ON TUESDAY night, a select batch of NAB AFL Fantasy players were awarded dual-position status. The group gained a position based on the roles they have been playing over the opening five rounds.

18 players have now become dual-position players (DPP) adding flexibility to our squads. These changes have been rolled out in Fantasy Classic, Elite and Match Day. It is important to note that no player will ever lose a position, they will only ever gain one.

Using heat maps, time on ground and other relevant statistics, the number crunchers at Champion Data have worked closely with the team at Fantasy HQ to compile the list of the first round of DPP additions. They also have quite a few players on their watchlist for the next DPP rollout prior to round 12.

Fantasy coaches will be excited by some of the changes announced today.

Arguably the two biggest names to feature are Matthew Boyd and David Mundy. The two Fantasy guns have had defender added to their midfield status which now makes them two of the best available in the back line.

Mundy is averaging 118.2 points, the third highest across the competition, to make him the best available defender at the moment. With an asking price of $602,000, it might be tough to fit him into your squad straight away but the timing is good if you’re looking for a Luke Hodge replacement. 

NEW DPP: David Mundy has been racking it up in the back half and is now a DEF/MID in #AFLFantasy. pic.twitter.com/4MVBuzXwoS

— NAB AFL Fantasy (@AFLFantasy) May 5, 2015

Boyd would slot in at number three on the list of defenders with his 104.8 average. Maybe his $560,000 is more achievable for coaches this week.

Returning Lions midfielder Daniel Rich has been doing a lot of work in the back half in the early part of this season and while his numbers haven’t set the world on fire as a midfielder, his average of 83.2 makes him a valuable addition as a defender.

Another group of players to receive DPP status include some valuable rookies, which changes the game somewhat.

Melbourne’s Aaron vandenBerg has been fantastic with scores of 75, 106 and 87 over the last three weeks but with his stints up forward, he now has the flexibility of being a FWD/MID. Moving the mature-aged recruit to your forward line will be much more beneficial for your side with midfielders likely to score more highligh. Swans rising star Isaac Heeney has also gained forward status.

Richmond’s Kamdyn McIntosh and Taylor Hunt have both played on the wing and through the midfield to add MID status. 

The defensive roles of popular forward rookies Christen Salem and Robbie Tarrant has earned them the unique DEF/FWD eligibility.

There wouldn’t be many coaches who have a playing bench ruckman, but that now changes with Mitch Clark being awarded ruck status. Many coaches traded Clark out last week due to missing with a foot injury but if you held him, try switching him into ruck with a RUC/FWD link or trading out a bench ruck for a forward and moving Clark to your ruck bench. He can now be a set-and-forget emergency.

The next lot of DPP additions will occur prior to round 12. Track the heat maps of players you’re interested in via the AFL Live Pass. Subscribers have access to interactive features and exclusive stats in the app’s ‘Coach’ section.

If you can pick up a midfielder who may move forward or back, it might give you the leg up you help win you the premiership.