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 matchup was set, a pivotal four quarters for both teams. For the winner, a crucial four points awaited that would rejuvenate a lacklustre beginning to the premiership season. For the other team, a relegation to the lower sanctions of the ladder was awaiting and an adverse uphill battle for the immediate future of the team. Unfortunately for the Geelong faithful, North Melbourne triumphed in the contest, eventual winners by 16 points.

Geelong entered the game without key personnel in Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie, Mathew Stokes and Tom Lonergan who were all unavailable, placing weighty expectations on their youngsters. The shock announcement of Geelong’s substitute sent social media into meltdown, when it was revealed Steve Johnson would don the green.

The game was even throughout the first half, with Geelong leading at the first chance, before the Kangaroos mounted a comeback, kicking 4.4 to 0.3 in the second to take the lead at half time. Geelong’s big men in the forms of Rhys Stanley, Harry Taylor, Mitch Clark and Mark Blicavs steamed their way to notable AFL Fantasy scores in the first half.

Throughout the second half, North Melbourne continued their lead but Geelong were never out of the contest. North’s backmen were able to cut off Geelong’s inside fifties and exposed them on the rebound. The Kangaroos trounced the contested possession count through the sheer grunt of Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington resulting in three goals to Jarrad Waite, while Mitch Clark bagged three for the home side.

North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein ($569 000, RUC) was one of the most influential men on the ground against the undersized Geelong ruck department, compiling 41 hit-outs and a fantasy score of 141. For the Cats’ skipper Joel Selwood ($580 000, MID) was among the bests with 29 disposals.

THE STANDOUTS

For the second week in a row, talisman Mark Blicavs ($419 000) features in the standouts. He was atop the fantasy column throughout all four quarters, continuing his impressive early season form. As the competition’s #1 ranked ruckman for disposals, Blicavs collected 11 disposals in the first quarter alone, before reaching 18 for the match. Add on his 7 tackles – an unorthodox figure for his build, and a team high 107 point was reached. Although Chris Scott hinted Blicavs could be used as a key defender in the long term, it was a positive for his fantasy owners to see him up the ground, even given the absence of Tom Lonergan.

Veteran Cory Enright ($455 000, DEF) was again workhorse-like in defence, performing soundly across all the duration of proceedings. Enright was his usual self, mopping up in defence as well as generating attack from his post in the back half. He recorded a surprising 26 disposals, the second most of any Cat. Enright is currently deep in a purple patch of fantasy form and could prove a rarer commodity, especially in draft formats.

Moderately new Cat Mitch Clark ($260 000, FWD) exceeded expectations once again, as a vocal point up forward. He stormed out of the blocks early posting 60 points at the main break, however faded away in the second half to finish on a sound 78 points. The Cats were wasteful going inside fifty, with a tendency to kick the ball long and high. As a result, Geelong’s three tall forwards were mobbed by the North Melbourne defenders and had to fight of multiple defenders to have a chance. With that being said, Clark booted three goals, while his compatriots in Tom Hawkins and Josh Walker found the going tough.

WHO FELL SHORT

The Geelong midfield stocks were severely undermanned heading into Sunday’s clash with the likes of Jimmy Bartel ($511 000, FWD) and Matthew Stokes ($460 000, MID) out of form and Steve Johnson dressed in green. Geelong were forced into a midfielder makeover at team selection, mindful of Selwood’s already shouldering load, and looked to Josh Caddy ($400 000, MID) for answers. Caddy finished with a mere 11 disposals and 3 tackles from his time on the ground, and hasn’t delivered on his breakout contender status. Caddy has only risen $8 000 from the season opener and could find the going tough against Richmond this week, where Melbourne only managed one 100+ player.

It may be contentious to place Steve Johnson ($497 000, MID) in this category given he was handed the green substitute’s vest prior to the first bounce, however given AFL Fantasy is a game of value and prices, the vest doesn’t work in Johnson’s favour. Johnson spent much of the game secluded on the interchange bench with the sporadic stride along the boundary before being injected into the game in the third quarter. To his credit, Johnson managed 49 points from 35% game time, however has now dropped $117 000 and has a break even score of 142.

James Kelly ($478 000, DEF) was too off the pace as a rampant fleet of North Melbourne small forward’s kept the old-timer busy deep in defence. Kelly struggles to make an impact on the stats sheet and was behind the eight ball of his usual fantasy scores, managing just 9 disposals. His characteristic run and carry was minimal given he was required to play a lockdown role, however the return of Andrew Mackie will only benefit Kelly.

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. Notably, picking 3 of the top 5 performers last week.

• Joel Selwood (2^nd) worked his way into the game, finishing on a sound 94 points. He beared the load of the midfield once again and deeply missed the adequate support around him. In typical Selwood fashion, he finished with 29 disposals and 7 tackles.
• Josh Caddy (17^th) only managed 73% game time after injury his finger in the third quarter and not returning. Prior to his injury, Caddy wasn’t able to provide sufficient support in the midfield and is currently in the depths of a horror form patch. He produced 46 fantasy points from his limited game time.
• Cory Enright (3^rd) was a stalwart in defence and mopped up at the feet of his the tall timber in North Melbourne’s attack. He was able to provide adequate run and carry from the back half, mustering his way to an underappreciated 90 AFL Fantasy points, courtesy of 26 disposals.
• James Kelly (18^th) was well below his usual hard running best. Kelly was used in defence to maintain the fleet of North Melbourne smalls and struggled to work his way into proceedings. Kelly was held to just 9 disposals and 45 AFL Fantasy points.
• Mitch Clark (5^th) kicked three goals and was the only Geelong key forward that looked potent in attack. Long bombs inside fifties didn’t help his case; however 78 points will generate enough cash for earners. He gave away silly free kicks that also hindered his opportunity to post an elite score.

NEXT WEEK

Geelong will face a six day break as they travel up the highway to the MCG, facing Richmond in what will be a crucial game for both clubs. Four out of the last five matches have gone the way of the Cats, however the Tigers will be seething from their loss to Melbourne in Round 4. Notably, ex-Cat Taylor Hunt may face his former side for the first time if he can recover in time from an injury.