Player of the week: Adam Cooney (150). Cooney is a deserving recipient this week – not only for his dominant performance against the Dons, but also for his last six weeks; before Saturday night, his last five scores were: 107, 122, 103, 122, 107. Farrrk. Sorry, Lenny Hayes (who scored 146) but when you get those sort of numbers for six weeks in a row, you’ll get your medal in the mail. And to think Cooney nearly wasn’t going to play! Did anyone pick him up at $274k after round 7? Let me know.
Honourable mentions: Hayes, Chornes (139), Nick Riewoldt (138), Sam Fisher (130)
Biggest disappointment: Shaun Burgoyne (35). Didn’t see the game, so I’m not sure what happened. Apparently tagged by Adam Selwood, but by Christ there’s no excuse for that kind of a score. 13 possessions – but only four kicks. Less handball more football, Burger!
Other points of interest:
Hard to know which is more disappointing – Chris Judd’s score of 36, or the prospect of more missed matches due to that groin injury. Judd is now worth $331k and falling fast, while several other Eagle team-mates are in the same boat (Quinten Lynch, Michael Braun, Matt Priddis and Beau Waters all face breakevens over 120 next week).
Sam Fisher’s 130 followed up a 129 last week, while other Saints didn’t struggle on Saturday night. They may have won by two points, but their 22 easily outscored the Crows in Dream Team terms. Robert Harvey and Leigh Montagna also did well (122 each) while Kosi bobbed up with 110 – a relief to the thousands of coaches who have him in their teams. For the Crows, Andrew McLeod was the best performer with 117. He’s in form, after a 125 last week, while Scott Thompson is also travelling well. His 106 made it five tons in the last six weeks. Also for the Crows, Jason Torney’s 99 was his highest of this year.
How good is Joel Selwood? His score of 108 against Collingwood propelled him to $329k in price, with a breakeven of 34. It was his third ton in four weeks since coming back into the Cats’ side. Joel Corey (113) was the best Geelong player, while Jimmy Bartel’s score of 81 will result in a price fall to $361k. He’ll drop further, however; his breakeven will be 156 next week. For the Pies, Tarkyn Lockyer (128) and Travis Cloke (121) were the best Dream Team players on the ground; Cloke’s unusually accurate kicking gave him a boost on his usual solid numbers. Dane Swan managed 86 despite battling the Pink Pig, but Anthony Rocca (39) struggled.
While the Cornes brothers scored 263 between them on Saturday night, it was two youngsters who recorded career-highs. Justin Westhoff (99) and Travis Boak (90) both played really well in the Power’s win over West Coast. It wasn’t so good for the Eagles – aside from Judd’s injury (and the 91 point loss) only one player topped 100; Andrew Embley (112). That’s the first time that has happened this year – the Eagles are a notoriously prolific Dream Team side.
The Dogs had a good night on Saturday – as well as Cooney, Brad Johnson and Nathan Eagleton both scored 100s and Jordan McMahon (99) showed he’s back in form. Farren Ray scored his highest of the year (91), and Aker registered 88. Not good news from Lindsay Gilbee (69) and Luke Darcy (53). For the Dons, Damien Peverill (110) top-scored while the form of popular fantasy players Brent Stanton (106) and Scott Lucas (91) will hearten their owners.
Jonathan Brown was back with menace against Melbourne, scoring a wonderful 128; his points always come in style. But he wasn’t the only Lion to have a night out – Luke Power, Jed Adcock, Nigel Lappin, Scott Drummond and Jamie Charman were their top scorers. If you had to nominate who’d be the top six for a game, I reckon I’d go with those six. Simon Black has bottomed out in price; despite scoring just 67, he only slipped 5k and has a breakeven next week of 66. And Jared Brennan is rising fast – his score of 89 means he’s up to $264k with a breakeven of 37.
For the Dees, Brock McLean had his best game for the year with 116, while Chris (A.) Johnson’s 83 was his best since round ten, 2006. Not much other good news – wonder-kid Michael Newton, Monty’s Bubble Boy of the week last week, scored just 14.
I am, like, totally over Peter Everitt and the whole inconsistency thing. 125 against Carlton; that comes after 40, 37 and 70 in the last three weeks. His co-ruck-pilot Darren Jolly scored 87 in the points-fest, which saw Nick Malceski (109), Adam Schneider (107) and Brett Kirk (103) go well. Barry Hall (77) was better than he has been, while Jarrad McVeigh’s score of 80 was one below his career-high. For the Blues, Fev rebounded with 81 while Brad Fisher’s 101 was his second ton of 2007. Heath Scotland scored a useful 90 (but it won’t stop his price sliding) while Andrew Carrazzo disappointed with 64.
