AFL Fantasy has launched for 2014, with player positions and prices just announced for the popular Classic game.
This year, NMFC.com.au will be working closely with the team at Footy Prophet to provide the best analysis, so you can get the upper hand on your mates.
While most coaches will be waiting until the NAB Challenge to pick their sides, get a head start by reading our guides to AFL Fantasy.
Part one: New blood
Trent Dumont
Pick 30 at the 2013 National Draft
Position: MID
Price: $184,300
Dumont arrived at North with some great credentials. In 2013 he became a premiership player for Norwood in the SANFL, and had a great game in the Grand Final, notching up 20 disposals and 5 clearances.
His tackling is a real feature; the 18-year-old averaged three per game in the SANFL this year, including 12 in a single match.
Dumont has great versatility as a midfielder who can win his own ball, but can also excel in a more outside role. He’s also had some experience playing off half-back.
As a fantasy player Dumont looks capable of developing into a real gem. His ability to win his own ball will aid him in being a consistent fantasy scorer, and his tackle-happy style of play will aid him in racking up points. If he can string together some consistent appearances at AFL level this year he’ll be a good cash cow in AFL Fantasy Classic.
Will he play? North’s midfield is a hard one to break into at the moment, but don’t rule Dumont out. With Andrew Swallow likely to miss at least part of the season, there’s room for a midfielder who can win his own ball and knows how to tackle.
Ben Brown
Pick 47, National Draft
Position: FWD/RUC
Price: $138,200
Overlooked as a ruckman in the 2011 AFL Draft, Brown moved from his home state of Tasmania to play for North Melbourne affiliate Werribee in the VFL in 2013. He was sent to play as a tall forward and it led to great things, as he booted 28 goals in 18 matches and was the attacking spearhead of a Tigers team that went deep into the VFL finals.
At 200 centimetres tall and weighing in at 98 kilograms, Brown is ready to go as a key-forward target who also excels at ruckwork.
As a fantasy player Brown could be a great asset if he can find regular game time. He’s ready to contribute from day one and the fact he can also play ruck means fantasy coaches won’t need to rely on him kicking a bag of goals every week to get a decent score. He’ll make a great cash cow in AFL Fantasy Classic if he can string some games together.
Will he play? Physically Brown is ready to step right into AFL level but he’d be hard pressed to break into North’s forward line, already populated by talls Drew Petrie, Robbie Tarrant and Aaron Black. Even if a spot in the team does open up, Brown would be competing with Majak Daw and Dan Currie. This makes it unlikely he’ll see a lot of AFL level action in 2014, but don’t rule him out.
Joel Tippett
Pick 8, Rookie Draft
Position: DEF
Price: $115,200
Brother of Sydney’s Kurt, Joel Tippett is an athletic tall defender who has previously spent time on the rookie lists of both the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns. After playing only two games with the Suns in 2011 he was delisted, and spent 2012-13 playing for West Adelaide in the SANFL where he developed into the best full-back outside the AFL.
While Tippett could become a valuable asset in North’s defensive line, he is unlikely to make a splash in AFL Fantasy. Key defenders typically struggle to rack up fantasy points, and so there won’t be many coaches who consider him.
Will he play? There’s no doubt that Tippett is talented and as a mature body he will be ready to go if needed, but with Scott Thompson, Nathan Grima and Lachie Hansen fairly well cemented in the backline, and Michael Firrito and Cam Delaney likely ahead of him in the pecking order, Tippett has some big hurdles between him and regular AFL footy.
Kayne Turner
Pick 25, Rookie Draft
Position: Midfielder
Price: $115,200
Having played with the Wodonga Bulldogs in the OMFL and the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup in 2013, Turner was brought to North’s attention by Gary Ziebell, father of Jack, and taken with North’s last pick in the rookie draft.
His body is slight, but Turner is a fiercely competitive and seemingly fearless inside midfielder, described by Wodonga coach Ben Holland as a “courageous little bugger”.
Coming into 2014 Turner is the AFL’s youngest player and weighs in at just 64kg. Despite this, he already seems to have a bright future, as he possesses so many of the qualities that North Melbourne values highest.
As a fantasy player Turner could be anything. There’s a number of different positions he could potentially fit into, and the one he settles into will shape his fantasy potential. Since he’s still a developing player, it may be sometime before a call can be made on Turner’s fantasy future.
Will he play? At 64kgs and still finishing Year 12, we’re very unlikely to see Turner on field in the near future. However, his competitiveness and desire to succeed have him bound inevitably for the big stage.
Up next: A look back at North's class of 2009.
