WITH $1000 up for grabs this week, and $3000 on offer for the Grand Final, the NAB AFL Fantasy Match Day competition is the quickest way to beat a path to glory.

Our resident Fantasy expert Ben Guthrie picks out his best seven players for the weekend's prelims and makes the crucial call on who is best placed to earn double-points as your skipper.

Sydney Swans v North Melbourne, Friday September 19, 7.50pm at ANZ Stadium

A rested Lance Franklin - in the words of Brian Taylor, "Oh boy wowee!" After Tom Hawkins sliced and diced North's backline by booting three goals in six minutes late in the final term last week, Buddy will be licking his lips. Sorry to say, but Scott Thompson and Nathan Grima are going to struggle to keep him in check. Even though Nick Malceski looks a likely starter, I'm opting to go with Jarrad McVeigh and the in-form Nicky Dal in the backline. Coming off a hamstring injury in a high-stakes final is a worry. Todd Goldstein's career-best effort earns him another crack in the ruck, while Luke Parker wins plenty of the ball and hits the scoreboard with regularity.

Click here to pick your team for this Fantasy Match Day



Hawthorn v Port Adelaide, Saturday September 20, 4.45pm at the MCG

Go with what you know - that's why you'll see the usual suspects in this NAB AFL Fantasy Match Day team. Sammy Mitchell earns the nod as captain after tearing Geelong apart, while the smooth-moving Shaun Burgoyne is just as likely to spend time in the midfield as well as back. Travis Boak was well held by Ryan 'The Glove' Crowley last week, but I can't see Will Langford enjoying the same dominance. Jordan Lewis scored 100 points in his last outing against the Cats and his recent form suggests nothing will change on Saturday evening. David Hale's ability to drift forward will be too much for Matthew Lobbe, and what else can you say about Robbie Gray and the Chad? They put the hurt on the Dockers and they'll put the points on your Fantasy scoreboard.

Click here to pick your team for this Fantasy Match Day