THE DAYS are counting down and the anxiety levels of a Fantasy coach are getting stronger. AFL Fantasy officially kicks off on Thursday night when Richmond plays Carlton and coaches are scrambling to have their best team possible locked and loaded.

Below is the current line-up for Team Calvinator ($22k left) with my thoughts and reasoning behind some of the players selected and potentially some moves that still might occur over the coming days. 

Defenders

Many of my defenders are the popular names you'd expect at this stage of the year. Brodie Smith (DEF, $646,000) came into my team within the last week after his blistering performance in the final week of the Marsh Community Series.

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Possible changes: This will be heavily dictated to by the naming of rookies prior to round one. I'm hoping that Lachlan Ash (DEF/MID, $264,000) can hold his position in the GWS line-up along with Jarrod Brander (DEF/FWD, $217,000) who played the wing role for the Eagles. Both of their positions won't be known until lockout but hopefully they can hold their positions long enough until we see Hayden Young (DEF, $258,000) debut for the Dockers, hopefully within the first month. Other players that have floated through my team over the last week include: John Noble (DEF, $400,000) and Adam Cerra (DEF, $451,000). 

Midfielders

With the shortage of rookies, I have recently cut Patrick Dangerfield (MID, $798,000) from my team and replaced him with Jack Viney (MID, $611,000) along the extra $187,000 that comes with the downgrade. This cash allowed me to limit the number of rookies I had on my field. I've been waiting for Joel Selwood (MID, $585,000) to play this pre-season as I didn’t want to play four rookies on field. Trading down to Viney makes it feel like a nice sideways move. The two big-name Bulldogs are cemented in along with Stephen Coniglio (MID, $769,000) after his 149 last week.

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Possible changes: If I require more cash to make adjustments in other positions, then Viney is at the top of the list and will be the next to go. This would elevate Tom Green (MID, $252,000) on to the ground and he will play as my fourth rookie in the midfield (if named) and the extra cash can be used to fix up other positions.

Rucks

This has been the talking point over the last week and after the recent podcast with the legendary John Harmey my thoughts and decision on this position were confirmed. Despite the value of starting Sam Jacobs (RUC, $514,000) and Sam Naismith (RUC, $284,000) the option of not having Brodie Grundy (RUC, $906,000) seems ridiculous. The amount of sleep this will save me, plus the fact I have a walk-up captain and the best player from 2019, surely is the right decision. Yes, Naismith has been awesome and he will continue to be, but turning my back on Grundy and Jacobs, who have sat in my team since opening day is no longer an option. If I had a spare $114,000 in my salary cap heading into lockout, then Naismith can sit on my bench making a truckload of money, but I can’t see that happening.

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Possible changes: I have toyed with the idea of starting Max Gawn (RUC, $826,000) alongside Grundy but it just stretches every other line too thin. Therefore, there will be no changes at this stage. Unless there is a massive last minute panic attack at 7:24pm, next Thursday night. 

Forwards 

This is my biggest area of uncertainty. After reading the great Selby Lee-Steere's 'Moreira's Magic 2020 Season Guide' I have (for now) changed my mind on Christian Petracca (FWD, $563,000) and have jumped on board. His season guide is not only an amazing read, but with all proceeds going to charitable organisations it’s well worth getting and supporting. Many coaches are getting desperate and therefore downgrading from Lachie Whitfield (MID/FWD, $844,000) to save some cash. This is not a move I am supporting. I'm really hoping that Curtis Taylor (FWD, $170,000) can debut after his impressive pre-season. If not, then some drastic changes will need to be made.

Possible changes: Well to be honest, there could be plenty. Here are the other players who have floated through my side over the last week: At F2, Devon Smith (MID/FWD, $720,000) with Connor Rozee (FWD, $539,000), Chad Wingard (MID/FWD, $582,000), Bailey Smith (MID/FWD, $513,000) and Brett Bewley (FWD, $367,000) rotating through F3, F4 and F5.