Da da da da da… It has been a shocking season by any measure for Carlton, but a silver lining is slowly revealing itself. Reinvigorated by a change of coach, a number of young Blues have impressed and shown that there is still some reason for optimism. Patrick Cripps looks like he could soon become one of the competition's best inside midfielders with another hard-nosed display, adding 31 disposals to 12 tackles and 128 Ultimate Footy points. The imposing Tom Bell is also learning to find the footy more consistently and had one of his best games in the win against Port, getting 25 disposals, six marks and a goal to go with his 107 points. Last but not least, although he was barely sighted in the first half of the season, Nick Graham was a huge contributor with 18 touches, seven tackles, two goals and earning four free kicks for 106 points.

wRong

The Giants began the season in ominous fashion, but a plethora of key injuries has brought them back down to earth and the repercussions are grave for Ultimate Footy coaches. Never mind the unfortunate owners of fantasy jets Shane Mumford (94 points per game) and Stephen Coniglio (87), the Giants have lost a number of structurally important players and the knock-on effect for the rest of the team has been evident. With a depleted backline and ruck division, the Giants were walloped by North, with many players well below their best, including: Dylan Shiel (56 points, -40 below season average), Devon Smith (72, -19), Lachie Whitfield (73, -18) and Callan Ward (86, -18).

Ridiculous

In arguably their biggest win of the last decade, the Dees were too much for a Cats side desperate to honour 300-gamer Corey Enright. They broke a losing streak that spanned nearly an entire decade and it was all thanks to an even team effort with a few likely (and unlikely) stars standing tall above the rest. Bernie Vince continued his purple patch of form, collecting another 38 disposals, nine tackles and two goals in his outrageous 158 points. Naturally, Nathan Jones, who is the heart and soul of the side, did his usual damage with 35 disposals and 109 points. The great shock was the unprecedented domination of fifth-year ruckman Max Gawn. Having been in and out of the side since being drafted and playing no more than 13 games in any one season, the incredibly tall unit was clearly the most influential player on the ground with 19 touches, eight marks, five tackles, 44 hitouts, one goal and 139 points. As has been the theme this year, there are plenty of reasons for long-suffering Dees fans (and opportunistic clairvoyants who play Ultimate Footy) to smile.

Regrettable

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So while the Dees are rightfully delighted, the dismayed Cats need to recollect themselves after what was a disappointing tribute to one of their all-time greats.  This game is perhaps a sign that the old guard can simply carry the side no more and the youth must take ownership. Even the great Joel Selwood, who was left bloodied numerous times throughout the game, was relatively quiet with only 17 disposals and 75 points. Steve Johnson also tried hard with 82, but could not be the difference that he has so often been in the past; the same is true of Andrew Mackie (68 points) and milestone man Corey Enright (70 points).

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