Four Crows finished their NAB Challenge campaigns with triple-figure totals to see off the AFL Fantasy pre-season in style.
After sitting out Adelaide’s trip to Western Australia, Sam Jacobs returned in dominant Fantasy fashion with a team-high 111 points and his best score of the NAB Challenge.
Jacobs had 41 hit-outs and also won his fair share of the ball around the ground with 18 disposals and two tackles. The top two most expensive players in this year’s AFL Fantasy competition are ruckmen in Stefan Martin and Todd Goldstein, but ‘Sauce’ will save coaches almost $100k and is a proven and reliable scorer.
Recruit Paul Seedsman also notched his biggest Fantasy total of the pre-season with an eye-catching 105 against the Suns.
Seedsman was among Adelaide’s best in the Club’s win at Metricon Stadium, as the former Magpie looks to be growing in confidence amongst his new teammates.
Kicking is his weapon, which is sure to please Fantasy coaches, with 14 of Seedsman’s 23 disposals against the Suns coming by his boot. ‘Seed’ also had six tackles and kicked a goal to help him crack the Fantasy ton for the first time this year.
He’s sure to be a popular selection given his dual-position eligibility (DEF/MID) and generous price tag of $353,000.
Heading into his 16th AFL season, Scott Thompson continues to deliver the goods on the AFL Fantasy front.
The veteran midfielder notched a tidy 101 and was the leading ball-winner on the ground with 30 disposals. Thompson also had six marks and four tackles. His effort followed an 80-point performance against West Coast in the opening round of the NAB Challenge before he was rested against the Dockers.
Coaches continue to look elsewhere for their midfield options, leaving Thommo as a handy unique selection if he can carry this form into the season proper.
Matt Crouch, on the other hand, will already be locked away in most teams heading into Round One.
The 20-year-old cracked the Fantasy century for the second NAB Challenge game in a row, scoring an even 100 from 28 touches, seven marks and four tackles.
Crouch finished the NAB Challenge ranked fifth in the competition for total Fantasy points (286) and was Adelaide’s top performer by a significant margin. He averaged 95 points through the pre-season, despite playing limited minutes in all three matches.
Top 10 NAB Challenge Fantasy performers - Adelaide
PLAYER | POSITION | AVERAGE POINTS |
---|---|---|
Matt Crouch | MID | 95 |
Sam Jacobs | RUC | 92 |
Scott Thompson | MID | 91 |
Richard Douglas | MID | 82 |
Tom Lynch | FWD | 82 |
Rory Laird | DEF | 80 |
Rory Atkins | MID | 77 |
Rory Sloane | MID | 75 |
Taylor Walker | FWD | 75 |
David Mackay | MID | 74 |
Rory Laird (96) and Richard Douglas (93) entrenched themselves amongst Adelaide's top NAB Challenge Fantasy performers with solid scores, while FWD/MID Jarryd Lyons could find himself in more teams following an impressive 88 from 22 possessions and a super goal.
Athletic forward Mitch McGovern showed glimpses of his potential with an 88 at Metricon Stadium to put his case forward for a Round One debut. Priced at only $125,000, ‘Shooter’ could be a huge cash cow if he earns a starting spot.
A special mention also needs to go to Luke Brown who clocked up an unofficial career-best Fantasy score of 92 against the Suns. Brown performs his defensive role so well that it’s unlikely he’ll become a regular Fantasy scorer, but his most recent effort was worth highlighting.
NAB Challenge 3 v Gold Coast
PLAYER | POSITION | POINTS |
---|---|---|
Sam Jacobs | RUC | 111 |
Paul Seedsman | DEF/MID | 105 |
Scott Thompson | MID | 101 |
Matt Crouch | MID | 100 |
Rory Laird | DEF | 96 |
Richard Douglas | MID | 93 |
Luke Brown | DEF | 92 |
Mitch McGovern | FWD | 88 |
Jarryd Lyons | FWD/MID | 88 |
Cam Ellis-Yolmen | MID | 86 |
Brodie Smith | DEF/MID | 82 |
Taylor Walker | FWD | 78 |
Rory Sloane | MID | 78 |
David Mackay | MID | 77 |
Wayne Milera | FWD | 67 |
Daniel Talia | DEF | 63 |
Nathan van Berlo | DEF/MID | 63 |
Tom Lynch | FWD | 60 |
Kyle Cheney | DEF | 55 |
Jake Lever | DEF | 54 |
Josh Jenkins | FWD | 50 |
Eddie Betts | FWD | 26 |
Kyle Hartigan | DEF | 20 |
Dean Gore | MID | 13 |