Round nine of the AFL Premiership season saw Jeromy Howe star once more, Ben Brown break out at Blundstone and a pair of Suns perform in Shanghai, writes Josh Partridge.
Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs – Adelaide Oval, Friday 18/05/18
Hugh Greenwood – Adelaide #1
TSL Club Represented: Lauderdale
Hugh Greenwood was once again named in Adelaide’s best players as the Crows ran over the top of the Bulldogs in wet conditions at Adelaide Oval. In a side crippled by injury, Greenwood has been stepping up and covering the losses of Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers through the midfield. With 20 possessions (19 of which were contested) and a mammoth 11 tackles, Greenwood is on fire as he continues a hot streak of form. AFL Fantasy Points: 103
North Melbourne vs Greater Western Sydney – Blundstone Arena, Saturday 19/05/18
Ben Brown – North Melbourne #50
TSL Club Represented: Devonport / Glenorchy
With only two disposals at half time, it looked like it could be a quiet day for Ben Brown at the Kangaroos second home, Blundstone Arena. But Big Ben emerged after break with a bang, kicking five third quarter goals to break the game wide open and send the Kangaroos to victory. Named in the Kangaroos’ best, Brown had 13 disposals, 6 marks and kicked 5.1. Ben Brown, and North Melbourne are establishing quite the fortress here in the Apple Isle. AFL Fantasy Points: 91
Tim Mohr – Greater Western Sydney #39
TSL Club Represented: Launceston
Saturday marked Mohr’s first game for 2018, and he delivered a solid performance in defence. Mohr, who has been on the Giants’ list since the club’s inception, is the only Tasmanian at GWS and has played 47 games in an injury-interrupted career. With 10 disposals at 90% and seven intercept possessions in his return to senior AFL action, Mohr’s efforts, particularly on Ben Brown for much of the day, indicate that he should have a chance to string together a streak of matches. AFL Fantasy Points: 44
Gold Coast vs Port Adelaide – Jiangwan Stadium, Saturday 19/05/18
Lachie Weller – Gold Coast #14
Originally From: Burnie Dockers
Lachie’s first AFL game outside of Australia produced more respectable results for the former Docker, being named among the Suns’ best players in a 40-point loss to Port Adelaide. 19 disposals, six tackles and a goal marked Weller’s day in China, with this goal being his first as a Sun after kicking 17 during his time in purple. AFL Fantasy Points: 86
IC: AFL Photos
Aaron Hall – Gold Coast #33
TSL Club Represented: Hobart
A trip to China saw Aaron Hall continue to work into the form Gold Coast and AFL fans have come to know and love. With 29 disposals at 69%, Hall played a key on-ball role that saw him deliver nine rebound 50s. AFL Fantasy coaches will be loving what they’re seeing as they start to lick their lips at the prospect of Hall at full flight. AFL Fantasy Points: 115 – season high
Essendon vs Geelong – MCG, Saturday 19/05/18
Tom Bellchambers – Essendon #2
TSL Club Represented: Launceston/North Launceston
Wow. After the week the Bombers had both on and off field, an Essendon win over Geelong was not what most AFL fans and pundits were expecting. Bellchambers wasn’t at his most damaging, but still had eight disposals, three inside 50s and 24 hit outs in the win, sharing the ruck duties with Shaun McKernan. AFL Fantasy Points: 46
Jake Kolodjashnij – Geelong #8
TSL Club Represented: Launceston
Jake’s laser point accuracy was on show on Saturday afternoon at the ‘G, with his 15 disposals going at 93%. Kolodjashnij had nine intercept possessions and three rebound 50’s in another trademark industrious performance from the Launceston twin. Into his fourth season at the Cats, Kolodjashnij is now a full-time member of this side and continues to flourish at AFL level. AFL Fantasy Points: 54
Jackson Thurlow – Geelong #40
TSL Club Represented: Launceston
Off the back of impressive matches, Thurlow’s fifth game back in the Geelong hoops saw him gather 13 disposals at an efficiency rate of 77%. Thurlow was consistently able to find space to push the ball forward for the Cats, with 11 uncontested possessions, gaining 192 metrres. Enjoying a run of games within the Cats’ line-up, Thurlow will be looking for a big game next week against the Blues to fully solidify his spot. AFL Fantasy Points: 54
