ONE OF the best parts of the AFL Fantasy prices being revealed is that we can start searching for bargains.

The hunt for under-priced players can be harder than it sounds, because the age-old Fantasy saying 'they are cheap for a reason' carries a lot of weight and a lot of fear for us coaches.

Bargain players can come in a variety of forms and a popular starting point is to look at the players who are returning from a long-term injury. These players will receive a discount of between three and 30 per cent on their price, depending on the amount of football they have missed.

What do the premium Fantasy players cost in 2018?

Then we have under-performing players. These players have performed well in the past, but due to a role change, injuries or just a poor season, their average from 2017 is well below what they are capable of.

New clubs, greater opportunities and even AFL finals series form are also prominent factors on coach's radars as they look to maximise scoring potential on a budget.

Let's go shopping...

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Nic Naitanui (RUC, $417,000) is a dead-set steal in a ruck department that is lacking value in 2018.  He is available for a maximum discount following his knee injury and rehabilitation keeping him from playing a game in 2017. Although he hasn't traditionally been the highest scoring ruckman, mostly due to a historic lack of uncontested marks, the fact he is often regarded as the best in the business and had averages of 85 and 88 leading into his injury make him an easy selection.

Jaeger O'Meara (MID, $438,000) Yes, I know, I know, I had him last year as well and although I put him on my 'never again' list due to pure frustration, I've taken him back off because the Bomb is still a gun. Due to only playing six games last year, he comes at a discounted price from the 71 he averaged which is very generous if, like me, you have confidence he will be on the park regularly. After averaging 89 and 93 in his first two years, we all know the sky is the limit and his score of 101 in round 23 gives me hope he can once again push a triple-figure average. The Hawks' medical crew have a good track record and at this stage, I'm backing them in.

Will Jaeger manage something close to a full season in 2018? Picture: Getty Images

Rory Lobb (FWD, $467,000) is the first obvious candidate to receive dual position status in round six as the Giants have him earmarked for the sole ruck role that he embraced in the finals series. In the Giants' semi and preliminary finals, we were given a nice preview of what we can expect from the big fella in this role with scores of 83 and 90 from 31 and 39 hit outs respectively. Those performances came in stark contrast to the average of 66 he is priced at.

Harley Bennell (FWD, $249,000) is hopefully out the other side of a horror run that has seen one of the AFL's most exciting talents fall off the relevancy map. Without doubt, this pick would be considered high risk, but for the price of an early draft pick, the potential reward is undeniable. He has averaged 85 or more on four occasions and if Ross Lyon thinks he is good enough to select in round one, I'll be following his lead with equal parts excitement and expectation of doom.

Freo hopes Harley Bennell is back to full fitness after a horror run. Picture: Getty Images

Brett Deledio (FWD, $$530,000) It's hard to know how Lids will respond to the disappointment of missing out on the Tigers' flag, not to mention how his body will hold up another year down the track. But I love a big name and we all know this bloke is a star when fit. After playing just four games in 2017, he receives a heavy discount and on the surface he looks a bargain for a star who has averaged over 90 on eight occasions and carries a personal best average of 110. Having said that, he would need a pretty special and uninterrupted pre-season to even flirt with the idea.

Robbie Gray (FWD,$572,000) is a genuine star of the competition, but from a Fantasy perspective, we need him in the middle. Last year playing predominantly forward, his average dropped to just 81 after scoring 97 and 98 in the previous two seasons. It is yet to be seen where the Power's off-season recruiting drive leaves Gray, but if he looks like getting more midfield time, grab him.

Max Gawn (RUC, $605,000) came into 2016 as 'The Man' in the ruck department, but his year was swiftly derailed by injury. Subsequently, his average dropped from 107 to 86 from 13 games which creates a bargain if you think he can return to his best. From all reports he is fit as a fiddle and training the house down (along with everyone else, I know, but he did look fit in photos from training).

Big Max is the picture of fitness after a disciplined off-season. Picture: Getty Images

That is just a scratching of the bargain surface. There are so many questions, twists and turns and that is all before the first bounce of the season. In a perfect world we will be gifted with news that Allen Christensen (FWD, $331,000) is fighting fit or Cam O'Shea (DEF, $2310,000) and Tom Doedee (DEF, $170,00) will be filling the vacant shoes of Sam Docherty and Jake Lever, providing us with cheap options down back. Although unlikely, these are the the types of opportunity we need to keep an eye out for. 

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