It was a big week in AFL Fantasy Dream Team for Hawthorn as its big win over Collingwood ensured a number of its stars hit the ton.
An even contribution across 22 players meant that any coach who had a Hawthorn player in their side had a valuable contribution from a player in the brown and gold, but no contribution bigger than that of Captain, Luke Hodge.
In his first two matches back from injury, Hodge has shown he has lost none of the talent and the heart that made him one of the all-time great Hawthorn players and, by the same extension, one of the all-time great Dream Team selections.
In our Dream Team summary last week, we urged coaches to hold off on selection the Hawthorn captain based on his second-up match last season after scoring 94 points against Essendon in Round 18. He, of course, only managed 41 points the following week against the Cats.
But, the training program Coach Alastair Clarkson and his group of fitness coaches have assigned Hodge has proved to be the perfect preparation for his return to football.
Best on ground in the 55 point win over Collingwood on Sunday, Hodge split his time between half back and the midfield, gathering 31 disposals and kicking two crucial goals.
His leadership, commitment, skill and courage on the field against the Pies translated to a big Dream Team score of 135 for the 4,666 coaches that gambled on him in the opening two weeks.
That score, couple with his 99 point effort against the Eagles takes his average to a massive 117 points in his first two games.
His price, currently at $398,600 looks a bargain for a player who looks set to return to his best form after two injury interrupted seasons.
He is owned by just 2.16 per cent of coaches so far, that will no doubt rise in the coming weeks as he achieves continuity in his football.
Burgoyne shines
He’s one of Alastair Clarkson’s ‘Mr. Fix It’ players and Hawks utility Shaun Burgoyne could prove to be just as valuable to your Dream Team as he is for the Hawks.
His versatility on the field translates to flexibility in the world of AFL Fantasy as the former Port Adelaide star is a dual position player – he can be selected either in the midfield or in defence.
Burgoyne has been one of Hawthorn’s best players across the opening three rounds, averaging 23 disposals, four marks and three tackles.
But, it was against Collingwood that Burgoyne had his best AFL Fantasy performance so far this season, with a 122 point effort for his 19,702 coaches.
Burgoyne was one of Hawthorn’s best in the win, with 23 disposals, five marks, seven tackles and three goals. You can’t get much better than that on the stats sheet.
Scores of 87, 81 and the 122 point performance have his average at 94.7 in the first three weeks and achieved a price rise of $27,700 to take his asking price to $398,900.
He is also the third highest scorer in the first three weeks from Hawthorn, behind only Sam Mitchell and Grant Birchall.
That means he has scored more points across the opening three rounds than Dream Team locks Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli and Jordan Lewis.
Duryea’s debut
In has been a long time coming but Hawthorn defender Taylor Duryea made his long awaited debut for the Club in Sunday’s win over the Pies.
After being on the list for three seasons and, in that time, battling a number of injury concerns, it probably seemed like the youngster might never be given his chance to prove his worth at senior level.
A player that some may not know much about, Duryea is a solid, mid-sized defender with good skills and great courage.
Those attributes were on show in his debut game for the Hawks, as he formed part of a defensive group that conceded just 89 points and proved almost impenetrable in the second half against the Pies.
Duryea looked comfortable at the level and chipped in with 15 possessions, three marks and two tackles – a solid and impressive debut from the 21 year old.
His Dream Team contribution too, was solid, notching 56 points for the 562 coaches that selected him.
His price is just $108,500 and could be a great choice for your bench as he could fill a role in defence for the Hawks in the absence of gun half back, Matt Suckling.
Add him to your watch list.
Hawks top 5 scorers
Sam Mitchell ($534,600)
Grant Birchall ($480,700)
Shaun Burgoyne ($398,900)
Cyril Rioli ($435,800)
Lance Franklin ($506,000)