RICHMOND'S shock run to the flag last year was driven by a true team effort, illustrated by the fact that only one Tiger managed to average triple figures in Fantasy. Solid late-season contributions were made by players such as Jacob Townsend (FWD, $508,000) and Jack Graham (MID, $450,000), who gave the Tigers a spark at the right time of year with respective averages of 95 and 84. That pair will look to continue to make an impact next year at their newly inflated prices.
Dustin Martin (MID, $800,000) elevated his Fantasy game to the truly elite level last season by surpassing his previous best average by more than six points to 114. He is a genuine option to be your first selected player this year and has demonstrated the ceiling and consistency to be a viable captain option. Martin scored 15 hundreds throughout the year with top scores of 156 and 164 and there is no reason he can't repeat that brilliance in his quest to round out his trophy cabinet with a 'snout', handed out to those who earn Fantasy Pig status.
Dion Prestia (MID, $577,000) finished the year like a house on fire with an average of 106 in his last seven games. Given he is priced at an average of 82, he looms as a bargain if he has an injury-free run. He got off to a slow start with the Tigers but he certainly reminded everyone how good he can be at the right time of the year. He has averaged triple figures on one occasion in the past and I think 2018 will be the second time he manages the feat.
Kane Lambert (FWD/MID, $600,000) enjoyed a 22-point breakout on the back of receiving more midfield time in his third season. He scored six great hundreds throughout the season with the highlight being a 33-possession, seven-mark and 10-tackle game for 147. After a slow start to the season, he is quite generously priced and could be knocking on the door of a top forward position if he continues to improve.
The Tigers are happy with the crew that got it done for them last season and haven’t introduced any Fantasy relevant players to the squad but keep an eye on the emergence of youngsters like Shai Bolton (FWD, $214,000) as he seeks greater opportunity in his second season.
Jack Higgins (FWD/MID, $238,000) is a young star who was the slider on Draft night and somehow ended up at the premiers. Providing he gets through his first pre-season unscathed, the ball-winning goalkicker will be one of the most selected rookies. He is the most prolific Fantasy scorer of all the draftees after averaging 114 points for Vic Metro and Oakleigh Chargers.
Shaun Grigg (MID, $672,000) is not a player I would purchase in Classic, but he is certainly a player I target every year in draft when I need a solid bench player on my team. Year after year, he serves as the perfect midfield replacement for injuries or suspensions. Last year he chipped in with 10 hundreds, but it was his performances in the preliminary and Grand Finals that will ensure his number will be hanging from my rafters after scoring 153 and 123.
