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, it's the Carlton captain's turn to grab a spot in our starting midfield.

IN 2011, Marc Murphy was AFL Fantasy elite. He scored 100+ in 73 per cent of his games, ranking him among the premium superstars of the competition. When Dane Swan and Gary Ablett cracked the ton in 77 and 76 per cent of respective games last year, you can clearly see my point.

He averaged 111 that year, an average that would have seen him ranked sixth in the 2013 overall stats.

Fantasy lock-ins: midfielders
- Mitch Honeychurch (Western Bulldogs)
- Jared Polec (Port Adelaide)
- Claye Beams (Brisbane Lions)
- Dale Thomas (Carlton)
- Brandon Ellis (Richmond)
- Dayne Beams (Collingwood)

But unfortunately, it has been Murphy’s inability to shake a tag that brings him criticism at a Fantasy level. Last year he was beaten comprehensive on many occasions by some of the best negators in the League. 

Ryan Crowley held him to just 55 points in round 19, while Andrew Raines (73pts), Clinton Jones (64pts) and Jarryn Geary (53pts) also claimed his scalp. It’s easy to see why he frustrated so many Fantasy coaches who backed him in.

Another theory behind Murphy's inconsistency last year was the added pressure of being ‘tagged’ as Carlton’s captain, which may have weighed him down. Or was it the new coach? Surely not. Let’s not forget premium midfielders such as Swan and Scott Pendlebury played under Mick Malthouse at Collingwood. 

All is not lost though. Carlton's recruitment of Dale Thomas will somewhat ease the pressure on Murphy. Chris Judd will still be heavily tagged while Thomas will also be on their radar from time to time, along with Bryce Gibbs.

Murphy will bounce back in 2014 better than ever. He's priced 15 points less than what he has averaged over the past five seasons and he should certainly improve what he’s priced at this year.

He's already looked sharp in the NAB Challenge and clocked a team-best 95 points in the loss to Adelaide on Monday night.

If you select Murphy from the start but you're not entirety convinced with his output, here’s a plan to release him: Carlton has the bye in round nine, so he can provide a great stepping stone to the likes of Swan, Pendlebury, Ablett, Joel Selwood or Steve Johnson who have the round eight bye the week before.

If Murphy hasn’t impressed you by the bye rounds then take the leap. This will not only help you over the troublesome bye rounds, but allow you to potentially trade in a superstar who has already had their bye. You have nothing to lose!

LOCKABILITY: 4/5
The biggest tick from a Fantasy perspective is the fact that over the past five years, Murphy has averaged more than 100+ on four occasions, with his downfall occurring last year. That means he is drastically under-priced based on what he has done in the past.

Murphy is a premium midfielder of the competition and has proven this on numerous occasions and is destined to return to that status once again in 2014. If not, your insurance policy plan is in place when the bye rounds approach.

To discuss #AFLFantasy on Twitter, follow @CalvinDT and the official account @AFLfantasy

The pre-season AFL Record is the complete guide to the new-look NAB AFL Fantasy football competition. AFL Fantasy experts Warnie, Roy and Calvin (aka The Traders) detail everything you need to know about Fantasy football. There are Fantasy prices and profiles of every player. The 124-page pre-season Record is on sale now at newsagents nationally for $9.95.