AS ONE of the clubs in the premiership window, Geelong saw some players hit personal bests last year.
Mitch Duncan (MID, $793,000) proved to be an elite performer. He averaged 112.6, bettering his 94.9 posted back in 2014. A return of 84.6 from 18 games for Zac Smith (RUC, $596,000) was the first time he had averaged more than 72 in a season. Zach Tuohy (DEF, $603,000) enjoyed his first year at the Cattery playing all 22 games and bettering his previous best average by more than 12 points.
Scott Selwood (MID, $704,000) has been plagued by injuries and finally got a run at it in the second half of 2017. He averaged 99.9, second only to his 2013 season of 108.3 as an Eagle.
After bowing out in the preliminary final, the Cats will be keen to go one step further and with that hunger, hopefully the Fantasy points will flow once again.
In his 10th season, Patrick Dangerfield (MID, $849,000) produced his best season to date. After increasing his numbers from an average of 106 to 118 in his first year as a Cat, his sophomore year was even better averaging 120.5.
Danger is a reliable captain option week-to-week no matter what role he is playing. Coaches who skippered him in round 17 last season would have been worried when he went off the ground with a first quarter injury. The 2016 Brownlow Medallist returned to play out the game from the goal square and kicked five goals for 140 points.
An interrupted pre-season and a sporadic role in the side saw Cameron Guthrie (MID, $485,000) drop his lowest average since 2013.
Some of his better performances came from when he ran off half-back and if this is likely to be his role, Guthrie may be among the group to pick up dual position status during the season. Priced at 69 when he averaged 85 two seasons ago, Guthrie could be some value if available as a defender during the season. Keep an eye on his role and pounce on him if it is looking likely he'll be a DPP for your Draft side.
As the only forward listed player to averaged more than 100 last season, Sam Menegola (MID/FWD, $719,000) carries the top price tag for those with FWD status.
The 25-year-old averaged 102 in his second season but may not the same opportunity to run through the midfield as he did last year if everyone is fit. Snap him up early in your Draft league but it would be wise to wait on him in Classic to see where he fits in with the new-look Geelong midfield.
Since 2007 Gary Ablett (MID, $837,000) has averaged more than 110 points, making the Little Master the No. 1 Fantasy player of the last decade.
Geelong's favourite son is back in the navy blue and white hoops but comes with a hefty price tag. Despite playing just 14 games last season, the former Gold Coast captain averaged 118.7, his fourth-greatest return in his 16-year career.
While many pundits think that Ablett will spend some time forward in the twilight of his career, Cats' coach Chris Scott said that he'll be a midfielder first and forward second. The points will flow once again for Gaz and while he will be a first-round Draft pick, it will be wait and see for most in Classic.
Fantasy coaches love a mature-aged recruit and Tim Kelly (MID, $224,000) ticks the box.
Taken by the Cats with their second selection, the No.24 overall NAB AFL Draft pick averaged 26 disposals and 101 Fantasy points in the WAFL last year. Kelly is keen to cement a place in the round-one line up and if the 23-year-old is named, he should be considered as one of your starting midfielders.
He's averaged more than 100 in all but four of his 11 years in the system, but some Fantasy coaches have Joel Selwood (MID, $670,000) on a 'never again' list.
Whether it is when he succumbs to a tag or those times he leaves the ground to get his head bandaged up, Selwood finds a way to frustrate his owners. In 2018 he comes with his lowest price tag since his third season, thanks in part to a first-quarter head clash in round 14 that left him concussed on two points.
With the addition of Ablett to the Geelong midfield, there is the possibility that Selwood won't garner as much attention and he may find his way off that never again list.
Last pre-season Mark Blicavs (MID, $549,000) apparently was looking for a new job when the third man up was outlawed from ruck contests. While this was tongue in cheek, the former steeplechaser's Fantasy numbers suffered as the year progressed.
Blicavs' best season was in 2015 when he averaged 97.1. Last year he went at just 78 points per game.
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