It is finals time in many Ultimate Footy leagues, and we have a kinder fantasy fixture this week as the match-ups get serious. A couple of key injuries and unexpected performances combined for mixed results last week, but the experts are certain that their round 21 rankings are spot on. There's a bit of a Queensland influence in each of the top five positional rankings.
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Better late than never, Sam Docherty has finally topped the defensive rankings. He is clearly having a career-best season, and a return to Queensland to face his former club Brisbane may see him pick up his fourth 120-plus score in the space of five weeks. Adelaide's Rory Laird is having a similar sort of season and has been building his scores nicely since returning from injury. Another good week in Perth against Fremantle awaits the Crows defender.
Veteran Corey Enright had one of the great fantasy first halves of all time against Essendon, picking up 25 disposals and 99 fantasy points. He's averaging 109 over the past month of football and a nice match against Richmond sees him ranked third in defence.
Ahead of round 21, a man was watching the movie The Shining, and misheard Jack Nicholson, who apparently said "Here's Rocky", which was a sign for Tom Rockliff to return to the top of the midfield rankings. His last match against Carlton finished with him getting 48 disposals, and that was away from home. Imagine what he'll do at the Gabba.
Essendon's Zach Merrett is the second-best midfield option of the week, which is fantastic news for the youngster, who has the opportunity to captain the team against Gold Coast. Rory Sloane will be one to watch against a rejuvenated Dockers midfield with Aaron Sandilands back in the team.
There isn't much change in this week's ruck rankings; although Max Gawn is perhaps the clearest he has ever been at No.1. Playing against Jackson Trengove could mean massive points for the big Demon. Once again, he is ahead of Brodie Grundy, who will play against the Bulldogs.
Behind Merrett at the top of the forward rankings is Dustin Martin, who may have picked up another three Brownlow votes last week against the Magpies. He's against Geelong this week and will love a big game. Dayne Zorko is another strong option, sitting in third position. However, he may get tagged by Ed Curnow which will hurt him a bit.
The man of the moment, however, is Marcus Bontempelli. The 20-year-old has been brilliant in the face of adversity with all of the Bulldogs' injuries, and has averaged 111 fantasy points since the bye. Although he hasn't got a great record against the Magpies, his current form suggests he'll smash them out of Etihad Stadium.
DEFENDERS:
1 Sam Docherty CARL
2 Rory Laird ADEL
3 Corey Enright GEEL
4 James Kelly ESS
5 Matthew Boyd WB
MIDFIELDERS:
1 Tom Rockliff BL
2 Zachary Merrett ESS
3 Patrick Dangerfield GEEL
4 Josh Kennedy SYD
5 Rory Sloane ADEL
FORWARDS:
1 Zachary Merrett ESS
2 Dustin Martin RICH
3 Dayne Zorko BL
4 Marcus Bontempelli WB
5 Nick Riewoldt STK
RUCK:
1 Max Gawn MELB
2 Brodie Grundy COLL
3 Todd Goldstein NM
4 Shane Mumford GWS
5 Mark Blicavs GEEL
