WHILE we're all basking in the glory of 2017 being the most even season in many years, it does mean one significant piece of fallout for Fantasy coaches.
With almost everyone in contention for finals, clubs are proving much slower at putting their cue in the rack and playing the kids.
However, the current bottom-three clubs (the Lions, Blues and Roos) are starting to get the balancing act right between current pain and future hope.
North Melbourne, in particular, are a team well worth keeping on your Fantasy radar over coming weeks.
Firstly, with Jarrad Waite and Jamie Macmillan suffering injuries last Saturday that will keep them out for the long term, there are at least two fresh slots open for Brad Scott to blood some youngsters.
Secondly, the coach flagged after the loss to Gold Coast that he was keen to throw players around and test large parts of the Roos' list in new positions.
Hence we saw Jack Ziebell (MID, $528,000) running around at half-back against the Suns, and Lindsay Thomas (FWD, $313,000) playing deep in defence.
Early-season cash cows Mitchell Hibberd (DEF/MID, $155,000) and Declan Mountford (MID, $236,000) can expect a solid run in the seniors, while left-field options like Nick Larkey (DEF/FWD, $150,000) and Jy Simpkin (FWD, $254,000) could come into the reckoning for selection.
Finals are out of the question for the Roos, and while Scott would never canvass letting games slide, he'll be testing the depths of his squad and giving midfield minutes to those who hadn't previously figured.
And that's where the unexpected Fantasy spikes can appear. So make sure you're ready to cash in.
Click here to subscribe on iTunes.
Top five price rises
Sean Darcy, Fremantle (RUC, $251,000): +$52,000
Kane Lambert, Richmond (FWD, $506,000): +$45,000
Michael Walters, Fremantle (FWD, $506,000): +$40,000
Alex Witherden, Brisbane Lions (DEF/MID, $264,000): +$39,000
Ethan Hughes, Fremantle (DEF, $365,000): +$38,000
Top five price falls
Dan Hannebery, Sydney (MID, $558,000): -$42,000
Sharrod Wellingham, West Coast (DEF, $363,000): -$38,000
Aaron Sandilands, Fremantle (RUC, $430,000): -$36,000
Tom Rockliff, Brisbane Lions (FWD, $613,000): -$35,000
Tory Dickson, Western Bulldogs (FWD, $326,000): -$34,000
Get 'em in
Malcolm Karpany, West Coast (MID/FWD, $238,000): Looked a real Fantasy find last Saturday against the Dogs. His breakeven of -7 makes him a must-have.
Steve Johnson, GWS (FWD, $425,000): A risk but he's got a superb record against the Hawks, averaging 116 across his career and can expect midfield minutes with the Giants' long injury list.
Alex Witherden, Brisbane Lions (DEF/MID, $264,000): No reason why this bloke shouldn't play out the rest of the year. Great option for your sixth defender.
Bye for now
Rory Sloane, Adelaide (MID, $552,000): He's Fantasy kryptonite right now and can expect a tag against the Dogs. Get a Crouch brother instead.
Aaron Sandilands, Fremantle (RUC, $430,000): Sad to watch the big man head to the pine on Sunday with more hamstring trouble. Sean Darcy (RUC, $251,000) is obviously the big winner.
Pearce Hanley, Gold Coast (MID/DEF, $390,000): Like Sandi, his dodgy hamstrings have flared again and you'd be better off with someone like Hugh Greenwood (MID/FWD, $364,000).
