The Swans return to Sydney in Round 17 to take on Carlton on Saturday night before the bye round.       

What did you take out of our round 16 match, Fantasy wise?

Lotts: In some pretty miserable conditions, it was good to return home with the four points. Only three players – Luke Parker (FWD/MID $498,919) with 125, Jarrad McVeigh (DEF/MID $472,375) with 119 and Ben McGlynn (FWD/MID $496,442) with 114 – managed to crack the ton last week while Josh Kennedy (MID $569,702) (96) and Craig Bird (FWD/MID $431,321) (92) weren’t too far behind.

Sub-elite Legends: In those wet conditions it is always the hard nuts that seem to bring in the points (Jude Bolton circa 2012 anyone?). So it was no surprise to me that Luke Parker and Ben McGlynn were at the pointy end of the scoring last week. Interestingly enough, Benny McGlynn mentioned in a press conference this week that he and Luke Parker were challenging each other for the highest tackle tally of the year which should be music to any Fantasy coaches’ ears if they have either player in their sides.

Who’s your Swans player of the week?

Lotts: It’s an obvious one but it’s got to be Luke Parker for me this week. He relished the wet conditions gathering 33 touches, two goals and laying six tackles for 125 points. Parks is now our second highest Fantasy scorer behind Josh Kennedy, and 21st overall in the competition, averaging 100 Fantasy points a game. He’s notched up some great scores this year including three scores over 120.

Sub-elite Legends: Luke Parker was so impressive I probably can’t be contrary this week, Lotts. He was hard and clean in the wet, kicked clutch goals and generally had an all-round elite midfielder’s game, so he can have double the chocolates from me.

Which Swans player would you choose as your captain for the next game?

Lotts: The conditions didn’t really suit Buddy (FWD $486,279) last week but who was to predict that? This week, I’m going to go for co-captain Kieren Jack (FWD/MID $514,744) who has been in pretty good touch of late. Last time he played the Blues he scored 110 points so not bad at all. I’m predicting a big score from Kizza this week.

Sub-elite Legends: How do you sleep at night Lotts? All of these left-field choices you keep suggesting to your readers could be the difference between them claiming a top-four spot and falling out of finals contention. One of Carlton’s best taggers Andrew Carrazzo will be missing with a quad injury this week, so once again I’m going to lock in Josh Kennedy to bring in the points this week.  

Next up is Carlton at the SCG, who are the players to look out for from the Blues?

Lotts: Coach John Longmire mentioned it in his press conference earlier in the week that the Blues have some top-end talent on their list. With top-end talent comes great Fantasy scorers and that’s certainly the case for the Blues. The likes of Bryce Gibbs (MID $523,996), Marc Murphy (MID $493,206), Kade Simpson (DEF $432,535) and Dale Thomas (MID/FWD $372,420) are all proven Fantasy guns and can score big on their day. Gibbs scored 139 points against the Cats while their skipper Marc Murphy produced a score of 153 only five weeks ago.

Sub-elite Legends: Ed Curnow (MID $475,813) is a player I enjoy watching from Carlton, he often plays a hard defensive-midfield role, but he has found plenty of the ball this season and could be a threat. He is averaging 97.5 points a game, which is the third highest of all Blues players. Another one is Andrew Walker (DEF $420,350), he is known for his high marking and run and carry, but he has had another strong season this year. He is Carlton’s second highest averaging defender and scored a very handy 109 last week against the Saints.

Any changes this week for your team?

Lotts: Well we’re all in the same boat this week with the great man Gary Ablett (MID $613,638) injuring his shoulder. I don’t think there’s any point holding onto that much cash on your bench so much better off parting ways. The obvious one is Tom Rockliff (MID $631,081) but unfortunately he has a week off which is a real shame, so I’m looking at swapping Gaz for Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy – who I stupidly traded out of my team after round 3. The other trade I’m looking at is getting rid of the underperforming Matt Suckling (DEF $394,716) and swapping him with his teammate Sam Mitchell (DEF/MID $459,988) who is coming back from a hamstring injury.

Sub-elite Legends: Thankfully, I might have been the only coach in Australia who didn’t have Gary in my side. I banked some cash last week so I am looking at double upgrading this week. I am looking to change the omitted Shaun Higgins (FWD,DEF $380,762) and Kane Mitchell (MID $362,257) who can’t seem to shake the subs vest. I’m eyeing off an underpriced Steve Johnson (MID $511,812) and Kieren Jack (MID/FWD $514,744) with his new valuable DPP status.