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
From the outset, the game was played largely on Geelong’s terms as they would eventually run away 56 point winners. Although they never appeared to reach their full potential, Geelong outclassed, out tackled and out muscled their opposition and now move inside the top eight. The victory was the 14th win out of the past 16 between the two sides, as the Cats are well in contention for their ninth consecutive finals series.

The game also reaped impressive fantasy totals for many of the Geelong boys who convincingly won the tackle count 69-56 despite having more possession and also won the disposals count 409-342. Joel Selwood was the top scorer for the Cats, as the captain put on a master class for the home spectators for a score of 146, well above his current average and price range. Steve Johnson and Josh Walker were more than impressive down forward with 97 and 88 points apiece. Johnson kicked 3.2 and moved past Billy Brownless on Geelong’s all-time goal kicking leader board, while Walker repaid the faith with a dominant five goal display. Ten Cats eclipsed the 85 point mark, compared to just five Brisbane players, whom Stefan Martin top scored with 134.

THE STANDOUTS
Joel Selwood was the game’s highest fantasy scorer with an unprecedented 146. He set the tone for the game early with seven touches and five tackles and would go on to finish with 27 disposals, five marks and eleven tackles. Selwood was unselfish, honouring the leads inside fifty and was also involved in multiple scoring chains throughout the game. Since his suspension, Selwood has returned scores of 106 and 146 in the last two weeks. He is priced just over the 500k mark and looks to have recaptured some of his career best form. Having faced GWS and Brisbane, Selwood and the Cats will face Sydney this week who are without any recognisable tagger, which could only benefit Selwood’s scoring ability.

The rise of Josh Caddy was again on display against Brisbane. The 22 year old won an equal team high 29 disposals along with six tackles and a goal. An AFL Fantasy score of 131 from his 77% game time epitomised Caddy’s breakout season and looks to be the main event in the engine room for season’s to come. His footy smarts were in particular on show and was deservedly named among the best for his side.

Rounding out a midfield quartet of fantasy standouts was Cam Guthrie, who scored 116 which was his highest score for the season. Evidently relieved of his tagging duties, Guthrie showed his true fantasy potential with his 28 disposal effort against the Lions. Of his 29 touches, 20 were by hand, proving his score could have been ever higher given he disposed of the football by foot. In contrast, Caddy, with one more disposal bettered Guthrie by 15 points. Nonetheless, it was Guthrie’s best return of 2015, however may not be sustainable given the opposition Geelong will face in the coming weeks.

Amid a lot of speculation as to which of the aging Cats’ veterans will and should play on in 2016, Steve Johnson, who has perhaps received the most attention by the media, performed admirably. Stevie J scored 97 points playing in a forward pocket as he has done for most of 2015. He kicked 3.2 and moved into third on Geelong’s all time goal scoring list behind only Doug Wade and Gary Ablett Sr.

WHO FELL SHORT?
While Josh Walker, four goals, and Tom Hawkins with two managed to impact the scoreboard, Shane Kersten went goalless and simply wasn’t able to get a grasp on the game. Kersten produced nine disposals, eight of which were handballs. Justin Clarke, who is fast becoming one of the best young key defenders in the league, was manning Kersten for most of the game – and bettered Kersten when it mattered. Going goalless may not have helped his chances of staying in the AFL team and could be sent back to the VFL in order to find some form before September.

After a healthy return from a long layoff, Duncan managed a score of 57 against the Lions which is his second score in the fifties in as many weeks. While it may only be a case of finding fitness and regaining the poise and awareness Duncan showed before his injury, the past fortnight has sent his price plummeting. He managed to collect a respectable 20 disposals, however 12 of those were handball; a hindrance in fantasy terms. He played as an outside midfielder, on a wing, which is alarming considering 60% of his disposals were handballs and not the usual return for a player executing that role.

FOOTY PROPHET'S FANTASY FIVE
1. Jimmy Bartel (4th) was again Mr. Reliable. Bartel finished with 21 disposals at 90.5% efficiency, climaxing at 103 fantasy points.
2. Mitch Duncan (16th) found the going difficult and wasn’t able to replicate his best football. He compiled a mere 57 points in his third game back from injury.
3. Josh Caddy (2nd) continued as Selwood’s understudy for seasons to come. A game his 29 disposals produced 131 fantasy points.
4. Joel Selwood (1st) was dominant, leading from the front and top scoring with 146 points.
5. Mark Blicavs (6th) was admirable against the ruck duo of Martin and Leuenberger and scored 93 points.

NEXT WEEK
The Cats face Sydney next week at Simmonds Stadium. Geelong will celebrate Joel Selwood’s 200th game, a true testament to the player he has become as one of Geelong’s biggest draft successes of recent times. They will be forced to make one change, with Steve Johnson handed a one match ban for striking former Cat Allen Christiansen on Saturday. Sydney will likely welcome back Adam Goodes, who took leave from the club but has returned following a weekend gleaming with support. It’s now up to the Geelong faithful to set the precedent and celebrate Goodes for what he is.