Jack Redden’s two-year reign as the Brisbane Lions’ king of AFL Fantasy has come to an end with Tom Rockliff claiming the title in 2013.
Rockliff produced the four highest individual AFL Dream Team totals at the Lions – all in the final eight rounds of the season – to storm home and overtake Redden by just 78 points.
Rockliff, who finished Runner-Up in both 2011 and 2012, looked like being the bridesmaid again this year when he trailed Redden by 146 points after Round 15.
But he averaged a whopping 123 points in his final eight matches, to snatch victory.
Below is a comprehensive listing of the best AFL Fantasy performers at the Lions in 2013.
MOST LIONS POINTS (OVERALL): Tom Rockliff
Rockliff and Redden were the clear Dream Team standouts in 2013, however Jed Adcock produced his best return for a number of years by finishing third overall.
It was no surprise to see each of the top six points scorers figure prominently at the Club Champion dinner, with all finishing inside the top seven.
Eventual Merrett-Murray Medallist Joel Patfull was the only exception, however defenders are notably not big points scorers in AFL Fantasy land.
LIONS MOST POINTS (OVERALL)
1. Tom Rockliff - 2,165
2. Jack Redden - 2,087
3. Jed Adcock - 1,833
4. Pearce Hanley - 1,711
5. Matthew Leuenberger - 1,703
6. Dayne Zorko - 1,624
BEST SCORING MIDFIELDER: Tom Rockliff
No surprises here considering he was the highest scorer at the Club.
BEST SCORING RUCKMAN: Matthew Leuenberger
Leuenberger was by far the leading Lions ruckman this season, scoring almost 1,500 points more than nearest rival Stefan Martin (221 points).
BEST SCORING DEFENDER: Pearce Hanley
Despite playing predominantly on the wing and through the midfield in 2013, Hanley was categorised as a ‘defender’ at the start of the season and proved one of the ‘must haves’ for any Fantasy tragic.
BEST SCORING FORWARD: Tom Rockliff
Rockliff’s value was enhanced further this season considering he was a dual position player. But his biggest totals definitely came when moved into the midfield.
MOST LIONS POINTS (AVERAGE): Tom Rockliff
Rockliff was the only Lions player to average more than 100 points per game in 2013.
HIGHEST AVERAGE
1. Tom Rockliff - 103.10
2. Jack Redden - 94.86
3. Pearce Hanley - 85.55
4. Matthew Leuenberger - 85.15
5. Jed Adcock – 83.32
BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE: Tom Rockliff
Much has already been said about Rockliff’s barnstorming finish to the season, but the table below speaks for itself.
His three highest scores came in the final five rounds, with his highest total of 144 coming in the Lions’ win over St Kilda in Round 19 at the Gabba.
On that occasion, Rockliff collected a season-high 39 disposals, took five marks and laid eight tackles.
The 23-year-old finished with five of the top six scores of the season, while Pearce Hanley boasted three of the top eight.
BIGGEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE
1. 144 points – Tom Rockliff v St Kilda (Rd 19 @ Gabba)
2. 140 points – Tom Rockliff v Geelong (Rd 23 @ Simonds Stadium)
3. 139 points – Tom Rockliff v Western Bulldogs (Rd 22 @ Gabba)
4. 134 points – Tom Rockliff v North Melbourne (Rd 16 @ Gabba)
5. 129 points – Pearce Hanley v West Coast (Rd 7 @ Gabba)
6. 125 points – Tom Rockliff v Melbourne (Rd 5 @ Gabba)
7. 125 points – Pearce Hanley v Gold Coast (Rd 15 @ Gabba)
8. 124 points – Pearce Hanley v Adelaide (Rd 2 @ Gabba)
9. 122 points – Matthew Leuenberger v Gold Coast (Rd 15 @ Gabba)
10. 122 points – Jack Redden v St Kilda (Rd 19 @ Gabba)
11. 120 points – Dayne Zorko v Melbourne (Rd 5 @ Gabba)
12. 120 points – Tom Rockliff v Melbourne (Rd 17 @ TIO Stadium)
BEST INVESTMENT: Sam Mayes
Those people who selected Sam Mayes before his price began to rise in Round 5 were rewarded handsomely, with the Port Pirie teenager becoming a regular fixture in the Lions’ side.
By season’s end, Mayes’ price had risen $212,500.
Matthew Leuenberger and Brent Staker also proved worthwhile investments after starting the season as bargains given their injury problems in 2012.
HIGHEST PRICE HIKE (FINAL PRICE IN BRACKETS)
1. Sam Mayes - ?$212,500 ($364,700)
2. Matthew Leuenberger - ?$174,900 ($408,500)
3. Brent Staker - ?$147,600 ($280,200)
4. Sam Docherty - ?$147,000 ($255,500)
5. Justin Clarke - ?$88,100 ($196,600)
MOST POPULAR PLAYER: Tom Rockliff
Rockliff appeared in more Dream Teams than any other Lions player, with the 2011 Club Champion selected in almost 100,000 different squads.
Staker and Leuenberger were also popular given their bargain basement price.
MOST SELECTIONS
1. Tom Rockliff - 99,320 selections
2. Brent Staker - 60,411 selections
3. Pearce Hanley - 59,047 selections
4. Matthew Leuenberger - 40,388 selections
5. Sam Mayes - 36,223 selections
Rockliff dethrones Redden
Tom Rockliff has overtaken Jack Redden a the Lions AFL Fantasy king