It’s that time of the year again, when AFL Fantasy coaches emerge from the shadows and dust off their keyboard ahead of the much anticipated first lock-out of 2016.
With a host of new players to choose from, coaches nationwide are scanning club websites, studying past stats and learning the new rules just to get an edge over the competition.
While there might be many tempting GIANTS to select, fantasy coaches have indicated value picks are the way to go this season.
Not surprisingly the most selected GIANTS player is currently Heath Shaw ($532,000 defender) who belongs to 5221 different sides, following his outstanding performance in 2015.
Not far behind is the cheaply-priced Toby Greene ($473,000 midfielder/forward) who has been named in 4095 given his dual-position status this season.
Interestingly the next most picked GIANT hasn’t played an AFL game since Round 18, 2014 after undergoing back-to-back knee reconstructions.
Big man Tim Mohr ($125,000 defender) has 2022 fantasy coaches interested with his bargain-basement price and solid rehabilitation work over the pre-season.
The GIANTS’ young brigade of talented stars is led by Jacob Hopper ($255,000 midfielder) who has landed a hefty price-tag after being taken with pick seven in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.
Despite the cost, currently 704 people plan to role the dice on the big-bodied mid, hoping he will gain senior selection in the early stages of the season.
For those new to AFL Fantasy, you can start picking your 30-man squad immediately with a $10 million salary cap, create leagues for you and your mates, and start planning your Fantasy Elite draft for the ultimate test of talent-spotting.
There's a $25,000 cash prize for the overall winner of Fantasy Classic, with part of a prize pool in excess of $200,000.
Weekly high-scorers will also receive AFL Live subscriptions, Sherrin footballs and AFL Shop vouchers.
In 2016 there are a host of tweaks to Fantasy that will help you get the most out of your team, for instance, you are now able to drag and drop players into your squad and move them around the field.
There's also a new stats archive that will give you in-depth Fantasy numbers from the past two seasons to help pick the best talent available.
Start your team now - fantasy.afl.com.au
