AFL Fantasy is back for another season, and the team at Footy Prophet will again be supplying NMFC.com.au with premium fantasy analysis and tips for the 2015 season.

Jack Ziebell (MID/FWD $480, 000)

It is Round 22 of the 2014 home and away season. North Melbourne plays host to a strong Adelaide outfit striving to clinch the last seed in the finals. The game is at a deadlock, seeing seven lead changes throughout the match. Each team needs a spark, something to turn the game on its head and place the odds in their corner.

Enter one Jack Ziebell. Brad Scott and his team make a bold and gutsy move sending the hard-nut forward in what turned out to be a game changing move.

Ziebell was a livewire, kicking 4.5 including 2 inspirational last quarter majors in a 132-point fantasy effort that saw North win an emphatically and solidify a home elimination final.

Suddenly, Ziebell became a big-game influential player, a dual threat midfielder who can rest forward and immediately impact. He spent 28% of his game time up forward in the second half of 2014, and because of this, fantasy coaches now have the ability to select the explosive Roo as a dual-position midfield forward.

Strong above head as well as on the ground, Ziebell is an explosive breed of footballer and comes at a tempting price, under $500, 000.

At 24 years of age, Ziebell is exciting, tough can turn a game on its head. He has long been hailed as a breakout contender, and 2015 is the ideal time for the young roo to do so. After amassing 13 tons from 35 games over the last two seasons, there is no doubt he has the capacity to breakout in a big way.

After spending his rests periods on the interchange in 2013 and becoming the most benched player in the league, Ziebell experienced a change in fortunes with Scott deploying him up forward. He was the sixth-most targeted Kangaroo up forward in 2014, demonstrating the team’s faith in their vice-captain to contribute and the likelihood of his goal tally enhancing his fantasy credentials.

The luxury of selecting Ziebell as a forward in 2015 is a dream come true as it frees up valuable midfield slots for other breakout contenders.

Although he may see a drop in disposal numbers, Ziebell’s role up forward could benefit him immensely with some easy +9s going a long way for coaches.

Consistency is the key for Ziebell heading into 2015, and if he is able to have impact both in the midfield and up forward, there is no doubt he is in a prime position to break into the elite fantasy bracket this season.

Footy Prophet’s Verdict: Under-priced and a prime breakout contender, jump aboard! Will be a fantasy favourite for years. 

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Ben Cunnington (MID $503, 000)

With Andrew Swallow sidelined with an Achilles injury throughout the first half of the 2014 season, the North Melbourne midfield needed someone to step up in his absence. Swallow is the captain of the club, a pivotal player and a sizeable hole to fill if North were to dream of finals footy. Ben Cunnington did not only fill the Swallow shaped hole, he owned it and took giants strides forward in his development.

Cunnington is a tackling machine, capable of exceeding five tackles a game, week after week. Tackles are a valuable commodity in AFL Fantasy, and players such as Cunnington are a gold mine in terms of providing them in abundance. Recording five or more tackles in 16 of North’s 22 home and way fixtures, Cunnington’s feats sits him in the upper echelon of the league’s hard nuts.

As an inside midfielder, Cunnington’s style of play is built around contested possessions, however has adapted his game significantly and he is becoming increasingly damaging on the outside. Working around stoppages both offensively and defensively have equipped Cunnington with the ability to influence the play and the stats sheet in one way or another.

Entering the 2015 season at 22 years of age, Cunnington is young and armed with a wealth of upside. He comes with little fanfare in AFL Fantasy and is therefore a unique selection this year. Currently, less than one percent of AFL Fantasy coaches have the hard bodied Kangaroo in their squads, he could prove a handy inclusion to any side looking for an upper hand.

Cunnington is an old-fashioned ‘tough as nails’ type footballer, a team-orientated player and is held in high regards at Arden Street after narrowly winning his first Syd-Barker medal in 2014. After two great seasons under his belt heading into 2015, Cunnington is no doubt looking to build once again and has shone throughout the preseason. He forms one of the best ruck-rover combinations with teammate Todd Goldstein, a formidable partnership that has moulded Cunnington into a clearance king – quick and easy fantasy points.

In order to eclipse the hailed 100 point average, Cunnington’s consistency, like most breakout candidates will need to improve. Finding more of the football would pay dividends for owners as Cunnington’s average of 22.1 disposals could confine his breakout odds. His tackling ability, accompanied with an improved disposal count, could set Cunnington apart as an idyllic breakout prospect throughout the 2015 season.

Footy Prophet’s Verdict:     Cunnington is a unique pick and is in an ideal situation to break out in 2015. If you’re looking to be different and for an upper hand, Cunnington is your man.