• Check out the latest Fantasy reveals

THE BLUES were a far more exciting team to watch in 2016, and their AFL Fantasy scores reflected that with a big improvement in team numbers across the board.

The highlight of the year was Patrick Cripps (MID, $601,000), taking another step towards superstar status as the stoppage specialist took his average from 86 in 2015 to 99 this year. 

Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

Sam Docherty (DEF, $609,000) certainly took his game to the next level in 2016, quickly becoming one of the best half-backs in the competition. His durability and consistency make him a tantalising prospect in 2017 after playing 22 games for an average of 101, dropping under 74 on just one occasion and reaching triple-figures in 12 games. He is a safe set-and-forget player who doesn’t mind rewarding you with the odd 140+ score.

Marc Murphy (MID, $482,000) is in the mix to be the bargain of the season if he is fit to go in 2017. We all know what Murph is capable of at his best, averaging triple figures three times in his career, including an elite 111 in 2011. When Murph was fit last season, he showed he still has what it takes, with three 100+ outings and a handful of respectable scores. The reason he is so cheap is because injury caused two shocking scores of 35 and 15, which had a big influence on his average given he played just ten games.

Billie Smedts (FWD/MID, $259,000) is an interesting prospect considering he is a former first round draft pick who is coming into his sixth year in the system. He has moved to the Blues in the hope of receiving more opportunity, but also hopes to have some more luck with his body after injury all but ruined the last three seasons. Smedts has certainly shown he is capable of finding the ball at the lower level, so keep an eye on him given he is basically priced the same as the early draft picks.

Jarrod Pickett (FWD/MID, $150,000) has moved to the Blues in the hope of receiving more opportunity, and given the fact the Blues' avenues to goal are few and far between, he may have come to the right place. The former No.4 pick is certainly an excitement machine when up and running, so if he can have a good pre-season and is named round one, you couldn't say no to his bargain basement price tag.

It’s not technically his first year, but it will be interesting to see if the former No.10 pick Harry McKay (FWD, $150,000) has developed enough to earn a spot in the best 22. He faced a big setback with injury delaying his start to the VFL season this year, but eventually hit the park in round 15 where he showed some glimpses. He won’t be a huge contributor, but is certainly worth tracking given his price.

There was a lot of talk about Bryce Gibbs (MID, $636,000) having a bad year after an off-season in which he requested a trade to the Crows, only to have negotiations fall through with Carlton rejecting all offers. I don’t think that will be the case at all - Gibbs is a professional and he will pick up right where he left off last season, dominating. In 2016, Gibbs averaged over 105 for the third time in his career, and his role under Brendon Bolton is certainly conducive to scoring Fantasy points.

Dale Thomas (MID, $451,000) has had his name thrown around Fantasy circles over the last few years, but given he is not available as a forward, it is safe to rule a line through him this pre-season. Hopefully he can bounce back to something close to his best, but it looks unlikely given the troublesome injuries constantly holding him back. 

Player

Pos

2017 Price

Bryce Gibbs

MID

$636,000

Ed Curnow

MID

$614,000

Kade Simpson

DEF

$611,000

Sam Docherty

DEF

$609,000

Patrick Cripps

MID

$601,000

Matthew Wright

FWD

$509,000

Sam Kerridge

MID

$485,000

Nick Graham

MID/FWD

$485,000

Marc Murphy

MID

$482,000

Dale Thomas

MID

$451,000

Matthew Kreuzer

RUC

$431,000

Rhys Palmer

FWD

$393,000

Dennis Armfield

FWD

$385,000

Ciaran Byrne

DEF

$380,000

Simon White

DEF

$369,000

Dylan Buckley

FWD

$349,000

Jed Lamb

FWD

$348,000

Jacob Weitering

DEF

$347,000

Daniel Gorringe

RUC/FWD

$327,000

Levi Casboult

FWD

$311,000

Blaine Boekhorst

MID/FWD

$305,000

Jack Silvagni

FWD

$303,000

Alex Silvagni

DEF

$298,000

Andrew Phillips

RUC

$298,000

Lachie Plowman

DEF

$298,000

Liam Jones

FWD

$281,000

Liam Sumner

FWD

$278,000

David Cuningham

MID

$262,000

Billie Smedts

MID/FWD

$259,000

Sam Petrevski-Seton

MID

$240,000

Charlie Curnow

FWD

$237,000

Sam Rowe

DEF

$232,000

Caleb Marchbank

DEF

$205,000

Kristian Jaksch

DEF/FWD

$202,000

Zac Fisher

MID

$198,000

Harrison Macreadie

DEF

$158,000

Andrew Gallucci

FWD

$150,000

Jarrod Pickett

MID/FWD

$150,000

Kym Lebois

FWD

$150,000

Ciaran Sheehan

DEF

$150,000

Cameron Polson

FWD

$150,000

Pat Kerr

FWD

$150,000

Tom Williamson

DEF

$150,000

Jesse Glass-McCasker

DEF

$150,000

Harry McKay

FWD

$150,000

Matthew Korcheck

RUC

$150,000

Follow @AFLFantasy on Twitter and like us on Facebook to stay up to date this pre-season.