WHEN the new prices are released for AFL Fantasy everyone does two things.

First, we go straight to the top to see the most expensive player. After seeing Patrick Dangerfield there with $712,000 next to his name and recovering from a mild heart attack, we hunt for bargains.

Bargains can be tricky to find to the untrained eye, as they come in many different shapes and sizes.

Discounted players are usually the unlucky ones who have suffered an injury. These players will receive a discount of 3-35 per cent off their price, depending on the amount of football they have missed.

AFL Fantasy: Top prices revealed for 2017

Then we have under-performing players. These players have performed well in the past, but due to a role change, injuries or just a poor season, their average from 2016 is well below what they are capable of.

Finally, we have the banned Bombers who are under a simple rule of their own. All banned Bombers who missed the entire 2016 received a blanket 10 per cent discount off their last season's average.

So let's get hunting and see what bargains we can find.

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Jaeger O'Meara (MID, $364,000) – Hawthorn

After sitting on the sidelines for two years, O'Meara received the maximum discount of 35 per cent off his 2014 average of 92.7. This prices him right down at an average of 60, making the new Hawk an absolute steal if he is fit and firing come round one.

Jackson Thurlow (DEF, $282,000) – Geelong

Thurlow averaged 66.5 in 2015 before a devastating knee injury ruled him out for the following year. Thurlow is one watch over the coming months, as he is capable of averaging 75-plus. Priced at an average of 47 due to a 30 per cent discount, his name is one to pencil into your little black book.

Allen Christensen (FWD, $405,000) – Brisbane Lions

An injury put an early end to Christensen's 2016 season. He still managed 11 games, which just puts him above the 10-game discount mark. It shouldn't matter because next year he'll be priced at an average of 67, a huge 16 points less than the 83 he averaged in his first year with the Lions. Rumours has it that he is tearing up the track and should be monitored closely this pre-season.

Lions mid Allen Christensen could be a wise investment at his price. Picture: AFL Photos

Toby Nankervis (RUC/FWD, $365,000) – Richmond

If you believe Nankervis will be the No.1 ruck at the Tigers, then lock him in now. Players received a 3 per cent discount this year for every game they played under 10 matches in 2016. Nankervis played just six games for the Sydney Swans and therefore he received a 12 per cent discount off his average of 69, placing him ripe for the picking at an average of just 60.

Marc Murphy – (MID, $482,000) – Carlton

After playing 10 games last year, Marc Murphy is right on the threshold of being discounted and misses it by the barest of margins. He had a frustrating year with a troublesome ankle which meant he only averaged 79. Murphy has been a premium Fantasy player in the past, averaging 100-plus on three occasions. If he's fully fit, Murphy is destined to be back averaging triple figures again.

Dyson Heppell – (MID, $548,000) – Essendon

As mentioned, banned Bombers will receive a 10 per cent discount off their 2015 average. Heppell will now be priced at just 92 and Jobe Watson (MID, $477,000) at 79. Both players have plenty of upside along with David Myers (MID, $197,000). Myers is dirt cheap after an injury-ravaged 2015. If he can mirror his 2014 average of 81, he'll be one of the most selected players to start the season.

Dyson Heppell and David Myers will both be popular picks. Picture: AFL Photos

Stefan Martin (RUC, $538,000) – Brisbane Lions

After a killer 2015 season, Martin failed to back it up in 2016, averaging 25 points fewer. This means he is an absolute bargain this year. Todd Goldstein (RUC, $582,000) also dropped a considerable amount and will be priced at his 2016 average of 96.5.

Luke Hodge – (DEF, $525,000) – Hawthorn

Listed solely as a defender, Hodge will be out to fire on the back of star teammates Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis being traded. Hodge averaged 24 points fewer than the 111 he managed in 2015, making him another name for your little black book.

Nat Fyfe (MID, $595,000) – Fremantle

Although the discount rule applies to everyone who played fewer than 10 games, some exceptions have been made. This ensures the game stays challenging – after all, it's not Christmas yet. Even though he only played five games last year, you'll need to buy Fyfe at what he averaged. That said, he's still a premium player and these guys deserve their own rules. Fyfe has averaged 105 in the past and he will reach those heights again.  So buying him at an average of 98.6 is still a steal.

Dayne Beams (MID, $519,000) – Brisbane Lions

Beams is the only other player who falls under the same 'no discount' rule as Fyfe. Both have averaged 100-plus in the past and common sense has prevailed here. But still, Beams can be picked up for his 2016 average of only 86. Beams once averaged 100-plus for five consecutive years, including a huge 116 in 2012. Although this seems like the biggest steal, we need to keep in mind that Beams does come with a risk. Injuries have only allowed him to play 44 games over the last four years, but if fit, it's one of the easiest decisions you'll make when building your team next year.

If Dayne Beams stays fit, he could be the best Fantasy player in the game. Picture: AFL Photos

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