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THE 2017 premiership favourites certainly deserve the mantle. Last year, the Giants delivered in style with six players averaging over 90 in Fantasy.
Stephen Coniglio (MID, $625,000) led all scorers and improved his average by 13 to 103. He had a phenomenal season and could be even better in the new year.
The Giants added depth to their list over the trade period recruiting ex-Dockers Matt de Boer (FWD/MID, $347,000) and Tendai Mzungu (MID, $339,000). Although both players will find it hard breaking into this team, Mzungu averaged 80 in his debut season back in 2011 and could present as some value being priced at only 56.
This team of up and coming stars just get the job done on a weekly basis and when they are well supported by veterans like Steve Johnson (FWD, $501,000), it’s not hard to see why. Despite coming to the end of his career, Johnson still managed to play in all but one game, averaging 83.
So how far can the Giants go in 2017 and who will step up and take their Fantasy game to a whole new level?
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Even with so many terrific options to lock in from the start, you simply cannot look past Heath Shaw (DEF, $614,000). Known as 'Headache Heath' for much of his Fantasy career due to his inconsistency, Shaw doesn’t give you the pain he used too.
Not only did Shaw have his best Fantasy season averaging 102 in 2016, he set the Fantasy community into meltdown with some of his scores, such as his 176 in round nine.
Shaw has now got the Fantasy game down to a fine art and knows how to accumulate big scores. He averaged 87 from marks and kicks alone, and for the first time in a long time, he can be locked into your team with confidence.
Josh Kelly (MID, $542,000) is an interesting one and due to take his game to an even higher level. In his third season, Kelly boosted his average from 73 to 90 last year and has the ability to push triple figures.
Mid-season, Kelly was being talked up as one of the key Fantasy players of the future. His end to the year though didn’t support the hype, as he averaged just 74 in his last five games.
Kelly’s pre-season is crucial and if he’s back to his best, then move him up your Draft ranking as a player with the potential to average 100+.
A proven scorer who is named as a forward gets me excited, and Jacob Hopper (FWD/MID, $391,000) certainly does that. After a successful stint in the NEAFL averaging 124 from six games, Hopper debuted in round eight and scored 97.
Priced at an average of just 69, he is one to watch over the pre-season. If he is getting any midfield time, then consider him as a mid-priced option or at the very least, move him up your draft rankings.
Former Tiger Brett Deledio (FWD, $553,000) has finally made his way to a good team. Ok Tiger fans, I’ll take that back.
Deledio has been a Fantasy star for many years and now makes his way to a team on the rise. He has averaged over 90 for the last six years and with less pressure on him now, he should thrive.
The second selection in the 2016 draft was Tim Taranto (FWD/MID, $248,000).
He’s an expensive rookie but as a forward option, he might be worth monitoring. Taranto averaged 122 in the TAC Cup and was best on ground the under-18 all stars match.
Also keep a sneaky eye on Tim Mohr (DEF, $150,000) who only played two games last year and 12 in the NEAFL. Mohr has been hampered by injuries but, if fit, he could be a great bench option at this bargain basement price.
A beast warrior: 199cm and 108kg.
Although Shane Mumford (RUC, $513,000) dropped his average by nine points last year to 84, he played 21 games, the most he has ever played in a single season in his nine-year career.
Mumford’s durability has always been questioned but last year he put those demons to rest. He has the potential to average 95 and could be a top-five ruckman by the end of the season.
On draft day, make sure you have removed Lachie Whitfield (MID, $504,000) from your rankings. The star recruit will miss the first eight rounds after copping a six-month suspension.
With that said, in round nine, check the 'scrap heap' in your draft league and pick him up then before your mates attempt to do the same.
GWS positions and prices for 2017
Player | Pos | 2017 Price |
Stephen Coniglio | MID | $625,000 |
Heath Shaw | DEF | $614,000 |
Dylan Shiel | MID | $591,000 |
Callan Ward | MID | $579,000 |
Tom Scully | MID | $579,000 |
Toby Greene | FWD | $560,000 |
Brett Deledio | FWD | $553,000 |
Josh Kelly | MID | $542,000 |
Shane Mumford | RUC | $513,000 |
Ryan Griffen | MID | $509,000 |
Lachie Whitfield | MID | $504,000 |
Steve Johnson | FWD | $501,000 |
Zac Williams | DEF | $498,000 |
Devon Smith | FWD | $483,000 |
Nick Haynes | DEF | $447,000 |
Rory Lobb | FWD | $406,000 |
Jacob Hopper | MID/FWD | $391,000 |
Jeremy Cameron | FWD | $386,000 |
Nathan Wilson | DEF | $384,000 |
Jonathon Patton | FWD | $367,000 |
Matt De Boer | MID/FWD | $347,000 |
Tendai MZungu | MID | $339,000 |
Adam Kennedy | DEF | $337,000 |
Sam J. Reid | FWD | $301,000 |
Phil Davis | DEF | $300,000 |
Adam Tomlinson | DEF | $300,000 |
Joel Patfull | DEF | $281,000 |
Matt Buntine | DEF | $264,000 |
Tom Downie | RUC/FWD | $253,000 |
Harrison Himmelberg | DEF | $251,000 |
Tim Taranto | MID/FWD | $248,000 |
Will Setterfield | MID | $242,000 |
Harry Perryman | DEF/MID | $224,000 |
Isaac Cumming | DEF | $212,000 |
Matthew Kennedy | FWD | $194,000 |
Aidan Corr | DEF | $189,000 |
Dawson Simpson | RUC | $182,000 |
Tim Mohr | DEF | $150,000 |
Daniel Lloyd | MID | $150,000 |
Jeremy Finlayson | DEF | $150,000 |
Lachlan Tiziani | FWD | $150,000 |
Matthew Flynn | FWD | $150,000 |
Zachary Sproule | DEF/FWD | $150,000 |
Jake Stein | DEF | $150,000 |
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