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THE WRAP UP

Three weeks without playing a game of football was bound to have an effect on the Geelong players. It would have them enter Saturday night's match against North Melbourne either refreshed and fit, or see them struggle with the intensity of the match. It was the latter, although Geelong coach Chris Scott refused to blame an extended break.

Two veterans started the match as the substitutes. James Kelly ($390,000 DEF) was the man for Geelong, in his return from and ankle injury, and Brent Harvey ($442,000 FWD/MID) donned the green vest in a surprise move by North Melbourne coach Brad Scott.

It was clear from the outset though that North Melbourne, who's finals hopes were also on the line, had come to play. Todd Goldstein ($618,000 RUCK) dominated in the ruck and found plenty of the football around the ground. He clearly won his battle with Dawson Simpson ($252,000 RUCK) who managed 31 hitouts against the premier ruckman in the competition but simply couldn't go with him in general play. Simpson had just the five disposals and two tackles for the match.

Geelong's first quarter was actually their best of the game. They kicked three of the first five goals, thanks to three of their more non-traditional goal scorers, and entered the first break with a one point advantage.

The second quarter was a complete turnaround. North Melbourne piled on seven goals to one, they got on top in contested possessions due to their aggressive game style and they took their opportunities when they had them. Geelong on the other hand did not.

Geelong won the inside 50 count for the game, but could not generate enough scoring shots to put pressure on the North Melbourne defence. The Cats forwards had trouble converting as well with nine players missing shots on goal, including Cory Gregson ($306,000 MID) twice.

Jimmy Bartel ($489,000 FWD) made a successful return to senior football after a 12 week layoff with injury. He was among Geelong's best with 41 disposals. Joel Selwood ($467,000 MID) fought hard all game and led Geelong in the contested possession count, something heavily lacking across the board. The Cats skipper faces a week off, after an incident with Sam Wright.

For North Melbourne the standouts, aside from Goldstein, were Andrew Swallow ($498,000 MID), Shaun Higgins ($464,000 FWD/DEF) and Ben Cunnington ($475,000 MID)

THE STANDOUTS

Jimmy Bartel ($489,000 FWD) didn't miss a beat in just his third game for the season for Geelong on Saturday night. It was his first senior game since suffering a knee injury in round three. He was unhindered and prolific. The veteran Cat ran all night, amassing an equal career-high 41 disposals, with great efficiency and five clearances. Due to his injury affected AFL Fantasy score in round three, the 116 points he scored against North Melbourne wasn't enough to net the forward a price rise. Fortunately for fantasy coaches, this means Bartel is currently at a bargain price.

Jordan Murdoch ($390,000 FWD/MID) has been one of Geelong's more versatile players in 2015. He spent the early part of the season in defence before being moved forward of the ball. On Saturday night Murdoch spent most of his time on the wing, pushing into forward 50 and he managed to hit the scoreboard for Geelong. 20 disposals, five tackles and two goals saw Murdoch register an AFL Fantasy score of 96, well above his season average.

Andrew Mackie ($405,000 DEF) got Geelong off to a good start on Saturday night. He kicked the Cats' first goal of the game and added another to his name in the final quarter. Although Geelong coach Chris Scott lamented Geelong's disorganised defence, Mackie had a strong game from an AFL Fantasy perspective. He tallied 21 disposals, five marks, six rebound 50s and the two goals for a score of 96.

WHO FELL SHORT

Steve Motlop ($443,000 FWD/MID) started the game in the forward line matched up on North Melbourne's speedy defender Shaun Atley, who kicked the first goal of the game. Motlop just couldn't work his way into the game after he had just the 10 disposals, only two of those contested and couldn't find the ball on the outside as Geelong were swamped by North Melbourne jumpers. An AFL Fantasy score of 47 is well below his season average and his potential.

Harry Taylor ($388,000 DEF) was allowed to play off his North Melbourne opponent Ben Brown, for the majority of the night, but the freedom didn't help him impact the contest. Geelong's defence was unorganised at best, dysfunctional at worst and even with Taylor loose, they were scored against too easily throughout the match. While Taylor found plenty of the ball, he took just the three marks which severely hindered his AFL Fantasy score and sees him $15,000 cheaper this week.

Mathew Stokes ($406,000 MID) had a shocker, despite kicking one of Geelong's early goals. Stokes had two disposals in the first quarter and only three in the second before being substituted out of the game in the third quarter without touching the ball. If you are one of the 612 AFL Fantasy coaches with Stokes in your team, now might be the time to trade him in. There are a number of youngsters playing well in the VFL who may be given opportunity at Stokes' expense.

FOOTY PROPHET'S FANTASY FIVE

1. Josh Caddy (7^th) found enough of the football in a hotly contested match but didn't quite have the influence that Cats fans have been getting used to over the past few games. His disposal was poor and he didn't have as many clearances as in previous weeks, but his AFL Fantasy score of 92 was respectable.

2. Mark Blicavs (6^th) competed all night. He had 16 disposals and 10 tackles but had his colours lowered when competing in the ruck against Todd Goldstein. Geelong's third man up tactic did not often work and as a result Blicavs registered just the 11 hitouts. His AFL Fantasy score of 93 is a respectable effort against the premier ruckman in the competition but is well below his three round average of 111.

3. Joel Selwood (2^nd) tried to lift his team on Saturday night. He had the most contested possessions for Geelong and made 10 tackles to go with nine clearances and a goal. His AFL Fantasy score of 103 is well above his season average and may signal a turnaround in form for the Geelong captain.

4. Steve Motlop (16^th) had a shocker. Although not always prolific, 10 disposals is well below his usual output and he had little impact on the scoreboard. An AFL Fantasy score of 47 saw his price decrease by $10,000.

5. Darcy Lang (15^th) stood tall in Geelong's Round 12 loss to Melbourne, gathering plenty of the football and hitting the scoreboard. Against North Melbourne he had little impact. His 16 disposals placed him in the top 10 for Geelong but they were not of a high quality and he made just the one tackle. It's hard to be too harsh on a second year player but after a promising game in round 12, 53 AFL Fantasy points is below where we expected.

NEXT WEEK

Geelong has another week long wait before they can try to get back on the winners list. They face the Western Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in Geelong, who site 6^th on the ladder and look like a team that can play and win finals matches. If Geelong are to play finals, every match from here on out becomes a must win match.