The must-have players in 2019 AFL Fantasy

In no particular order, here are the players you should not think twice about picking in AFL Fantasy circles this season. Jake Lloyd (SYD) Position: DEF 2018 Avg: 101.6 Classic: $738k Draft: Average Draft Position (ADP) 15 Jake Lloyd comes with a hefty $738k price tag in 2019 but will be worth every dollar and then some. Averaging 101.6 in 2018, Lloyd finished the season strong with scores of 117, 117 and 126. He also demonstrated his ability to produce monster scores, eclipsing 115 eight times last season including 163 vs. Fremantle in round nine. In 2018 Lloyd took 55 per cent (147 out of 265) of Sydney’s kick-ins, and if he can maintain his 2018 form, we could see Lloyd's average rising towards 110 with the introduction of the new kick-in rules. This anticipated boost is reflected in a much higher average draft position (ADP), than his pre-draft ranking of 25 on AFL.com.au. [caption id="attachment_21445" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Jake Lloyd of the Swans handballs during the round one AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power at Sydney Cricket Ground on March 25, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Zac Williams (GWS) Position: DEF 2018 Avg: N/A Classic: $421k Draft: ADP 98 Returning from injury in 2019, Zac Williams is a no-brainer for Fantasy selection. With an ADP of 96, it’s clear that Fantasy coaches are well aware of his value compared to his pre-draft ranking of 126. Owned by 35 per cent of Fantasy Classic coaches, the GWS defender is priced at an enchanting $421k due to his absence in 2018 with an Achilles injury. Despite not playing a senior game in 2018, fears over the durability of the Giants’ young gun will be allayed by the fact that he was able to return to play in the NEAFL at the end of last year. With an uninterrupted preseason, Williams looks poised to build on his 2016 and 2017 averages of 82.5 and 83 where he played a significant role in GWS’ game plan as a rebounding defender. In 16-man Draft leagues, his ADP has him going at the very end of the sixth round which could be a steal if he can boost his average into the mid-to-high 80’s. [caption id="attachment_13547" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Zac Williams of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the round 11 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Essendon Bombers at Spotless Stadium on June 3, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Sam Collins (GC) Position: DEF 2018 Avg: N/A Classic: $246k Draft: ADP – Undrafted Collins is a lock for your Classic team at $246k. In the VFL last season, Collins was a dominant force in the backline for Werribee, taking 195 marks in 18 games, while averaging 6.4 intercept marks and 11.9 intercept possession per game. As the 24-year-old looks to reignite his AFL career, he is poised to be one of 2019’s fattest cash cows if he can continue to showcase the intercept marking that earned him a professional lifeline. His value is less in Draft leagues, going undrafted in most as he sits at 510 in the pre-draft rankings. However, his VFL stats from last year were incredible and Collins could still be worth a flier in the closing rounds of your draft. [caption id="attachment_16430" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Sam Collins of the Dockers looks on during a Fremantle Dockers AFL training session at Victor George Kailis Oval on March 24, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Anthony Miles (GC) Position: MID 2018 Avg: 78 Classic: $425k Draft: ADP 142 At $425k, Miles presents as an attractive mid-price option in Classic leagues. Starved of opportunity at Richmond, the 26-year-old will look to kick-start his career with the Suns after playing just one senior game in 2018. Miles has demonstrated his capability for Fantasy production in the past, returning averages of 89.6, 87.7 and 86.4 from 2014 to 2016 when he was a regular part of the Tigers' best 22. With regular selection at Gold Coast, look for Miles’ price to skyrocket in the first half of the season. [caption id="attachment_22546" align="alignnone" width="682"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Anthony Miles of the Tigers kicks the ball during the round 12 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval on June 8, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)[/caption] Sean Darcy (FREM) Position: RUCK 