IN A DEVASTATING blow to the Blues and Fantasy fans alike, star defender Sam Docherty has cruelly gone down with another ACL injury, just one day after exciting fans with the news he would only cost $593,000 just one season after averaging 117.

Unfortunately, the attacking half-back will miss his second season in a row and although I am really struggling to find any positives (unlike some Crows fans), crisis does create opportunity and from a Fantasy perspective, there are once again some very big shoes to fill for the boys in navy.

Patrick Cripps (MID, $793,000) had a breakout season last year, elevating himself from Fantasy star to superstar after increasing his average by 10 points to 109. Although he is a prime target to receive the tag each week, his inside work and elite tackling make him almost impossible to stop. We saw this illustrated after the bye, when he had a low score of 96 in the last 11 weeks while also demonstrating an impressive ceiling with 162 in that time.

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Matthew Kreuzer (RUC, $576,000) is an interesting option in the ruck given many coaches are looking for a value pick to pair with future Pig Brodie Grundy. Fear of Braydon Pruess (RUC, $342,000) being named to play alongside Max Gawn (RUC, $808,000) has opened up a position in many teams, and if fit Special K is undeniable value given he averaged a whopping 107 in 2017 and is priced at an average of 79.

Will Setterfield (FWD/MID, $251,000) is not only a tempter, he is an absolute lock, especially now he has been given forward status. The star junior who had a horrible run of luck with injuries at the Giants is raring to go and will slot straight into the Blues midfield … and our teams.

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Nic Newman (DEF, $552,000) has become especially relevant following the news of Docherty's injury. The out of favour Swan only managed 10 games last year at an average of 76, 10 points down on his debut season. If the role is there, the NEAFL Pig is a proven ballwinner and may be a masterstroke selection.

Sam Walsh (MID, $270,000) is a bargain despite being the highest-priced first-year player. Oozing with talent and likened to GWS star Josh Kelly, Walsh has a huge tank and will slot straight into the Blues midfield rotation. In 16 games last season, he averaged 29 touches, six tackles and four marks for 111. If you think he is a little expensive, remind yourself that he is priced at the equivalent of a 37 average.

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Kade Simpson (DEF, $692,000). I doubt you have forgotten about him but given the word 'warrior' was in the title, Simmo deserves a mention. Many coaches had ruled him out given Docherty was the Blues defender to chase, but once again, they will be relying on the veteran who has missed just one game in three years while averaging 101, 98 and 95.

Alex Fasolo (FWD, $378,000) is seemingly under-priced given he averaged 70 in the two years leading up to last season when he only managed one game for the Pies. He is priced at an average of just 52, but with a host of viable forward options this season, give him a miss.

Player Position 2018

Average 2018

Games 2019 Price Cripps, Patrick MID 109.32 22 $793,000 Curnow, Ed MID 100.29 21 $728,000 Murphy, Marc MID 97.08 13 $705,000 Simpson, Kade DEF 95.38 21 $692,000 Thomas, Dale DEF 85.65 20 $622,000 Docherty, Sam DEF 0 0 $593,000 Kreuzer, Matthew RUC 79.33 12 $576,000 Newman, Nic DEF 76.1 10 $552,000 Lobbe, Matthew RUC 85.83 6 $548,000 Curnow, Charlie FWD 73.85 20 $536,000 McGovern, Mitch FWD 71.08 12 $516,000 Petrevski-Seton, Sam FWD 70.05 22 $508,000 Fisher, Zac MID/FWD 69.47 17 $504,000 Kennedy, Matthew MID 64.42 12 $467,000 Lang, Darcy MID/FWD 64.27 11 $466,000 McKay, Harry FWD 62.31 13 $452,000 Bugg, Tomas MID 76.33 3 $438,000 Weitering, Jacob DEF 55.5 14 $403,000 Dow, Paddy MID/FWD 55.5 20 $403,000 O'Brien, Lochie MID 54.89 18 $398,000 Garlett, Jarrod FWD 54.27 11 $394,000 Marchbank, Caleb DEF 54 12 $392,000 Cuningham, David DEF 42.4 5 $391,000 Casboult, Levi FWD 52.8 10 $383,000 Jones, Liam DEF 52.06 17 $378,000 Fasolo, Alex FWD 12 1 $378,000 Phillips, Andrew RUC 57.6 5 $355,000 Silvagni, Jack DEF/FWD 48.67 15 $353,000 Plowman, Lachie DEF 48.38 13 $351,000 Kerr, Pat FWD 45.5 4 $271,000 Walsh, Sam MID 0 0 $270,000 Pickett, Jarrod FWD 40.57 7 $268,000 Williamson, Tom DEF 0 0 $260,000 Setterfield, Will MID/FWD 0 0 $251,000 Polson, Cameron FWD 33.33 12 $242,000 Stocker, Liam MID 0 0 $234,000 De Koning, Tom RUC/FWD 36.5 2 $201,000 Macreadie, Harrison DEF 0 0 $176,000 Goddard, Hugh DEF 25 1 $170,000 Schumacher, Angus DEF 0 0 $170,000 Lebois, Kym FWD 0 0 $170,000 Owies, Matthew MID/FWD 0 0 $170,000 Silvagni, Ben DEF/FWD 0 0 $170,000 O'Dwyer, Finbar FWD 0 0 $170,000

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