AFL Fantasy classic is back for 2022! Now if you’re new to the game it’s important to have the basics down pat. Even seasoned coaches should take note with a few minor tweaks coming in to play this season. Here is what you need to know:
Salary Cap: $14.8 million (up from $13 million in season 2021).
Team structure – Pick a team of 30 consisting of:
- 8 Defenders (2 benched)
- 10 Mids (2 benched)
- 3 Rucks (1 benched)
- 8 Forwards (2 benched)
- 1 Utility
You select a ‘Utility’ player on your bench (they can be selected from any position). You must designate a position for dual position players should you select your utility as an emergency. For example, if you select Samson Ryan from Richmond (Ruck/Forward) as an emergency, you must designate which line he covers for as he cannot cover as both a ruck and forward at the same time.
Of the 30 selected, 22 are on your field scoring points each week and 8 are on your bench. You will also select 4 emergency players to cover each position if someone withdraws from a match at the 11th hour (If you know, you know…). More on bench selections in a later thread. Make sure you select a captain each week to cash in on double points as well as a vice captain. Strategy does come into play when looking to execute the ‘Vice Captain Loophole’ move. More on this in a later thread.
Trading
You get a total of 49 trades in the season of 23 rounds as follows:
- Normal rounds: 2 trades per week
- Bye rounds (12, 13 & 14): 3 trades per week
Here is an example of what you will see once you have signed up and logged in – a blank canvas where you can make unlimited changes up to round 1 which begins on Wednesday March 16 with the Dogs vs Dees in a grand final rematch.
With a limited salary cap, you will need a mix of proven stars of the game (premiums), mid-priced players and rookies. Look out for under-priced gems and value picks to get the most bang (or points!) for your buck.
Here is a list of the 20 most expensive players in the game this season:
| Name | Team | Position | Price |
| Touk Miller | Suns | MID | $1.024m |
| Jack Steele | Saints | MID | $1.018m |
| Jarryd Lyons | Lions | MID | $982k |
| Jack Macrae | Bulldogs | MID | $972k |
| Tom Mitchell | Hawks | MID | $969k |
| Ollie Wines | Power | MID | $938k |
| Rory Laird | Crom | MID (was MID/DEF in 2021) | $937k |
| Zach Merrett | Bombers | MID | $930k |
| Christian Petracca | Dees | MID | $925k |
| Callum Mills | Swans | MID (was MID/DEF in 2021) | $922k |
| Cameron Guthrie | Cats | MID | $922k |
| Sam Walsh | Blues | MID | $914k |
| Aaron Hall | Kangaroos | DEF (was FWD/DEF in 2021) | $914k |
| Dayne Zorko | Lions | MID (was MID/FWD in 2021) | $913k |
| Clayton Oliver | Dees | MID | $912k |
| Max Gawn | Dees | RUCK | $911k |
| Ben Keays | Crom | MID | $906k |
| Marcus Bontempelli | Bulldogs | MID | $905k |
| Tim Taranto | Giants | MID/FWD (was MID only in 2021) | $904k |
| Brodie Grundy | Pies | RUCK | $893k |
Your fantasy team will accumulate points each week based on your players in-game performances. You can follow your teams progress in real time by using the app or website. However, I prefer a platform like fanfooty.com.au and dream-stats.com who provide real-time updates and elite chat. In Fantasy, a limited number of ‘stats’ earn you points.
| Stat | Points Scored |
| Kick | +3 |
| Handball | +2 |
| Mark | +3 |
| Tackle | +4 |
| Hitout | +1 |
| Free kick for | +1 |
| Free kick against | -3 |
| Goal | +6 |
| Behind | +1 |
Head to head Leagues – get the ultimate bragging rights over your mates
What makes AFL Fantasy so much fun is playing in a league with your mates. You can set up a private league with up to 20 of your friends or get amongst an open league with unlimited coaches. Whether you are in to win it or to alpha your mates, there is something for everyone. So head over to https://fantasy.afl.com.au and get started!
Cheers,
Fantasy Fanatic #70
Fantasy Fanatic 