<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]With preparations now well under way for AFL Fantasy fans, the Essendon Bombers squad has thrown up some interesting options for coaches in selecting their team, although there remains theASADA-shapedshadowlooming over a number of the Bombers' key players.
<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]But whether yougamble or are focused on Fantasy Football, the Bombers could be one of the most interesting stories in 2015. So which Essendonplayers could make the most noise among the Fantasy community this season? And where is the best value for Fantasy coaches?
<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]For a start, trading Brendon Goddard for$550,000 for your NAB AFL Fantasy squad will be the first thing a lot of teams do. That is because the former Saint is returning this season with duel-position status andwill be capable of weighing in with some big points.
<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]If he could replicate his fantastic 97.16 average from last season,Fantasy coaches along with those who bet on AFL in Australia could have a massive points scorer on their hands.
<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]A lot of Fantasy fans will be tempted to follow up the signing of Goddard with a move for Paul Chapman, but it could be thatnew-boyAdam Cooneyis a much wiser purchase. Cooney is priced at $445,000 compared to ageing former Geelong star Chapman, who is priced at a monstrous $520,000 and is unlikely to play as regularly as he once did.
<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]The loss of Paddy Ryder to Port Adelaide has opened the door for another player to score the ruck points he achieved in the past. That means the likes of Tom Bellchambers could end up being one of the surprise packages of the season. With duel-position status and being available at $281,000, a strong pre-season could see the youngster used by a lot of Fantasy coaches as a first bench option. The same could be said of Jonathan Giles, who has all the abilities to fill in the gaps and provide back-up from the bench. However, the ruckman might not score anything like the points of Ryder.
<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]At the top of the Bombers' price list sits midfielder Dyson Heppell at $606,000 following a 10th-place finish in last year's Fantasy averages for midfielders. If the Bombers are going to do anything this season, it's highly likely that Heppell will have a large say in things and will be a very popular with Fantasy coaches.
<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]The Dons might be short of a ball carrier at the moment andinjury-prone Michael Hibberdmight not be an obvious pick at $506,000. But if he can sort out his disposals, the defender could be a decent selection.
<p style='margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;]Michael Hurley has the ability to play in a number of different positions. But if he is played at the back, that need for a ball carrier could be solved and he could be a consideration for your team.Courtenay Dempsey andMark Baguleymight also both be key players in this Dons team. Neither are going to weigh in with a boat-load of Fantasy points but that's not to say they should be ruled out.