WITH the opening game of the season just two days away, this is the most important week for AFL Fantasy coaches.

Most coaches would agree, the cash cows are the most important members of your team. While they may not be the most prolific performers, the value they add to your squad is what sets you up for the year as you build your squad for finals.

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Put simply, coaches need to pick players that will increase in value and once they’ve made some money, they are downgraded for a cheaper player while another player is upgraded. The aim is to have a team full of premiums later in the season so that maximum points are scored.

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Managing the $12.8m salary cap means that you are going to need some of the sub-$270k players for not only your bench, but also on the field, especially if you are employing the popular Guns 'n' Rookies strategy.

Below is a list of cash cows to consider in each position that are a chance to be named in round one or play early on this season.

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Defenders

Xavier Duursma (DEF/MID, $236,000)
Ken Hinkley has stated there could be a handful of debutants in round one and Duursma has to be a good chance to line up following some fantastic pre-season form. Using his pace and spending some time in Port Adelaide’s midfield, he scored 92 points from 67 per cent time on ground in his second JLT Community Series match.

Jordan Clark (DEF, $242,000)
All but locked into Geelong's back six to start the season, it will be worth paying those few extra dollars for a couple of rookie defenders and ride the price increases. Clark scored 78 and 60 in the JLT and while there is the risk that Zach Tuohy comes back in and takes his place in the side, he will have every opportunity to cement his place in the side.

Sam Collins (DEF, $246,000)
Of all of the defenders under $270k, Collins probably has the best job security. Selected via the pre-season supplemental selection period, the 24-year-old broke a record for most intercept marks in the VFL last season to average 101 Fantasy points. With the ball likely to be heading in his direction a lot at the Suns, consider him as a safe option even if it is for job security alone.

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Jack Scrimshaw (DEF, $203,000)
The Hawks picked up Scrimshaw in the off-season from the Suns and looks to be in their plans early on. He started in tremendous form in Launceston in Hawthorn’s most recent JLT match, racking up 12 disposals in the first quarter.

Marty Hore (DEF, $170,000)
As a 22-year-old, Hore ticks the box as a mature-age recruit which Fantasy coaches are always on the hunt for. He has been given the responsibility at times of taking the kick-ins for the Demons during the pre-season. This could not only boost his score if he opts to run out of the square, but also could see his place in the side become more permanent if he takes his opportunity by the horns.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: Harrison Jones (DEF, $170,000), Francis Watson (DEF, $170,000), Isaac Quaynor (DEF, $246,000).

Midfielders 

Sam Walsh (MID, $270,000)
Is this the biggest no-brainer selection of the year? Behind Patrick Dangerfield, Walsh is the second most selected player in Fantasy Classic, appearing in 58.3 per cent of teams. A score of 100 in his first outing for the Blues justifies the $100k price premium he has as the No.1 NAB AFL Draft selection last year. Don’t overthink it, just pick him.

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Tom Atkins (MID, $170,000)
The former VFL captain for the Cats is now a member of the senior list. At basement price, he is a must-have if selected in round one. Atkins averaged 93 in the VFL last season and while his scoring in his two JLT matches weren’t anything to write home about, a bench spot should be reserved for the 23-year-old if his name appears on the team sheets on Thursday night. 

Charlie Constable (MID, $170,000)
Like Atkins, Constable is in the mix to make his senior debut in round one. He was on the Cats’ list last season and enjoyed a positive year in the VFL averaging 24 disposals and 86 Fantasy points. Scores of 90 (71 per cent time on ground) and 46 (49 per cent time on ground) in the JLT shows good signs of scoring ability.

Zak Butters (MID, $248,000)
Another Port Adelaide player in the mix for a round one start, Butters scored an impressive 93 points in JLT1 against the Crows. If you’re considering the 12th pick in last year’s draft, he should be on your field as those dollars could be better spent with a cheaper option that may score similarly.

