BACK in the day, we used to have the ABC’s from Geelong. This was the golden era in AFL Fantasy and as a coach, you were seen as royalty if you had the stars Ablett, Bartel and Corey in your midfield.
These days are not done and dusted.
Although the letters may have changed, Geelong still has some of the best Fantasy names in the business.
The great Gary Ablett (MID, $754,000) returned in 2018 for 18 games and ranked as the second highest averaging player on the list.
However, it was the younger brigade that continued to shine.
Mitch Duncan (MID, $739,000) maintained his 100+ average and Sam Menegola (MID/FWD, $716,000) had another standout season ranking as one of the top-six forwards in the League.
With the new year upon us, which Cats can continue to rise in 2019, and who should you be focusing on to select in your Fantasy team?
He’s a forward! That’s right folks, Patrick Dangerfield (MID/FWD, $771,000) can be selected as a forward this year and should be one of the first players selected in your AFL Fantasy Classic team.
Not only is he forward, he’s also under-priced based on the 121 and 118 he averaged in the years leading into 2018, where he only averaged 106.
He will be the No.1 forward in the game this year and in Draft, he should be taken in one of the first three or four selections.
PAY UP Top-priced players revealed
Geelong’s assistant coach Corey Enright has spoken recently about the possibility of Gary Ablett (MID, $754,000) spending more time forward in 2019.
Entering his 18th season, Ablett turns 35 this year and with such a star-studded midfield, there is a strong chance that Ablett will spend more time up forward than the 29 per cent he spent there last year.
Monitor his pre-season as he could be a strong candidate to pick up forward status as early as round six, when the new dual position players are announced.
In his debut season, Tim Kelly (MID/FWD, $630,000) played all 22 games at an average of 87. What’s even more impressive is how he finished the season, averaging 99 in his last nine games. This hot run after the bye even contained two scores of 57 and 64.
Kelly will be knocking on the door of Roy’s rolling 22 and will only improve on his first season.
DOUBLE DELIGHT Check out the full DPP list
Before 2018, Luke Dahlhaus (MID/FWD, $570,000) was a top-six forward averaging 89 and 92. Last year, he was played out of position before getting injured in round 17, finishing on an average of 79.
The Cats play a Fantasy-friendly game and although some might think he is 'past his best', at the age of 26, maybe he has more to offer.
Only because of his price, Gary Rohan (FWD, $315,000) might tempt a few Fantasy coaches who are looking to save some money when they construct their teams. The former Swan walks into Geelong priced at an average of just 43, well below the 61 he averaged in 2017.
How will Luke Dahlhaus fare as a Cat? Picture: AFL Photos
After coming "excruciatingly close" to debuting in round one, Charlie Constable (MID, $170,000) is a name to have in your Fantasy black book.
Coaches Chris Scott and Matthew Knights have been singing the praises of the 191cm midfielder and his chances to debut by playing an important inside role for the Cats.
Constable played 15 games in the VFL last year at an average of 86 and although we can’t be certain he’ll be named round one, he should play at some stage, providing us with a great downgrade target.
BIGGEST BARGAINS Check out Warnie's early picks
When you look in a dictionary under the word ‘warrior’ you will see a picture of Joel Selwood (MID, $732,000).
Selwood averaged over 100 last season for the eighth time in his career and he managed to play all 22 games.
Whether he finishes the game covered in bandages and tape, you know he’ll get the job done for your Fantasy side. Selwood averaged over five tackles a game last year and has the ability to score big with six games over 120.
Is he tagging? Is he playing in the midfield? Is he even playing at all?
Scott Selwood (MID, $519,000) is a great player but his role is more sporadic than Warnie’s mood on a Monday night podcast.
With injuries slowing down the 11-year veteran, Selwood has only managed a maximum of 12 games in one year over the past five seasons.
Player | Position | 2018 Average | 2018 Games | 2019 Price |
Dangerfield, Patrick | MID/FWD | 106.19 | 21 | $771,000 |
Ablett, Gary | MID | 103.83 | 18 | $754,000 |
Duncan, Mitch | MID | 101.85 | 20 | $739,000 |
Selwood, Joel | MID | 100.86 | 22 | $732,000 |
Menegola, Sam | MID/FWD | 98.64 | 22 | $716,000 |
Hawkins, Tom | FWD | 88 | 20 | $639,000 |
Kelly, Tim | MID/FWD | 86.82 | 22 | $630,000 |
Stanley, Rhys | RUC | 81.33 | 15 | $590,000 |
Tuohy, Zach | DEF | 80.68 | 22 | $586,000 |
Stewart, Tom | DEF | 79.81 | 21 | $579,000 |
Dahlhaus, Luke | MID/FWD | 78.59 | 17 | $570,000 |
Parfitt, Brandan | FWD | 75.83 | 18 | $550,000 |
Abbott, Ryan | RUC | 92.67 | 3 | $531,000 |
Cunico, Jordan | MID | 72.14 | 14 | $524,000 |
Selwood, Scott | MID | 71.5 | 12 | $519,000 |
Smith, Zac | RUC | 57.67 | 3 | $485,000 |
Blicavs, Mark | DEF | 62.36 | 22 | $453,000 |
Henderson, Lachie | DEF | 67.17 | 6 | $448,000 |
Guthrie, Cameron | DEF | 60.83 | 12 | $441,000 |
Taylor, Harry | DEF | 50.14 | 7 | $432,000 |
Fogarty, Lachie | FWD | 57.73 | 15 | $419,000 |
Henry, Jack | DEF | 54.05 | 21 | $392,000 |
Parsons, James | FWD | 52.45 | 11 | $381,000 |
Kolodjashnij, Jake | DEF | 49.77 | 22 | $361,000 |
Ratugolea, Esava | FWD | 49.25 | 8 | $336,000 |
Narkle, Quinton | FWD | 50.17 | 6 | $320,000 |
Bews, Jed | DEF | 43.8 | 20 | $318,000 |
Rohan, Gary | FWD | 43.45 | 11 | $315,000 |
Guthrie, Zach | DEF | 45.86 | 7 | $303,000 |
O'Connor, Mark | DEF | 49 | 4 | $292,000 |
Jones, Jamaine | FWD | 42.86 | 7 | $283,000 |
Cockatoo, Nakia | FWD | 49 | 2 | $282,000 |
Buzza, Wylie | FWD | 37 | 3 | $281,000 |
Clark, Jordan | DEF | 0 | 0 | $242,000 |
Simpson, Sam | MID | 31 | 1 | $214,000 |
Jarvis, Ben | RUC/FWD | 0 | 0 | $176,000 |
Kennerley, Jacob | MID | 0 | 0 | $172,000 |
Okunbor, Stefan | DEF/FWD | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
Miers, Gryan | FWD | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
Kreuger, Nathan | FWD | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
Tarca, Jake | FWD | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
Constable, Charlie | MID | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
Brownless, Oscar | MID | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
Atkins, Tom | MID | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
Fort, Darcy | RUC | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
Schlensog, Blake | RUC/FWD | 0 | 0 | $170,000 |
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