We begin with the best backline options and finish with the cream of the midfield crop. Today, it's an ultra-reliable Hawk who is set to shower Fantasy points upon you after switching to defence.
After four years averaging 100+ Fantasy points as a pure midfielder, including a career best 112 in 2011, Sam Mitchell had a role change last season when he spent time across half-back.
This caused a drop in his average down to 96, a number which means he is still considered premium for a defender - it only falls behind Brendon Goddard and Dyson Heppell for leading averages amongst backmen.
Fantasy lock-ins: defenders
- Jeremy Laidler (Sydney Swans)- Matthew Fuller (Western Bulldogs)
- Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast)
- Matt Suckling (Hawthorn)
- David Swallow (Gold Coast)
- Kade Simpson (Carlton)
When playing across half-back, Sam was frequently used as a link up player due to his reliable ball use. The return of Matt Suckling could see Mitchell spend more time in the midfield as Suckling is renowned for his high retention rate while providing drive off half-back.
If this occurs, Mitchell is likely to push his average back over the 100-point mark.
Mitchell is a ball magnet. Over the past six years he has never averaged under 27 possessions per game and he certainly knows how to convert that into impressive Fantasy numbers.
Last year he had 10 scores over 100, and he converted six of them into scores of 110+ including 119, 127 and 128. These types of scores are invaluable from defenders.
Although some coaches stick to a ‘no old men’ policy, the DPP eligibility of Mitchell has to be enough to bend the rules.
He is turning 32 this year and the drop in average last year was purely based on his role.
He was widely picked by pundits as a possible Brownlow medallist last season, so his age was no hindrance on what some have called the best patch of his career.
If Mitchell was only available as a midfielder, I would give him a miss as his inability to break a tag compared to players like Swan and Ablett make him a touch risky.
Last season he had some shocking returns vs the tag, registering scores of 56, 66 and 80. In the Grand Final, he was blanketed by Ryan Crowley, collecting just 12 possessions and a disappointing score of 59.
Such a poor return is again likely to be a rarity for Mitchell in 2014.
LOCKABILITY: 5/5
Tomorrow, Calvin looks at the player set to fight it out with Mitchell for the number one defender spot in our team. Check out #AFL Fantasy on Twitter or follow @RoyDT and the official account @AFLFantasy.
The pre-season AFL Record is the complete guide to the new-look NAB AFL Fantasy football competition. AFL Fantasy experts Warnie, Roy and Calvin (aka The Traders) detail everything you need to know about Fantasy football. There are Fantasy prices and profiles of every player. The 124-page pre-season Record will be on sale at newsagents nationally from February 7 for $9.95.
