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Fantasy makes AFL a whole new ball game

Jake Stringer needs to fire for the Doggies to have a chance this weekend. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Pro
13th March, 2016
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Fantasy games have added a whole new element to the mighty sporting code that is AFL football. And with another AFL season just around the corner, thousands of fantasy coaches around the country are busy putting together their teams, trying to fit all their superstars into the $10 million salary cap.

With plenty of ways for players to score points, AFL is the perfect platform for a fantasy game.

Although only in its infancy compared to US fantasy heavyweights, the AFL iterations will only get bigger and more professional in years to come.

The beauty is that fantasy football brings interest to every game for supporters. In years gone by some supporters would have had little interest in games not involving the teams they follow, or games between two lower ranked teams in the competition, but fantasy gives people an investment and a keen interest in every game.

So being a fantasy fanatic and expert, here are my top two picks from each AFL club.

Adelaide Crows
Sam Jacobs ($582,500): Jacobs should be on everybody’s shortlist for ruckmen. He scores plenty of points through his outstanding tap work and finds enough of the ball around the ground to rack up good fantasy scores.

Brodie Smith ($415,500): Although Smith was a frustration for many coaches last year, I am willing to back him in again. At his best Smith is a high possession winner off half back who has great efficiency with his disposals.

Brisbane Lions
Pearce Hanley ($467,000): Gone are the good old days of picking Hanley as a defender, but serious consideration should be given to finding a spot for the superstar Irishman in you midfield.

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Stefan Martin ($597,600): An athletic ruckman who accumulates midfield-type scores. Well worth the premium price you will have to pay to get him in your team.

Carlton Blues
Bryce Gibbs ($294,800): only played ten games last year, but I am confident Gibbs can recapture his high-scoring form from 2014. Injury-free he is Carlton’s best fantasy scorer.

Matthew Wright ($444,600): The former Crow should get plenty of game time in the midfield for the Blues this year. Is cheap enough to take a punt on, especially with the option of picking him as a forward.

Collingwood Magpies
James Aish ($275,700): The former Lion could be a bargain pick as a defender this year. Has plenty of scoring potential and looks under-priced.

Scott Pendlebury ($627,200): Premium price but is a premium player. One of the first picked in a lot of people’s teams.

Essendon Bombers
Craig Bird ($348,000): A popular choice among coaches this year, Bird will be asked to carry a heavy load in the Bombers’ midfield and his forward option makes him an attractive prospect.

Darcy Parish ($202,800): Pick five in last year’s draft, Parish will get play plenty of game time this year. Is a great money-making option and could be this year’s Patrick Cripps.

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Fremantle Dockers
Nat Fyfe ($670,600): Some coaches will take the risk of not picking Fyfe straight away in the hope his price will come down. Don’t fall for the trap, it only takes a couple of monster games early in the season and his price becomes out of reach.

Harley Bennell ($548,00): By the end of the year Bennell will be one of the premium scorers. Bang him in your forward line!

Geelong Cats
Nakia Cockatoo ($172,700): Exciting young forward has cash cow written all over him.

Rhys Stanley ($392,600): Stanley showed some promising signs in the ruck last year. If given enough opportunities in the middle of the ground, he could be worth looking at, especially as a forward.

Gold Coast Suns
Gary Ablett Jr ($623,200): The greatest fantasy scorer of all-time, and always an obvious choice as captain. Even with injury concerns, Ablett should be first picked in any team.

Kade Kolodjashnij ($482,200): The young defender isn’t cheap, but will be a consistent scorer for many years to come.

Greater Western Sydney Giants
Toby Greene ($446,900): Prolific scoring midfielder who had over 500 disposals and kicked 15 goals last year. There are probably better midfield options around Greene’s price, but being able to pick him as a forward makes him a must have.

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Ryan Griffen ($489,00): Griffen looks a risk after his disappointing first year with the Giants. But I am backing him in to return to his explosive best.

Hawthorn Hawks
Billy Hartung ($319,600): The youngster will get more time in the powerful Hawthorn midfield, meaning this is the cheapest you will pick him up for the rest of his career.

Jack Fitzpatrick ($234,600): Will get plenty of opportunities at the beginning of the season with Jarryd Roughead injured. Cheap enough to be a cash-cow option.

Melbourne Demons
Jesse Hogan ($422,200): Not a big fan of picking key forwards for fantasy, but Hogan could be a Nick Riewoldt type of scorer with his athleticism and marking ability.

Christian Petracca ($123,900): Young jet who looks a natural scorer. Brings flexibility with the option to move between forward and midfield.

North Melbourne Kangaroos
Jed Anderson ($223,900): The ex-Hawk has talent to burn and looks underpriced. Mid or forward options make him a popular choice.

Daniel Wells ($243,00): I have been burned by Wells before, so it’s with great trepidation I throw out his name, but he is just too cheap to ignore.

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Port Adelaide Power
Robbie Gray ($595.900): In the very top echelon of midfield scorers. If not picked in your starting side should be one of your first upgrade options.

Aarond Young ($253.100): A good option at this price. A sub specialist last year, but with no sub rule this year Young should get greater time on the field to increase his scoring average.

Richmond Tigers
Shane Edwards ($492,800): A generous starting price for Edwards, who was one of the Tigers’ best players last year until he broke his leg. Will miss the first few weeks through injury, so put him on your watchlist for later in the season.

Dustin Martin ($569,300): Absolute champion player who is coming into his prime. Premium price, but probably the best forward option in the competition.

St Kilda Saints
Nathan Freeman ($123,900): Great bench option who should get to the magic three-game mark early in the season to increase his price.

Bailey Rice ($117,300): Another great bench option, Bailey is physically ready to play and should get early games.

Sydney Swans
Callum Mills ($211,800): A must! Will play Round 1 and fill a hole for the Swans on the half back line.

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Kurt Tippett ($483,800): Tippett is an underrated ruckman who had some good scores towards the end of last year. Will spend plenty of time in the ruck this year and could be a big improver.

West Coast Eagles
Shannon Hurn ($408,600): The West Coast captain had a quiet year by his high standards last season, but his price looks generous for a man with his scoring capabilities.

Elliot Yeo ($443,300): A cult figure among West Coast supporters and will be a favourite among fantasy coaches as well. Yeo is versatile, capable of big scores, and who doesn’t want a guy named Elliot Yeo in their team?

Western Bulldogs
Tom Liberatore ($357,000): Like a big piece of cheesecake, you know you probably shouldn’t but it just looks too good to resist. Picking anyone after a serious knee injury is a risk, but Libba was a born scorer.

Jake Stringer ($425,000) ‘The Package’ will spend more time in the midfield as his career progresses, which will lead to more consistent scores. Stinger is one of a few players in the competition capable of huge scores.

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