Matt de Boer and Marcus Bontempelli collide during the R3 match between the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

IT'S NOT a season where we can plan ahead too far due to the nature of the fixture, but from what we've learned from the first few rounds, we can make some calls based on which teams are the easiest/hardest to score against. 

The Crows have started the season 0-7 and have given up the most Fantasy points.

Specifically, midfielders are having the best of it when playing Adelaide. The top three are averaging 96 Fantasy points with Melbourne (91), Essendon (89), Hawthorn (89) and West Coast (89) also leaking points to midfielders. Port Adelaide, Greater Western Sydney, and Fremantle are the most restrictive. The Giants are helped by the game's No.1 tagger, Matt de Boer. 

Adelaide also give up the most points to forwards alongside Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne. Collingwood, Sydney Swans and Geelong can be tough opponents for forward.

Consider defenders to have a good day when playing Richmond. Over the last two seasons they have been among the easiest teams for backs to score against. Melbourne, Hawthorn, Fremantle and Collingwood also allow plenty of points, while Geelong, Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide put the brakes on defender scoring.

Finally, in the rucks, the big men are racking up higher scores than usual when playing Essendon with the No.1 ruck averaging 98 against the Bombers in the past five weeks. Richmond, St Kilda, Geelong and Sydney Swans allow plenty of points to their ruck opponents. It's no surprise that Collingwood and Melbourne are the toughest with Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn being two of the competition's best, but surprisingly, Port Adelaide has been the most restrictive.

AVERAGE FANTASY SCORES AGAINST 2020 

 

Average

Points AGAINST

Average

>100 AGAINST

Average

>120 AGAINST

Adelaide Crows

1361.1

4.7

1.4

Hawthorn

1304.4

4.7

1.1

Western Bulldogs

1281.1

3.4

1.3

Melbourne

1276.5

3.8

1.2

Fremantle

1268.4

3.4

0.6

Essendon

1263.2

5.2

1.2

West Coast Eagles

1251.0

3.4

1.1

Gold Coast Suns

1243.3

3.4

0.6

GWS Giants

1236.0

2.6

0.4

Richmond

1235.6

4.1

0.9

St Kilda

1221.0

3.1

0.7

Carlton

1212.3

3.4

0.7

North Melbourne

1209.7

3.1

0.1

Collingwood

1206.9

2.6

0.9

Sydney Swans

1190.7

2.7

0.9

Brisbane Lions

1168.1

3.3

0.7

Geelong Cats

1157.1

2.7

0.4

Port Adelaide

1137.3

2.1

0.6

 

TOP FIVE PRICE RISES

  • Sam Simpson, Geelong Cats (MID, $305,000): +$73,000
  • Izak Rankine, Gold Coast Suns (FWD, $266,000): +$62,000
  • Marlion Pickett, Richmond (MID, $354,000): +$57,000
  • Hugh Greenwood, Gold Coast Suns (MID/FWD, $711,000): +$54,000
  • Tim English, Western Bulldogs (RUC, $732,000): +$50,000

TOP FIVE PRICE FALLS

  • Jack Ziebell, North Melbourne (MID/FWD, $473,000): -$79,000
  • Mitch Lewis, Hawthorn (FWD, $349,000): -$64,000
  • Seb Ross, St Kilda (MID, $558,000): -$55,000
  • Justin Westhoff, Port Adelaide (MID/FWD, $519,000): -$55,000
  • Mitch Robinson, Brisbane Lions (MID, $566,000): -$49,000

LOWEST BREAKEVENS

  • Sam Simpson, Geelong Cats (MID, $305,000): -30
  • Izak Rankine, Gold Coast Suns (FWD, $266,000): -27
  • Sam Naismith, Sydney Swans (RUC, $368,000): -20
  • Louis Butler, Western Bulldogs (DEF/MID, $229,000): -12
  • Will Day, Hawthorn (DEF, $316,000): -9

HIGHEST BREAKEVENS

  • Nic Newman, Carlton (DEF, $620,000): 142
  • Luke Shuey, West Coast Eagles (MID, $671,000): 139
  • Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Brisbane Lions (MID, $592,000): 137
  • Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lionss (MID, $931,000): 124
  • Rory Atkins, Adelaide Crows (MID, $523,000): 123

Breakeven data can be accessed with the Fantasy Coach subscription.

04:27

BUY  

Adam Treloar, Collingwood (MID, $867,000) - The Pies' ball magnet hasn't missed a beat since making his season debut three weeks ago. His form continued against the Cats with 34 possessions, six tackles and two marks for 119. His is averaging 105 and is owned by just 5 per cent.

Tim English, Western Bulldogs (RUC, $732,000) - If you don't have the cash to reach one of the big two in Max Gawn or Brodie Grundy, the young Dog has put his hand up as a value play. Once again his work around the ground was elite with 22 touches and 114.

Hugh Greenwood, Gold Coast (FWD/MID, $711,000) - The Suns' tackling machine is one of the form players of the competition, knocking up his third triple figure score in a row to give him an average of 107 in that time. He had 12 tackles on his way to 109 against the Swans. 

Also consider: Izak Rankine, Will Day, Max Gawn. 

HOLD

Dustin Martin, Richmond (MID/FWD, $614,000) - Although Dusty is below his best at the moment, there were signs against the Roos that a dominant performance is just around the corner. He managed 16 touches and 2 goals for 72 despite copping close attention

Jy Simpkin, North Melbourne (MID/FWD, $671,000) - The young Roo is in the midst of a huge breakout season and has been making the most of his opportunity to be the man in the middle. Unfortunately he hurt his ankle early in the first quarter against the Tigers and limped to 43. 

Sam Docherty, Carlton (DEF, $731,000) - Opposition teams are understandably putting some work into the Blues co-captain to curb his influence on games and his recent scores are reflecting that. He was well held against the Power with just four marks and 61. 

Also consider: Tom Mitchell, Patrick Cripps, Nick Haynes.

SELL

Marc Pittonet, Carlton (RUC, $475,000) - The Blues ruck recruit started in a blaze of glory for his owners and certainly stepped up in a time of need. Unfortunately for those who are still rolling with Mr Worldwide, his score of 30 confirmed its time to pack his bags. 

Brandon Starcevich, Brisbane Lions (DEF, $369,000) - That was the third 30 on the trot for the Lion cash cow and every week that passes makes his round two score of 79 a more distant memory. His break even is now more than his projected score so it's time to trade. 

Gary Ablett, Geelong Cats (FWD, $553,000) - The Cat legend has just been rolling the legs over from a Fantasy perspective this year, playing almost exclusively forward while averaging 61. He is leaving the Hub for the foreseeable future so he must be traded.

Also consider: Chad Wingard, Harley Bennell, Connor Rozee. 

Get expert advice from The Traders throughout the season in the Fantasy Hub. Follow AFL Fantasy on Twitter and 'like' the Facebook page to join in the conversation.