From cheap backline cash cows to premium midfield maestros, The Traders are ready to show you the quick path to NAB AFL Fantasy glory. Over the next 30 days, they'll hand pick 30 fit-for-purpose players for your starting AFL Fantasy squad.

Today we take the punt on the Sydney Swans' glamour recruit. Thankfully you don't need to offer him a ten-year contract to secure his services

IF, LIKE me, you were the Fantasy coach of one Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin in 2013, then you know he had a season to forget. 

In fact he had his worst Fantasy season in seven years and only averaged 79 points.

But we sit here now with a new season upon us, and no longer should Buddy be labelled a negative of 2013. Instead he now carries the title of a ‘bargain’ or a ‘lock’ in 2014.
- Gary Rohan (Sydney Swans)
- Alex Fasolo (Collingwood)
- Patrick Karnezis (Collingwood)

2013 - the year to forget
Last year, many people started with Buddy in their Fantasy squads and they certainly ‘paid the price’ to select him, then ‘paid the price’ for having him.

In more than half of his games last year, Franklin failed to collect over 15 disposals. Compared to 2011, when he played the same amount of games, Buddy had 21 less tackles, 12 less goals and a massive 44 less marks with all this adding up to an enormous deficiency of Fantasy points.

The move to Sydney
Did you hear that Buddy is now with the Sydney Swans? It got a passing mention in a few media outlets. But what will that mean for his Fantasy scoring in 2014?

It could only be an improvement on last year. Firstly, it will certainly improve from what it was last year.

Sheryl Crow once sang 'A Change Would Do You Good' and it certainly will for the big forward in 2014.

Already we have heard his new teammates talk up his pre-season efforts. Buddy is training well, and getting fit.

Rumours are even circulating of an occasional move up to the wing with his new club which will only improve his Fantasy scoring.

Previous success
Before 2013, Buddy averaged 96+ Fantasy points in four of his last five seasons. He peaked in 2011 and 2012, averaging over 100 with some great scores of 144, 142, 130 and a record monstrous 204 points!

Not even the great Dane Swan or Gary Ablett have ever achieved a 200+ score, but Buddy certainly did.

That day at Aurora Stadium against North Melbourne he took 11 marks and kicked 13 goals to be the only player since 2000 to score a double ton in Fantasy.

Fantasy football's top games since 2000
- Lance Franklin: 204 points (2012)
- Brent Stanton: 193 points (2012)
- Brian Lake: 192 points (2010)
- Gary Ablett: 190 points (2012)
- Leigh Montagna: 189 points (2013)