IT MAY not come as a surprise that Fremantle were the lowest scoring Fantasy team of 2017. They kicked the fewest goals of all 18 clubs and ranked second last for disposals.
But that didn’t mean they were irrelevant.
Luke Ryan (DEF, $530,000) was a mid-season cash cow who played 11 games at an impressive average of 75.3. The mature-aged defender increased in value by $284,000 over the season. Also later in the year, young ruckman Sean Darcy (RUC, $554,000) made an impressive debut with eight games at an average of 83.6.
Coaches won’t forget how Connor Blakely (MID, $646,000) racked up points in the last five games he played at half-back. Scores of 107, 135, 149 and 114 saw his ownership increase when he picked up dual-position status before his season was ended with a shoulder dislocation in round 19.
Will the Dockers improve their Fantasy output in the upcoming season? Can Ross Lyon restore some faith from the Fantasy coaching fraternity? Let’s hope so, as there are plenty of names on the radar for 2018.
Click here to subscribe on iTunes.
It wouldn't have just been hardcore Fantasy coaches thinking Nat Fyfe (MID, $686,000) is a lock for the New Year after watching him in the International Rules series in November.
The Brownlow Medallist was an impressive figure in the Tests against the Irish at Adelaide Oval and Domain Stadium.
While we should take performances in the off-season matches with a grain of salt, you can’t help but think we may see Fyfe return to his best and well and truly put himself on the Fantasy footy map in 2018.
His best average was 104.8 in his Brownlow year and with two years averaging sub-100, he has some value as he approaches his ninth season.
It was a slow start for Lachie Neale (MID, $706,000) last year. After coming off a career-high season average of 111.1 from 22 games in 2016, his output was sporadic following an interrupted pre-season.
With the capacity to pump out monstrous scores such as 152 in round 20 against Gold Coast, Neale’s price has been affected by a lowly 32 the following week. Although it seems Neale’s best performances were when Fyfe has been out of the side, he has a Fantasy game and we expect him to be at his best next year.
David Mundy (MID/FWD, $593,000) is available as a forward for the first time in his career. The 32-year-old’s scoring is trending down, but it was only two seasons ago that he averaged 105.4.
Such is the state of the forwards available in Fantasy, a 90 average could see a player in the mix as a top ten scorer in the position. What will be most interesting is where Fantasy Draft coaches take him when it comes to their big day.
Heading west after six seasons at the Giants, Nathan Wilson (DEF, $499,000) could be a beneficiary of that spike in points that we witnessed in Fremantle’s defensive-50.
Wilson’s Fantasy numbers have been on the up as his disposal numbers have increased. Without the likes of Heath Shaw and Zac Williams taking the ball away from him, we could see a further improvement in his output as he suits up in purple in his home state.
Looking at the best 22 put together by Nathan Schmook earlier this month the Dockers' first-round draft picks Andrew Brayshaw (MID, $268,000) and Adam Cerra (MID, $262,000) have every chance to be lining up against Port Adelaide in round one.
Brayshaw, brother of Melbourne’s Angus, ranked No.1 in the new Yo-Yo test at the Combine and averaged 23 disposals, three marks and five tackles as a junior. Despite missing some football due to injury, Cerra also has a well-rounded Fantasy game with high disposals, mark and tackle numbers.
Having not played since being traded from Gold Coast at the end of 2015, Harley Bennell (FWD, $249,000) eventually got his body right to suit up in rounds 22 and 23 this year.
It has been a long road for Bennell who has battled calf injuries.
Coming in at a juicy discounted price, it is almost a no-brainer to start with the 25-year-old in your forward line considering he’s cheaper than the aforementioned draftees. Bennell averaged 85 for the Suns from 2012-24, before posting his personal best season average of 92 in his final year in Queensland.
Recently turning the ripe old age of 35, it’s time to say goodbye to Aaron Sandilands (RUC, $539,000) as a Fantasy relevant player.
There’s no doubting that he will be able to post decent scores – from hitouts alone – but Father Time is catching up with the 211cm ruckman. The Dockers blooded Sean Darcy, who performed magnificently as Sandilands’ future replacement. The mantle as the No.1 big man will be passed over this season and it is likely that even in Draft, Sandi will only have value as a bench option.
Click here to check out the latest Fantasy prices and positions
Get expert advice from The Traders during the pre-season in the Fantasy Hub. Follow AFL Fantasy on Twitter and 'like' the Facebook page to join in the conversation.
