Fantasy Match Day- Finals week 4

Game 1: West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn, Saturday 2:30 pm AEST, MCG

Yes that is right it’s finally here. The last match of the year, the big dance, the AFL Grand Final! It sees the Eagles and the Hawks play off for the third time this season and from seeing them against each other only 3 week ago, this is a highly anticipated one for Fantasy players. It was tough for both teams last week in 2 big preliminary final matches. The Hawks started slow last Friday against the Dockers conceding the first 2 goals and the Fantasy stats proved it. But after the first quarter they got going both in the game and in Fantasy. The Hawks had a whopping 7 players who scored over 100 Fantasy points last weekend with Sam Mitchell scoring 117 closely followed by Isaac Smith and Luke Hodge who both scored 112. It was a very different match for the Eagles last week. They started really slow against the Kangaroos with their 0.3 at quarter time and trailed at half time, the Fantasy stats agreed too. But as the second half came the Eagles upped the tempo and started dominating most areas of the game and ended up winning. The last quarter was also when their Fantasy stats lifted. The Eagles had only the 2 players who scored over 100 last week and both are a bit surprising. Josh Kennedy top scored with a 122 and Mark LeCras had a 110. I wouldn’t expect that from those 2 this week but it is possible.

Last time they met:

1. Luke Hodge- 130
2. Mark LeCras- 110
3. Sam Mitchell- 108
4. Shannon Hurn- 100
5. Jarryd Roughead- 100
6. Mark Hutchings- 96
7. Cyril Rioli- 95
8. Jordan Lewis- 92
9. Matt Rosa- 90
10. Elliot Yeo- 87

These were the top 10 Fantasy scores last time these teams met 3 weeks ago. Luke Hodge with another big score of 130, Sam Mitchell, probably the most consistent finals player with 108, are both definite picks for this Saturday and both very worthy captain choices as well. Jarryd Roughead there with 100 is also a great pick for the Grand Final and will be in my forward line on Saturday.

Who should be my captain?

Luke Hodge: Once again! You’re probably sick of seeing his name printed but once again he is the best pick for captain this week! Last time he played the Eagles he scored 130 while playing predominantly in the back pocket. He should run off the half-back flank and in the midfield this week and should score very highly, especially if the Hawks get up.

Matt Priddis: Second in the Brownlow count on Monday night and polled 28 votes, which is very high! Expect nothing different from his Fantasy stats this week. He didn’t play last time the Eagles faced the Hawks because of a slight calf injury, but he returned last week and scored a solid 98 in his first game back. He will be feeling god this week after playing his returning game last week and will be back to his best this week. He will score high this week and is not a bad pick for captain.

Sam Mitchell: Yes Sam Mitchell. Some people may hesitate a bit at putting this man as their captain but don’t! He is a ball magnet most of the time but especially in finals, and not only has he being getting the ball a lot for the Hawks, but his Fantasy stats are through the roof in the last 3 weeks. He is averaging 117.1 in his last 3 and has scored over 100 in every final that he has played this year. He will do it again this week in a big game and don’t hesitate to put him as captain if you think he will go well.