McPherson Media Group’s GVL Data Fantasy competition has been run and won.
And while Rohan Aldous’ Pride of the Press — trained out of the Kyabram Free Press stable among the wider Riverine Herald cohort — gave it a good shake down the straight, it was Shepparton News sports editor Aydin Payne and his Obi Wan Giobbi outfit which was successful in the bob at the line.
Both had trailed round one (of two) leader Daniel Webb and his Red Ted Redemption crew — also out of The News office — at the turn for home, but swamped him late in the piece to fight out the finish.
Aldous’ activated emergency Tom Downie almost got him over the final hurdle in the end with a 118 at the weekend, but back-to-back 105s from team namesake Ben Giobbi was the main catalyst for a Payne victory in the Goulburn Valley League fantasy competition.
Bransen Gibson’s B75 Blazers had a stirring second round to fly up the table, hanging his hat on tons from Sam Willoughy, Hugh Hamilton, Jack Murphy and Jarrad Waite — as well as a 90 from Riley Smith — to show good promise for future fantasy efforts.
Huntly’s Heroes coach Josh Huntly won’t be starting Kyabram’s Kaine Herbert on the pine again after two tons in as many matches, but despite being able to activate the star midfielder in both rounds, his outfit finished back in eighth spot.
And The Riv editor Gregor Mactaggart will be analysing his selection process to figure out where it all went wrong for the Disco Shoulders, logging more DNPs than centuries in the fantasy realm.
He was still able to finish above News editor Tyler Maher though in a disappointing showing from the head-trainer duo.
If you’re interested in being involved in any potential local fantasy competition’s in the future, email tyler.maher@mmg.com.au
In the meantime, we’ll see you at the Moama Bowling Club for the post-fantasy celebrations.
Pride of the Press - Rohan Aldous
Lachlan Smith (Kyabram) - 81, 68
Ben Rigoni (Seymour) - 90, 78
Jack Murphy (Seymour) - 151, 113
BJ Squire (Shepparton Swans) - 87, DNP
Chris Jansen (Rochester) - DNP, DNP
Chris Welsh (Benalla) - 145, 132
Zach Norris (Kyabram) - 81, 107
Ruory Kirkby (Echuca) - 128, 42
Zac Banch (Shepparton Swans) - 126, 82
EMG: Tom Downie (Benalla) - DNP, 118
Round 17: 889
Round 18: 740
TOTAL: 1629
GVL DATA FANTASY LEADERBOARD
Obi Wan Giobbi (Aydin Payne) - 1663
Pride of the Press (Rohan Aldous) - 1629
Red Ted Redemption (Daniel Webb) - 1568
Hartley’s Heroes (Zac Standish) - 1501
B75 Blazers (Bransen Gibson) - 1500
Welsh’s Wizards (James Kleeman) - 1455
Worth the Waite (Max Stainkamph) - 1415
Huntly’s Heroes (Josh Huntly) - 1304
Disco Shoulders (Gregor Mactaggart) - 1235
Goal’d Miners (Tyler Maher) - 1206
HIGHEST DATA POINTS - ROUND 18
144 - Ethan Hunt (Mooroopna)
135 - Zac Keogh (Kyabram)
134 - Nathan Kay (Rochester)
133 - Jarrad Waite (Benalla)
132 - Chris Welsh (Benalla)
127 - Riley Mason (Seymour)
123 - Jake Pallpratt (Benalla)
121 - Jono Aujard (Mansfield)