AT A starting price of only $244,500, Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands is certain to be a popular NAB AFL Fantasy selection in 2014.

From 2009 until 2012, the 211cm big man was a mainstay of the fantasy game, averaging more than 90 in four consecutive seasons.

 

In 2013, Sandilands missed the first 14 rounds with a hamstring injury, and then produced modest scores upon his return, sending his value tumbling.

Fantasy news hub

Although he is set to spend increasing time in the forward line next year as the younger Zac Clarke's influence continues to grow, Sandilands seems almost certain to manage better than his final 2013 average of 45.1.

And, at only $25,000 more than the club's first draft pick, Michael Apeness, the 31-year-old would be a smart choice as a third or fourth fantasy ruckman. 

The only query surrounds his fitness.

Constant injury setbacks have seen the three-time All Australian restricted to 14 or fewer games in each of the past three seasons.

 

Fellow veteran Matthew Pavlich can also be secured relatively inexpensively.

His starting price of $393,100 is almost $100,000 cheaper than at the same time last year.

The Fremantle captain played only nine home and away season games and averaged just 72.5 in 2013, his lowest figure since the beginning of AFL Fantasy in 2005.

Like Sandilands, Pavlich is a proven champion, and should bounce back provided he can remain fit.

 

At the top end of the price scale, the Dockers have a trio of high quality midfielders all worthy of consideration.

Michael Barlow ($567,000), Nat Fyfe ($530,900) and David Mundy ($530,600) are the club's three most expensive players, and with good reason.

 

All three can be relied upon to average in the high 90s or above.

 

Garrick Ibbotson ($500,300) is No.4 on the fantasy price list for the beaten grand finalists, having emerged as an elite scoring defender in 2013.

Ibbotson averaged 92.3 – third of all defenders in the AFL – despite being somewhat of a Subiaco specialist. 

He averaged 101.1 at home – with five scores of more than 100 from eight games – compared to only 78.8 away – with zero scores of more than 100 from five games.

If the 25-year-old can stay fit and raise his output away from his home ground, he shapes as a solid fantasy buy.

Finally, keep a close watch on free agency recruit Colin Sylvia during the Dockers' pre-season matches.

The brilliant but inconsistent former Demon will start at $443,600 in 2014.

Given his tendency to go missing at times, his price represents a risk, but if Sylvia can find top form under Dockers coach Ross Lyon, the pay-off may be significant. However, after showing up to pre-season in less-than-prime condition, keep an eye on Sylvia's next two months.