Tom Green during the GWS Giants pre-season training on January 20, 2023. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - ©Phil Hillyard )
Round 1 offered up a rough start with high-priced high-owned players like Rory Laird, Josh Dunkley and Rowan Marshall all underwhelming, leaving coaches weighing up their AFL Fantasy trade plans.
There were also some injuries to popular players Tom Stewart, Liam Jones, Tristan Xerri and Josh Kelly forcing some coaches’ hands too.
While those dilemmas need to be considered, there’s a few players who put their names up in lights, with their prices rising rapidly as a result, meaning you need to snap them up ASAP if you don’t own them.
Maintaining cash generation and increasing value in your salary cap is crucial to get ahead of the pack, so Honeyball‘s Ben Somerford takes a look at the key price changes in AFL Fantasy after Round 1.
Price Rises
Harry Sheezel (AF $358k FWD, BE -17, up $62k)
It’s doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the Kangas rookie needs to be in your team after scoring 118 AF points (equal 11th overall), with his price skyrocketing up $62k. With a Round 2 breakeven of -17 his price will keep climbing so while it’s frustrating if you didn’t start him, you can still grab him, albeit at a higher $358k price tag. Having been billed as a forward in pre-season, Sheezel’s half-back flank role against West Coast in Round 1 was ideal for Fantasy points and coach Alastair Clarkson has already indicated he’ll likely stay there next week. Don’t miss out.
Kade Chandler (AF $260k FWD, BE- 27, up $60k)
Chandler came at rookie price this year after a series of brief sub appearances last year saw his value plummet, but he showcased his potential with 109 AF points in Round 1, fuelled by seven tackles in a forward pressure role. I’m not convinced scores like that are sustainable in that role so he may not be a reliable on-field option, but he’ll rise in value and has done enough to have some job security, especially with Kysaiah Pickett out for two weeks suspended. He’s already the most traded-in player for Round 2.
Reuben Ginbey (AF $328k D/M, BE -3, up $44k)
No surprises here, with the Eagles teenager scoring 92 AF points on debut with 12 tackles. He’s a big-bodied presence, so expect tackles to play a big part in his points all season. He’s the third most-owned player in Fantasy, so if you don’t own, hurry up and get him.
Will Setterfield (AF $648k MID, BE 42, up $38k)
The former Blues midfielder ticked a lot of boxes on Sunday, attending 23 of 31 centre bounces (74%), gathering 25 disposals with 10 marks and six tackles for 122 AF points. Despite his CBA presence, he only had three contested possessions but his numbers likely have shown the Bombers’ coaches that he should remain in the middle. With a climbing price and solid role, he becomes a viable option to downgrade a premium midfielder who scored poorly in Round 1 and is losing value, to make an upgrade elsewhere. Obviously they won’t play Hawthorn every week but consider him strongly.
Tom Green (AF $782k MID, BE 65, up $30k)
In a similar boat to Setterfield, albeit worth more than $100k more, but looms as a downgrade option for a premo midfielder on the slide, if you’re brave. Green ticked every box in Round 1, having been hyped as a premo breakout in pre-season with Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper’s exits opening up more opportunities for him. He scored 128 AF points on 37 disposals, attending 25 of 31 CBs (81%).
There’s also a few obvious rookie picks including Bodhi Uwland (AF $233k D/M, BE -4, up $33k), who rotated in defence, and Luke Pedlar (AF $246k FWD, BE -4, up $33k), who was lively in attack. A word of warning on Uwland as the Suns having a few similar half-back types due back soon including Lachie Weller and Wil Powell.
Price Drops
Tom Stewart (AF $775k DEF, BE 155, down -$61k)
Stewart’s early knee injury meant he only managed 14 AF points, seeing him price drop drastically and Geelong have now ruled him out of Round 2, although he’s avoided serious injury, so he’s been traded out en masse. If you want to move him on you could go with someone like Luke Ryan (AF $807k DEF, BE 49) as a sideways option having dominated in Round 1 or you could downgrade to Will Day (AF $564k DEF, BE 43) whose mooted midfield role in Round 1 materialised to an extent, scoring 98 AF points with eight of 31 CBAs (26%), creating some cash to upgrade elsewhere.
Rory Laird (AF $1.02m MID, BE 174, down -$48k)
The most expensive player in the game got off to a nightmare start for owners with only 57 AF points. To make matters worse, plenty captained him. To add insult to that, Laird’s price will plummet in coming weeks with a Round 2 breakeven of 174, allowing others to trade him in cheaper than those who started with him, such as those considering offloading Josh Kelly (AF $890k MID, BE 119, down -$9k) following his concussion. It’d be a brave call to trade him out, given he can go massive.
Liam Jones (AF $299k DEF, BE 59, down -$22k)
The Dogs defender had double-digit ownership heading into Round 1 but they were left frustrated after he was subbed out following a neck injury scare. Luke Beveridge has hinted he may be OK to play in Round 2, but he only scored 7 AF points up until half-time so he’s likely not someone to hang on to, although you may have other priorities.
There’s a few premos who you should have on your radars in coming weeks after dipping in price after less-than-average Round 1 scores, including Lachie Neale (AF $920k MID, BE 141, down -$27k), Cameron Guthrie (AF $817k MID, BE 133, down -$32k) and, if you’re one of the few who didn’t start him, Josh Dunkley (AF $938k M/F, BE 140, down -$25k).
