In the lead-up to Richmond’s first pre-season match this Friday night, we’re looking at the Tigers’ best AFL Fantasy options. Today, it’s the forwards.
DUSTIN MARTIN - $526,000
2013 AVERAGE – 97.05
There are no two ways about it - Dustin Martin must be in your AFL Fantasy side this season.
In 2013, due to being surrounded by a talented midfield group, Martin was able to find more space than he was able to in previous seasons. In his debut season, 45% of his disposals were contested, and every season that ratio has gradually dropped to 28.7% last year. With Martin’s increased fitness base, his teammates should be able to find him at more contests this season.
Last season, Martin had only one game under 17 disposals. He topped the 30-possession mark six times, a feat he only achieved four times in his first three seasons.
Durability is also a trademark for Martin – he has played 86 of a possible 89 games since he got drafted.
Apart from being strong and possessing a raking kick, Martin’s greatest asset is his versatility. He can rest forward and have an impact there, or swing to a half-back role. Martin’s kicked multiple goals in 24 games. When you take into account his 32 behinds and 28 score assists to go with his 23 goals in 2013, you’re talking about an elite ball-winning midfielder who has the potential to kick over 40 goals in a season.
JACK RIEWOLDT - $400,300
2013 AVERAGE – 73.9
Jack Riewoldt is at a very tempting price this season. His career-best AFL Fantasy average is 84, back when he won his first Coleman Medal in 2010.
Naturally, Riewoldt’s scores have quite a large correlation to the amount of goals he kicks on the day, but with some extra depth up forward in 2014, this may give the Tigers’ spearhead a bit of a licence to get the ball in other areas of the ground.
It is something you will have to analyse during the pre-season games, but if Riewoldt is playing a true centre-half-forward role, he should definitely enter your thinking at his value.
You know what you’re going to get from Riewoldt in regards to goals, but if he can increase his disposals and marks by just a few in 2014, you have a top-scoring forward on your hands in the prime of his career.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR…...
LIAM MCBEAN - $154,300
2013 AVERAGE – N/A
McBean has Richmond fans excited after his debut season in the VFL, where he kicked 37 goals from 14 games. He is back on track after post-season surgery and has been named in the squad to take on the Demons on Friday night.
SAM LLOYD – $135,500
2013 AVERAGE – N/A
Lloyd is a half-forward/midfielder who was drafted by the Tigers in last year’s draft. He impressed in the intra-club game last Friday, and gets a chance to further push his claim for a round one spot during the pre-season competition.
MATT MCDONOUGH - $166,200
2013 AVERAGE – 42
McDonough played one AFL game last year in his debut season, and showed off his silky skills immediately. He had a big finish in the VFL last season, where he averaged 26 disposals, eight clearances, five tackles, and six inside 50s in his last three matches, playing through the midfield.
