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AFL Fantasy isn't just about having the best players in the competition in your team. Just like AFL clubs, it's about distributing your salary cap in a manner that will yield the best results. Luckily, as AFL Fantasy coaches you can increase your salary cap by selecting young players, with few games to their name, at a reasonable price. Darcy Lang and Nakia Cockatoo are two such players and the departures of Travis Varcoe and Allen Christensen have left a position up for grabs.
Darcy Lang (MID. AFL Fantasy - $236,000)
Being drafted at pick 16 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft was a surprise for Darcy Lang, who at the time had just had surgery to repair a broken leg and dislocated ankle. As a result, a delayed start to the pre-season of 2014 saw Lang on the back foot from the get go. It wasn't until round 13 that Lang could break into the senior side.
He started as the substitute against St Kilda and got his chance after half time. 7 touches, a goal and 57 AFL Fantasy points was a solid return although he wasn't to get another chance at the senior level. Lang's year in the VFL was more promising. He played 15 games and found plenty of the ball through the middle, and with an average of 69 AFL Fantasy points, he looks promising.
The Colac local wears number 11, vacated most recently by Joel Corey and the number isn't the only thing the pair have in common. Like Corey, he is very good under the pack but has quite a turn of pace and is proficient on either side of his body.
Lang's short comings during his first year in the AFL system came as no surprise to him. His ability to concentrate on the task at hand for the entirety of the game needed to improve, and he has addressed just that this pre-season stating, “I need to keep it simple this year and make sure my intensity is right up there.
Having rectified this, the 19 year old is looking to make a splash in 2015 and cement a spot in Geelong's midfield. He did himself no harm in the first NAB Challenge match for the Cats. He ran through the midfield well in the Townsville humidity and finished with class when he pushed forward. An AFL Fantasy score of 73 from just 66% time on ground is quite promising.
Nakia Cockatoo (MID. AFL Fantasy - $271,000)
In the lead up to the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, rumours surfaced that Nakia Cockatoo would be selected by Geelong with pick 10. There was a scramble to get the Northern Territory prospect to the Gold Coast for the live draft. He was later selected by the Cats and was unashamedly excited to be part of the Geelong set up.
Fans are excited at the prospect of seeing Cockatoo's in the number 5 guernsey once worn by club greats, Polly Farmer and Gary Ablett Snr. The 18 year old has a man's body, AFL ready is the buzz word, but it's his body that has let him down in the past.
Stress fractures in his right foot saw Cockatoo miss a lot of football last year before making a one off appearance in the 2014 Grand Final curtain raiser. He is now enjoying a solid pre-season and already has a NAB Challenge match under his belt.
Cockatoo is highly rated for his athleticism. His acceleration and pace is something Geelong are in need of after the departure of quicks Allen Christensen and Travis Varcoe. He could fill a roll anywhere from half back to forward pocket but his line breaking run through the middle of the ground is key to a successful season for Geelong.
This run was on display on occasion in Geelong's first NAB Challenge match. The explosive midfielder spent 57% time on ground in the match against Gold Coast and managed 10 touches and 6 tackles for a respectable AFL Fantasy score of 54.
With each piece of game experience, Cockatoo will grow in confidence and fitness and if he can string a few senior games together in 2015 he could very well be a fantasy gold mine. $271,000 is not cheap for a man with no AFL experience but Cockatoo is adapting well to the level.
The FP Verdict
Geelong's two most recent first round draft picks are both highly likely to be given game time at senior level in 2015. Lang, slick and classy, and Cockatoo with flair and line breaking pace are both expected to be used through the midfield, pushing into the forward line. Lang will have superior fitness due to an extra year in the system, a better rounded understanding of the Geelong game plan and at a cheaper price he holds more value for fantasy coaches.
AFL Fantasy Verdict: Darcy Lang
Unless you're in a very deep draft, you aren't likely taking either of these young guns in this year. That being said if you happen to be on the lookout for a bench option with some potential upside, the excitement surrounding Nakia Cockatoo can't be overlooked. Price doesn't exist in a fantasy draft format, only potential.
Fantasy Draft Verdict: Nakia Cockatoo