Over the next 30 days, they'll hand pick 30 fit-for-purpose players for your starting AFL Fantasy squad.
We begin with the best backline options and finish with the cream of the midfield crop. Today, it's a former No. 1 draft pick who is set for a break-out season after gaining dual-position status for 2014.
Simpson, the third most expensive defender in our squad, won the John Nicholls Medal in 2013 as best and fairest for the Blues.It was the first season where he predominantly played off half-back and, as a result, his AFL Fantasy position has changed from MID to DEF this year.
Fantasy lock-ins: defenders
- Jeremy Laidler (Sydney Swans)- Matthew Fuller (Western Bulldogs)
- Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast)
- Matt Suckling (Hawthorn)
- David Swallow (Gold Coast)
Across his 11 year career, Simpson has proven to be one of the most durable players in the competition.
He played all 22 home and away games from 2006-2011 and again in 2013. He missed three games in 2012 due to a broken jaw. If you start with him, he’s a ‘set and forget’ player for your squad.
Simpson has generally been a consistent Fantasy performer. In his last five years he has returned an average of 89.1, 101.3, 95.4, 93 and 85.2.
Although they are solid numbers, he hasn’t really come under consideration for our teams in the past as his output sits just below the premium midfielders. This changes, now he’s been named a defender.
Of eligible defenders this year, Simpson ranks the twelfth highest, based on his average last season.
He finished the 2013 season strongly, averaging 94 from round nine onwards and he added six scores over 100 over the last eight rounds. That's outstanding form for the Fantasy finals period.
On a couple of occasions last season, Simpson attracted attention from opposition taggers trying to counter his ability to run out of the backline and use the ball.
Seven times he dropped below 75 Fantasy points due to a tag.
LOCKABILITY: 4/5
The clincher for Simpson is that as a defender, he should end up one of the top scoring players in that position by the end of the season.
With his durability and ability to score triple-figures, Simpson should be a fairly safe option to set and forget in your AFL Fantasy squad.
Tomorrow, Roy adds a newly named DEF/MID to fill the second last defender position in our squad. Check out #AFL Fantasy on Twitter or follow @WarnieDT and the official account @AFLFantasy.
The pre-season AFL Record is the complete guide to the new-look NAB AFL Fantasy football competition. AFL Fantasy experts Warnie, Roy and Calvin (aka The Traders) detail everything you need to know about Fantasy football. There are Fantasy prices and profiles of every player. The 124-page pre-season Record will be on sale at newsagents nationally from February 7 for $9.95.
