Toby McLean ($603,000, MID/FWD):  He just keeps getting better, Toby.  From the slightly built high-flyer that came to the Club back in 2014 to a confident, dangerous forward, capable of going through the midfield, means he should be good value in Fantasy Land in 2018.

He averaged 22.4 disposals per game last season (five more than 2016), and 85.6 Fantasy Points, including six centuries and a 32 touch, eight clearance, eight tackle night out in Adelaide back in Round 16.

He’ll be 22 by the time the season starts, will continue to be a danger around goals as well as seeing more midfield time this season, so we’d suggest he is one to jump on early.

 

Lin Jong ($505,000 MID/FWD): The powerful dual position player is set to return to full training next month, potentially making him available for some JLT and/or AFLX game time, and then possibly a Round 1 return, if not long after. 

The luckless Jong has done everything the fitness stuff as asked of him and more during his rebab period and if his form early last season is any indication, he could be a bit of a bargain at $505,000.

So if 18.9 disposals, 4.4 and 2.7 marks per contest in 2017 aren’t enough for you to take a punt on the 24-year-old this season, then perhaps his 23 touch, 8 marks and seven tackles against the Swans in Round 2 will.   Or his 14 tackles against the Pies in the season opener.

You know what to do.

 

Marcus Bontempelli ($704,000, MID):  One of only two Bulldogs (Jack Macrae is the other) priced above the premium 700K mark, but you’ll likely get what you pay for here, and maybe more.  The 22-year-old dominated the Dogs across most statistical categories in 2017 and cracked the Fantasy ton for the first time in his career.

Listed as a midfielder, Luke Beveridge sent the 22-year-old forward a bit last year where he managed 49 shots at goal, meaning the potential for growth and return on your investment here is significant.  And that’s before we’ve talked about his midfield work where he excelled in the grunt as much as the glam.

Bontempelli led the Club in clearances, goal assists and tackles, so even through your red, white and blue coloured glasses, ‘The Bont’ is a worthy choice as one of your premium picks.

 

Hayden Crozier ($467,000, FWD,):  Interestingly listed as a forward by the Fantasy Gods despite being likely to spend plenty of time across half-back in a post Boyd and Bob world, the former Docker is potentially excellent value at this price.

Crozier is nothing if not versatile, and showed he could do some damage in front of the sticks last year, kicking 13 goals from 19 games, but it’s at the other end of the ground where he was more than handy, earning scores of 88, 107, 87, 84, 89 and 90 as a half back in 2016.

Could potentially be listed as dual position player at some point during the season but should? earn you some decent scores sitting in a forward pocket on your Fantasy squad.

 

Lewis Young ($332,000. DEF): Lewis Young is, well, Young so we’re likely to see some inconsistency in his game as he continues to develop, but at just over 300K, he could be a good investment if you’re feeling brave.

It’s been a big 14 months for the 197cm South Australian.  Having scraped into draft eligibility by a mere 11 days, Young found himself debuting against the Blues at the mighty MCG by Round 17, and we all know how that went.

Young equalled Chris Grant’s Club record for the most marks on debut with nine grabs, and helped himself to 21 disposals across half back in an impressive display that got the football world talking.

So what’s next? He’s still just 19 so it’s hard to say, but the talent, the work ethic and therefore the potential is all there… 

Over to you.

2018 AFL Fantasy Prices

PLAYER

POSITION

PRICE

J. Macrae

MID

$732,000

M. Bontempelli

MID

$706,000

L. Hunter

MID

$634,000

L. Dahlhaus

MID, FWD

$624,000

T. McLean

MID, FWD

$603,000

M. Suckling

DEF

$552,000

S. Biggs

DEF

$542,000

L. Picken

FWD

$536,000

J. Johannisen

DEF

$535,000

C. Daniel

MID, FWD

$530,000

M. Wallis

MID, FWD

$526,000

J. Dunkley

FWD

$517,000

M. Adams

DEF

$513,000

T. Campbell

RUC

$509,000

T. Liberatore

MID

$507,000

L. Jong

MID, FWD

$505,000

J. Roughead

RUC

$483,000

B. Dale

MID

$475,000

H. Crozier

FWD

$467,000

M. Honeychurch

FWD

$462,000

J. Redpath

FWD

$452,000

T. Boyd

RUC

$451,000

T. Dickson

FWD

$446,000

J. Trengove

FWD

$446,000

C. Smith

FWD

$443,000

B. Williams

DEF

$437,000

E. Wood

DEF

$412,000

Z. Cordy

DEF

$394,000

L. Young

DEF

$332,000

J. Schache

FWD

$326,000

P. Lipinski

MID, FWD

$322,000

L. Webb

MID, FWD

$318,000

D. Morris

DEF

$284,000

F. Roberts

DEF

$266,000

R. Smith

DEF

$256,000

A. Naughton

DEF

$254,000

E. Richards

DEF

$240,000

T. English

RUC, FWD

$187,000

N. Mullenger-McHugh

FWD

$170,000

B. Gowers

FWD

$170,000

F. Greene

FWD

$170,000

C. Porter

MID

$170,000

K. Collins

DEF

$170,000

B. Lynch

DEF

$170,000