Tom Mitchell is a ball magnet and exploded onto the scene last year in round 10, at first wearing the green vest. He came onto the field in the second quarter and finished his first game with an impressive 98 points.
He didn’t stop there. Over the next six games he averaged 105 with a top score of 144 against Adelaide.
Although he only has 12 AFL games under his belt, he is 20 years old and has been with Sydney for three years.
This year, Mitchell can be selected as a FWD/MID and after scoring 138 points in the NAB Challenge recently, he certainly needs to be squeezed into your forward line.
Some bargains on the radar include... Gary Rohan [DEF $138,400]
In his two NAB Challenge games, Rohan scored 58 and 80 points. He has certainly done enough to secure his position in most Fantasy teams.
After playing just nine games in the last two years Rohan will be managed throughout the season, but he is currently the best option we have for a bench position in our forward line.
After leaving Carlton, Jeremy Laidler [DEF $135,500] is seeking a fresh start with the Swans.
He scored 75 points in his last NAB Challenge game and is a perfect option to sit on your Fantasy bench. Laidler is priced cheaper than most rookies and is our best option in an area that is currently lacking the depth of other positions.
He'll still have poor scores from time to time, but I believe Laidler is in the Swans' best 22 and will be a round one starter.
Harry Cunningham [MID 135,500] is also firming as a solid bench option, but this time in our midfield. He has played just six games since debuting in 2012 and posted scores of 72 and 92 in his NAB Challenge games.
Are you after a bench option in your ruck department? Then Tom Derickx [DEF, $135,500] might be the man you have been looking for. He had scores of 65 and 53 in his pre-season games where he shared the rucking duties with Mike Pyke and Sam Naismith.
Although he won’t set the Fantasy world on fire, Derickx is certainly a name to remember when you are shopping for that bench option come round one.
A player of difference is: Luke Parker [FWD/MID, $459,000].
Parker is the perfect example of the ‘third year breakout rule’ and followed this trend by improving his average from 67 to 85 last year.
It's unlikely Parker's average will drop this year - if anything he can expect a greater share of midfield responsibility in one of the League's leading teams. He would be a sneaky option in your forward line.
The pre-season has taught us... to question the price we’re paying for some premiums, but not to panic.
Jarrad McVeigh [DEF $529,900] is the shining example of this after scoring 57 points in his only NAB Challenge game.
McVeigh is the most expensive defender in the game this year after he had his best Fantasy season in 2013, averaging 98 points. On top of that, let’s not forget how he dominated the finals series last year.
McVeigh scored 168 and 122 during the Swans' finals campaign, scores that don’t actually count towards his 2014 price.
He’ll be a top-two averaging defender this year and should still strongly be considered for your team.
Twitter Talk
@ShaunmacDT asks “@CalvinDT: Should we be really starting Buddy? #scared”
After his big move to Sydney, Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin [FWD $426,500] failed to impress with just 31 points against West Coast in his first appearance in the NAB Challenge. He managed just six disposals from his 70 per cent game time and didn’t look comfortable in the red and white.
It’s a big call to swing the axe on Buddy after seeing him play in just one pre-season game but with 44 trades up our sleeves this year, we can always bring him in when he finds his feet. #scaredtoo
Coach Calvin currently has his eye on...
The Swans offer some great Fantasy options this year, but none better that Tom Mitchell. This kid is a Fantasy star who only cemented his position with his NAB Challenge form.
Rohan, Laidler, Derickx and Cunningham are all solid bench options if they are named in round one but this decision will need to be left for when the round one teams are finallly announced.
To discuss #AFLFantasy on Twitter, follow @CalvinDT and the official account @AFLFantasy
