| GARY ABLETT | DANE SWAN | |
| Fantasy position | Midfielder | Midfielder |
| 2013 price | $642,500 | $688,100 |
| 2012 average | 142.7 | 133.56 |
| 2012 high score | 186 v Collingwood in round 10 | 187 v Essendon in round 23 |
| Age | 28 | 29 |
| X-factor, Rising Star or Mr Reliable? | Mr Reliable. Ablett has been an All Australian the past six years, winning four best and fairests (two at Geelong and two at Gold Coast) and a Brownlow Medal in 2009. His scoring has been prolific over the past four seasons, averaging 118, 119, 112 and 124 Dream Team points respectively. That's the definition of reliable. | Mr Reliable. Swan is an AFL Fantasy scoring machine. Has outscored Ablett the past four seasons, averaging 119, 123, 121 and 133. The only match he failed to hit the ton last year was his 95 points against Geelong. Select, sit back, relax. |
| Value for money | You get what you pay for with Ablett. He's the second highest priced player in the competition and rarely has off games. He failed to reach 100 Dream Team points on four occasions, but topped 150 just as many times last year. | Swan is the most expensive player in AFL Fantasy for a reason. He is a running machine and finds the ball at will. Has also developed the ability to kick goals, which has made him even more potent as a team captain. Swan is $45,000 more expensive than Ablett though, which is a fair jump. |
| Job security | Ablett is the captain and the first man picked every week. If he's even remotely fit, he's playing and you're scoring. | No risks with Swan, he's one of the best players in the game and a crucial cog in the Collingwood midfield. |
| Injury history | One of the great things about the Suns' skipper is his durability. Has played at least 20 games (18 regular season) in each of the past 10 seasons. Missed two games last year with a knee problem following a collision with Andrew Raines, but has limited history with soft tissue problems. However back and calf niggles have flared during the pre-season and have limited his training. Has played NAB Cup and should be fine for round one, though. | Has a habit of missing the odd game through soft tissue injuries, which may concern some. Missed two of his four games last year with a hamstring problem and also was sidelined for a month in 2011 with a quad injury. Is fighting fit at the moment though. |
| The case for | At 28 Ablett is still in the prime of his career and in the conversation for the game's best player. Not only wins plenty of the ball, but kicks goals and is not afraid to tackle, ensuring he keeps the points coming. With the Suns expected to improve, there should be even more possessions up for grabs for Ablett to claim. | Not only the most prolific player in recent seasons, but also the most consistent with just the one score under 100 last year. Swan is fit and showed no signs of slowing down despite the emergence of Dayne Beams last year as another high possession ball-winner. |
| The case against | His interrupted pre-season might scare some people. Now back in full training though and should be approaching his best by round one. Had similar problems two seasons ago and started the season slowly before a white-hot stretch got him back into the AFL Fantasy good books. Might spend slightly less time on the ball as the Suns' midfield improves. | With Swan's recent run of soft tissue injuries, there's always a slight – ever so slight – risk in taking him over someone as durable as Ablett. |
The verdict | If you can afford both, do it. If you can't, find room. Amazingly consistent over four seasons, the Swan-Ablett combination is good for a minimum 230 points a week on average when they're on the field. You can't match that. If forced to choose though, Ablett's cheaper price-tag and improving team might just get him over the line. | |
Pick your NAB AFL Fantasy team now.
