They've both been solid AFL Fantasy citizens for a number of year but who's best placed to deliver you maximum return on investment in 2013 - Heath Shaw or Greg Broughton?
| HEATH SHAW | GREG BROUGHTON | |
| Fantasy position | Defender | Defender/Forward |
| 2013 price | $422,800 | $408,000 |
| 2012 average | 82.06 | 79.2 |
| 2012 high score | 115 | 109 |
| Age | 27 | 26 |
| X-factor, Rising Star or Mr Reliable? | Mr Reliable. With a top score last season of 115 and an average of 82, Shaw doesn't fluctuate too much. He knows his role, when to run off and when to stay at home, and is bankable in most games. | X-factor. Fell foul of Ross Lyon last year where he was moved all over the ground. As a new Sun, expect a few games of adjustment but he's shown in years past he can deliver big numbers on occasion. |
| Value for money | Shaw is right around where he should be. A consistent player for many seasons now, he spent some time on the wing last year but should revert back to his defensive home in 2013. | Represents decent value. Last season he was moved into unfamiliar roles but with a set position in the back half in 2013, the former Docker has some scope to rise in price. Dual position option increases that value. |
| Job security | One of the most influential players in Collingwood's team, when fit, Shaw is one of the first chosen. He gives the backline run and when available is a certain selection. | Gold Coast didn't recruit him to sit on the pine. Barring injury, Broughton is a certainty for round one and will play as many of the 22 games as his body allows. Will be one of the first picked. |
| Injury history | Shaw missed some time with a calf injury last year, but still played 18 games and in general he stays away from the physio's table. Had a great pre-season and at 27, is still in his athletic prime. | Suffered a broken finger in round 15 last year that curtailed his season, but Broughton is well and truly over that and has trained strongly the entire pre-season. |
| The case for | Shaw has been a lynchpin in a successful Collingwood team for years. The Magpies again look like being right in the mix in 2013, and you'd expect Shaw to be at his dashing best from half-back. Time on the wing won't do AFL Fantasy scores any harm. He's has averaged more than 19 disposals a game for each of the past seven seasons. | Since entering the AFL in 2009 as a mature-age player, Broughton has shown himself to be both prolific and consistent. He may have changed teams, but he's returning to his favoured backline position where he has a chance to flourish. A great get for the Suns and AFL Fantasy coaches. |
| The case against | When the Magpies put in the odd stinker, his scores plummet too. Off-field indiscretions are hopefully a think of the past. | Will he fit in with a new team? While Broughton returns to the backline, he may be forced to think 'defence first' in a back six that will again be under siege. |
The verdict | There's no loser in this face-off. Broughton looks a perfect fit for the Suns, but is untested in his new surroundings. Playing in a better team and having done it for a longer period, I'd lean towards Shaw. | |
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