Value is something to look for in most, if not all, of the players you consider and pick when making your AFL Fantasy starting team. Here of some of the top value picks to consider starting in your side.
DEFENDERS
Hayden Young ($805k DEF)
Moved into the midfield in the back end of last season and looked good while doing it, averaging around the 98 mark when in the guts. Reports suggest he has trained with the midfield group all preseason, and with a full preseason as a midfield, will be looking to raise his average over 95 to be amongst the top defenders in the game, while being priced at 89.
Keidean Coleman ($628k DEF)
With Daniel Rich gone, many expect Kiddy Coleman to take his game to the next level in 2024. We saw a glimpse of what he is capable of against Collingwood in the Grand Final, where he scored a game high 127 points, with 101 of those points coming in the first half! Has the Round 2 bye, but good news is we get to see him in Opening Round against Carlton before having to a make a call.
Zac Williams ($442k DEF)
Didn’t play at all last season due to an ACL injury, which means he comes at an extremely cheap price. One to keep an eye on in the pre-season, as he is capable of averaging 90+ for a stretch of games. Priced under 50 means there is significant value if he is fit and playing Round 1. Another player we get to watch in Opening Round.
Others to look at: Jordan Ridley, Harry Himmelberg, Heath Chapman
MIDFIELDERS
Jack Steele ($884k MID)
Steele was hampered by injuries for pretty much the majority of 2023, and he still averaged 97.9 from 20 games. We know he is better than that, and has a ceiling of a 120 average, and if he can get anywhere near that, represents huge value as an underpriced uber premium.
Luke Davies-Uniacke ($879k MID)
Much like Jack Steele, he had a couple of injuries last season that prevented him from averaging 100+. What caught my eye was his stretch of games from Round 17-22, where he 100+ in 5 of 6 games, and averaged 112.2. If he can finally have a year without any hiccups, he can elevate himself into that uber premium territory and average around, if not above 110.
Touk Miller ($868k MID)
Had a down year to the last few seasons, while he also suffered a knee injury in Round 6 that saw him miss 9 games, and was managed a bit to end the season. Priced at 96.2, we know he is better than that, and has the injury affected 48 in Round 6 baked into his price. If it wasn’t for his Round 3 bye, he would be a lot more popular, but even still, if he can get close to his 2022 of a 120 average and average 110-115, he could be worth starting regardless. Big watch on role as well with Dimma now the coach.
Sam Walsh ($854k MID)
Very much the theme of these four value mids was injury in 2023, with Walsh having no pre-season and a delayed start to the 2023 season due to a back injury, and he never really got going to the level we know he can perform at. We saw the Walsh of old in the semi final against Melbourne, where he scored 140 points. He does have the Round 2 bye, but is much more popular than a guy like Touk. Will be interesting to see how he goes in Opening Round, and if he goes massive, his ownership will sky rocket even more. But so may his price.
Others to look at: Cam Guthrie, Matt Crouch, Ollie Wines, Jy Simpkin
RUCKS
Max Gawn ($831k RUC)
With Grundy now at the Swans, Gawny becomes the solo ruck for Melbourne once again. This is really the first season he has been the solo ruck for a couple of years, having either Luke Jackson or Brodie Grundy sharing the ruck duties. Has averaged over 105 on multiple occasions, and if games in which he was solo last year and previous seasons are anything to go by, he is right in the mix with English and Marshall as a top 2 ruck, but at a much cheaper price.
Brodie Grundy ($677k RUC)
Moved to the Swans and is also a solo ruck for the first time in a while as well, having Darcy Cameron and Max Gawn sharing ruck duties at Collingwood and Melbourne respectively. The RuckPig looks poised to take over the mantle as the no.1 ruck for Sydney, and if he does, could be the biggest AFL Fantasy bargain in 2024.
Tristan Xerri ($580k RUC)
With Todd Goldstein moving on to Essendon, Tristan Xerri will take over as the no.1 ruck and likely solo ruck at North. Looked good in games as the solo ruck last year, highlighted by his game against Geelong in Round 17, where he had 19 disposals, 45 hitouts and 110 points. Priced just over 64, an average of 85+ looks a real possibility. Very hard choice to pick two of the three value rucks, but the big plus with Xerri is not only is he the cheapest, he is the only one of them that doesn’t have an early bye.
Others to look at: Matt Flynn, Jordon Sweet
FORWARDS
Sam Flanders ($809k M/F)
Was finally given the opportunity the fantasy community wanted, and boy did he come home like a steam train, averaging 105 from his final 10 games. If he were to go at 105 for the season, being priced at 89.6, there is potentially 16 points of upside, and could even be more. With a forward line lacking of options, not only is Flanders a good option, he is potentially going to be the no.1 scoring forward in 2024 (before DPP additions).
Taylor Adams ($691k M/F)
Moved from Collingwood to the Swans where he could have a lot more opportunity to be the CBA midfielder we have seen in years past. A big watch in pre-season and Opening Round, plus see where Mills’ is at, but could be that value forward we are after that could be in the mix as a top 6 forward. If he’s not, you can trade him at his bye in Round 5.
Zac Fisher ($623k FWD)
Traded from Carlton to North Melbourne, and by the sounds of it, could be playing as a half back this season. If he’s in that role, we have seen guys like Aaron Hall, Jack Ziebell, Harry Sheezel and even Luke McDonald all rack up massive points. Isn’t out of the equation he averages 90+ and is potentially a top 6 forward.
Others to look at: Josh Rachele, Connor Macdonald, Jack Billings
2 thoughts on “Top value picks in 2024 AFL Fantasy across each line”