In fact, not even all the synonyms of ‘putrid’ in the English language could accurately portray the round one score of 1539 for Pollock’s Premiers.

With an overall ranking of 78,606 it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what was so disappointing about the weekend.

Forgetting to hand the captaincy over from underdone Gary Ablett – who collected just 61 points – to Scott Pendlebury (104), is right up there.

Or perhaps it was the woeful efforts of supposed back line stars Heritier Lumumba (42), Kade Kolodjashnij (37) and now-injured Kristian Jaksch (28), made even more galling by benched defenders Kamdyn McIntosh and Adam Saad combining for 163.

Trent Cotchin’s slump to just 54 was bittersweet given Carlton’s loss to Richmond, but the scores of Lachie Neale (59), Daniel Wells (46), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (49) and Patrick Cripps (54) were nothing less than painful.

What’s worse is I don’t even have a late omission with which to feebly justify my wretched score.

The forward line was acceptable, minus the potential loss of Jimmy Bartel and measly 53 from Dustin Martin, while the rucks in Ben McEvoy and Nic Naitanui were solid.

There were a few positives to emerge from last week’s debacle, with Josh Gibson (110), Nic Naitanui (90), Josh Kelly (81), Troy Menzel (81) and Mitch Clark (86) contributing more than expected.

All positives aside, it’s a pity the Fantasy season doesn’t emulate the real stuff, where teams have to peak at the right time of the year.

There’s nothing worse than having to waste two precious trades after the opening week of action, but changes have to be made.

Wells is the first to get axed, paving the way for Brisbane’s Daniel Rich.

The man with the fearsome left boot outscored Wells by 65 on the weekend and at just $298,000 in price, it’s easy to forget just how good a fantasy player Rich is.

The trade allows for a $50,000 influx into the salary cap and with $172,000 to spare, Cotchin gets the flick for Hawthorn’s Jordan Lewis.

Lewis comes with a hefty $643,000 price tag, but if last week’s 156 is anything to go by he’s in for a heck of a year.

Injuries to Jaksch and Bartel mean the team has to be reshuffled, with McIntosh to come straight in off the bench for Jaksch after 101 last week.

Rather than trade Bartel, who should miss one match, if at all, I’m electing to bring GWS Giant Cam McCarthy in from the bench after a respectable opening round 74.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au

TRADES

OUT: Cotchin ($549,000), Wells ($348,000)

IN: Lewis ($643,000), Rich ($298,000)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Taylor Hunt (Richmond, DEF), $356,000: started with a very respectable 115.

• Jesse Hogan (Melbourne, FWD), $212,000: 73 in his first AFL match bodes well.

• Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs, FWD, MID) $408,000: 10 tackles, 104 points against the Eagles and still not at his best.

• Lachlan Whitfield (GWS, MID), $465,000: 31 touches, 11 marks and a goal against the Saints.

• Taylor Walker (Adelaide, FWD), $449,000: 22 touches, 15 marks and six goals in round one. Enough said.