Melbourne were Ranked 2nd averaging 1712.0 fantasy team points between Rounds 1-13 in 2017, they scored 1,700pts or more in 8 of their opening 12 games which included 4 games above 1,800pts. The Demons were somewhat disappointing in their final 10 games of the year averaging 1579.2pts, they finished the 2017 H&A season with an average of 1651.6pts which was Ranked 6th.
Despite the good numbers for Melbourne in 2017 there was really only 1 standout for the year in Clayton Oliver, he improved his average by 32.7pts to average 101.6pts in just his 2nd year in the AFL. Many premium players under performed and/or were cut down by injury last season, as the Demons become increasingly competitive the popular fantasy targets should provide a genuine positive early in 2018.
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2018 Potential Targets:
Max Gawn RUCK $605K
A hamstring injury in Round 3 completely derailed the 2017 season for Gawn after opening with scores of 111pts in Round 1 & 95pts in Round 2, he returned in Round 14 averaging 87.8pts and scoring 100pts or more in just 1 of his final 10 games. In 2016, Gawn averaged 106.5pts scoring 100pts or more in 68.2% of games & 120pts or more in 36.4% of games. Gawn’s ownership will be high at Round 1, there is no reason not to pick him.
Jack Viney MID $638K
Viney was another at Melbourne that had an injury interrupted 2017 season, he averaged 90.7pts well down from his 2016 average of 101.2pts. Viney still managed to score a season high 145pts against Hawthorn in Round 7 and followed that up with 132pts against Adelaide in Round 8, he is one of the value picks at Melbourne to begin 2018.
Angus Brayshaw DEF/MID $462K
After dealing with multiple concussions Brayshaw returned to action in Round 21 and averaged 86.0pts from his final 3 games, over his short career he has averaged 88.7pts when recording 20 or more Disposals in a game. Brayshaw has added value in 2017 as a DPP MID/DEF, his starting price might difficult to ignore at Round 1 with considerable upside possible.
Clayton Oliver MID $715K
Oliver was great value in 2017 averaging 101.6pts from 22 games , he scored 100pts or more in 40.9% of games and did not record a score fewer than 80pts. Oliver comes with a significant price tag to begin the 2018 season, most will shy away from selecting him based on value reasons but consistency will likely not be a problem. If you think Oliver can achieve a higher average than 101.6pts in 2018 then he could be a very good point of difference, worth considering.
Michael Hibberd DEF $652K
Hibberd was mostly ignored in 2017 and his average of 92.6pts as a DEF to begin 2018 won’t be, he scored 100pts or more in 38.9% of games and recorded a season high 129pts against Port Adelaide last season. With Docherty missing in 2018 fantasy coaches will be on the lookout for a solid Defender as a replacement, Hibberd could be your guy.
Harley Balic MID/FWD $346K / Jesse Hogan FWD $499K
There is not much data about for Balic at AFL level and a new club further distorts our knowledge, he managed just 4 games for Fremantle in 2017 with a high score of 91pts. Balic is a must watch in the pre-season, if his points per minute numbers spike then he is worth a roster spot at Round 1.
For various reasons the 2017 season was one to forget for Hogan averaging 70.8pts, over his career he has averaged 90.3pts when he kicks 2 Goals or more in a game. If you think Melbourne will have a very good 2018 season then Hogan will likely be a key part of their success, absolutely worth considering at Round 1.
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| Player | Pos | 2017Avg | 2017 Gms | 2018 Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jones, Nathan | MID | 104.25 | 16 | $734000 |
| Oliver, Clayton | MID | 101.59 | 22 | $715000 |
| Hibberd, Michael | DEF | 92.56 | 18 | $652000 |
| Viney, Jack | MID | 90.67 | 18 | $638000 |
| Tyson, Dom | MID | 89.63 | 19 | $631000 |
| Lewis, Jordan | MID | 88.84 | 19 | $626000 |
| Gawn, Max | RUC | 85.85 | 13 | $605000 |
| Salem, Christian | DEF | 85.25 | 16 | $600000 |
| Pedersen, Cameron | RUC/FWD | 83.4 | 15 | $587000 |
| Neal-Bullen, Alex | FWD | 81.05 | 19 | $571000 |
| McDonald, Tom | DEF/FWD | 79.14 | 22 | $557000 |
| Vince, Bernie | DEF | 78 | 19 | $549000 |
| Hunt, Jayden | DEF | 72.45 | 22 | $510000 |
| Melksham, Jake | FWD | 71.79 | 19 | $506000 |
| Petracca, Christian | MID/FWD | 71.05 | 22 | $500000 |
| Hogan, Jesse | FWD | 70.8 | 10 | $499000 |
| Harmes, James | MID/FWD | 68.82 | 17 | $485000 |
| Lever, Jake | DEF | 68.29 | 17 | $481000 |
| Stretch, Billy | MID | 68.22 | 9 | $472000 |
| Wagner, Josh | DEF | 57.78 | 9 | $467000 |
| Brayshaw, Angus | DEF/MID | 77.2 | 5 | $462000 |
| Garlett, Jeff | FWD | 65.57 | 21 | $462000 |
| Kent, Dean | FWD | 69.83 | 6 | $433000 |
| McDonald, Oscar | DEF | 61.25 | 20 | $431000 |
| Jetta, Neville | DEF | 60.86 | 22 | $429000 |
| Bugg, Tomas | FWD | 60.3 | 10 | $425000 |
| Maynard, Corey | MID | 78 | 1 | $412000 |
| Hannan, Mitch | MID/FWD | 57.25 | 20 | $403000 |
| Frost, Sam | DEF | 54.5 | 16 | $384000 |
| Kennedy-Harris, Jay | MID | 61.83 | 6 | $383000 |
| Balic, Harley | MID/FWD | 60 | 4 | $346000 |
| Vandenberg, Aaron | FWD | 0 | 0 | $301000 |
| Weideman, Sam | FWD | 35 | 7 | $224000 |
| Spargo, Charlie | MID/FWD | 0 | 0 | $214000 |
| Fritsch, Bayley | FWD | 0 | 0 | $210000 |
| Petty, Harrison | DEF | 0 | 0 | $198000 |
| Smith, Tim | FWD | 33.5 | 2 | $179000 |
| Baker, Oskar | FWD | 0 | 0 | $176000 |
| Smith, Joel | DEF/MID | 30.33 | 3 | $170000 |
| Filipovic, Lachlan | RUC | 0 | 0 | $170000 |
| McKenna, Patrick | DEF | 0 | 0 | $170000 |
| Johnstone, Dion | MID/FWD | 0 | 0 | $170000 |
| Keilty, Declan | DEF | 0 | 0 | $170000 |
| King, Mitchell | RUC | 0 | 0 | $170000 |
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