PLAYERS valued under $300,000 are arguably the most important members of any AFL Fantasy Classic side.

Cash cows, as they are affectionately known, are players who start the season at a low price and increase in value through price rises based on their performance. 

Getting the right earners in your side will help you on your way to using trades to downgrade and upgrade the cows to get more guns in.

More than any other season, there appears to be a severe lack of sub-$300k players who will be suitable to play on field or have as emergencies on the bench. Round one team selection will help fill the final pieces in the puzzle of our squads and we might just be picking every bargain basement player that is named.

Below is a list of cash cows options to consider as you try to pick your team under the $13,000,000 salary cap.

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DEFENDERS 

Lachlan Ash (DEF/MID, $264,000)
Predicted average: 63
The fitness of Zac Williams, who didn't take part in the Marsh Community Series due to Achilles soreness, could be a factor in Ash's round one hopes. His Fantasy game was impressive as a junior averaging 96 in the NAB League and put together two solid Marsh Series outings with scores of 63 and 54. Most Giants spend some time in the NEAFL before making their debut, but there could be an opportunity for Ash to play early on… but for how long?

Hayden Young (DEF, $258,000)
Predicted average: 66
A pre-season lock for many teams, Young didn’t feature in the Marsh Series. According to the club, he has been managing his loads but you’d think he would have played in the pre-season matches to be a chance for round one. Injuries to defenders Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce and Nathan Wilson may open the door for Young if he’s fit and make the seventh most selected defender a profitable cash cow.

Will Gould (DEF, $220,000)
Predicted average: 55
We’re told Gould was managed in the Swans’ second Marsh Series game after posting 47 points from 68 per cent time on ground in their first match. If named in round one, feel safe starting Gould as D5 or D6 after averaging 73 last season for Glenelg in the SANFL.

Jarrod Brander (DEF/FWD, $217,000)
Predicted average: 53
One of the much-hyped role changes this pre-season is the move of Brander to the wing. He played this role in his two Marsh games for scores of 45 and 57. He’ll play as a defensive wingman, but being priced at $217k and with the opportunity for the 195cm swingman to take multiple marks, he should make some cash on your bench.

Bailey Williams (DEF/RUC, $170,000)
Predicted average: 61
Available as a dual-position defender/ruck, Williams is battling with Nathan Vardy for the second ruck position at the Eagles. He enjoyed a solid season in the WAFL, averaging 62 points from his 20 games and was impressive in the Marsh Series game against the Bombers scoring 59 from 70 per cent time on ground. Williams didn’t play in the second game due to injury, but is currently favoured to play in round one.  

Others to consider: Jack Madgen (DEF, $288,000), Fisher McAsey (DEF, $260,000), Brandon Starcevich (DEF/MID, $189,000), Jez McLennan (DEF, $170,000), Tobe Watson (DEF, $170,000), Damon Greaves (DEF, $170,000)

MIDFIELDERS 

Matt Rowell (MID, $270,000)
Predicted average: 82
After Sam Walsh raised the elite rookie bar last year, it is amazing that someone has the credentials to give it a nudge so soon. But that is what we are looking at with Rowell who absolutely dominated the NAB League last year averaging 123 before going number one in the Draft. He had an outstanding debut in the Marsh against the Cats with 20 touches and 81 from 67 per cent game time and backed that up with 50 from 41 per cent in Marsh two.

Noah Anderson (MID, $268,000)
Predicted average: 64
Although the expectations of the number two pick are well short of the similarly priced Rowell, he should have similar job security and that makes his inflated price tag easier to swallow. He didn’t set the world on fire in the Marsh series with scores of 55 from 77 per cent and 30 from 42 per cent time on ground, it is enough to keep the cash cows price ticking in the right direction. As a junior, he proved to be a more than serviceable scorer after averaging 108 in the NAB League.

Tyler Brown (MID, $170,000)
Predicted average: 56
Brown is locked and loaded to play this week and a bargain on your bench. His scores over the Marsh Series included a nice 53 from 73 per cent time on ground, which was followed by 33 from only 39 per cent game time against St Kilda. Although these scores aren’t overly flattering, he’s the son of Collingwood star Gavin and a starting heartbeat on your bench.

Dylan Stephens (MID, $262,000)
Predicted average: 58
Although his numbers over the Marsh were serviceable without being outstanding with 41 and 48 from 73 and 64 per cent time on ground respectively, he would still be well and truly in the mix for selection. Prior to being drafted he proved a readiness to mix it with the big boys after averaging 78 in the SANFL and his transition to the Marsh series was smooth, taking no backwards steps. 

Tom Green (MID, $252,000)
Predicted average: 70
Crisis creates opportunity and with Tim Taranto’s injury, Tom Green has stepped up and will debut this week. The Giants gave Green every opportunity over the Marsh Series as he attended 29 out of a possible 59 centre bounces, the second most of their midfielders behind Jacob Hopper. He scored 76 and 68 in 74 per cent game time and could find himself playing plenty of games early on.