2018 Avg: 73.4 Classic: $552k Draft: ADP 202 It’s time for Sean Darcy to take control of Fremantle’s midfield. With the 36-year-old Aaron Sandilands suffering from recurring calf setbacks with no timeframe for his return, it’s time for Sean Darcy to take the reins in the Dockers midfield. At 201cm and 111kg, the 20-year-old giant has already shown his ability to dominate as a tap-ruckman, averaging 34 hit outs in his first 15 career games. Giving him a 34-point floor before factoring in any other stats, we could see Darcy’s average shoot up into the mid-to-high 80’s. Darcy’s $552k price tag isn’t overly tempting in the Classic format, but his appeal in Draft leagues is undeniable. With an ADP of 202, coaches can snap up a potential league winner for a steal in the middle-to-late rounds [caption id="attachment_25433" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Sean Darcy of the Dockers sets for a bounce contest during the 2018 AFL round 21 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Carlton Blues at Optus Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Patrick Dangerfield (GEE) Position: MID/FWD 2018 Avg: 106.2 Classic: $771k Draft: ADP 3 Believe it or not, Patrick Dangerfield could actually be undervalued at $771k. Danger’s dual position player (DPP) status in 2019 instantly makes the Cats superstar the most attractive forward option in Fantasy, reflected by 59 per cent ownership in Classic. After the Brownlow Medallist saw his 2018 average slide to 106.2 after 117.9 in 2016 and 120.5 in 2017, this could be the lowest Fantasy price tag he will ever have. There is a strong case for Dangerfield to be the No.1 Pick overall in Draft leagues. Current No.1 and No.2 ADP’s Jack Macrae and Brodie Grundy both had breakout years in 2018, but whether they can maintain their 120 averages is unknown. Don’t think twice about locking Danger into your forward line for the entire Fantasy season. [caption id="attachment_22257" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats handpasses the ball during the 2018 AFL round 18 match between the Geelong Cats and the Melbourne Demons at GMHBA Stadium on July 21, 2018 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Media)[/caption] Tim Kelly (GEE) Position: MID/FWD 2018 Avg: 86.8 Classic: $630k Draft: ADP 62 Tim Kelly was a rookie sensation in 2018, averaging 23.1 disposals and kicking 23 goals for the Cats in his debut season. With dual position availability, Kelly is just too attractive to pass up at $630k in Classic. At a reasonable asking price and with a lack of quality Fantasy options up forward, the 24-year-old could be a genuine bargain if he continues to spend more time in the Cats midfield. Owned by only 7 per cent of teams, the mature-age recruit could be the point of difference in your Classic team in 2019. Kelly’s quality, and bargain pricing is evident in Draft leagues, where despite being listed at 85 in pre-draft rankings, the MID/FWD has been coming off the board at Pick 62 on average. [caption id="attachment_23154" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Tim Kelly of the Cats celebrates after kicking a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 3, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Will Setterfield (CAR) Position: MID/FWD 2018 Avg: N/A Classic: $251k Draft: ADP 246 Owned by 47 per cent of coaches, Carlton’s Will Setterfield is unpassable in the Classic format. One of the most popular cash cows of 2019, Setterfield will see his value skyrocket with some early form. Setterfield played a half against the Hawks in the two clubs’ practice match last week as he continues his return from an ACL injury. Pleasingly for Fantasy coaches, the ex-Giant spent 100 per cent of his game time in the midfield. [caption id="attachment_23117" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Will Setterfield of the Giants sets to mark the ball during the AFLX match between GWS Giants and the Richmond Tigers at Allianz Stadium on February 17, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption]

The must-have players in 2019 AFL Fantasy

Lock and load the following names.

8. Jake Lloyd (SYD)

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		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	23	17	6	68	126.7
2	PORT	23	16	7	64	114.8
3	GEEL	23	15	8	60	112.2
4	GWS	23	15	8	60	109.1
5	BL	23	14	8	58	121.9
6	WB	23	14	9	56	125.1
7	HAW	23	14	9	56	118.5
8	CARL	23	13	10	52	110.2