great eagles or scouts

 

The problem nowadays is that the O&G player can determine the direction of release, so sneaking up to the flank or rear isn't so great anymore.

One trick...put a unit in trees and treesing them towards the goblins. You can somewhat control how he releases the fanatics since he won't send them into the terrain towards your guys.

Or treesing terrain near it once it's released in hopes that it'll hit the trees.

Eagles are good since they're not too expensive if you lose them. That way you can release the fanatics early where they might hurt him more than you.

This might be a time to use the bow of loren and starfire arrows to run those buggers off before they get too close. And the befuddlement spite could potentially help, too.

And you can shoot them once they are released. Pop off with a noble or even spellsinger and see if you can hit it before you devote GG shooting at it.