The Drongo Wrap-Up: Round 7, Robbie GRAY-T, The Derby, More Debs

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

Go troppo, what an amazing finish to that Port versus Blues match! If it was any more exciting, I would have chundered my snags all over my daks out of pure joy. Forget the usual Drongo Wrap-Up format -- let's just soak up the last two minutes of this ripper:

Seriously, what a beaut from superstar Robert Gray!!!  The bloke has ice in his veins. But Gray almost lost it by being "too selfless" at the 1:15 remaining mark, making an extra hand pass to Todd Marshall for what should have been an easy game winner. But Marshall shemozzled up.

Here's the PAP report from Power fan and properly pissed LA correspondent Bill Sperling (via text): 

Marshall misses the open goal, they lose. Then Charlie kicks from the 10, they win, then it bonks off the upright, then they lose, then they scramble around and ROBBIE GRAY!!!!!

Outside of that amazing Power win, Round 7 had far too many injuries and some great debuts.  And we still have the Crows versus Saints on Monday.  Crank up the Courtney Barnett and let's give it a burl.

TOP RUCKS

1. Brodie Grundy, COL, 119 DraftKings Fantasy Points
2. Max Gawn, MEL, 116 DK FP's
3. Timothy English, WES, 114 DK FP's

Big Value:  Peter Ladhams, PA, 85 points at $4,000 (21.3x)

Just the three studs you'd expect to see at the top of the rucks ladder. Ladhams got the best of Blue Marc Pittonet, something to keep in mind for future rounds. Grundy was a total beast versus the Cats -- he seemed to win every toss up. Big Tim embarrassed the Dons with 22 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven marks and six clearnaces. Speaking of Bulldogs, what an amazing debut for young Cody Weightman. Flea is told he's playing Wednesday, then boots a real screamer, a "right foot banana" for a goal on his first possession. He ended with two goals, three marks and nine disposals. Listen to this stoked lad:

Sounds like strong coaching from Bevo, who clearly trusted the kid.

TOP FORWARDS

1. David Swallow, GC, 98 DraftKings Fantasy Points
2. Jordan de Goey, COL, 96 DK FP's
3. Ricky Henderson, HAW and Lachlan Hunter, WES with 95 DK FP's

Big Values:   Josh J. Kennedy, WC, 78 points from $3,300 (23.6x)

Big Josh J. Kennedy played his 250th game during The Derby win (more on that below).  The Northampton product  is a Dual Coleman Medallist and three-time All-Australian.  Joshy had a rather productive day:

It was a roller coaster game for star Jordan de Goey. He returned after a one game absence, posted five goals, 17 disposals and five marks while having his finger wrapped up in the third term. But that finger issue requires surgery (it's a torn flexor tendon) and will probably cost de Goey eight weeks of action.  Here's his first goal (from an admittedly weak mark):

BTW, commentator Bruce McAvaney has apologized after referring to de Goey's sexual assault charges as a 'hiccup'.

TOP MIDFIELDERS

1. Shaun Higgins, NM, 121 DraftKings Fantasy Points
2. Adam Treloar, COL, 119 DK FP's
3. Clayton Oliver, MEL, 116 DK FP's

Big Value:  Will Hayward, SYD with 74 FP's at $3,400 (21.8x)

Let's use Treloar's (yet again) stellar play to highlight the troublesome injury to Geelong Cat skipper Joel Selwood.  He suffered a hamstring niggle that Coach Chris Scott says isn't serious, but let's wait for the official announcement. The Cats already have mid-field issues with Mitchell Duncan hurt and Tim Kelly now an Eagle. Jordan Clark also appeared to ruin his right shoulder.

Richmond demolished the Roos, 77-23, despite Higgins carrying NM for most of the day. It was 27-0 after the first term. In only his fourth game, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith was best on the ground (23 disposals). Jake Aarts got his first career goal in his third game:

TOP DEFENDERS

1. Bradley Sheppard, WC, 94 DraftKings Fantasy Points
2. Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, RIC, 93 DK FP's
3. Jackson Nelson, WC, 91 DK FP's

Big Value:  Egg was fantastic, with only a $3,200 salary for a 29.1x value.

Sheppard, Nelson and the entire Eagles D were a big reason for the Eagles winning their 10th straight Derby, 9.8.82 to 5.2.32. Poor Freo. Stud Nathan Fyfe was out with that reoccuring hamstring issue and is questionable, at best, for Round 8. The Dockers missed plenty of easy goal attempts. Maybe the biggest point is there were 30,000 screaming barrackers enjoying the contest. It was so great to hear the roar and the boos. This sneaky tackle ("snuck up like a librarian" maybe?) from Tom Cole summed up the day for Freo:

SOME EXTRA GOOD OIL

In off the field news, one of our favorites, Gary Ablett, has left the bubble to come home and help care for his very sick son, Levi. RW wishes for the best possible outcome for the Ablett family. Levi, you are a little, little master:

I guess the news wasn't all bad for Fremantle.  Debutant Michael Frederick scored his first career goal:

That's it for Round 7. The Magpies were so dominant on Thursday, let's give them the fight song. And then, the Ladder.