Adelaide United
Fantasy Guns: Marcelo Carrusca (MID, $350k), Eugene Galekovic (GK, $275k)
Also consider: Michael Zullo (DEF, $200k), Steve Lustica (MID, $175k), Cirio (FWD, $225k), Jake Barker-Daish (MID, $150k), Tarek Elrich (DEF, $175k)
Under new manager Josep Gombau, Adelaide are looking to transform their game plan into something vaguely resembling the high possession, attacking style of FC Barcelona. This is good news for fantasy coaches, as if they are successful a number of fantasy gems could emerge from the Adelaide ranks. As Schon discussed in his piece on Goalkeepers, Eugene Galekovic (4.4 points per game in 2012/13) is one of the most reliable GKs, and may increase his output if Adelaide keep more clean sheets this season. If Marcelo Carrusca (4.7 PPG) can stay fit he will be one of the best midfielders in the league, and his output could increase with the departure of positional rival Dario Vidosic. The $350k price tag will make it very difficult to fit him into your team though, but he should be worth it if you can.
Many of Adelaide's newcomers are worth considering. Based on Adelaide's preseason, Gombau wants his full backs to push up the ground to provide width to Adelaide's attacks, which will give Michael Zullo plenty of chances for assists and the odd goal. Cassio (DEF, $225k, 3.2 PPG) is returning from injury meaning Zullo will likely start the season at left back. When Cassio is fit, Zullo may be pushed up to the left wing, increasing his output further - and attack-minded Cassio should do well in the new system at LB. Tarek Elrich may also provide some value at right back (for $25k less than Zullo), but based on preseason his place in the team seems less certain. Cirio has been recruited for his finishing and flexibility, able to play anywhere across the front 3. Cirio scored 21 goals in the Spanish 3rd division last season and has found the net regularly in preseason as well, including a goal against the Wanderers. Potentially a gun forward at a much cheaper price than the Berishas and ADPs. Steve Lustica (3.2 PPG) is a cheap, safe option for your midfield who could blossom into a key player for both the Reds and your team if he spends . Isaias (MID, $225k), will do all the hard work in midfield and therefore won't be fantasy relevant.
Finally, one smoky has emerged in preseason for Adelaide: Jake Barker-Daish (1.8 PPG). JBD has been used by Gombau as both an attacking midfielder against the Mariners and a centre forward against Wanderers. With other attacking options like Bruce Djite (FWD, $225k, 2.7 PPG) out injured and Jeronimo (FWD, $225k, 2.9 PPG) having a disrupted preseason, Gombau may look to JBD to lead the line for Adelaide early on, making him an interesting (and cheap) option for coaches willing to take a punt.
Brisbane Roar
Also consider: Liam Miller (MID, $250k), Michael Theo (GK, $250k), Matt McKay (MID, $275k)
Brisbane will be looking to build on their late season revival under Mike Mulvey, which hopefully for fantasy coaches will see an increase in output from their big guns, as well as strong returns of key signings Liam Miller and Matt McKay. The Roar have looked ominous in preseason, sweeping all before them and scoring for fun. If this continues into the season proper, then they'll be contenders again and you'll want to have at least one of Brisbane's big guns in your side.
Possibly the most hated player in the league, Besart Berisha (4.2 PPG) is a fantasy gun and if Brisbane are indeed going to be one of the top teams again, you must consider him. An upturn in fortunes for Brisbane will almost certainly mean a much bigger output than last season. Similarly, Thomas Broich (4.1 PPG) should also improve, especially if he gets more time in the middle of the park instead of on a wing. Regardless, if Brisbane fire so will he. Despite his move to a wing late last season and looking to continue there in 2013/14, Ivan Franjic (3.9 PPG) has again been positioned by Fox Sports as a DEF. This means he will still get points for clean sheets and his goals are worth more - IMO this makes him a strong captaincy option and basically a must have. Even if moved back to right back or into the middle of the park he'll still be a good choice if Brisbane are performing well.
