STEFAN Martin's resurgence as an elite ruckman with the Brisbane Lions is complete, with the former Demon to be AFL Fantasy's most expensive player at the start of next season.
Martin will set Fantasy coaches back $631,000 in 2016 - even the best midfielders, including teammate Tom Rockliff, will be cheaper.
Ruckmen will clearly be worth their weight in gold next year in Fantasy, with North Melbourne star tall Todd Goldstein just $1,000 cheaper than Martin at $630,000.
As expected, the rest of the 10 highest-priced Fantasy players is a roll call of elite midfielders with an unmatched eye for getting a possession.
Resurgent Saint Jack Steven is the top-priced midfielder at $618,000 after a year in which he averaged 111.7 Fantasy points per game.
The biggest top-10 shock is Steven's teammate Leigh Montagna, who will start as the top-priced dual-position player next year – Montagna has been handed 'forward' status alongside 'midfielder' for 2016.
There's a surprise for the original Fantasy Pig, Dane Swan, who loses his forward status from 2015 and will start next year as a midfielder only. With James Aish and Adam Treloar joining the Pies' midfield, Swan looks every chance to add an extra position at some point in the season.
Luke Hodge has also lost his extra position (defender) from 2015 and will start as a premium midfielder at $615,000. The powerhouse Hawthorn midfield also boasts top-10 Fantasy player Jordan Lewis who will kick off 2016 with a $613,000 price tag.
Other notable nuggets from the 2016 Fantasy player prices to be revealed on AFL.com.au over the next few weeks:
- Fantasy premiums are at a … er, premium – 2015 began with 12 players priced above $600,000 (including outlier Tom Rockliff at $763,000), while there will be just nine over that price to start next year.
- Dual-position is very much in vogue – 160 players will start with two spots on the field, compared to the 128 who began 2015 this way.
- The cheapest players just got a touch more expensive – low draft picks and category B rookies will start at $125,000 for your bench in 2016, compared to $120,000 this season, although there is no change in the $10million salary cap.
Fantasy's elite – top 10 players by price in 2016
1. Stefan Martin (Brisbane Lions) RUC, $631,000 – averaged 114.0 in 2015
2. Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) RUC, $630,000 – averaged 113.9
3. Jack Steven (St Kilda), MID, $618,000 – averaged 111.7
4. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), MID, $615,000 – averaged 111.1
5. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), MID, $615,000 – averaged 111.1
6. Dan Hannebery (Sydney Swans), MID, $613,000 – averaged 110.7
7. Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn), MID, $613,000 – averaged 110.7
8. Dane Swan (Collingwood), MID, $609,000 – averaged 110.1
9. Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), MID/FWD, $603,000 – averaged 109.0
10.Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans), MID, $594,000 – averaged 107.4
Starting Monday, The Traders are back to reveal every club's AFL Fantasy prices and positions for 2016, beginning with the rebuilding Blues.
