Waroona’s Russell Shore was left “in total shock” after he was awarded $25,000 and a trip to the AFL grand final for taking out a win in the national AFL Fantasy competition.
The fantasy whiz scored a whopping 2509 points in the final round of AFL Dream Team to claim the grand prize.
“I was just completely stunned – I couldn’t believe I’d won,” he said.
“The lead up to the final round was just really stressful knowing I was so close, so it was an awesome feeling when I found out I’d won.”
In AFL Fantasy, participants are given a salary cap of $10,000,000 to choose the best side of AFL players they can. Players are given points for the amount of stats they total each game.
Shore said he was overwhelmed after notching the win.
“I just couldn’t believe I’d actually won. I’d been up there for most of the year but I just always thought someone would catch me up,” he said.
Shore, who plays football for the Waroona Demons twos, said he had friends giving him fantasy score updates during his side’s qualifying final against South Mandurah on Sunday.
“I had a few mates coming up and letting me know what my score was and I was getting pretty nervous,” he said.
“I probably should have been more focused on my game but there was 25 grand on the line.”
Shore still managed to boot two goals for Waroona and help them to a win over the Falcons while keeping an ear out for his fantasy score.
The Dream Team champion was full of praise for St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt, who piled up 26 disposals, 21 marks and nine goals against Brisbane, scoring 200 fantasy points and buoying Shore to the top.
“Once I heard Riewoldt’s score I was over the moon, I knew I’d pretty much wrapped it up at that point,” he said.
“I had him on the flank and it was just a huge score.”
Shore said he had no idea he would achieve the top spot when he signed up to play in AFL Fantasy.
“I really only started it as a hobby and to have a bit of banter with the mates,” he said.
“As the rounds went on I stayed up near the top and it wasn’t until about round 15 that I thought ‘hang on, I could actually win this thing’.”
Now the Waroona ressies forward is $25,000 richer and will attend his second AFL grand final.
He plans on buying a new car with the money, to replace his current 1996 BMW.
“The old girl’s been good to me but I’m well overdue for an upgrade,” he said.
“I’ll probably go get a Hilux with the money and then enjoy the grand final.”
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
