Dream Team watch: Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide

SUNDAY’S NAB Cup clash between the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide produced few outstanding Toyota AFL Dream Team scores, but Port Adelaide’s exciting youngster Wade Thompson gave prospective coaches plenty to ponder with an electrifying debut.  

Thompson made a mockery of his Dream Team rating of $88,300 with three classy goals as the Power ran away with a 65-point win at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Fellow Power forward Justin Westhoff ($283,300) also made a strong start to the year after a disappointing 2009, finishing with four goals and an 85-point performance.

Midfielders Travis Boak ($369,600) and new Port Adelaide skipper Domenic Cassisi ($407,400) also produced solid returns in an even team effort.

Meanwhile, the Swans’ reigning club champion, Jarrad McVeigh, slotted four goals and racked up 83 points to justify his $372,300 rating.

Ryan O’Keefe ($381,400) and Jude Bolton ($378,600) also hit the ground running with strong games, but the Swans’ most expensive Dream Team player, Brett Kirk, scored just 50 points and was less prolific than some coaches might have hoped for his $404,400 price tag.

Kirk wasn’t the only player who failed to justify his Dream Team value. Kane Cornes is the Power’s most valuable player at $437,900 but he scored just 33 points.

In contrast, the Swans’ Matt O’Dwyer surpassed Kirk’s points tally by one and will cost Dream Team coaches just $162,000. Teammate Nick Smith (46 points, $168,600) also looms as good value.

Coaches also would have been pleased with the output of two experienced players making a new start in 2009.

Josh Carr returned to Port Adelaide with a 68-point game, while former Magpie Rhyce Shaw ($386,500) racked up a solid 74 points.

Toyota AFL Dream Team top scorers
Sydney Swans
1. Jarrad McVeigh, 83
2. Ryan O’Keefe, 83
3. Jude Bolton, 79
Value bet: Matt O’Dwyer 51 (DT value: $162,000)

Port Adelaide
1. Domenic Cassisi, 87
2. Justin Westhoff, 85
3. Travis Boak, 81
Value bet: Wade Thompson 66 (DT value: $88,300)

Click here to register for Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.

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