 000, FWD) all improved their fantasy portfolios.

Kade Simpson ($470 000, DEF) was a lone highlight for Carlton, and was his side’s best fantasy performer. In his first game back following a two week layoff, Simpson managed 116 points while Troy Menzel and Chris Yarran eclipsed the 90 point mark.

THE STANDOUTS

Mark Blicavs ($495 000, MID/RUC) seems to have become a mainstay amongst the AFL Fantasy standouts for Geelong this season, averaging a career best 95.6 and is arguably Geelong’s most consistent performer.  Gathering a season high 27 disposals, Blicavs was again deployed in the midfield, again with profound effectiveness. Around stoppages, along with Cam Guthrie, he was the prime ball-winner collecting 16 contested possessions, and his ability to spread from the contest meant he had the better of his Carlton opponent. Add in another 15 hit-outs and Geelong have found themselves the most versatile player in the league, and AFL Fantasy.

Jordan Murdoch ($374 000, FWD) played the best game of his young career against the Blues, top scoring in AFL Fantasy with 137 points. Despite playing on a wing and spending more time in the back half of the ground, Murdoch kicked four goals, a team high, as well as 26 disposals and eight marks. After a move from a medium size forward to the wing this season, Murdoch has shone. As Cats fan will attest to, his pace is an asset and was again on display against Carlton in Round 8.

Josh Caddy ($400, 000) was also one to put his hand up, a true standout for Geelong. While their midfield enters a transition period between the old and the new, Caddy was required to step up and did so commendably. Collecting 23 touches, Caddy was a prime generator in the midfield and also snuck forward to mount three majors onto the scoresheet. He had a team high eight clearances, along with five inside fifties and was a great contributor to the Geelong victory.

WHO FELL SHORT

It may have been a game to forget for Joel Selwood ($529 000, MID) who was effectively negated by Ed Curnow on Friday night. The Cats skipper managed a mere 17 disposals, a far cry from his lofty standards, as Curnow stopped him effectively. Selwood grew increasingly frustrated as the game wore on and gave away four free kicks as a result including a bizarre incident following a Carlton goal late in the first quarter. Selwood’s usual tag constricts his fantasy aptitude, dropping $17k from Friday night after his performance simply fell short.

Corey Enright ($486 000, DEF) has enjoyed a rejuvenated 2015 season, where he has averaged 87 fantasy points, however managed just 48 against Carlton on Friday night. He played his role, and nothing more. Through 13 disposals, he wasn’t able to continue his form and let his AFL Fantasy coaches down with a below average score.

Steven Motlop ($477 000, MID/FWD), like Selwood, was well restricted by Dennis Armfield. Coach Chris Scott footnoted that given the attention, Motlop was still able to execute his role within the side with effect. Unfortunately, this didn’t stack up in a pure statistical perspective, the cornerstone of AFL Fantasy. Motlop reached 49 fantasy points, through 12 disposals and zeros in both columns on the scoreboard.

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.

• Mark Blicavs (2^nd) ($495 000, MID/RUC) was the second highest scorer for Geelong. He used his versatility well playing on ball, but also chipped in at ruck stoppages recording 15 hit-outs.
• Steve Johnson (8^th) ($455 000, MID) was used down forward and conjured up a respectable 81 points although failed to make any profound impact on the scoreboard.
• Joel Selwood (7^th) ($529 000, MID) was negated by Ed Curnow with great success. His patience grew thin as he battled to break the tag.
• Steven Motlop (19^th) ($477 000, MID/FWD) found the going tough as he was held in close check by Dennis Armfield. He failed to hit the scoreboard too.
• Josh Caddy (3^rd) ($400 000, MID) managed 99 points playing as an absolute midfielder. He is now an out and out midfielder and was also able to sneak forward to kick three goals.

NEXT WEEK

Round 9 will see Geelong take the journey out west to Domain Stadium where they will take on the second placed West Coast Eagles who have accumulated an impressive 6-2 record. Geelong’s experienced tall defenders will need to curve spearhead Josh Kennedy, the current Coleman Medal leader while the midfield will again be put to the test against an inform Chris Masten ($513 000, MID) and reigning Brownlow Medallist Matthew Priddis ($586 000, MID). The game shapes as another challenging game for Geelong, as a true measure as the team’s readiness to play finals football in 2015.