Today we name a new Saints recruit looking to make a big impact after bring traded from the Brisbane Lions.
Fantasy lock-ins: ruckmen
The first round draft pick in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft spent two years on the Lions' list playing just nine matches. In this time, he didn’t set the AFL Fantasy world on fire; averaging around 50 points per game.
Longer’s best Fantasy return was 84 points against GWS in his debut season.
Sitting behind Matthew Leuenberger at the Lions, Longer spent most of his time in the NEAFL. Last season he averaged 11 disposals and a competition high 45 hitouts per game; 12 hitouts more than the next best ruckman.
The Saints traded established ruckman Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn and not long after, Longer made the move to Seaford.
Priced at $194,400, Longer looks most likely Fantasy ruckman priced under $200K to play regular games this year.
At this stage of the pre-season, Tom Hickey looks set to be the number one ruckman at St Kilda.
The 23-year-old will likely be backed to shoulder most of the rucking duties with support from Longer and possibly Rhys Stanley.
In a recent intra-club game, this is exactly what happened. Hickey was the first choice ruckman with Stanley and Longer spending time forward and pinch hitting on the ball. From all reports, Hickey was the most dominant of the three.
Although Longer is a good chance to pull on the Saints guernsey as the back-up ruckman with an ability to sit forward, there is a concern on his Fantasy scoring output.
Longer is priced low enough that even if he continues to average around 50, he will still increase in value, but most importantly he can be a ‘heartbeat’ on your bench for when those inevitable injuries or suspensions come along.
LOCKABILITY: 2/5
Usually when selecting ruckmen for our bench, just having them turning up for games is a win. However with a lack of the basement-priced options at this stage of the pre-season, we might have to pay a few more dollars to have Longer on the pine.
Personally, I’m not sold on his job security or his scoring ability just yet. We’ve put him on the bench for now, but we might see some better options come through the NAB Challenge.
In the Sydney Swans recent intra-club match, ruckmen Toby Nankervis ($170,700), Tom Derickx ($135,500) and Sam Naismith ($115,200) played well from all reports and could be in line for early games.
They could take Longer’s spot in our team come round one and free up a few more dollars. It's a case of wait and see.
Check out #AFL Fantasy on Twitter or follow @WarnieDT and the official account @AFLFantasy
Usually when selecting ruckmen for our bench, just having them turning up for games is a win. However with a lack of the basement-priced options at this stage of the pre-season, we might have to pay a few more dollars to have Longer on the pine.
Personally, I’m not sold on his job security or his scoring ability just yet. We’ve put him on the bench for now, but we might see some better options come through the NAB Challenge.
In the Sydney Swans recent intra-club match, ruckmen Toby Nankervis ($170,700), Tom Derickx ($135,500) and Sam Naismith ($115,200) played well from all reports and could be in line for early games.
They could take Longer’s spot in our team come round one and free up a few more dollars. It's a case of wait and see.
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 is on sale now at newsagents nationally for $9.95.
