AS ESSENDON continue their search for top-up players to finalise their list for the upcoming season, the newly signed replacements are now available in AFL Fantasy Classic, Elite and Match Day.
Warnie's first cut: Our Fantasy expert picks his initial team
The first seven players have been signed and there are a few potential targets.
The pair of former Cats in James Kelly (MID, $450,000) and Mathew Stokes (FWD/MID, $394,000) are the most expensive new faces in the red and black.
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Although Kelly has Fantasy pedigree averaging over 85 points per season from 2008 to 2014, he isn’t likely to be relevant across the formats named purely as a MID.
However, if his role for the Dons sees him play in the defensive 50 or off half-back, the 32-year-old might be a worthy selection if he is among the group of players gaining dual-position status in rounds six, 12 or 18.
The new and improved AFL Fantasy app has been updated for 2016 and is available on iPhone and Android.
Fantasy Elite coaches won't draft him, but should snap him up in free agency if he is a chance to gain DEF status.
Stokes has been a Fantasy star of the past, going at 94.6 points per game in 2013 and 90.3 in 2014. Priced well below that output, he should be under consideration as a FWD/MID.
Ryan Crowley (MID, $226,000) was the first replacement player snapped up by the Bombers. The former Docker will provide some support to the young, developing midfielders around him. He is destined to make some cash, although it may not be enough to justify selection.
At the same price point is former Lion James Polkinghorne (MID, $226,000). He hasn’t set the Fantasy world on fire over his career, with his best season in 2011 averaging 67.8 from 22 games.
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Former Hawk, Cat and Swan Jonathan Simpkin (FWD/MID, $226,000) could be the pick of the bunch. The 28-year-old midfielder played in Hawthorn’s 2013 premiership but only managed one game last season.
Simpkin was awarded the medal for best on ground in Box Hill’s VFL premiership after averaging 111 Fantasy points at that level during the season. The DPP and discount price will make him a popular Fantasy Classic player.
After 13 seasons at Melbourne, Mark Jamar (RUC, $226,000) has been picked up to add depth to Essendon’s ruck department. If Jamar is required to play for an extended period of time, he would serve his purpose as a cash cow and stepping stone to a premium ruckman.
Matt Dea (DEF, $170,000) will add some experience down back. Although Dea is priced cheaply, he only scored 50 points or more on 11 occasions during his 30 AFL games for Richmond.
As players are signed by the Bombers, they will be priced and made available to select soon after.
