The Drongo Wrap-Up: Round 6, Freo's Big Comeback, Suns' Star Debutant

This article is part of our The Drongo Wrap-Up series.

My goodness, I can't even go to the dunny without the Gold Coast Suns wheeling out another amazing debutant.  In Round 6, it was time for 2018 Draft Pick Izak Rankine to debut and, strewth, it was spectacular!  Plus I didn't give Fremantle a Buckley's chance versus the Saints after that first quarter, yet Nathan Fyfe and the Dockers stormed back for the greatest comeback in Freo history. So put on some Midnight Oil and let's dive into the details of Round 6!

TOP RUCKS

1. Reilly O'Brien, ADE, 115 DraftKings Fantasy Points
2. Todd Goldstein, NM, 108 DK FP's
3. Max Gawn, MEL, 105 DK FP's

Big Value:  O'Brien, 115 points at $7,200 (16.0x)

O'Brien's wayward tweet didn't help change the Crows' fortunes.  That might take an act of God.  But the big talking Ruck did finished first in DK points AND got a free phone from Nick Naitanui, who of course also enjoyed the victory.  Nik Nak and Tesla sure had some fun with this:

LA correspondent Bill Sperling reported the Power won fugly over the Giants. It was a defensive slugfest. Down Under Paul Bunyan Charlie Dixon had a key goal at the end of the 3rd term to support the win. There was great Ruck play from both sides with the Giant's Shane Mumford and Power's Scott Lycett going at it like Frazier and Ali. Mummy whacked Lycette in the noggin' at least once.  Brad Ebert of the Power is on report for a vicious hit on Giant's Harry Perryman.  Jeremy Cameron had some nice marks, kicks and goal boots, all with a bloody nose that seemingly ran all game. For the Power, it was the first win over GWS in five years. Young Zak Butters continued to impress (1 goal, 14 disposals). 

TOP FORWARDS

1. Lachie Whitfield, GWS, 108 DraftKings Fantasy Points
2. Lachlan Hunter, WES, 104 DK FP's
3. Tom Hawkins, 99 DK FP's

Big Values:  Kane Farrell, PA, 90 points on $3,400 (26.5x)

Yeah, yeah, I know, the Demons finally got a fair dinkum win, but let's talk more about Debutant Izak Rankine!  Sure, I'm just a bloody seppo, but has anyone had two more impressive goals to start their AFL career!?! The third one ain't too shabby, either:
 

An excellent call by Erik (the Dag!) to highlight Rankine in his weekly DraftKings Cheat Sheet -- "The Magician" was an excellent value at $2,500.

On Sunday, I just loved the trash talk between mullet master Bailey Smith (WES, 94 DK FP's) and Blues star Patrick Cripps (a disappointing 49 DK FP's, but he did get the win!).  Shortly after one skirmish, Smith knocks in a beautiful bendy bouncer, than gives Patty a bit of the business. So good to see that glorious mane back in action after last week's concussion: 

While we're at Metricon, check out the beautiful ball movement that leads to this lovely Eddie Betts goal: 

Kane Farrell's big game is as good excuse as any to discuss that AMAZING Freo comeback versus the St. Kilda.  As Erik likes to say, "Kilda is gonna Kilda".  The Dockers were down 37 points early in the second term, led by 19 in the final quarter, but let the Saints tie things with two minutes left.  Go here to see the last two minutes.  What's most amazing about the best comeback of the year is that Freo did it with a hobbled Nathan Fyfe (hamestring). Lachlan Schultz showed nerves of steel in kicking the game winner.

TOP MIDFIELDERS

1. Hugh Greenwood, GC, 103 DraftKings Fantasy Points
2. Sam Simpson, GEE; Tom Mitchell, HAW; & Patrick Dangerfield, GEE all with 102 DK FP's
3. Kane Lambert, RIC, 100 DK FP's

Big Value:  Simpson with 102 at $3,200 (31.9x)

The young, father-son Simpson (22) was certainly discounted after missing a two years of senior action. I'd say the rest served him well. Geelong demonstrated the same strength they showed last year in winning the minor premiership. FanDuel favored Brisbane (-6.5), but DraftKings and BointsBet gave Geelong the spread advantage. Danger was fantastic (18 kicks, 8 clearances), but you know I can't resist showing more Gary Ablett highlights.  The Little Master!

TOP DEFENDERS

1. Callum Mills, SYD, 125 DraftKings Fantasy Points
2. James Sicily, HAW, 114 DK FP's
3. Brodie Smith, ADE, 107 DK FP's

Big Value:  Will Day, HAW, 58 FP's at $2,500 (23.2x) and Tom Jonas, PA, 74 FP's (23.1)

Lots of rain at The Gabba forced a low-scoring Tigers win, at 34-26, over the Swans. It was the kind of messy affair that enables a guy like Mills to rack up fantasy points. The Swans are at 17th on the Ladder and staring at another lost season. And the injury front was also bad for Sydney:  they've lost midfielder Josh P. Kennedy for a number of weeks due to a left knee injury:

SOME EXTRA GOOD OIL

The news wasn't all rosy for Debutantes. Magpie deb Will Kelly started Friday night on a high note, scoring his first goal on his very first kick:

But in the final term Willba fell hard on both both arms after leaping high for a mark and immediately left the pitch. He fractured a bone just above his elbow and will require season-ending surgery. Brody Mihocek scored four goals (74 FP's) and for the season is second in the League behind Tom Papley. Isaac Quaynor was very impressive for the Pies, especially as a ball carrier.  IQ was a bowling ball out there:

In the Dons win over North Melburne, David Zaharakis booted two deep goals and one miracle side ripper. Here's his first one:

Essendon star Dylan Shiel can kiss any chance of the Brownlow good-bye as he's suspended for a high head bump on Roo Curtis Taylor. Kangaroo Cameron Zurhaar had some huge hits to win balls.

With Freo's amazing win, they get the ending fight song.  And then, of course, the ladder: