If we took one thing from Saturday, it’s that Daniel Wells is an absolute lock for AFL Fantasy Classic.
Priced at a super-cheap $293,000, Wells could prove to be one of the bargains of the year with his form in the Wagga Wagga match indicating that he can return to his best in 2016.
With five years of 80+ fantasy averages and a peak of 93 in 2011, we know that Wells can be a quality fantasy scorer, with the only doubts around his fitness.
However, on Saturday he played out the entire game and not only did he make it through, but did so with flying colours.
17 disposals, six marks, four clearances, five inside 50's and three tackles, all for a very respectable total of 78 points showed that Wells is ready to have a big impact both on-field and in the fantasy competition this year.
He played 73 per cent of the shortened time game and his scoring will only get better once the real thing starts.
Also of interest was North’s top scorer Sam Gibson who had 20 touches, nine marks and kicked a goal on his way to a great score of 95.
Gibson’s scoring last season was way down but this kind of effort suggests he may be able to get back to the standards of his prolific 2014 season. Priced at $384,000. he could prove a bargain selection in the midfield.
Ben Brown showed some ominous form with 10 marks for the day, four of them inside 50 to finish with a score of 87.
One to keep an eye on is Aaron Mullett. He showed a lot of promise back in the 2013 season before struggling to maintain a best 22 spot over the last two years, but his performance on Saturday suggests he might be ready to crack back in.
12 touches, four marks, a goal and a Supergoal lead him to a solid fantasy score of 63 points in just 66 per cent game time.
Priced at a very low $162,000 after playing just four games last year, he’ll be too cheap to resist if he can get a run at senior level.
In a similar boat is Aaron Black who after limited playing opportunities last year really impressed in the forward line. He didn’t boot any majors himself, kicking two behinds, but had two goal assists.
He finished the day with 54 points in 63 per cent game time, with 14 touches and four marks. It wasn’t a worldbeating performance, but was enough to suggest he might get a solid run playing senior football at some time this year. If that happens, he’s a certainty to make profit on his $156,000 starting price.
New draftees Mitch Hibberd and Declan Mountford both impressed in their first run in the blue and white, and Ryan Clarke was again solid with 21 points in a short burst of just 27 per cent game time.
All three will be worth a look if they can break through for debuts later in the year – particularly ball magnet Clarke.
