AT THE end of the 2017 home and away season, the only way was up for Gold Coast, which finished second last with just six wins to its name.
Oh … and then their marquee player Gary Ablett returned home to Geelong.
Chins up though, because not all of 2017 was a year to forget thanks to Jarrod Witts (RUC, $650,00). He shone in the big man department boosting his AFL Fantasy average to a career high 92.
The 2018 season sees a few new faces joining the team. Lachlan Weller (MID, $521,000) played all 22 games of the last two seasons for the Dockers and has taken his average from 63 to 74 in that time. Weller should find more midfield time with the Suns and will look to take his Fantasy game a new level.
The Suns also have some talented youngsters who will be looking for more games and more opportunities in the new year. Ben Ainsworth (FWD, $420,000) managed 13 games in his debut season and will look to improve on his average of 59. Although he's awkwardly priced, his FWD status will appeal to some Fantasy coaches who predict him to break out this season.
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Despite an injury interrupted season and dropping his average last year, Aaron Hall (MID, $690,000) could be an early option in all forms of Fantasy.
For the last two years, the Fantasy community has toyed with the theory that Hall is a better Fantasy player without Gary Ablett.
In 2017 this theory was proven to be a fact, with Hall playing six games without Ablett to average 108. He'll be a unique option in Classic and should certainly be moved up your Draft order even at this stage of the season.
He's back and according to the Suns, Michael Barlow (MID/FWD, $667,000) is training strongly after a broken leg ended his 2017 campaign.
In Fantasy, Barlow hasn't averaged below 93 in the last five years.
Barlow is destined to be a top eight forward, if he can remain fit and be ready for round one.
Pearce Hanley (DEF/MID, $509,000) is only one of five dual-position options from the Suns. Hampered with injuries in the past, Hanley can be a Fantasy scoring machine on his day.
Priced at his 2017 average of 72, Hanley closed out the season in style by averaging 90 from his final four games.
He did break his hand in the Virgin Australia International Rules Series, so let's hope that's the last piece of bad luck that finds him in the near future.
As a forward playing for Port Adelaide, Aaron Young (FWD, $387,000) racked up 13 games last year at an average of just 55. However, in the SANFL as a midfielder, Young was elite averaging 117 from 28 disposals a game.
He has averaged 75 in the past and if he's running around with the midfield group this pre-season, he is certainly a guy worth considering.
Over the NAB AFL Trade Period, former Adelaide player Harrison Wigg (MID, $170,000) sought more playing opportunities after a stand-out season in the SANFL. The 21-year-old averaged 25 disposals, five marks, four tackles and 99 AFL Fantasy points in the competition but still couldn't make his AFL debut. Sadly, shortly after arriving at his new club, the rookie broke his ankle and although he is unlikely to start in round one, his name is certainly one not to forget as a definite downgrade target.
Capable of being one of the top eight defenders in the league, Kade Kolodjashnij (DEF, $604,000) hopes for a change of luck in the new year.
Kolodjashnij played just 11 games last season, and after he suffered a series of unfortunate head injuries, the club made the decision to put their former No.5 draft pick on ice.
The entire football community is hoping that the Tasmanian can return to his best and hopefully even produce at 90-plus average for his loyal Fantasy coaches.
Telling a dedicated Fantasy coach to 'don't even think about it' before we hit Christmas is a crazy statement. But Sean Lemmens (DEF/FWD, $371,000) is probably a player you can cross of your watch list with confidence after back to back seasons of averaging 53 and 50. Sorry Sean, but unlike Warnie, my team will not be having any lemons this year.
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