JOSH Dunkley, Patrick Dangerfield and Travis Boak were the pick of the forwards in AFL Fantasy this year - but in 2020 they can only be picked as midfielders.

The team at Champion Data classifies each player based on their role in their side, either being named as a defender, midfielder, ruck or forward. Some are dual-position players (DPPs), and 119 players will begin the season that way.

Of the top-10 forwards based on averages this year, only Toby Greene and Dustin Martin retain FWD status. Martin gained DPP after starting as MID only due to his split of time in the forward line.

Tigers superstar Dustin Martin will no doubt be picked by plenty of coaches. 

While some of the big names who scored bulk points in Fantasy Classic and Draft forward lines this season have lost their FWD eligibility, Lachie Whitfield is set to take over the mantle as the No.1 Fantasy forward in the new year.

Whitfield was the fourth-highest-averaging player in 2019, scoring 114 points per game.

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The 25-year-old started last season with DEF status before adding MID in round six. Across the first five rounds he averaged 126 before injury struck. Following two weeks on the sidelines, Whitfield returned with a massive score of 190, cementing his name as a must-have player.

Looking ahead to 2020, Whitfield is likely to attract a hefty price tag in Fantasy Classic but based on numbers from last season, he’s at least 15 points better than the next-best forward.

Whitfield is likely to be taken in the first handful of picks in Fantasy Draft due to his value as a forward.

Fantasy coaches will have new-look forward lines in the upcoming season with the likes of Jack Billings, Tim Kelly and James Worpel carrying MID status while dual-position ruckman Rowan Marshall is now RUC only.

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Devon Smith has regained DPP status and will be listed as a MID/FWD. His injury-affected season saw him average just 79 points and could be classed as a premium if he can get back to the 107 average he posted back in 2018 in his first year as a Bomber.

New Cat Jack Steven (pictured below) was the highest-scoring Fantasy player in 2015. He starts his time at Kardinia Park as a MID/FWD and could be among the top forwards in 2020.

More position news and the prices will be announced over the coming weeks as the team at Fantasy HQ prepares for 2020. 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.