Sydney vs Fremantle – SCG, Saturday 19/05/18
Alex Pearce – Fremantle #25
TSL Club Represented: Devonport
The front runner in Fox Footy’s Bounce Golden Fist leader board, Pearce is seen by many as one of the best defenders in the AFL. Faced with the mountainous task of a returning Lance Franklin this weekend, Pearce had seven disposals, three marks and five one-percenters as Buddy kicked three on return. A valuable asset for the Dockers, Pearce has had better games this year but will look to bounce back next week despite not being disgraced. AFL Fantasy Points: 29
St Kilda vs Collingwood – Etihad Stadium, Saturday 19/05/18,
Jimmy Webster – St Kilda #29
TSL Club Represented: Glenorchy
Webster’s last line of defence role for St Kilda sees him amass plenty of the ball as the Saints’ frustrating season rolls on. Webster’s classy ball use was on show in his 24-disposal showing, going at 88%. Third in the AFL for Rebound 50’s with 51 at an average of 7.1 a game, this is a breakout season for the former Glenorchy defender in an otherwise disappointing one for the club. AFL Fantasy Points: 69
Maverick Weller – St Kilda #44
TSL Club Represented: Burnie Dockers
Saturday night’s clash was a quiet one for Mav, collecting just the nine disposals. Although quiet, when Weller got the ball, he used it well, going at 89%. Mav played a seemingly different role to the forward goal sneak he’s become known for, as he collected many of his disposals on the left wing, pushing the ball inside 50 for the Saints. AFL Fantasy Points: 34
IC: AFL Photos
Jeremy Howe – Collingwood #38
TSL Club Represented: Hobart
Another week, another 30-disposal game for Jeremy Howe, with his second consecutive and third 30-disposal game for the year. Howe was prolific against the Saints, with 11 intercept possessions, 11 marks and eight rebound 50’s putting him just above Jimmy Webster in rebound 50’s for the year with 53. Named in the best players again for the Pies, Howe is joining the likes of Pendlebury, Sidebottom and Hoskin-Elliot as an elite member of this side. AFL Fantasy Points: 132 – Career High
Carlton vs Melbourne – MCG, Sunday 20/05/18
Liam Jones – Carlton #14
TSL Club Represented: North Hobart
In the 109-point loss, Jones and the Blues defence received a peppering from the Melbourne forwards as they ran away with the game. That’s not the only peppering Jones received however, with former Saints defender Danny Frawley letting Jones know what he though of his defensive techniques against Tom McDonald, with McDonald kicking four goals. Jones had eight touches, three marks and eight intercept possessions in 2018’s first 100-point loss and will be eager to come back strongly next weekend. AFL Fantasy Points: 35
Brisbane vs Hawthorn – Gabba, Sunday 20/05/18
Mitch Robinson – Brisbane #5
TSL Club Represented: Lauderdale
Mr Consistent Mitch Robinson was superb once again for the Lions as they trampled the Hawks with an impressive second half performance at the Gabba. With Beams and Zorko in full flight, Robinson had 23 touches, seven marks, four inside 50’s and a goal to cement his all-round reputation. Robinson came under social media spotlight for an incident involving James Sicily but was cleared of any wrong-doing. AFL Fantasy Points: 85
West Coast vs Richmond – Optus Stadium, Sunday 20/05/18
Jack Riewoldt – Richmond #8
TSL Club Represented: Clarence
By far Richmond’s best player against the Eagles, Riewoldt, kicked five of their 12 goals in an impressive forward performance. On a day for big forwards with Jack Darling, Josh Kennedy and Riewoldt all starring, Jack had 13 disposals and seven marks for the Tigers, with his two behinds preventing him from kicking a season high tally of seven goals. Sitting third in the Coleman Medal race, Jack is soaring this year. AFL Fantasy Points: 94
Toby Nankervis – Richmond #25
TSL Club Represented: North Launceston
Covered by an injury cloud in the week leading up to the top of the table clash, Nank the Tank overcame a wrist injury to start for the Tigers but struggled against the powerful Naitanui-Lycett duo. With no consistent tag team partner to help him in the cause, Nank had 15 touches, 5 marks and 21 hit outs in a solid individual performance. AFL Fantasy Points: 79