Fantasy Football

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FANTASY PIG OF THE WEEK

u Swans hard nut Callum Mills made up for a quiet outing the previous week, laying a whopping 13 tackles to ensure he was the top scorer of the round with 156. He took full advantage of an underwhelming Essendon, collecting 29 possessions and taking seven marks and will certainly be a priority selection post the bye rounds. Amid disappointment in every direction, Christian Petracca stepped up in the last game of a horrible Sunday with an impressive 139, which comprised 28 possessions, six marks and eight tackles. It could have been even bigger considering his six scoring shots returned only two goals but, hey, we’ll take it.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

u Josh Kelly has his hat in the ring as an under-priced premium selection after another impressive outing with 134. Adam Treloar was on fire for the Dogs and put together his first big score as a result, also pumping out 134. Touk Miller and Ollie Wines can also hold their heads high, both scoring 128 for their coaches.

TOP ROUND 9 SCORERS

PLAYER SCORE

Callum Mills SYD 156 Christian Petracca MELB 139 Josh Kelly GWS 134 Adam Treloar WB 134 Touk Miller GCS 128 Ollie Wines PA 128 Caleb Serong FREM 126 Brad Crouch STK 125 Tom Liberatore WB 125 Rory Laird ADEL 124

CASH COWS OF THE WEEK

MICHAEL BARLOW MEDAL VOTES –ROUND 9

5COREY DURDIN

CARL, FWD – 79 u It would have to be the lowest score of the year to earn five votes, but the young Blue will take it, while the rest of us take his reinvigorated cash generation. His 19 possessions, three marks, two tackles and two goals ensured his highest score of the year.

4NIC MARTIN

ESS, FWD – 65 u It was the talented Bomber’s lowest score of the year, but that is a reflection of our rookies’ drop off last week. Ironically, he did enough to extend the lead over his peers.

3LUKE CLEARY

WB, DEF – 64 u The young Dog looked right at home running off half-back, taking an impressive seven marks and collecting 13 possessions. He becomes a good downgrade target down back. =2 NICK DAICOS COLL, MID/DEF – 63 u The young Pie didn’t have his greatest outing, but did enough to keep his score ticking over. He has scored under 65 on two occasions in the past three weeks and is now a viable trade out as part of an upgrade. =2 BEN HOBBS ESS, MID – 63 u The big-bodied Bomber backed up from the previous week’s 95 with a less-impressive but serviceable cash-generating score of 63 from 17 touches and a goal.

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BUY HOLD SELL

DARCY CAMERON

COLLINGWOOD

FWD/RUC, $587,000

u It’s not too late to jump on the Pie who continues to relish his opportunities in the absence of Brodie Grundy. He is averaging 103 and has a BE of just 28 – a reflection of his form and value.

LUKE CLEARY

WESTERN BULLDOGS

DEF, $217,000

u Made an impressive start to his career. His teammates were happy to look for him running off half-back, contributing to his 13 possessions and seven marks on his way to 64. Has a BE of just -2 before a couple of nice fixtures against the Suns and Eagles.

DAYNE ZORKO

BRISBANE

DEF/MID, $790,000

u The Lions skipper is in great form following an interrupted start as he returned from surgery and was playing a variety of roles. Has a bargain price tag with a three-game average of 116 since returning to his MID/FWD role.

ALSO CONSIDER:

Touk Miller, Ollie Wines, George Hewett.

WARNIE

WARNE DAWGS ROUND 9 – 2002 PTS

u Despite the rumours, a football review isn’t on the cards at the Dawgs – our focus is razor sharp on scoring points. Despite a disappointing week, we are looking at the byes and structuring for long-term success.

ROUND 9 – 2092 PTS

u A nice little reminder for me last week to use the reverse trade function as opposed to the roll back team option before Friday night kick-off, especially if you have had a couple of knock-offs.

ROUND 9 – 2113 PTS

u The Dogs are the team to watch this week as they will feast on the Suns at Mars Stadium. Also look for Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko against the Hawks down at Pig Park in Tassie – it will be huge!

LACHIE WHITFIELD

GWS GIANTS

DEF/MID, $741,000

u Coming off his worst performance of the year, a new coach brings hope that Whitfield will return to a position where he can have an impact on the game. He was extraordinarily quiet against the Blues.

STEPHEN CONIGLIO

GWS GIANTS

MID, $684,000

u Although he has been disappointing this season, nothing compares to last week where he scored a season low. Spent 78 per cent of the game on the ground but scored just 49 points from 14 disposals. A new coach brings new hope.

