Best First Year Player : James MAGNER - 17 matches, 1,008 points @ 59. Increased $117,700
Everyone had the ‘Magnet’ on their radar at the start of the season, and he didn’t disappoint – early at least. With scores of 101 in round 1 and 90 in round 2, MAGNER looked like a keeper however he developed into a bit of a
Most Improved Player : Jeremy HOWE - 22 matches, 1,741 points @ 79 Increased $115,900
How good a grab is this bloke? Easily the most exciting mark in the AFL at the moment, HOWE seemed to take a ‘speccy’ every week in 2012, and will probably have the top 5 Marks of the Year. In 2011 HOWE averaged 63 pts from 13 matches, a figure he bumped up to just under 80 from 22 this season. With a top score of 166 and seven games above 89 pts, he is definitely one to watch going forward.
Best Buy : Jack GRIMES- 21 matches, 1854 points @ 88 Increased $102,700
An exciting but injury-prone defender, GRIMES is always one to be considered in fantasy footy provided he could stay on the park – well this season he did, missing only one game and putting a very consistent season together. An impressive leader of a struggling side, GRIMES last 7 scores of the year read 138, 83, 110, 101, 115, 103 and 97. That bodes well for 2013 doesn’t it?
Worst Buy : Liam JURRAH - 1 match, 43 points @ 43 Nil price change
Annus horribilus for JURRAH, and any poor bugger who selected him based on his previous average of over 70 pts per game in 2009, 2010, and 2011. In addition to the legal battle in his home town, JURRAH missed virtually the whole season, playing only the one game after wrist and ankle problems, eventually severing his ties with Melbourne at season’s end. A nightmare year.
2013 Prospects
Mitch CLARK - Having moved from Brisbane with a hefty price tag, a lot was expected of CLARK and I thought he stood up well before an unfortunate injury. Averaging 84 pts from 11 games with 3 tons for 2012, CLARK was an impressive focal point and should be even better in 2013.
Sam BLEASE - I like the way this guy goes about it, although consistency should be his aim in 2013. Averaging 55 pts in 16 games, he proved he could match it against good teams with 104 vs Sydney and 115 vs St Kilda. Just have a feeling he might develop into a player sooner rather than later.
Most Prolific
1. Nathan JONES (M) - 2,047 @ 97.5
2. Jack GRIMES (D) - 1,854 @ 88
3. Jeremy HOWE (F) - 1,741 @ 79
4. Jack TRENGOVE (M) - 1,648 @ 75
5. Jared RIVERS (D) - 1,621 @ 74
14. Mark JAMAR - 1,035 @ 74 (Top Ruckman)