Deven Robertson (MID, $228,000)
Predicted average: 60
The 18-year-old was an absolute bargain for the Lions after surprisingly falling to the second round in last year's draft. His awesome numbers as a junior were reflected by the Lions excitement at picking up the WAFL Colt who averaged an impressive 120 in his time there. We didn’t see him in Marsh one but he put his hand up for selection in the second game with 52 from only 59 per cent game time. It’s a tough team to break in to but from all reports he is doing the right things.

Jeremy Sharp (MID, $218,000)
Predicted average: 57
Sharp has well and truly deserved the right to be in the round one conversations. He scored 43 in less than half a game in week one of the Marsh Series and then scored 60 in just 66 per cent game time in his final game. Sharp has a Fantasy game but will he make the final cut?

Marlion Pickett (MID, $170,000)
Predicted average: 72
Last year's Grand Final hero is the easiest selection of the season. He is coming off his first pre-season at the Tigers, leaving him in a perfect position to excel, as we saw in his second Marsh game where he scored 88 from 90 per cent time on ground. Although his impact on games wasn’t always fully reflected by his scoring output in the VFL (70) his role at the top level is likely to bump that average up a little making him the must have cash cow of the year.

Others to consider: Caleb Serong (MID, $256,000), Ned McHenry (MID, $170,000), Riley Collier-Dawkins (MID, $170,000)

RUCKS 

Sam Naismith (RUC, $284,000)
Predicted average: 70
With the job as Sydney’s No.1 ruckman officially his, a big year lies ahead for Naismith. He scored 67 and 68 at an average of 64 per cent game time in the pre-season games creating a difficult decision for Fantasy coaches. Is $284,000 too much to be sitting on your bench or does Naismith squeeze his way onto your field as your second ruckman?

Tristian Xerri (RUC/FWD, $170,000)
Predicted average: 50
If the Roos roll with Xerri as a back-up ruck for Todd Goldstein, he needs to be in our squads. Whether he is on your bench ruck or even in the utility position, he will make cash and provide suitable coverage if needed. Xerri played both Marsh Series games in Goldstein’s shadow scoring 99 (79 per cent time on ground) against the Bulldogs in the first match. He scored 26 (68 per cent time on ground) when he played the Swans.

Darcy Cameron (RUC/FWD, $170,000)
Predicted average: 65
While he is unlikely to play whenever Brodie Grundy is in the team, Cameron has shown to be a competent replacement when called upon. The second most selected ruck could be good insurance if Grundy is out. Scoring shouldn’t be an issue. Cameron posted 107 in his sole Marsh Series game while Grundy sat out due to the State of Origin for Bushfire Relief match. Going back to his last two NEAFL seasons, he played 19 games to average 142 in 2018 and 97 last year in an injury interrupted season.

Others to consider: Luke Jackson (RUC, $266,000), Jordon Sweet (RUC, $170,000)

FORWARDS 

Jacob Townsend (FWD, $266,000)
Predicted average: 45
The former Giant and Tiger will play games early on for his third club, but his scores won’t be overly flattering. He averaged 47.5 over both Marsh Series games in 66 per cent time on ground. He scored 53 in his final game against Geelong but needed three goals to get there. Townsend’s job security appears to be solid enough for now, but at nearly $100,000 more than the cheapest rookies, is he worth the investment?

Connor Buderick (MID/FWD, $170,000)
Predicted average: 59
Buderick averaged 76 in the NEAFL last year and in the 2019 U/18 Championships he ranked No.1 in both tackles and pressure applied. He was very impressive over the Marsh Series scoring 65 (85 per cent time on ground) and 27 (45 per cent time on ground). The Suns won both of their pre-season games and he certainly did enough to debut this weekend.

Curtis Taylor (FWD, $170,000)
Predicted average: 66
After playing less than half a game in the first week of the Marsh Series for 45 points, Taylor was given every opportunity in the last game and took it with both hands. He collected 21 disposals and six marks on his way to 94, the fourth most for the Kangaroos. Taylor kicked the second-most goals of any North Melbourne player last year in the VFL and has surely done enough to debut in round one.

Max King (FWD, $170,000)
Predicted average: 45
Key forwards take time to develop. Their scoring output is down from other positions, but at least Max King will play. He averaged 45 over the Marsh Series which is about what we can expect throughout the season. King stands at 202cm and was drafted at pick No.4 in 2018. He’s now ready for the big time and will slowly make you money on your bench.

Izak Rankine (FWD, $170,000)
Predicted average: 52
The former pick No.3 was hampered last year with injuries. He has now put those behind him and he’s ready to make an impact. Despite not playing any of the Marsh Series, he is in their best 22 and a perfect player to have sitting on your bench. 

Others to consider: Cody Weightman (FWD, $242,000), Mitch Georgiades (FWD, $236,000), Jack Mahony (MID/FWD, $204,000), Ben Davis (FWD, $170,000), Sam Sturt (FWD, $170,000)

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