THE BOMBERS have been busy in the last two off-seasons, reeling in some big fish via the trade period. Dylan Shiel (MID, $647,000) landed at The Hangar in October and hopes he can show the same improvement in his game as fellow Giant-turned-Bomber Devon Smith (MID/FWD, $774,000), who produced his best numbers in his first year donning the sash.

Essendon supporters are hoping Shiel's recruitment will not only help his new club climb the ladder, but give Zach Merrett (MID, $736,000) some much needed support, and subsequently see his numbers rise.

The name on the lips of Fantasy coaches over the pre-season has been Zach Merrett (MID, $736,000). While the addition of Shiel to the line-up is one factor, the value he offers is the big reason he is likely to be a popular choice in 2019.

Merrett has missed just one game in his last three seasons and averaged more than 117 points in 2016 and 2017. This year his average of 101.4 was significantly under his recent output due to a slow start to the year.

In round one, Merrett was concussed early in the game for 23 points. As we have seen with many players dealing with the effects of concussion, he followed up with scores of 78 and 60, seeing his price drop dramatically. Merrett found his mojo as the season progressed, averaging 114 from round 10 and posting multiple 120+ scores.

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In 2017 Joe Daniher (FWD, $560,000) looked on track to be one of the premier key forwards in the competition kicking 62 goals and averaging 85 from his 22 games.

The 24-year-old is still recovering from osteitis pubis that held him to seven games this year and the club hopes that he will join in training with the main group in January.

While there is a lot of risk in starting him in Fantasy Classic, Draft coaches should keep an eye on him as a late-round steal as he will be ranked alongside other forwards that should be taken much later.

Last season's best available forward has retained dual-position status. Devon Smith (MID/FWD, $774,000) was the pick of the 2018 Fantasy season.

After two seasons averaging approximately 80, some coaches were bullish on what Smith's output would be in the red and black. Not even his biggest fans would have predicted him to play every game following several injury interrupted seasons and to average 106.6 – a 12-point-plus improvement on his previous best.

Smith tackled his way to some big scores, averaging 8.5 a game. His finish to the season, an average of 121 from his final eight matches, could see him once again be the best Fantasy forward.

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Dylan Shiel (MID, $647,000) is the marquee recruit and there is an argument that he is under-priced.

Last year was his first season-return of less than a 90 average since 2013, well below the 98 average of two years ago. The knock on him is that he doesn't have the ceiling that many Fantasy stars exhibit. Shiel has only scored more than 120 points five times throughout his 135-game career.

There will be a bit of buzz around Irving Mosquito (MID/FWD, $196,000) if he makes his debut next season. Essendon grabbed him with pick 38 in this year's draft ahead of Hawthorn, which elected not to bid on its Next Generation Academy prospect.

Without swatting away all hopes of him playing, the Bombers have said he will take some time as he'll be completing year 12 in 2019. Mosquito averaged 48 points in the TAC Cup.

Although not a first-year player, keep an eye on Dylan Clarke (MID, $250,000), who played one match last season for 46 points. His VFL numbers were impressive, averaging 27 disposals and eight tackles for 108 Fantasy points.

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Zac Clarke (RUC, $270,000) last played for the Dockers in 2016 and has made his way to the Bombers via the pre-season supplemental selection period.

The 28-year-old is at a bargain price and if given games to ruck alongside Tom Bellchambers (RUC, $577,000), there will be plenty of cash to be made. Clarke averaged more than 70 in four of his eight years at Fremantle, with his best return being an average of 84.8 from 14 games in 2013.

Some pundits are declaring Essendon's breakout player of next season will be Aaron Francis (DEF, $401,000), but this may not necessarily translate to Fantasy points… just yet.

After forcing his way into the team for the final five rounds, Francis enjoyed his best return in round 23 against the Power, with 19 disposals and 11 marks to rack up 94 Fantasy points.

There is no doubt that Francis will improve his game this year and make a few dollars, however coaches are encouraged to follow the guns-and-rookies strategy in Fantasy Classic. Look to take Francis as a late-round selection in Draft if you're keen to back in his breakout.

Player Position 2018 Average 2018 Games 2019 Price Smith, Devon MID/FWD 106.64 22 $774,000 Heppell, Dyson MID 101.64 22 $738,000 Merrett, Zach MID 101.45 22 $736,000 Zaharakis, David MID 97.06 17 $704,000 Shiel, Dylan MID 89.19 21 $647,000 Hurley, Michael DEF 83.75 20 $608,000 Langford, Kyle MID/FWD 80.19 16 $582,000 Bellchambers, Tom RUC 79.55 20 $577,000 Fantasia, Orazio FWD 79.46 13 $577,000 Myers, David MID 78.13 16 $567,000 Daniher, Joe FWD 63.86 7 $560,000 Parish, Darcy MID/FWD 74.73 15 $542,000 McKernan, Shaun FWD 74.2 10 $538,000 McGrath, Andrew DEF/MID 71.4 20 $518,000 Hooker, Cale DEF 70.27 22 $510,000 Stringer, Jake FWD 69.35 20 $503,000 Brown, Mitch FWD 67.29 14 $488,000 McDonald-Tipungwuti, Anthony FWD 65.64 22 $476,000 McKenna, Conor DEF 65.06 18 $472,000 Guelfi, Matt MID 63.07 15 $458,000 Baguley, Mark FWD 62.85 20 $456,000 Redman, Mason DEF 81.5 2 $450,000 Stewart, James FWD 60.82 11 $441,000 Saad, Adam DEF 59.18 22 $429,000 Francis, Aaron DEF 65 5 $401,000 Dea, Matt DEF 54.83 12 $398,000 Laverde, Jayden FWD 59 7 $390,000 Begley, Josh FWD 40.2 5 $355,000 Mutch, Kobe MID 60 3 $344,000 Long, Jake MID 62 2 $342,000 Ambrose, Patrick DEF 44.43 7 $331,000 Gleeson, Martin DEF 0 0 $329,000 McNiece, Ben DEF 46.88 8 $324,000 Hartley, Michael DEF 53.5 4 $318,000 Ridley, Jordan DEF 54 3 $310,000 Clarke, Zac RUC 0 0 $270,000 Clarke, Dylan MID 46 1 $250,000 Mosquito, Irving MID/FWD 0 0 $196,000 Zerk-Thatcher, Brandon DEF 0 0 $170,000 Houlahan, Jordan FWD 0 0 $170,000 Lavender, Luke FWD 0 0 $170,000 Mynott, Trent MID 0 0 $170,000 Draper, Sam RUC 0 0 $170,000 Ham, Brayden FWD 0 0 $170,000 Gown, Noah FWD 0 0 $170,000 Jok, Thomas MID 0 0 $170,000

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