The biggest lock for the Giants is... a very big call to make considering not one player averaged over 95 points in 2013.
Adam Treloar [MID, $482,100] is my pick to be the best Fantasy player from the Giants this year. He is ticking all of the boxes for the making of a breakout season. He debuted in 2012 playing 18 games with an impressive average of 81.6 Fantasy points. Last season he returned an average of 88.9.
Treloar scored over 90 points in 13 of his 20 matches last year. This excellent form has continued into the pre-season scoring 96 against the Swans and a game-high 131 against St Kilda in his two NAB Challenge appearances.
We’ve seen quite a few players breakout in their third year and if there was one guy we were looking at continuing this trend, it is Treloar.
Some bargains on the radar include... some of the players who made their way to the Giants in the off-season.
Shane Mumford [RUC, $423,000] takes on the role as the number one ruckman for GWS and he comes into this Fantasy season as slightly under-priced.
Back in 2011, Mumford enjoyed his best Fantasy numbers averaging 91.4 points; making him one of the premium players in the ruck. This year his price is based on the 78 points he averaged in his last season at the Swans.
Another ex-Swan, Jed Lamb [FWD, $243,400] finally debuted last season after being drafted back in 2010. He wore the substitutes vest in five of the 12 matches he played bringing his starting price down this year.
Lamb should get more opportunities at his new club and all signs point towards an increase in price early if can carry his NAB Challenge form into the season proper.
A player of difference is... Callan Ward [MID, $510,200].
At just 23 years of age, co-captain Ward has been the best Fantasy performer for the Giants. He has played 41 out of a possible 44 games posting averages of 97.4 and 94.1 in his two years since leaving the Western Bulldogs.
As the young GWS midfielders come of age this season, Ward may not receive as much attention as he has in the past. Appearing in less than one per cent of teams, he will definitely a point of difference in your Fantasy squad with the potential to average over 100 points this season.
The pre-season has taught us... the Giants are an improving side.
After losing to the Swans by 40 points in their first NAB Challenge match, they smashed the Saints in a 68-point win, kicking seven super goals. In the final practice match, they went down to the Crows by eight points.
Last season’s number one draft pick Lachie Whitfield [MID, $385,400] scored the most Fantasy points per 100 minutes of game time for the Giants ranking him in the top 15 players in the whole competition.
Whitfield will increase his value this season but he is awkwardly priced when there are other mid-priced midfielders with similar upside.
Tomas Bugg [DEF, $295,000] is another Giant with a price tag that offers value. He scored 125 against St Kilda racking up 30 disposals and 10 marks.
Twitter talk
Both @back3rbingo and @de_Heus17 have questions on whether Rhys Palmer [FWD/MID, $394,700] would make a good mid-priced forward option.
Palmer had one of the best Fantasy debut seasons of all time. The No. 7 draft pick averaged 87.5 points from 20 games in 2008, making it the most prolific season of his six year career.
He has struggled to play more than 15 games in a season since and in his time at the Giants, defensive roles have seen him average 74.3 and 72.8.
This pre-season Palmer scored 69 (68 per cent time on ground) against the Swans and then a huge 128 (72 per cent time on ground) against the Saints, playing through the midfield. He was among the best in the practice match against the Crows.
He has the potential to score a lot higher than his last couple of seasons, however when he does tag opponents, his Fantasy output is limited making him a risky option. Palmer is a pass for me.
Coach Warnie currently has his eye on...
Whilst there seems to be some value at Greater Western Sydney, I’m struggling to fit any players in my side.
With inflated rookie prices and the lack of cheap forward options, Jonathon Patton [FWD, $204,100] could be a solid option but as a key position player, we’ll see some inconsistency. This was highlighted in the NAB Challenge with a return of just 38 points per 100 minutes.
Draftee Josh Kelly [MID, $260,200] has a high price but there should be solid job security that will come with it. The problem is, there seem to be better midfield value at this stage despite his solid scoring ability.
I’m waiting to see how Heath Shaw [DEF, $441,300] will fit in at his new club. It may take him a few rounds to find consistency in his role and scoring and if it’s looking like he is going to be one of the top defenders, then he will come under consideration as an upgrade target.