THE NEW kids on the block have been at their clubs for less than a fortnight, but savvy AFL Fantasy coaches are keen to see which of the recent draftees could find a place in their starting squads for 2017.
First-year players are often our biggest cash cows in AFL Fantasy Classic. If they can get early games, their initial price is generally a lot lower than their output and some can make more than $100,000 in the first few weeks. This allows coaches to sell as their stocks hit their peak in order to get the best players into their team.
The new draftees are one of the keys to Fantasy footy – buying low and selling high.
In 2017, draftee pricing has received an overhaul. It has been simplified so that the No. 1 pick, Andrew McGrath, carries the highest price tag of $250,000, with pick two, Tim Taranto, priced $2K less at $248,000 and pick three, Hugh McCluggage, another $2K cheaper at $246,000 – and so on until we reach the basement price of $150,000 with pick 51.
All players drafted from pick 51 and those taken in the rookie draft are among the cheapest players available.
It is only December and a long way from round one, but let's take a look at which draftees we should mark down in our pre-season notebook. Whether for potential opportunity or their Fantasy pedigree, nailing the most profitable players goes a long way to helping your quest for glory.
New Gold Coast midfielders
With four picks inside the first 10, the Suns looked to quickly rebuild their depleted midfield. While all four players look to be Fantasy stars of the future, the two that you should be focusing on are Will Brodie (MID, $234,000) and Jack Bowes (MID/FWD, $232,000). Both are tough, inside bulls who love to win their own ball and have proven at the lower levels they can rack up big numbers. Brodie averaged 21 disposals at the NAB Under 18 Championships and Bowes finished with an average of 19.2 disposals, 3.3 marks and four tackles per game. Ben Ainsworth (MID/FWD, $244,000) is another Sun likely to get games early, but despite some good Fantasy numbers in the TAC Cup, he may not reproduce these at AFL level yet.
Andrew McGrath (DEF/MID, $250,000) – Essendon
Mark it down now, he will become one of the Fantasy greats. McGrath does everything. He tackles, marks, wins the ball on the inside and outside, loves the one-two handball and sprints to get the ball back. Sandringham's best on ground in the TAC Cup grand final averaged 124 Fantasy points for the season to be among the highest-scoring draftees. McGrath was taken at pick one for a reason and he may play as his dual position status suggests, as a half-back.
Hugh McCluggage (MID/FWD, $246,000) – Brisbane Lions
AFL.com.au's draft expert, Callum Twomey, called him the Rolls Royce. The Lions will love having McCluggage glide through their midfield in time, but expect him to start on a forward flank while he builds his body. The key to McCluggage's Fantasy game is the fact he likes to kick goals. He is every chance to find a place in the best 22 early in the season and with his DPP status, he could be worth every cent.
Sam Powell-Pepper (MID, $216,000) – Port Adelaide
With a name that rolls off the tongue nicely, Powell-Pepper was picked by the Power for his inside game. He is a "see ball, get ball" type of footballer who will please Fantasy coaches by kicking more than he handballs. Although he produced modest numbers during the Championships, he has the size to be playing regular games for Port Adelaide.
See ball, get ball: Sam Powell-Pepper
Jack Graham (MID, $150,000) – Richmond
South Australia's skipper averaged 25 disposals and 91 Fantasy points at the Under 18 Championships, where he was named the overall MVP. With a ready-made body, the contested ball-winning inside midfielder may get an opportunity, and if he does, we may see some great Fantasy numbers in the yellow and black.
Kobe Mutch (MID, $168,000) – Essendon
The Bombers called GWS Academy player Kobe Mutch at pick 42, but the Giants didn't match the bid. Maybe they didn't look at his Fantasy numbers? Mutch averaged 24 disposals, four marks and five tackles at the NAB Under 18 Championships. This saw him average an impressive 98 points. His TAC Cup average was a whopping 130, thanks in part to the average 34 disposals he racked up per game. Remember the name, he may bring us Mutch Fantasy points if he can get a game.
While you're thinking Bombers's draftees, keep an eye on Dylan Clarke (MID, $150,000). The midfielder's tackling ability helped him to an average of 128 in the TAC Cup.
Luke Ryan (DEF, $150,000) – Fremantle
The only mature-aged player invited to the NAB AFL Draft Combine, defender Ryan averaged 80 points for Coburg this season. The 20-year-old, who took 12 marks and had 29 disposals in his senior debut against Box Hill, was awarded the VFL's best young player award and could be a round-one starter for the Dockers.
Jake Barrett (MID, $150,000) – Brisbane Lions
Taken at pick two in the rookie draft, the basement-priced midfielder adds depth to the Lions. Barrett was a star of "Magoos News" on the weekly AFL Fantasy podcast for the last two seasons with his impressive NEAFL Fantasy numbers (averages of 114 and 107). If Barrett is upgraded to the senior list, put him on your bench.
Keep an eye on …
The second pick overall, Tim Taranto (MID/FWD, $248,000) may have gone to the club with the deepest midfield in the competition, but he has the attributes to stake a claim early in the season. The all-rounder averaged 27 disposals, seven marks, six tackles, a goal and 122 Fantasy points in the TAC Cup for the premiership-winning Sandringham Dragons.
Fellow first-round Giants Will Setterfield (MID, $242,000) and Harry Perryman (DEF/MID, $224,000) will also find it hard to break into the side, but they have proven to have a Fantasy game about them.
Swan Oliver Florent (MID/FWD, $230,000) had a great Grand Final eve, winning the MVP for Team O'Loughlin in the Under 18 All-Stars game at Punt Road Oval. He collected 27 disposals. It will be tough getting a gig for Sydney, but he may find his way in.
Gold Coast's Brad Scheer (MID, $150,000), Port Adelaide's Joe Atley (MID, $188,000) and Collingwood's father-son selection Callum Brown (MID/FWD, $182,000) all have posted numbers that suggest they are capable of scoring handy Fantasy points.
We will continue to monitor the draftees and other players priced under $250K over the pre-season and throughout the JLT Community Series as we aim to uncover the best cash cows of 2017.
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