Michael Gibbons (MID, $170,000)
Fantasy coaches were stoked when Gibbons was signed by the Blues in February. The former Williamstown VFL player has a swag of credentials including two J.J. Liston Medals and high Fantasy numbers; his most recent average being 110 in 2018. Although his role looks likely to be in the forward pocket that won’t allow for him to rack up the big numbers of the past, but he may gain forward status ahead of round six to add flexibility to your team while making a few dollars.

Bailey Scott (MID, $174,000)
North Melbourne’s father-son selection played both JLT matches for solid scores of 62 and 84. If not named in round one, keep an eye on Scott as a downgrade target. 

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: Luke Davies-Uniacke (MID, $266,000), Jye Caldwell (MID, $250,000), Jackson Hateley (MID, $244,000), Bailey Smith (MID, $258,000), Nick Hind (MID, $170,000), Brett Bewley (MID, $170,000).

Rucks

Darcy Fort (RUC, $170,000)
As the most popular bench option of all rucks, Fort didn’t set the world of fire in the JLT Community Series. The 25-year-old could make his way into Geelong’s side at some point this year in their ever-rotating ruck division. Fort averaged 101 in the SANFL last year.

Archie Smith (RUC, $217,000)
If you’re willing to pay a few thousand dollars extra on your bench, Archie Smith is your man. He has been behind first choice ruckman Stefan Martin for the last few years at the Lions and while this is likely to continue, he may play some games in 2019. If named, he will make some cash, but you might be better placed to get a basement priced player and spend the money elsewhere.

Zac Clarke (RUC, $270,000)
If we were guaranteed that Clarke would be playing the first few games of the season, he would be almost as big of a lock as Sam Walsh. The former Docker hasn’t played at AFL level since 2016, but dominated in the first JLT game with 104 points. Last year he averaged 109 in the WAFL before getting an opportunity with the Dons. Clarke is there for depth, but his price will increase if he plays.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: Darcy Cameron (RUC, $170,000), Matthew Flynn (RUC, $170,000), Jordon Sweet (RUC, $170,000).

Forwards 

Will Setterfield (MID/FWD, $251,000)
The third most selected Fantasy Classic player is a popular fourth or fifth forward as we look across squads. The former Giant played in both JLT games with his highlight being the opener against the Bombers with a score of 95. Now over his ACL injury sustained last pre-season, the Blues will be hoping that Setterfield can show the form that saw him taken at No.5 in the 2016 national draft.

Willem Drew (MID/FWD, $170,000)
Spending the majority of 2018 sidelined with a foot injury, a full pre-season could set Drew up for a round one debut. The 21-year-old scored 51 and 81 in his two JLT appearances, spending time playing through Port Adelaide’s midfield. If he can hang around in the side, Drew should be a profitable cash cow.

Matthew Parker (FWD, $178,000)
Job security looks strong for Parker, but don’t get too excited about his scoring. The mature-aged Saint will spend a lot of time inside the forward 50 and will be an exciting prospect if his highlight reel is anything to go by. Lock him in for your bench.

Chris Burgess (DEF/FWD, $170,000)
You can select Burgess as either a defender or forward, but the forward line will be the better Fantasy play considering the available options down back. He is a swingman and may be used at either end of the ground during the season, but during the JLT he played predominantly forward scoring 61 and 33.

Jack Petruccelle (FWD, $170,000)
A spot is open in West Coast’s forward line due to Marc LeCras’ retirement. If Petruccelle gets the gig, consider him at basement price following his impressive JLT2 where he scored 71 from 74 per cent time on ground. While he won’t be a huge scorer, as evidenced by his returns of 13, 35 and 16 in his three AFL appearances, he should still be considered as a bench option.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: Jack Lukosius (FWD, $268,000), Connor Rozee (DEF/FWD, $262,000), Jarrod Brander (FWD, $170,000), Noah Balta (FWD, $170,000).

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