DEPENDING on your league structure, we are into the last week or two of 'home-and-away' fixtures in Fantasy Draft league before the all-important finals begin.

Keep hunting the free agents week-to-week in order to have the cover needed when a late out, like Shannon Hurn on Sunday, could possibly leave you with a donut.

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Defenders

Grant Birchall, DEF, Hawthorn (ADP 216, 43 per cent)

Although he was a late out in round 17 with soreness, Birchall scored 80 on his return and makes his way to University of Tasmania Stadium this week. Provided he gets up, the veteran can be rostered against the Lions and should act as bench cover for the rest of the season.

Mason Redman, DEF, Essendon (ADP 138, 32 per cent)

Looking for a plug-and-play option for round 18? Redman is coming off 85 on Friday night and takes on the Suns at Metricon Stadium this Sunday. Gold Coast give up plenty of points to half-backs with the majority scoring 90-plus over the last couple of weeks.

Hunter Clark, DEF, St Kilda (ADP Nil, 21 per cent)

Over the last month, Clark has produced scores of 91, 78, 119 and 105 to outperform many highly selected Fantasy defenders. Extra midfield time has helped boost his numbers since the bye. A tasty match-up this week against the Demons should see Clark continue his great form that should run through the Fantasy finals.

Midfielders

Touk Miller, MID, Gold Coast (ADP 122, 56 per cent)

While he’s not going to play the Blues every week, Miller has a Fantasy ceiling as demonstrated by his 143 on the weekend (he scored 149 against them earlier in the year). Tackling has been a big part of his game and is often a big factor in his high scores. Pick up for bench cover.

Andrew Brayshaw, MID, Fremantle (ADP 228, 12 per cent)

With Nat Fyfe out with an infected elbow and no guarantee to return this week, ride the Andrew Brayshaw train as he picks up extra midfield minutes. He scored the first Fantasy ton of his career on Saturday night in the win over the Swans. Brayshaw will certainly be a member of our Fantasy teams in the future, why not give him a trial run now?

Rucks

Toby Nankervis, RUC, Richmond (ADP 64, 55 per cent)

Nank the Tank is set to return for the Tigers on Friday night following a run in the VFL on the weekend. While his numbers weren’t huge (eight disposals, 13 hitouts, a goal and 49 Fantasy points), he will slot back in as the No. 1 ruck for Richmond in his first game since round eight. Plenty of Draft coaches have dropped him after being the eighth ranked ruck according to ADP. Use this as your opportunity to pick him up for nothing! 

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Forwards

Bayley Fritsch, DEF/FWD, Melbourne (ADP 241, 24 per cent)

The DEF/FWD dual-position status could be handy for coaches wanting some flexibility on their bench. Fritsch kicked four goals in Alice Springs on Sunday to score a season-high 134. The Demon has taken 28 marks in the last three weeks since he has been swung forward to help him to a three-round average of 107.

Tom J. Lynch, FWD, Richmond (ADP 191, 12 per cent)

It has taken until round 18 for Lynch to record his first Fantasy ton in the yellow-and-black, after racking up 19 of them in his 130 games prior. In fact, it was only his second score over 80 since joining the Tigers. Lynch has averaged 80 or more in three of his eight seasons as a Sun. With Jack Riewoldt back in the side and the likely return of Nankervis, Richmond’s 22 will be more settled and we should see a continued spoke in Lynch's output.

Hayden McLean, FWD, Sydney Swans (ADP Nil, 1 per cent)

If we’re talking deep, deep leagues, the consider McLean as a bench option in the forward line. The 20-year-old played as the Swans’ No. 1 ruck against the might of Sean Darcy, Aaron Sandilands and Rory Lobb at Optus Stadium and held his own racking up 13 disposals, five marks and eight tackles for 87 Fantasy points. Expect McLean to hold his spot and play the role while Callum Sinclair remains sidelined.

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