The Hawks may have fallen just short of the Swans on Saturday night in a thrilling grand final replay, but the form of Jon Ceglar would be extremely encouraging for the brown and gold administration. The young ruckman held his own against Mike Pyke, and provided Hawthorn with yet another strong body around the stoppages. Ceglar laid seven tackles and registered 29 hitouts, giving his midfielders first use and scoring 114 fantasy points in the process.

It's been an impressive rise for the young man, who has not only beaten Ben McEvoy out for the starting ruck job after he was dropped for the 2014 grand final, but was also entrusted with the entire ruck load late after David Hale was red-vested. In a nine-game period, albeit spanning two seasons, Ceglar has gone from unlucky omission to the undisputed starter.

He fits the mould perfectly at a time when the mobile ruckman is being increasingly favoured against the stand-and-tap options. With the exception of his 40-point game against the Port Adelaide duo of Paddy Ryder and Matthew Lobbe, he's been a serviceable fantasy ruck option.

Saturday showed that he could be ready to go to the next level.

wRong

In fantasy football and in real life, fans look to their team's captain as a source of reliability and consistency. Unfortunately this week both Jobe Watson and Trent Cotchin struggled to live up to their lofty standards. Despite the Tigers getting over the line in Adelaide, Cotchin was shut out by 300-gamer and retiring veteran Kane Cornes, for just 56 fantasy points.

Watson wasn't tagged by Brisbane, and he too was below par with just 64 points despite his team winning the game.

Fantasy football is won by fringe players outperforming their expected mark, and by star players falling short of their usual production. While Tiger and Bomber fans would no doubt be happy on Monday morning, owners of their respective skippers would be hoping that this is an anomaly, and that Cotchin and Watson can get back on track next week.

Ridiculous

Like many others this season, Jordan Murdoch feasted on the Blues on Friday night.

Running off the back line he tore through an insipid Carlton side, with four of his eight forward-half involvements converting into goals. He scored 137 fantasy points for the week, the fourth highest total for the round and the first triple-point total of his career. He's one of a number of talented young Cats that the club is looking to build around, and Friday showcased his impressive potential. A repeat of this performance is unlikely, but his form over the past three weeks has been solid, and fantasy coaches who were prescient enough to start him in their match-up this week were duly rewarded.

Regrettable

After reaching the pinnacle of his career in 2014, and setting a standard that many thought would be the new norm, Bryce Gibbs has started this season in manner that reflects the form of his team. On Friday night against Geelong, a team that he tore to shreds on two occasions last year, Gibbs limped to 37 fantasy points before being substituted out of the game in the third quarter with a back injury. It was his lowest score since round 15, 2007, and he's on track for his worst fantasy season since his debut year.

The Carlton vice-captain is well aware he's out of form at the moment, and is working to improve it. That's small comfort for fantasy coaches who invested an early-round pick on the midfielder, but history says he'll turn it around.

Article supplied by Footy Prophet – football analysis with a fantasy focus. Footy Prophet is fantasy football.