Top 12 AFL Fantasy options between $400k - $500k

Hi,

Welcome back to my on going Fantasy Blog previewing some of the best buys heading into the season.

Today we start to enter No Mans Land price zone. Once you are getting over $400k you can't really call them Cash Cows anymore but some of these guys are real quality and maybe are just coming off injury or one bad year, so do have the potential to make you a bit of Fantasy money.

When purchasing in this range, you need to be looking out for that type of player that could turn into a keeper for your team or at the very least, make you a little money before you upgrade them to an A grader. So given these players are a mix, naturally the best (or worst) description for them is 'Keeper Cows.'

Now I normally go with 10 but it was such a big list in this price range, so I decided to go with a clean dozen.

So my top 12 Keeper Cows are:

12: C MILLS $488k Defender - Sydney
OK, so Mills had a little bit of the 2nd year blues in 2017 after an outstanding debut season which culminated in him winning the Rising Star Award. His average dropped to 69 after being 73 in his debut season but he makes this list based on the potential for mass improvement in 2018, given how talented he is.
At $488k he is worth the gamble in my opinion.

11: J Stringer $403k Forward - Essendon
Another one that makes this list given the potential for mass improvement in 2018.
The former All Australian and Premiership Forward had a dog of a year in 2017, pun intended.
He has now moved to the Bombers which will hopefully rejuvenate him and more excitingly, he is expected to see a lot more Midfield time.
The Bombers have already said publicly they see him as part of their Midfield rotation which should see Stringer's Fantasy scores go through the roof provided he has got his fitness levels up through the pre season.
Take on trust but at $403k he is worth the risk especially if he shows a bit in the JLT series.

10: A Brayshaw $462k Defender - Melbourne
Like his brother Andrew who just went to Freo with the number 2 draft pick, Angus himself was also a high 1st round pick and was taken at number 3 in the 2014 Draft.
Brayshaw has played 36 games but has had 3 injury riddled years at the Demons owing largely to concussion issues which threatened his career.
Brayshaw has a very handy Defender/Midfielder dual position this year but his main appeal for mine, was the form he showed upon his return to the senior team for the last 5 games in 2017.
A helmet wearing Brayshaw put up 80's scores in 4 of those games and looked the best I'd ever seen him at the level. Now his concussion issues look to be behind him we may start seeing the player the football world rated as the 3rd best kid in the country in 2014.
The $462k price tag is a little steep given the risk but his upside is enormous especially given the Defender position.

9: J Berry $423k Midfielder - Brisbane
Berry is a touch expensive at that price given he is only a 2nd year player in 2018 but he looks to be something pretty special.
Berry who was a 1st round pick in the 2016 Draft played 16 games in his debut season and seemed to cope with the physicality of AFL footy easily.
By the second half of the year he was starting to break tackles and really take them on which was evidenced in his scoring. His last 4 games went 82, 79, 82, 91 and he looks to of already cemented a spot in the Lions midfield rotation. He will be even more confident in his 2nd season and I expect big things from this youngster.

8: S Petrovski-Seton $478k Midfielder/Forward - Carlton
A lot of talented youngsters starting to come through at Carlton and here is another one.
Petrovski-Seton was a top 5 pick in the 2016 national draft and showed why, with a ripping 1st year in the midfield/forward line for the Blues. Classy, pacey & real X factor, he will get more midfield time this year and will rapidly improve on his 68 average. Given the Forward dual position he is worth the gamble at $478k.

7: A Mcgrath $496k Defender - Essendon
The 2016 number 1 Draft pick showed exactly why with an outstanding 1st year in the Bombers backline culminating in the Rising Star award.
Played 20 matches for a solid 71 point average and looked very comfortable at the level.
Will no doubt only improve that output in his 2nd year and will be a popular choice in a lot of Fantasy backlines.
$496k is a great price for someone who will likely keep his spot in your defence all year.

6: C Marchbank $489k Defender - Carlton
Will be entering his 4th season of AFL football and we can expect to start seeing his best football this year.
Carlton would be thrilled with what they saw in the Defenders 16 games for the club last season.
Had a 69 point average but this is deceptive and not a true indication of his worth.
He was heavily affected by scores or 58, 44, 31 and 40 in his last 4 games when he was playing under an injury cloud which affected his form.
Only went under 70 three times in his first 12 matches, with scores in the 80's 7 times.
$489k is a great price for a ready made Defender who is ready to thrive this season.

5: S Motlop $489k Midfielder/Forward - Port Adelaide
One of two great Free Agency swoops by Port in the 2017 off season. Motlop's pace is just what this team needs especially on the wide expanses of Adelaide Oval.
Is a maligned player who is accused of not working hard enough at times but there is no doubting his talent.
After being very flat and having a dismal 9 games leading into finals Motlop looked to have one foot out the door of the Cattery already.
To his credit he turned it on in the Cats finals series and was one of their best players.
Overall his average of 70 for 2017 was poor thus his discounted price tag.
Now he has got a fresh start at a new club I expect to see more of that form he showed in the Finals Series last year.
Will greatly improve on that average and worth the punt for $489k.

4: D Armitage $459k Midfielder - St Kilda
2017 was a write off for Armitage with injuries. Because of this you can get him for a bargain price.
By all reports he is injury free now and has had a full pre season. If he can get back to that wonderful 2015 season form when he averaged 107, then you have yourself a very cheap premium Midfielder.
Keep an eye on his form in the JLT as he could be a really good gamble at $459k.

3: J Hogan $499k Forward - Melbourne
Hogan only played 10 games last season and that was a miraculous effort considering what he went through.
Firstly in April last year Hogan's father tragically passed away. Testament to the strength of the man, he was back playing a couple of weeks later.
Then in May he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Naturally he made a full recovery from that and was was back playing a month later, because he is a frekin Terminator.
Then in July be broke his collarbone, like he hadn't gone through enough!
Of course he recovered and made it back for the last 2 games.
Despite all the misfortune Hogan managed a 71 point average with a couple of tons and a high of 118.
This bloke is not only a superstar Key Forward, he is also as tough as they come both physically and mentally.
Worth a spot in any dream team at that price.

2: N Naitanui $417k Ruck - West Coast
You will no doubt be faced with big decisions on who that premium Ruck you select first will be.
Gawn? Jacobs? Grundy? Kreuzer? So many options.
When it comes to that 2nd ruck you are probably going to want to save some money so look no further than a fully fit Nic Nat who will be back leading the Eagles Midfield.
Not many have as much influence around the ground as Nic Nat does and the former All Australian is a super star of the competition when up and running. A must have as your 2nd Ruck at that price.

1: J O'Meara $438k Midfielder - Hawthorn
OK, lets get the elephant in the room out of the way first.
He played no football in 2015 or 2016 before moving to the Hawks in the 2016 off season when they sold the proverbial farm to get him. He then only played the 6 games last year which piled some heat on the Hawks recruiting staff.
The Hawk's are positive that he is finally %100 fit and they even played him in Round 23 to prove it.
Jaeger didn't let them down and tonned up with a 101.
Now in case you don't know, agility wise he is one of the most complete athletes to ever come through the Under 18 system. He has exquisite football skills to match and is a natural on baller. There is a reason Hawthorn gave away so much for a kid with a dicky knee, their recruiters are no dummies.
So watch the JLT Series, make sure he is moving as good as they say and if you are satisfied he is %100, get him in at $438k because you will never get a bloke more talented for that price.

I will be back soon with my top 12 No Mans Land priced players who fall in the next bracket of $500k - $600k.

Thanks for reading

• Dahmsy