Two of Adelaide’s gun midfielders led the way in the AFL Fantasy stakes in the Club’s final pre-season hit-out at AAMI Stadium.
Richard Douglas returned to Fantasy form with a timely ton against the Power. Following a modest 44 points against Geelong at Simonds Stadium, the 2010 Club Champion responded in style with a team-high 104 points from 24 possessions, four marks, five tackles and two goals.
He also finished Season 2014 with a bang, posting two 100-plus scores from the last three games of the year for an average of 87 points per match. He was one of the Fantasy finds of the season in 2013, with an average of 96 and nine tons for the year.
As always, Richard Douglas continues to fly under the radar in the Fantasy community. The skilful midfielder is owned by less than one per cent of the competition despite a tempting price tag of just $495,000.
There’s money to be made from ‘Dougie’ for those willing to take a punt, and there are few players of his calibre to be found under the half-million dollar mark.
The other centurion was Fantasy phenom Patrick Dangerfield.
Adelaide’s raging bull collected 21 possessions, six marks and booted a goal on his way to 102 Fantasy points. His total could’ve been even higher had ‘Danger’ kicked straight, with four behinds souring his score slightly.
Dangerfield, who turns 25 on the day of Adelaide’s Round One opener against North Melbourne, spent much of his time inside forward 50 on Saturday. He played a similar role against the Cats in his first outing of the year, where he again chalked up a big Fantasy total.
Priced at $524,000, Dangerfield doesn’t come cheap. But he is still underpriced for a player of his quality and when compared to other Fantasy premiums across the competition.
Young Crows midfielder Cameron Ellis-Yolmen produced yet another impressive Fantasy performance and could now be firmly in the hunt for a Round One berth.
The 22-year-old won a team-high 26 touches against the Power along with six clearances and five tackles for 82 Fantasy points.
His ownership has steadily increased all pre-season, and he now features in almost one in every six teams. A bargain at just $120,000, this figure is sure to rise again should he be named in Adelaide’s squad to face the Roos on April 5.
Dual-position Crow Jarryd Lyons is another vying to his cement his spot for Round One.
Lyons notched 90 points from 23 disposals battling against a near-full strength Port Adelaide engine room.
FWD/MIDs are usually popular pics, but Lyons’ awkward price tag of $314,000 appears to have scared many Fantasy coaches away. He is currently in less than one per cent of all teams.
His best scores in the past have come when used primarily as a forward, but the 22-year-old could be offered more midfield minutes under Phil Walsh given his latest performance.
Tom Lynch is likely to see his ownership vault in the lead up to Round One after a 93-point performance in Adelaide’s final pre-season game.
After an injury-plagued 2014, Lynch is eager to start afresh this year and has made all the right moves over the summer.
There’s little risk in picking up ‘The Chief’ for your forward line. At just $327,000, Lynch is sure to rise in price and deliver your side some handy totals along the journey.
NAB 3: Adelaide v Port Adelaide
PLAYER | POSITION | POINTS |
---|---|---|
Richard Douglas | MID | 104 |
Patrick Dangerfield | MID | 102 |
Eddie Betts | FWD | 97 |
Tom Lynch | FWD | 93 |
Jarryd Lyons | FWD/MID | 90 |
Cam Ellis-Yolmen | MID | 82 |
Rory Sloane | MID | 82 |
Sam Jacobs | RUC | 81 |
Mitch Grigg | FWD/MID | 75 |
David Mackay | MID | 75 |
Ricky Henderson | DEF | 67 |
Matthew Wright | FWD/MID | 64 |
Rory Laird | DEF | 62 |
Nathan van Berlo | MID | 62 |
Luke Brown | DEF | 61 |
Josh Jenkins | FWD | 58 |
Kyle Cheney | DEF | 55 |
Daniel Talia | DEF | 46 |
Brodie Smith | DEF | 45 |
Taylor Walker | FWD | 45 |
Jake Kelly | DEF | 13 |
Brad Crouch | MID | 12 |
Kyle Hartigan | DEF | 9 |
Keenan Ramsey | DEF | 3 |