SEASON 2016 is all set in stone, one round in. The Dockers, Pies and Hawks are cooked, the Dogs are bound for a Grand Final, and your AFL Fantasy team is up the creek without a paddle.
Except, it's not really. In fact, it's best to keep a demeanour as calm as Nathan Buckley's on Saturday night after the SCG bloodbath.
There's 22 rounds to go, George Hewett (MID, $158,000) and Tom Papley (FWD, $150,000) are still incredibly cheap, and Nat Fyfe (MID, $554,000) won't have a game as dismal as that again this year.
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First priority is to bring in the rookies you didn't last week – Hewett looks an absolute must, and if you're skinny down back like most Fantasy coaches, Clay Cameron (DEF, $147,000) is probably your next priority. Their positions both look extremely secure for the next month.
Connor Menadue (FWD/MID, $157,000) should also be high on your shopping list.
Don't spit the dummy with guns like Brendon Goddard (-$14,000 this week), the Swans' Josh Kennedy (-$24,000) or David Mundy (-$21,000). They'll be better for the run. Indeed, Fyfe's round two breakeven of 137 is absolutely achievable against the Suns at Domain Stadium.
Obviously, if you've got Dane Swan (MID, $555,000) or Luke Hodge (MID, $593,000), best pull the trigger now.
And if you're scrambling to find out who Shane Biggs (DEF, $412,000) is, he's still a mid-priced option and well worth a straight swap with Marley Williams (DEF, $409,000).
Finally, a word on Tom Hickey's (FWD/RUC, $337,000) monster game against the Power. While it shores up his No.1 ruck spot for the Saints, this truly was one out of the box. 120 points marked his highest ever Fantasy score and only the third time in 42 games he's topped the ton.
Cashing in against Matthew Lobbe might be a bit of a Fantasy spectacle this year, so Hickey remains an awkward mid-priced ruck option.
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Top five price rises
- Josh Kennedy (FWD, West Coast), +$41,000: $511,000
- George Hewett (MID, Sydney Swans), +$33,000: $158,000
- Tom Hickey (FWD/RUC, St Kilda), +$28,000: $337,000
- Kane Lambert (MID/FWD, Richmond), +$26,000: $379,000
- Tom Papley (FWD, Sydney Swans), +$25,000: $150,000
Top five price falls
- Dane Swan (MID, Collingwood), -$54,000: $555,000
- Shaun McKernan (RUC, Essendon), -$28,000: $413,000
- Nat Fyfe (MID, Fremantle), -$27,000: $554,000
- Chris Mayne (FWD, Fremantle), -$24,000: $421,000
- Josh Kennedy (MID, Sydney Swans), -$24,000: $570,000
Get 'em in
Max Gawn (RUC, $500,000): Averages 146 against this week's beleaguered opponent, Essendon.
Tom Rockliff (MID, $578,000): Obvious, but the mighty Swine may never be this cheap, loves playing North (the Lions' round two opponent), and is projected to score eight points more than anyone else this week.
Isaac Heeney (FWD, $383,000): Notched 119 against the Saints at Etihad last year and can expect a similar number against Carlton at the same venue this week.
Bye for now
Luke Hodge (MID, $593,000)
Dane Swan (MID, $555,000)
Jed Anderson (MID/FWD, $212,000)
Is this the end for a Fantasy great? Picture: AFL Media
