CAN you really triumph in AFL Fantasy this year without Sam Docherty (DEF, $732,000), Steele Sidebottom (MID/FWD, $635,000) AND Tom Mitchell (MID, $735,000)?
Docherty has been the must-have gun all year, averaging 12 points per game (123.5) more than the next best defender (Taylor Adams, 111.6).
That's a gap between first and second not seen in any position since Tom Rockliff went bananas in 2014 with an average of 134.8.
This week, Sidebottom comes into must-have reckoning with the addition of forward position.
Final crop of dual-position players land
'Sidey' has been an astonishingly consistent Fantasy player for the past six seasons – his lowest average was 96.5 in 2013 and his highest (108.8) has arrived just in time this year.
He's a 6.6 points per game better option than the next best forward, Eagle Elliot Yeo (MID/FWD, $539,000).
AFL FANTASY LIVE: Join The Traders from 6pm AEST this Thursday for a live radio stream as the round 18 teams drop
Mitchell is snouting it up to unprecedented levels this year as he waltzes his way to a best and fairest at his new club and a likely All Australian spot.
The ex-Swan is scoring 8.3 points per game more than Patrick Dangerfield (MID, $727,000) who sits second in the comp, and that's not something to be oinked at.
Without all three of these Fantasy pillars in your side by the time finals start in a fortnight, you're probably just making up the numbers.
Click here to subscribe on iTunes.
Top five price rises
Sean Darcy, Fremantle (RUC, $346,000): +$43,000
Alex Witherden, Brisbane Lions (DEF/MID, $347,000): +$42,000
Jay Kennedy-Harris, Melbourne (FWD, $232,000): +$37,000
Liam Duggan, West Coast (MID/DEF, $391,000): +$36,000
Kieren Jack, Sydney (MID/FWD, $449,000): +$35,000
Top five price falls
Steven May, Gold Coast (DEF, $419,000): -$40,000
Rory Sloane, Adelaide (MID, $502,000): -$35,000
Aaron Hall, Gold Coast (MID, $545,000): -$35,000
Ryan Lester, Brisbane Lions (FWD/MID, $382,000): -$33,000
Dayne Beams, Brisbane Lions (MID, $478,000): -$32,000
Get 'em in
Tom Rockliff, Brisbane Lions (MID, $553,000): The Pig might be a little under the weather at the moment, but he averages 136 against this week's opponent Carlton and with a rare Lions win on the cards, he'll lift the numbers in your favour.
Josh Thomas, Collingwood (MID, $324,000): A cheap option for your final forward spot – he seems to have cemented a spot in Buckley's line-up and is tracking back towards his 2013 numbers.
Shannon Hurn, West Coast (DEF, $373,000): Who knew the skipper had a 137 in him?! It might be a one-off, but the Eagles are against the struggling Pies at Etihad this week and there are points to be had.
Bye for now
Scott Selwood, Geelong (MID, $506,000): The Cats might be playing it safe, but there's no guarantee a hamstrung Scooter will return this week and you'd be wise to cut your losses.
Steven May, Gold Coast (DEF, $419,000): The Suns' co-captain has had a solid Fantasy season but his hamstring injury on Saturday is bad news so grab someone like Lachie Weller instead.
Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood (MID, $596,000): The season is in some peril for 'Dependlebury' with a broken finger. Hopefully Adam Treloar picks up the midfield slack.
