CALL IT Marsh madness. Call it hype. Call it the shuffling we all do a fortnight out from the first lockout.

I'm not a huge fan of making wholesale changes to my team as the pre-season games pan out. I like to see all the data and make some decisions based on that. The final week of the pre-season is where I get serious.

But here we are.

Traditionally, the Warne Dawgs have always been based around value. Every player in the team has upside. That means, it's unlikely that I'll be paying up for the top players in each position based on last season's stats (and therefore price).

Brodie Grundy (RUC, $906,000) is an exception.

While I wouldn't be surprised to see him improve his numbers following back-to-back 120-plus average seasons, he's my walk-up captain and it would take a significant drop in price to be able to upgrade to him early enough in the season.

I don't see it happening.

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The other player that fits this category in my team is Lachie Whitfield (MID/FWD, $844,000). The Giant is priced as the most expensive forward by more than $100k, but he should be worth it. Last season he averaged 114 which included an injured 39 and 74. Other than that his lowest score was 95 as he roamed the ground filling the important stat lines of disposals, marks and tackles. Maybe there is still upside in Whitfield? If not, he's by far the best forward available and is a must-have (despite him being in and out a few times early on).

The rest of the squad is about chasing value.

Defenders

There won't be too many teams without Sam Docherty (DEF, $563,000) this season. The Blues' co-captain, who is returning from two years out with consecutive ACL injuries, is currently the sixth most selected player. He's undeniable value as he has enjoyed a flawless pre-season.

Dylan Roberton (DEF, $327,000) is also a discounted gem. If he gets through this weekend, he's a lock.

Rather than going for the top priced players to lead the charge down back, Brodie Smith (DEF, $646,000) and Dan Houston (DEF/MID, $596,000) look set to start the year in the Fantasy friendly roles they were playing to finish 2019.

Hayden Young (DEF, $258,000) will be a member of the back-six if he's playing in round one, but the contingency plan is in place. Damon Greaves (DEF, $170,000) is a round one bolter due to Blake Hardwick's injury. Greaves scored a solid 60 points in the first Marsh Series game.

Midfielders

The five premium players I've selected in the engine room have all averaged at least five points higher in previous seasons.

As the fourth most selected player, more than half of the competition will agree that Tom Mitchell (MID, $671,000) is an obvious pick with his discounted price.

But there are some other players who have been 'naturally' discounted and therefore, fit the value criteria for the Dawgs.

Stephen Coniglio (MID, $679,000) is priced at 103 following the zero he scored in the round 17 game against Richmond. He was averaging 111 to match his previous season's efforts. The talk of him playing more forward time (a 60/40 split was floated by Leon Cameron) isn't a concern as he was already playing 32 per cent of his time as a forward last year and it didn't affect his scoring. Tim Taranto's injury may also see more points go Coniglio's way.

After recent comments from Tom Rockliff (MID, $737,000) saying he'd be playing 85 per cent time on ground as a midfielder and rotating to the bench, he was in doubt. The news of Port Adelaide now having the round 11 bye saw him traded out for Taylor Adams (MID, $706,000).

Gold Coast draftees Matthew Rowell (MID, $270,000) and Noah Anderson (MID, $268,000) will be worth the premium rookie price loading. Following the guns and rookies strategy is preferable; however, this year it doesn't look like we will be blessed with a lot of choice. Paying up for the extra job security will be a must.

Rucks

I'm confident that Sam Jacobs (RUC, $514,000) will be the main man for the Giants. He is as cheap as he's been for more than a decade. If he picks up from where he left off last season, he'll increase in value and as he has the round 14 bye, we could pull off the mid-season trade plan of moving him to Max Gawn that week.

Darcy Cameron (MID/FWD, $170,000) is the bench option of choice as he's basement priced. In the event of Grundy missing, he will be suitable cover as shown by his 107-point Marsh Series game last weekend.

Forwards

Here's where the mid-priced madness really kicks in.

The perceived lack of bargain basement players to really nail the guns and rookies is one of the reasons many coaches are keen to take a punt with some of the mid-priced options in the forward line.

Christian Petracca (FWD, $563,000) looks set for the midfield role Fantasy coaches have been hoping would happen since his debut. He scored 145 against the Crows in the first week of the Marsh Series. It sounds like it is real and his one per cent ownership has increased to 15 per cent since that dominant display.

I'm currently keen to have Chad Wingard (MID/FWD, $582,000) and Hugh Greenwood (MID/FWD, $581,000) to sit alongside Petracca as potential 90-plus scorers.

New Fremantle recruit Blake Acres (MID/FWD, $501,000) was one of the names that was locked in my team after watching him perform his role on the wing last week. The hamstring injury sustained at training this week means I can't start with him. 

The Warne Dawgs as of Thursday 5 March currently has $32,000 left in the salary cap.

This is probably the part where I mention that this is a bit of a guess of the rookies and their round one chances. The structure is based around who I'm loosely projecting to play in the opening weekend. If other names pop up – especially off the back of performances this weekend – then there will almost certainly be a restructure.

Hopefully we see a few more $170,000 players put their hand up. If so, there will be less risk taken with some of the value selections and consolidate with more 'keepers' that should help me sleep better at night.

There's a fortnight to go until lockout and nine more pre-season games. Things will be changing… hype is a strong force for Fantasy coaches like me as the clock ticks down to round one.

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