On those lazy Saturday afternoons in western Sydney this year, Fantasy premiums like Adam Treloar (a 2014 average of 103.4) and Toby Greene (102.9), clocked up points like hard-working accountants counting down to tax time.
In theory, you could build your entire Fantasy midfield next year around the GIANTS, and at the very least build up an enviable amount of cash.
Treloar (MID $586,000) and Greene (MID $583,000) will start 2015 with substantial price tags – and every chance to boost those numbers as they are joined by Ryan Griffen (MID $485,000), who looks decidedly under-priced ahead of his debut in orange and charcoal.
The Bulldogs' reunion roster is rounded out with Callan Ward (MID, $561,000), who moved into the Fantasy elite bracket this year. Throw in Stephen Coniglio (MID $491,000), Lachie Whitfield (MID, $448,000) and Dylan Shiel (MID $510,000) and you've got a base midfield average of 646 points with plenty of scope for more. But not a midfield with Tom Scully - you should know better.
As one of the few high-scoring ruckmen in Fantasy, Shane Mumford is worth the $524,000 you'll need to spend on him. Rory Lobb (RUCK $168,000) could be worthy bench cover with former back-up Jonathan Giles departing to Essendon.
After his second-year blues, it's best to sit tight on Jeremy Cameron (FWD $312,000) in 2015. Adam Tomlinson (FWD $416,000) may be a smarter pick with Tom Boyd and Jonathon Patton (FWD $340,000) out of the picture.
With dual-position status confirmed, the smooth-moving Cadillac that is Josh Kelly (FWD/MID $395,000) should be right up the top of your Fantasy research list.
Adam Treloar (MID $586,000):He's durable, a possession-machine and plays both ways. A 27.6 disposal average in 2014 (the best in the GIANTS' short history) puts Treloar, aged just 22, on the path to Fantasy pig status. Pick him early with confidence.
Devon Smith (FWD $533,000): 2014 was his breakout year and there are few small forwards in the competition who could claim a Fantasy average over 94 points per game. Smith loses midfield status in 2015 but the points won't go south – a GIANT pain in the neck to his opponents.?
Josh Kelly (FWD/MID $395,000): Remember when Kevin Sheedy likened a young Nick Dal Santo to triple Brownlow medallist Ian Stewart? There's a touch of early Dal Santo about 2013's No.2 draft pick. Injuries limited him to 18 games this year, many as a sub, but he still clocked up just under 70 points each time, one of the best numbers amongst first-year players. Under $400,000 and with dual-position status, watch Kelly like a hawk this summer.
Curtly Hampton (DEF, $387,000): Dermott Brereton's been getting frothy about this bloke for some time, but if he can put injuries behind him, Hampton looks a strong breakout candidate in 2015. He's not the most accountable type, which suits Fantasy coaches fine, but can win plenty of the ball and there's always ex-Lion Joel Patfull for the lock-down stuff.
Tom Scully (MID, $440,000): Leon Cameron continued to sing from the Giants' song sheet in 2014 with regular statements defending Scully's output. That's fine and dandy for the Giants, but the former No.1 pick is clearly not going to help out Fantasy coaches with tagging jobs and patchy disposal. Avoid.
