SAM MITCHELL
 		MARC MURPHY
 
Fantasy position
 		MidfielderMidfielder
2013 price$523,500$522,000
2012 average101.62101.31
2012 high score130163
Age3025
X-factor, Rising Star or Mr Reliable?Mr Reliable. The former Hawthorn skipper is one of the most prolific ball-winners in the competition and rarely has a poor game. Like Murphy, he has averaged more than 100 points in AFL Fantasy in the past four seasons.
 		Mr Reliable. Murphy has been one of AFL Fantasy's most consistent scorers over the past four seasons, averaging more than 100 points every year. Even after missing six weeks with a shoulder injury last season, he rewarded his AFL Fantasy coaches with a solid finish to the season.
 
Value for moneyMore than $30,000 cheaper than 2012 and unlikely to be prone to hefty price fluctuations like the competition's higher-priced midfielders.Almost $30,000 cheaper than last season and, injury permitting, seems capable of climbing back to his 2011 AFL Fantasy average of 111.5 points a game.
 
Job securityJust like Richie Benaud, Mitchell has a job for life with his current employer. He is the man the Hawks look to at stoppages to give them first use of the ball.One of the first picked by Carlton every week. With Chris Judd a chance to spend more time out of the midfield this season, Murphy will be the Blues' No. 1 on-baller.
 
Where he'll playMidfield. Like Murphy, unlikely to rest for too long in defence or attack.Midfield – and should spend almost all of his time on the ground around the ball.
Injury historyHas rarely missed a game since 2005. Mitchell, 30, recently said he felt like a 25-year-old, but is now at an age where some players start getting recurring soft-tissue injuries. The Hawks might be tempted to rest him at stages during the year too.Save for his shoulder injury last season, Murphy has been remarkably durable since his 2006 debut season. Last year's injury was the result of a collision too, with Murphy having largely avoided soft-tissue injuries so far in his career.
The case forDespite his advancing years, Mitchell has been in career-best form in recent seasons, winning the Hawks' past two best and fairests, and three of their past four. As a stay-at-home midfielder who rarely plays run-with roles, he's always a reliable Fantasy points machine.
Murphy is in the prime of his career and should only improve. In addition to his consistency, his career-high score of 163 points against Essendon in round 21 last season showed he is capable of racking up match-winning scores for his Fantasy coaches.
The case againstThere are few risks with this blue-chip investment. Only footy ageists should shy away.
 		Flimsy at best. New Blues coach Mick Malthouse might ask him to play a greater variety of roles this season.

The verdict		A line-ball decision, but we'll go with Murphy given he can rack up monster scores and kicks more goals than Mitchell. The Blue also has greater scope to improve.
 

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