THE PRE-SEASON games are just around the corner and study sessions for AFL Fantasy coaches are intensifying. Tens of thousands of coaches have already signed up for 2017 and the smart bunch appear to be making good choices.
The early birds have hunted out the bargains to help pick their squad of 30 players under the $11,000,000 salary cap. These value picks could go a long way towards getting that worm, otherwise known at the Toyota Hilux, part of the major prize for winning Fantasy Classic.
Who are the most selected players so far? Let’s break it down by position and get inside of the heads of coaches who think they’re in the know!
Defenders
New dual-position player Taylor Adams heads the list in defence and is also the most selected player in Fantasy Classic at this point of time. Averaging more than 100 points per game in the last two seasons, it’s easy to see why coaches are keen on him, despite not playing a full season during his five year career.
According to the ownership figures, Michael Hibberd and Jackson Thurlow are the discounted players of choice. Both are priced below their projected output this year as they return from suspension and injury.
NAME | CLUB | POSITION | PRICE | OWNERSHIP |
Taylor Adams | COLL | DEF/MID | $622,000 | 44.3% |
Mitchell Hibberd | NM | DEF/MID | $150,000 | 44.1% |
Andrew McGrath | ESS | DEF/MID | $250,000 | 35.2% |
Luke Ryan | FRE | DEF | $150,000 | 31.4% |
Sam Docherty | CARL | DEF | $609,000 | 27.2% |
Michael Hibberd | MELB | DEF | $428,000 | 23.7% |
Jackson Thurlow | GEE | DEF | $282,000 | 23.5% |
Jason Johannisen | WB | DEF | $563,000 | 21.4% |
Rory Laird | ADE | DEF | $584,000 | 19.4% |
Heath Shaw | GWS | DEF | $614,000 | 17.8% |
Midfielders
The engine room is where the majority of Fantasy points are scored.
Two of the top scoring players of last season, Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Rockliff feature, however towards the top most coaches look to be after value.
Dyson Heppell, Nat Fyfe, Dayne Beams and Marc Murphy are popular selections as many believe they have plenty of upside and could produce premium scores for a bargain price. The same goes for Jaeger O’Meara and David Swallow. We may or may not see O’Meara in the opening rounds, and as a result it would be suggested to keep him out of your side until he makes his debut for his new club.
NAME | CLUB | POSITION | PRICE | OWNERSHIP |
Dyson Heppell | ESS | MID | $548,000 | 42.8% |
Nat Fyfe | FRE | MID | $595,000 | 36.5% |
Nathan Freeman | STK | MID | $150,000 | 35.5% |
David Myers | ESS | MID | $197,000 | 33.8% |
Tom Rockliff | BL | MID | $704,000 | 30.1% |
Patrick Dangerfield | GEE | MID | $712,000 | 29.9% |
David Swallow | GC | MID | $355,000 | 26.7% |
Marc Murphy | CARL | MID | $482,000 | 24.3% |
Jaeger O’Meara | HAW | MID | $364,000 | 23.7% |
Dayne Beams | BL | MID | $519,000 | 20.9% |
Rucks
Judging by the numbers, the most common starting ruck combination might be Max Gawn and Patrick Ryder.
But things are not always what they seem.
The popular cheap ruck selections, Lewis Pierce and Mitchell King, both have RUC/FWD status. Some coaches may have placed Ryder in the forward line and may use the magic of DPP to link the players when needed.
The under-priced Stefan Martin is in more than 22 per cent of teams. The Lion was the highest averaging player in 2015.
NAME | CLUB | POSITION | PRICE | OWNERSHIP |
Max Gawn | MELB | RUC | $642,000 | 30.5% |
Lewis Pierce | STK | RUC/FWD | $150,000 | 28.5% |
Patrick Ryder | PA | RUC/FWD | $411,000 | 25.7% |
Stefan Martin | BL | RUC | $538,000 | 22.7% |
Mitchell King | MELB | RUC/FWD | $150,000 | 18.2% |
Forwards
Like Adams in defence, Jack Macrae’s newfound forward status was a blessing in the off-season and coaches are jumping on the Macrae-train. As someone who went at over 104 in his second and third seasons, he is a chance to be the best forward this year.
The forward line could be a gold mine for cash cows with some under-priced players. New Hawthorn captain Jarryd Roughead received a 30 per cent price discount following his year out of the game. If can average in the mid-80s or higher, like he achieved in his five seasons prior, he is an absolute steal.
One of the most hyped players of the pre-season is third-year Swan Isaac Heeney. In the mix for more midfield time this year, two in five coaches have selected the 20-year-old in their starting line ups.
Expect Harley Bennell’s ownership to drop before the first lockout. Fremantle coach Ross Lyon revealed the former Sun won’t be playing in round one.
NAME | CLUB | POSITION | PRICE | OWNERSHIP |
Jack Macrae | WB | MID/FWD | $596,000 | 44.1% |
Isaac Heeney | SYD | FWD | $442,000 | 40.9% |
Jarrod Pickett | CARL | MID/FWD | $150,000 | 34.9% |
Jarryd Roughead | HAW | FWD | $373,000 | 34.5% |
Hugh McCluggage | BL | MID/FWD | $246,000 | 34.4% |
Harley Bennell | FRE | MID/FWD | $388,000 | 24.3% |
Luke Dahlhaus | WB | MID/FWD | $557,000 | 23.9% |
Brett Eddy | PA | FWD | $150,000 | 21.6% |
Kieren Lovell | HAW | MID/FWD | $195,000 | 18.9% |
Aaron Black | GEE | FWD | $150,000 | 18.8% |
The hype team
Using the ownership data from the Stats Centre on the Fantasy website, the most popular players have been put into a team that squeezes under the salary cap.
Harley Bennell wasn’t included as our starting squads should include players available for the first weekend.
Looking at the mix of players, we can gain an understanding of what some coaches are thinking for their structure. This squad had a mix of premiums, mid-pricers and 'rookies'. As there is a range of viable mid-priced players this season, not all coaches will be loading up with as many as this team has but it gives an idea.
Team structure is as follow (premiums, mid-priced, rookies):
- DEF: 2-2-4
- MID: 4-3-3
- RUC: 1-1-2
- FWD: 2-2-4
The pre-season AFL Record is the ultimate guide to a big season ahead and a must-have companion for those playing AFL Fantasy. The Traders present all the best tips on how to play in 2017. They have picked the leading players in each position and rated the top five Fantasy players to watch at each club. On sale now for $9.95 in newsagents and book stores.
