The 2020 AFL Fantasy season is closing in on a start, pre-season games are just around the corner which will give coaches a better understanding how to evaluate rookies this season.
Taking in salary, opportunity, job security, value & scoring ability, here are the ‘Top 5 Players Under $200K’ in order for the 2020 H&A season.
Article by @aflratingsPete
1. Marlion Pickett MID $170KÂ
After being selected in the 2019 mid-season draft Marlion Pickett made his AFL debut in the 2019 Grand Final just a few months later to complete what was a dream run, the week prior he was voted ‘Best on Ground’ in the VFL Grand Final.
Pickett averaged 17.8 Disposals, 2.7 Marks & 4.3 Tackles from 6 games at VFL level, he recorded 22 Disposals in the 2019 AFL Grand Final.
Selection in the Round 1 team for the Tigers is likely a formality for Pickett, he will be extremely high owned in AFL Fantasy but considering a fade here could be detrimental to cash generation against the field.
Richmond: "He'll be bigger & better.. he's training really well, looks fit as a fiddle.. We think he'll be outstanding.. We'll see a lot of him this year" Tigers Senior Club Advisor Neil Balme on Marlion Pickett via @1629senSA
#AFL pic.twitter.com/sw271Dopkq— aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) January 27, 2020
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2. Riley Collier-Dawkins MID $170K
After being so close to a debut last season Collier-Dawkins appears likely to make an entrance at AFL level early in 2020, he was selected at Pick 20 in the 2018 AFL Draft.
Collier-Dawkins averaged 14.3 Disposals, 1.9 Marks & 5.1 Tackles from 20 games in the VFL last season, he was instrumental in the VFL Grand Final kicking 2 crucial Goals for the Tigers.
The ownership for Collier-Dawkins will be high especially if he is named for a Round 1 debut, he’ll generate plenty of cash to help grow your team.
Richmond: "Riley Collier-Dawkins is flying at the moment.. he's improved on last year" Tigers Development Coach Sam Lonergan#AFL pic.twitter.com/otNfrH9Xkt
— aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) January 28, 2020
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3. Ned McHenry MID $170K
McHenry is yet to make his AFL debut at Adelaide but after a strong season in the SANFL his first game won’t be far away, he was selected at Pick 16 in the 2018 AFL Draft.
In 2019 McHenry averaged 18.3 Disposals, 5.3 Marks & 4.5 Tackles for the Crows in the SANFL, his ability to accumulate disposals will be critical even if he doesn’t play in a prime scoring position at AFL level.
McHenry will be yet another player that will attract high ownership, tracking his role in pre-season games will provide some clarity on his potential scoring output in 2020.
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4. Jack Bytel MID $170K
In his final year at U18 level before being drafted Bytel averaged 22.2 Disposals, 2.7 Marks & 6.2 Tackles, his season was cut short by injury but he was still selected at Pick 41 in the 2018 AFL Draft by the Saints.
Bytel missed the entire 2019 season after undergoing back surgery, the Saints opted to play a patient & long game with Bytel.
Bytel is a ball winner, he’ll be a genuine target for fantasy coaches once he is named for his debut.
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St Kilda: "We'll try & get as many games into him this year as we can" Brett Ratten on Max King via @1116sen
#AFL pic.twitter.com/eLyc6ACwJf— aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) January 15, 2020
5. Max King FWD $170K
King was unable to make his debut in 2019 at AFL level after being selected at Pick 4 in the 2018 AFL Draft, he was sidelined at the back of his 2018 campaign with a knee injury but returned to play 7 games at VFL level in 2019.
King averaged 7.7 Disposals, 3.4 Marks, 1.3 Tackles & 1.4 Goals in the VFL last season, St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has given a strong indication that he’ll play at AFL level for most of the 2020 season.
Despite the potential for a low points ceiling here the job security is a definite positive, the generation of cash may be slower compared to that of a $170K midfielder but that is somewhat offset with his job security in your forward line.
St Kilda: "We'll try & get as many games into him this year as we can" Brett Ratten on Max King via @1116sen
#AFL pic.twitter.com/eLyc6ACwJf— aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) January 15, 2020
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