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IT ONLY took one week after the Grand Final for the first off-season player move to take place, and that same amount of time for dedicated NAB AFL Fantasy coaches to start switching on for 2016. Hawthorn who?

A total of 44 players switched clubs. Although quite a few probably won’t come into calculations for our squads come March next year, our little Fantasy hearts were racing with the prospect of higher scores in their greener pastures.

Hawthorn premiership player Matt Suckling signed with the Western Bulldogs as a free agent exactly seven days after leaving the MCG with a medal hanging around his neck. After being awarded DEF/FWD status this season, the utility may be some value if he shares some of the Sherrin with ball winners Matthew Boyd and Robert Murphy out of the back line.

The biggest name of free agency was Patrick Dangerfield and he received his wish, heading to Geelong in the first trade of the off-season.

The classy midfielder enjoyed his best Fantasy season to date averaging 106.3 points. Dangerfield’s output will most likely remain high, but we may see an increase in Joel Selwood’s numbers with his addition to the engine room. Selwood offers some value after averaging 97.8. The Cats’ captain potentially has up to a 10 point improvement in him.

Free agency saw Joel’s brother Scott Selwood head to Kardinia Park. He is likely to be under-priced when the prices drop due to averaging 58.8 in a season hampered by injuries.

If Selwood can recover from his off-season ankle surgery in time for round one, there is a huge amount of upside on a bloke who averaged 108.3 back in 2013.

A few familiar names found new homes and Fantasy coaches are hoping they are able to regain form of seasons past.

Tackling machine Jack Redden heads to West Coast and will be priced well below his capabilities. 

Harley Bennell has plenty of upside and if he holds onto his FWD/MID status, he may well be one of the top scoring forwards.

Veteran Cat, and now Giant, Steve Johnson’s Fantasy days hopefully aren’t over as he will be priced as cheap as he has been since 2007. It was only two seasons ago that the 32-year-old was the highest averaging player in the competition with 118.3. Most likely named as a FWD/MID, Johnson could be a bargain, especially in Fantasy Elite if other coaches in your league think he’s past it.

Often we overlook mid-priced players for the tried and true ‘guns and rookies’ strategy, but this trade period has thrown up a few names worth keeping an eye over the pre-season.

Free agent Matthew Leuenberger landed at Essendon and looks set to walk into the role as the club’s first choice ruckman. Injury has hampered his career but he is a bona-fide gun. In 2011 Leuenberger played 22 games to average 92.8.

The rise of Stefan Martin was a factor in the move to Bomberland and being priced at somewhere around $300K makes the ‘Berger a mid-pricer worth gambling on.

Consider Callum Sinclair as another mid-priced ruck. The Swan won’t be playing second fiddle to Nic Naitanui anymore and his numbers should in turn increase.

The Bombers picked up Craig Bird as part of the Jake Carlisle deal. The former Swan has a Fantasy game about him. Starved of opportunity and given various roles, he will be heavily discounted coming into 2016.

Bird averaged 115 points for the Swans’ reserves in the NEAFL and averaged a solid 83.3 two seasons ago. The FWD/MID could be one player in line for some big price rises early on.

Former Eagle Matt Rosa gained defender status in the last run of DPP additions. Now a Sun, Rosa may take his average back in the 90 range that he has achieved previously in his career.

Ryan Bastinac ended up at the Lions. The midfielder should be monitored over the pre-season and if the role fits, he may be a big improver.

The Magpies added to their already impressive midfield. Adam Treloar made the move from GWS and James Aish was granted his wish to be traded to Collingwood.

The big question for Fantasy coaches is where they fit along with the other midfielders. What does this mean for the scoring output and time spent in the middle for Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams and company?

As always with the trade period, quite a few young players seek a trade which can ignite their AFL career. A few potential cash cows starting at under $250,000 are worth pencilling in on your watch-list.

Second-year player Dean Gore headed to Adelaide as part of the Dangerfield trade. As he is yet to play an AFL game, he will be basement priced in Fantasy Classic.

Gore averaged 21.4 disposals in the VFL and even though he played just 11 games, he was third in the club’s best and fairest.

Gore’s former teammate, Jarred Jansen, was traded to the Lions and should also be priced low. New Saint Nathan Freeman will also be a possible bench option if given an opportunity at his new home.

In his nine games for the Hawks, Jed Anderson didn’t set the Fantasy world on fire. A healthy discount may excite us about the young midfielder that scored 97 points in the first NAB Challenge game of the year.


There will be no substitutes in 2016. This has pleased every Fantasy coach, but there may not be a happier man than Ben Kennedy. In his 25 games, he wore a green or red vest 13 times.

The FWD/MID posted scores of 87, 83 and 82 sans the vest giving us hope that he could be a profitable cash cow.

Carlton added five players to their list, four coming from the Giants. Lachie Plowman, Jed Lamb and Andrew Phillips will possibly be around the $200-250K, however, Liam Sumner might be the man we’ll be locking in.

Injury held him back this season and as he’ll be basically rookie priced, if he can break the Blues’ 22, his price will head north. Calling it now, the basement-priced-lock-of-the-season will be Sam Kerridge.

The FWD/MID played just one game this season before being subbed out with an ankle injury for just 19 points. Finishing the season racking up 24, 31, 28 and 31 disposals for the Crows’ SANFL team, Kerridge managed to average 94 points. Now we just need Carlton to select him in round one.

The busy trade period has given us plenty of names to watch over the next five or so months before we lock in our round one squads. With those 44 moves, we could easily pick a whole squad full of traded guns.