TRAVIS BOAK

PORT ADELAIDE

MID, $821,000

u The veteran has turned back the clock with some sensational performances, including six big hundreds, topped by an elite score of 152. His performance in a friendly match-up against the Roos was not reflective of his form.

ALSO CONSIDER:

Zach Merrett, Isaac Heeney, Corey Durdin.

ROY

DESTROY

PATRICK DANGERFIELD

GEELONG

MID, $655,000

u Questions are being asked about the health of the Cats superstar as he has barely shown glimpses of his explosive best this year. His 61 last week was his third score of 70 or lower in his past four games and, unfortunately, it’s time to go.

JACK STEELE

ST KILDA

MID, $892,000

u The news no owners wanted to hear was the ‘Man of Steele’ going down with a shoulder injury which will see him miss 6-8 weeks. Last week saw him fall short of triple figures for the first time in 20 games.

JAKE BOWEY

MELBOURNE

DEF, $546,000

u After a couple of good scores and maintaining his 100 per cent winning rate, back-to-back 50s means it’s time to be upgraded. He is averaging 59 in his past three games and is carrying a BE of 84.

ALSO CONSIDER:

Nick Daicos, Jye Caldwell, Zac Williams.

CALVIN

CALVINATOR

PHOTO CREDIT:

John Said, Fresh Select

Proud partner of the Proud partner of the EFC First Nations Women’s Pathway ProgramEFC First Nations Women’s Pathway ProgramProud partner of the EFC First Nations Women’s Pathway Program

FEASTING ON FOOTY AND LIFE

Coles and Essendon have teamed up to help young indigenous women pursue their football dream while learning important educational and life skills. CHARLES GOODSIR

In early April, seven Indigenous girls took part in an excursion to a farm near Geelong as part of the First Nations Pathway Program in conjunction with Essendon Football Club and Coles.

The teenagers – three girls from the Tiwi Islands and four from indigenous communities in Victoria – were invited to the farm to hand-pick fresh produce and learn how that food goes from paddock to plate. The girls had never visited a farm until then.

With the aid of chef, Coles ambassador and MasterChef contestant Michael Weldon, they learned how to use the produce and cook meals that were quick, easy and, most importantly, healthy.

The farm excursion was an overwhelming success as the girls followed new recipes in a fun and unique environment.

The excursion was phase one of three for the First Nations Pathway Program, which aims to build relationships and genuine connections with indigenous communities and their families.

The participants were accompanied by Courtney Ugle, a First Nations woman who wears many hats.

Ugle acts as the women’s development coordinator at Essendon and has been director of the First Nations Pathway Program since 2019. She is also an integral member of Essendon’s VFLW side.

The multifaceted program identifies young players to develop and support them with the goal of recruiting young women to Essendon’s feeder club, the Calder Cannons.

Football acts as an incentive for the girls in the program with the priority being education and developing their lives off the sporting field.

HEALTHY LIVING: Coles ambassador and chef Michael Weldon and First Nations Pathway Program director Courtney Ugle (below) with the program participants.

FUN ON THE FARM: The excursion was a rewarding experience for the girls.

The program works with the girls across two to three years and focuses on professional development and elite training and preparation for life as an athlete but, most importantly, emphasises personal growth.

Coles has been a proud supporter and investor of the First Nations Pathway Program for just over three years and in that time has contributed several ideas and events for the program that are key components of the project today.

Following the success of the farm visit, Coles and Ugle are hoping to make the excursion a permanent part of the program.

As well as the trip to Geelong, the group trained with Essendon’s VFLW squad. They also became familiar with the Calder Cannons, which is included in phase one of the program.

Phase two comprises a lengthier stay in Melbourne over the duration of a school term.

This phase prioritises the education aspect and teaches the girls how to manage their education while playing sport at an elite level.

Phase three is a yearly stay living in Melbourne, attending school while continuing their commitment to playing football.

Ultimately, the dream is to develop the young girls into the NAB League, then VFLW and hopefully the AFLW.

The First Nations Pathway Program has a secondary goal of finding and developing the next big star, with Essendon set to join the AFLW next season alongside fellow new teams Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney.

Ugle is incredibly passionate about the program and her role as the leading coordinator.

She believes it does invaluable work for young indigenous women so they can thrive in new environments and change not only their lives, but the lives of their families and their community.

The First Nations Pathway Program is constantly evolving and, with the support of Coles, Ugle and her team are continuing to innovate and provide incredible opportunities for young indigenous women.

The girls had never visited a farm