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 loomed as the most intriguing matchup of the round, promising a do or die circumstance for both teams with their seasons on the line. Geelong were the eventual winners in a 69 point hammering in favour of the Cats against the bombers who simply weren’t able to get their mojo going. The opening few minutes of the game were desperate as neither side were able to string together an efficient game and subsequently capitalise in front of goal. From there on in, Geelong dominated play as Essendon were unable to kick a goal in the opening term adding only one more behind in the second. The same period saw Geelong kick nine unchallenged goals, six of which came in the second quarter.

The Bombers were able to kick truly via Brent Stanton just seconds into the third quarter, but all chances of a comeback were quickly diminished as the Cats kicked another in short reply. Both teams were evenly match through the latter stages of the game meaning Geelong reaped the benefits of a blistering second term with a deserving four points.

Surprisingly, Paul Chapman donned the green substitute’s vest against his former team while for Geelong, Shane Kersten ($234 000, FWD) was substituted out of the game with a suspected hamstring injury. Geelong’s dominance was well and truly reflected in AFL Fantasy as eleven of the 22 players recorded a score over 90.

THE STANDOUTS

Given Geelong’s absolute dominance and their reflective scores in fantasy codes, it is only fitting to delve into four standouts for this week rather than the customary three.

When a key defender is able to accumulate thirty-three disposals, he must have been doing something right and Harry Taylor ($415 000, DEF) did exactly that. The swingman made Geelong’s defence seemingly impenetrable as he mopped up across half back and took intercept marks whenever the ball was in his vicinity. He was the marshal of the Cats’ defence, all of whom excelled compared to their Essendon opponents. Taylor finished on 111 points and is every chance to feature among the votes come Brownlow night.

Steven Motlop ($457 000, MID/FWD) thrived against the lowly Bombers, kicking a season high of four goals. He responded well after a string on inconsistent games where he failed to kick any goals across the last two weeks. Saturday night brought upon Motlop’s first ton in roughly a month since Round 6 against Collingwood. Motlop is a true barometer for Geelong and as the near future beckons; the Cats face a string of teams vying for a spot in the top eight which could incentivise Motlop to kick things up one more gear.

Josh Caddy ($431 000, MID) has backed up a solid stretch of form with 95 points against Essendon. Caddy burst out of the block in the first quarter however was conditionally taken down the race for concussion assessment – allowing first gamer Michael Luxford to earn a teaser of AFL football. He promptly returned and was met with a knock to ankle. Yet, to his credit, soldiered on, amassing 95 AFL Fantasy points. Geelong fans may attest to Joel Selwood’s courage and may have another to laud in years to come.

Tom Lonergan ($333 000, DEF) may not reside in this space too often, or in many coaches’ fantasy teams for that matter, however he was sublime against Essendon. As we speak, Longeran is quietly compiling his second best fantasy season in his career. The staple key defender gathered 23 disposals and left a smile on every Geelong fan’s face when he drifted forward and kicked a goal in the first half, culminating in 106 fantasy points. His scores was also his highest since Round 15, 2012 against the Gold Coast, and first ton since Round 15 2008 against Fremantle. While his score may bear close to no fantasy relevance, it’s important and quite heart-warming to recognise one of the Cats’ and the AFL’s most underrated players.

WHO FELL SHORT

Cam Guthrie ($380 000, MID) was touted as a candidate for a breakout season in 2015 given his tagging duties were relinquished. Nonetheless, Guthrie is still tagging most weeks and cannot be considered a reliable and worthwhile fantasy option. He was perceivably unnoticeable on the ground and a Guthrie disposal was a rarity, registering only 11 for the match. He did managed five tackles which considerably boosted his score yet again a tagger such as Guthrie may have been expected to lay more.

Tom Hawkins ($359 000, FWD) was one of four Cats to kick four goals against Essendon – along with Steven Motlop and Steve Johnson, including the 300^th goal of his career. Unfortunately, Hawkins’ influence was halted there and was unable to manage any further influence on the game. Managing just 54 AFL Fantasy points and six disposals, five of which came from his 4.1 on the scoreboard, Hawkins was evenly matched by Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker who were able to gain advantage in other facets of the game.

FOOTY PROPHET'S FANTASY FIVE

• Mark Blicavs ($505 000, MID/RUC) was required to play as Geelong’s lone ruckman after the late withdrawal of Rhys Stanley and omission of Mitch Clark due to injury. His transition was not out of place and still managed 88 points.
• Corey Enright ($480 000, DEF) was another of the Geelong defenders to excel against the bombers as one of eight Cats to reach the ton with 109 points. His age continues to be a noncontributing factor as he amassed 23 disposals and 7 tackles.
• Steve Johnson ($466 000, MID) played the majority of the game down forward kicking four goals. He was able to get inside Jake Melskham’s head after moving into the midfield towards the end of the game.
• Matthew Stokes ($413 000, MID) finished just shy of the 100 mark, finishing on 97 points. He played as an outside midfielder collecting 21 disposals.
• Jackson Thurlow ($399 000, DEF/MID) continued his consistent season with an 83 against Essendon playing primarily as a rebounding defender. Having both Andrew Mackie and Corey Enright fit and firing in the same side doesn’t seem to have any negative effect on Thurlow, as of yet.

NEXT WEEK

Geelong will face a six day break as they travel to Adelaide Oval to take on Port Adelaide at the dubbed Portress. As both teams are still in contention to burst their way into the finals contention, it looms as another danger game for both teams but more importantly the Cats. The clash is a rematch of the 2007 Grand Final, the first of three premierships for the distinguished Geelong dynasty and the club’s first in 44 years after narrowly missing the cut throughout the 90s.