| TROY CHAPLIN | JACK WATTS | |
| Fantasy position | Defender | Defender/Forward |
| 2013 price | $339,700 | $360,600 |
| 2012 average | 66 | 70 |
| 2012 high score | 110 (round 15 v Adelaide) | 121 (round 8 v Sydney Swans) |
| Age | 26 | 21 |
| X-factor, Rising Star or Mr Reliable? | Chaplin could be considered a Mr Reliable, given his above-average ball-winning status for a player in his position. Averaged the fourth-most rebounds of any defender in 2012. | Watts, given his reinvention as a defender last year, is considered a Rising Star. When he settled into the new role, he averaged more than 23 possessions a game between rounds eight and 15. |
| Value for money | Pretty good. Can win the ball, take intercept marks and with Alex Rance planning to take the big forward this season, will have scope at times to be creative. | Given what he showed in his purple patch in the middle of last season, he's also good value – especially given his dual position status as a forward and defender. |
| Job security | If his rehabilitation from knee surgery continues on the upward curve, the Tigers will be keen to get him in for round one. | Missed two games last year when he was dropped (rounds six and seven) but it appears as though the penny dropped on his return. Is slated to start the season in defence, and on time after a minor injury and illness late last year. |
| Injury history | Missed four of the final five games last year with a knee injury, which he had mended post-season. Port was worried about his knee's longevity but Chaplin believes it is sound. | Had an ankle injury late last year that saw him miss five games between rounds 16 and 20 before he picked up some leg tightness before Christmas. He missed a few sessions before he was sidelined for a week with illness but has not had anything that will affect him long-term. |
| The case for | Will add a mature head to the Tigers' backline and is poised to continue to win plenty of the ball, as he did in 2012. With the ability to play on talls and smalls as well as create play – he led the Power for intercept possessions last year – and in his past five seasons at AFL level has always averaged mid-teens in the disposal stakes. In 2011, he led the Power for marks and rebounds, and will likely soar in price if he stays consistent. | Showed he could collect the ball in a role across half-back last year with his ability to read the play making him the ideal sort of player to stand the loose man job. Like Chaplin, can be a pest for the opposition with his ability to intercept – he ranked No.1 in the AFL for intercept possessions between rounds eight and 15 last year. Another year with more maturity added can only help him, and Neil Craig has been helping him with his competitiveness. |
| The case against | Chaplin has had issues with his knee, which ultimately led to the Power declining to match the Tigers' offer of a four-year deal. He didn't do much in the early stages of the pre-season and didn't play until the latter weeks of the NAB Cup. | While the trend from last season indicates Watts is on the up, there remains some doubt over his consistency. He struggled to make as much impact when he returned from injury last year for the final three games. |
The verdict | A tough one but Watts emerges as the somewhat safer option, given Chaplin's restricted summer and knee issues. His status as a forward/defender seals the deal. | |
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