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| PEARCE HANLEY (Brisbane Lions) | ANDREW WALKER (Carlton) | ||
| Fantasy position | Midfielder/defender | Defender | |
| 2014 price | $467,300 | $473,700 | |
| Price change from 2013 | +$42,000 | +$91,400 | |
| 2013 average | 85.5 | 86.7 | |
| 2013 high score | 129 | 121 | |
| Age | 25 | 27 | |
| Key Fantasy stat | It's a familiar sight to see Hanley mark and gobefore disposing of the ball by foot. He averaged five marks a game last yearand his kick to handball ratio was more than 2-1, which often means you getmore value from every possession. | Walker loves to kick the ball and does so a lot more than he disposes of it by hand – over three times more often. Only two other players averaged more kicks a game in 2013. That's his strength – getting a lot of the ball and kicking it. | |
| Value for money | The Irishman's on the way up and his last two seasons have been mightily impressive. Having now played 76 games he'd be expecting to take his game to greater heights and as a dual-position player he offers good versatility. With several scores climbing above 120, he's able to prove the difference when in form. | Walker's price has gone up nearly $100k from the start of the 2013 season and while he consistently posted decent numbers, they weren't overly exciting. He's a sure thing, but from what he's shown in his career he won't regularly put up match-winning scores. | |
| Job security | He's a well-established member of the Lions' starting line-up. | A gun and one of the Blues' most important defenders. He'll play whenever possible. | |
| Where he'll play | Hanley is so crucial on the half-back line for the Brisbane Lions that it's hard to see him moved elsewhere for long periods. He pushes forward to hit the scoreboard and can be used through the midfield, but don't expect his role to change too dramatically in 2014. | As one of the competition's best rebounders, expect Walker to again play deep in defence or across half-back. He provides the club with brilliant service rebounding the ball through the midfield and into attack, so he'll spend the bulk of the time doing what he does best. | |
| Injury concerns | He's a durable player having played 20 games last year and 22 the season before that. | He's had shoulder issues in the past but managed 21 games last year and looks to have his body in order. | |
| The case for | Such a talented player, who can do just about anything on the footy field. His ability to find the ball and his tendency to kick rather than handball gives him the potential to score big, which he did on several occasions last year, passing 120 three times. Has matured into one of the club's most important players and should prove so again in 2014. | A proven competitor, Walker has consistently registered decent scores for several seasons. The Blues love the ball in his hands to start their attacks from defence and he's more than likely going to win the 20-30 possessions that will get you 80-90 points each week. Like Hanley, Walker's tendency to kick over handball gives you bang for your buck. | |
| The case against | If the Lions again struggle, Hanley's opportunities to excel might as well. While capable of a lot, he doesn't consistently stamp his authority on games and only topped 100 points five times last year. | He's a lot more expensive than he was last season and it's hard to see him taking his game to another level from a Fantasy perspective. Walker only posted six triple-figure scores in 2013 and at almost $500k he's an expensive get for a player who's unlikely to put up big numbers. | |
| The verdict | PearceHanley - There's more upside to Hanley's game andhe's got a huge advantage as a dual position player. Entering his third seasonas a genuine starter, expect the Irishman to step up his output as his footysmarts rise. His ceiling is high and if he can increase his minimum score, hisaverage will rise dramatically. | ||
