WHEN does a Fantasy cash cow run dry? It's the ultimate question for Fantasy coaches – the 'know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em' dilemma that can prove the difference between glory and disaster.
It's round 14, and by now your squad should be bursting with premium players, with a few talented second-year stars or upgraded rookies filling in the Lance Franklin-sized gaps or providing cover on the bench.
Take your AFL Fantasy pulse now
If you're one of those coaches who have thought 'I'll just give Nathan Krakouer one more week', only to see him dumped back on the rookie list, as Port had to in round 11, don't feel alone.
The top 15 cash cows at the start of the year have generally delivered, but most of them have taken coaches on a roller-coaster ride in the opening 13 rounds.
Take on Sloane, Naitanui, Pendlebury and more in a Fantasy celebrity league
Take Daniel Rich, for example. The blonde Lion was as cheap as chips in round one and immediately clocked up 111 against the Magpies (in a losing cause) to announce himself as 2015's top Fantasy bargain. Fast-forward to this week and Rich has scored over 80 just once more and his price has flat-lined since round six.
A good point of contrast is Melbourne's man-mountain Jesse Hogan who has lived up to the hype in one of the least-rewarding Fantasy positions – that of a tall forward. Hogan started the year at $194,000 and delivered at least a $17,000 price rise every week until round 10. Like Rich, he has only topped the ton once but his low starting price and consistent output has kept the dollars flowing in.
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So the question is, are there any cash cows from the start of the year still worth holding? Patrick Cripps (MID, $440,000) has delivered above and beyond what the most optimistic coach could hope for but looks to still have a few price rises left in him.
Apart from the gun Blue, it's about looking at the smart bench options who can cover two positions and deliver a solid 70 or 80 if one of your premium players goes down.
And don’t forget some returning stars with massive break-evens like Gary Ablett, Levi Greenwood, Jimmy Bartel or David Myers who will drop in price over the next few weeks and then be ripe for the picking in the final Fantasy stretch.
Hold 'em or fold 'em - the cash cow dilemma (qualification: 8 games)
| PLAYER | GAMES | PRICE +/- | HOLD or FOLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Boyd (WB) | 12 | $56,000 | Fold. Tom's delivering consistent 40s but won't boost your side or your bank balance from here |
| Mitch Clark (Geel) | 8 | $133,000 | Fold. Unless you wish to use Mitch as ruck bench cover |
| Patrick Cripps (Carl) | 10 | $277,000 | Hold as bench cover at a minimum. Will still make money for you |
| Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Adel) | 10 | $240,000 | Hold. Rory Sloane's injury opens up more stoppage opportunities |
| Jesse Hogan (Melb) | 10 | $196,000 | Fold. Jesse's done his job and might get a few more weeks off down the stretch |
| Nathan Krakouer (PA) | 8 | $123,000 | Hold. Position now secure and worth keeping as bench cover |
| Matthew Leuenberger (BL) | 9 | -$54,000 | Fold. Played his first decent game of 2015 last week. One of Fantasy's biggest disappointments |
| Heritier Lumumba (Melb) | 12 | -$39,000 | Fold. Turns out his initial price was about on the money |
| Cameron McCarthy (GWS) | 12 | $167,000 | Fold. A brilliant success and Rising Star smokey but won't make you much more coin |
| Kamdyn McIntosh (Rich) | 12 | $187,000 | Fold. Named sub last week and he's more than done his job as a cash cow |
| Adam Oxley (Coll) | 12 | $263,000 | Hold. Strong bench cover for defence or in the last spot on the field |
| Daniel Rich (BL) | 12 | $111,000 | Fold. Not in great form and has brought in the maximum he can |
| Adam Saad (GC) | 11 | $231,000 | Fold. Rookie draft pick of the year but he's nearly maxed out |
| Nathan van Berlo (Adel) | 12 | $104,000 | Hold. Good bench cover given his dual-position status |
| Aaron vandenBerg (Melb) | 10 | $266,000 | Fold. Injured his hamstring and may not return until late July. Cash cow job already well done |
Get 'em in
Jarryd Lyons (FWD/MID, $234,000)
David Zaharakis (MID/FWD, $426,000)
David Swallow (MID, $480,000)
Ben McGlynn (MID/FWD, $500,000)
Tom Scully (MID, $463,000)
Farewell for now
Rory Sloane (MID, $471,000)
Pearce Hanley (MID, $511,000)
Sam Docherty (DEF, $440,000)
Sam Fisher (DEF, $413,000)
Jake Carlisle (DEF/FWD, $365,000)