Michael Theo (3.6 PPG) remains a solid GK choice, with the potential to become a gun if Brisbane keep it tight at the back this season - the return to full fitness of Matt Smith (DEF, $200k, 2.4 PPG) and the departure of Matt Jurman to Sydney should help with this. Liam Miller (3.3 PPG) will play in a more advanced midfield role than he did at Perth, meaning a likely increase to his output. Matt McKay's return to the Roar should be a successful one, though predictably he comes with a big price tag which may put off a few coaches given how tight the cap is this season. Dimitri Petratos (FWD, $125k) could be a cheap pick for your forward line if he gets a run on the wing. Normally you would want to pick strikers rather than wingers up front, and guns rather than midpricers or cheapies, however the cap restrictions may require a rethink on this strategy - if the price is right, of course. Another potential cheap option is Corey Brown (DEF, $125k, 3.5 PPG), but only if Shane Stefanutto (DEF, $225k, 2.8 PPG) gets injured or suspended long term.
Central Coast Mariners
Also consider: Marcos Flores (MID, $275k), Matt Simon (FWD, $300k), Storm Roux (DEF, $125k), Zac Anderson (DEF, $138k)
The champions have seen a significant turn over of players in the off-season, with Bernie Ibini-Isei, Pedj Bojic, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Mat Ryan and Oliver Bozanic all joining midseason departure Tom Rogic out the exit door at Gosford. Top scorer Daniel McBreen (5.5 PPG) also headed off to China on loan until the end of this month, meaning he misses the start of the season. Unfortunately for fantasy coaches, very few of these key players have been replaced by cheaper options, and new arrivals may also impact the scoring of the guns still in the Mariners ranks. For example, Mariners' favourite Matt Simon returns to the club and will play as the main striker, but has been whacked with a $300k price tag. He may also have a big (negative) impact on McBreen's role at the club and fantasy output.
Similarly, Michael McGlinchey's (5.3 PPG) point scoring may be hampered by a move from the central attacking midfield role back to a wider position, where he played prior to the departure of Rogic. In his stead, Marcos Flores (3.1 PPG) will look to bounce back from his mediocre season at the Victory. Flores will be given every chance to succeed at the Mariners but questions remain as to whether his best is behind him. If you are willing to back the A-League's resident giraffe enthusiast to prove his doubters wrong, he'll set you back $275k, making him cheaper than most of the gun midfielders, but a big risk at that price if he again fails to produce the fantasy goods.
The Mariners defence is where it gets interesting for fantasy coaches. Marcel Seip (DEF, $250k) will slot straight into the back four in place of the retired Zwaanswijk - just don't expect a similar output, unless Seip proves he can provide a goal threat like the big Z did. Josh Rose (4.4 PPG) will be one of the best full backs in the league again, but comes at a big price. The issue fantasy coaches will want to pay attention to is just who will play at right back for the Mariners following the exit of Bojic. There are two possibilities - Trent Sainsbury (4.3 PPG) moves to right back - and possibly increases his output - and Zac Anderson (2.3 PPG) plays centre back, becoming a cheap link to the Mariners back line for your team. Alternatively, Sainsbury stays at centre back and Arnie instead plays the awesomely-named young Kiwi right back Storm Roux (1 PPG). As Roux is cheaper than Anderson and is a full back, he's the one fantasy coaches will be wanting to see line up for the Mariners in Round 1. And if he does, he is a must have regardless of how the Mariners are travelling.
The Mariners don't provide many bargains, besides one of Anderson and Roux, however if Liam Reddy (GK, $150k) can unseat Justin Pasfield (GK, $250k, 4 PPG) as their #1, he provides you with the opportunity to move some cash out of the keeping position and onto your field.
Melbourne Heart
Consider: Harry Kewell (MID, $350k), Michael Mifsud (FWD, $200k), Mate Dugandzic (MID, $225k), Jeremy Walker (DEF, $175k)
When it comes to fantasy, no team performed as poorly as Melbourne Heart last season. Only one player - Richard Garcia - averaged more than 3.2 PPG, and he's gone! Once again, I am sad to say, Heart's fantasy prospects seem rather limited, unless they significantly improve on the park. Harry Kewell returns to the A-League and will be the main creative force in the Heart midfield, however he comes at a huge price. If you think Flores is risky at $275k, Kewell at $350k is absolutely ludicrous.
