Advent calendars are being torn open at this time of the year but for AFL Fantasy fans, it is a long countdown until the first lockout of next season. There are 99 days left of the pre-season before the Richmond-Carlton clash kicks off 2018 but there will be plenty for Fantasy coaches to think about in the coming weeks.
The team at Fantasy HQ have been as busy as the players on the track as they prepare for the new year. Rather than running time trials, they're running spreadsheets.
Earlier this year the players negotiated a new pay deal and in turn, the salary cap for each club has increased. As the official Fantasy game of the AFL, the salary cap for Fantasy Classic will mirror the figure clubs must adhere to with their list.
In 2018 your initial squad of 30 players must come under the $12,600,000 cap.
How it works
Players are priced according to their 2017 output. In simple terms, their average from the previous season is multiplied by the 'magic number'.
There are some exceptions.
If a player takes part in fewer than 10 games, a discount will apply in the form of three per cent per game. Discounted players are priced according to the higher of their last two season's averages. If they miss a full season, the discount can be up to 30 per cent (the price will be calculated on the player’s previous season average).
The cheapest players in the game are priced at $170,000 with the top 50 draftees having a premium added to their price.
No.1 pick and new Lion Cameron Rayner (MID/FWD, $270,000), is the dearest first-year player with second pick Andrew Brayshaw (MID, $268,000) valued at $2K less. That trend continues until the 51st selection, and all subsequent picks, are basement priced.
We will reveal all prices and positions, as provided by Champion Data, over the coming weeks ahead of the launch of AFL Fantasy in late January.
Top defenders
Name | Club | Position | 2017 Avg | 2018 Price |
Sam Docherty | CARL | DEF | 116.82 | $823,000 |
Rory Laird | ADE | DEF | 100.41 | $707,000 |
Elliot Yeo | WCE | DEF | 98.33 | $692,000 |
Kade Simpson | CARL | DEF | 97.68 | $688,000 |
Michael Hurley | ESS | DEF | 94.15 | $663,000 |
Michael Hibberd | MELB | DEF | 92.56 | $652,000 |
Jake Lloyd | SYD | DEF | 92.19 | $649,000 |
Bachar Houli | RICH | DEF | 90.50 | $637,000 |
Dylan Roberton | STK | DEF | 90.27 | $636,000 |
Jeremy Howe | COLL | DEF | 89.95 | $633,000 |
Top midfielders
Name | Club | Position | 2017 Avg | 2018 Price |
Tom Mitchell | HAW | MID | 127.18 | $896,000 |
Patrick Dangerfield | GEE | MID | 120.52 | $849,000 |
Gary Ablett | GEE | MID | 118.86 | $837,000 |
Zach Merrett | ESS | MID | 117.10 | $825,000 |
Taylor Adams | COLL | MID | 114.68 | $808,000 |
Dayne Zorko | BL | MID | 114.29 | $805,000 |
Dustin Martin | RICH | MID | 113.64 | $800,000 |
Josh Kelly | GWS | MID | 112.90 | $795,000 |
Mitch Duncan | GEE | MID | 112.57 | $793,000 |
Bryce Gibbs | ADE | MID | 112.14 | $790,000 |
Top rucks
Name | Club | Position | 2017 Avg | 2018 Price |
Brodie Grundy | COLL | RUC | 106.20 | $748,000 |
Matthew Kreuzer | CARL | RUC | 105.05 | $740,000 |
Stefan Martin | BL | RUC | 99.77 | $703,000 |
Sam Jacobs | ADE | RUC | 99.41 | $700,000 |
Jarrod Witts | GCS | RUC | 92.33 | $650,000 |
Top forwards
Name | Club | Position | 2017 Avg | 2018 Price |
Sam Menegola | GEE | MID/FWD | 102.11 | $719,000 |
Lance Franklin | SYD | FWD | 96.09 | $677,000 |
Michael Barlow | GCS | MID/FWD | 94.75 | $667,000 |
Jack Billings | STK | FWD | 94.59 | $666,000 |
Chad Wingard | PA | MID/FWD | 92.22 | $649,000 |
Isaac Heeney | SYD | MID/FWD | 92.17 | $649,000 |
Toby Greene | GWS | FWD | 91.44 | $644,000 |
Travis Boak | PA | MID/FWD | 91.24 | $643,000 |
Tom Lynch | ADE | FWD | 90.85 | $640,000 |
Luke Dahlhaus | WB | MID/FWD | 88.55 | $624,000 |