Striker Michael Mifsud is much more reasonably priced at $200k. While the Maltese superstar has hardly been prolific in recent seasons, he's still a quality player. With good service from Kewell and others he may well find the back of the net more regularly down here - the Heart certainly need him to. I would have considered fellow new recruit Iain Ramsay (FWD, $200k, 2.5 PPG) if positioned as a MID, however as a FWD there are much better, and less erratic, options. Massimo Murdocca (MID, $225k, 2.7 PPG) plays too deep to be a real fantasy prospect, while marquee Orlando Engelaar (MID, $175k) is out for the season. His replacement, Andrea Migliorini, is yet to be added to the game but as a defensive midfielder you wouldn't want him anyway.
Patrick Kisnorbo (DEF, $200k) is a nice pick up for the Heart but I wouldn't want to spend that on a centre back, especially considering the questions regarding Heart this season. Rob Wielaert (DEF, $175k) is slightly cheaper but starts the season injured. Mate Dugandzic (2.6 PPG) may be a value pick for your midfield if he can bounce back from injury and rediscover himself, while right back Jeremy Walker (2.8 PPG) could be considered if Heart get it together on the park and start keeping some clean sheets.
Melbourne Victory
Also consider: Guilherme Finkler (MID, $250k), Kosta Barbarouses (FWD, $275k), James Troisi (MID, $200k), Mitch Nichols (MID, $250k)
In their first season under Ange Postecoglu, Victory were anything but boring, and provided fantasy coaches with some solid gold picks in the form of Marco Rojas and Mark Milligan. Unfortunately for both fantasy A-Leaguers and Victory fans, Rojas has departed for Germany, leaving a gaping hole in everyone's team. Fellow Kiwi Kosta Barbarouses returns to the A-League as his direct replacement, which should raise the attention of all fantasy coaches. However, do not expect a Rojas-like return from Kosta, for two reasons: firstly, Kosta has been picked as a FWD, limiting his scoring potential compared to MID Rojas. Secondly, it would be difficult even for Rojas to back up his insane 2012/13 season, and they are not the same player. That said, you should definitely consider picking him as the Victory will continue to create a ton of goal scoring chances every week, and Kosta will be setting them up as well as finishing them off. Archie Thompson (5 PPG) will likely score well again regardless of where he plays in the forward line, which is what you'd expect at a premium price.
In something of a double blow, Mark Milligan (5.5 PPG) has been changed from a DEF to a MID, meaning his goals are not worth as much and he won't be getting the bigger clean sheet bonuses for defenders. So he will find it very difficult to back up his score from last season. He'll still probably be a top fantasy prospect, but not an absolute must have if selected as a DEF. Also he's missing Round 1 due to Socceroos duties, so be wary of this if you still want him.
James Troisi looks to be an intriguing prospect. If, as some have predicted, he is given the false nine role held by Flores last season, a big return from him is very possible for only $200k, and he's a MID to boot! Troisi could very well be this season's bolter, so if he starts scoring make sure you're on board. Troisi's arrival may affect Connor Pain's (FWD, $200k, 3.5 PPG) prospects, should Ange play Troisi centrally and shifts Archie to the wing where Pain would have played. Nonetheless, he remains an exciting prospect and if he starts regularly, he's one of the few wingers you could consider as a FWD (Kosta obviously being another). A successful return from injury may see Guilherme Finkler's (4.1 PPG) stocks rise, and he's very nicely priced at $250k. Similarly, if Ange can revitalise Mitch Nichols (2.7 PPG) he could also prove to be a handy pick up.
Marquee signing Pablo Contreras (DEF, $250k), is rather expensive for a centre back; there are cheaper options, with bigger point potentials, if you want to field a Victory defender. The slightly cheaper Adama Traore (DEF, $225k, 2.7 PPG) will surely improve on his ordinary return from last season, especially if Victory tighten things up at the back. The right back situation at Victory is of interest to fantasy coaches - two potential options for Ange are Jason Geria (DEF, $150k, 0.8 PPG) and Scott Galloway (DEF, $150k, 2.3 PPG). If one of them makes the spot their own, definitely consider them.