Quite the off season for the Dogs. After the rebuild under Brendan McCartney seemed to be trending well with the likes of Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli and Jake Stringer demonstrating that the Dogs had got the key high picks right, all hell broke loose.

Captain Ryan Griffen’s request to be traded to GWS … GWS! … was the worst act by a so-called club captain since Wayne Carey’s efforts in the toilet at Glenn Archer’s house. Cue a week of madness in which the coach left and former GWS number one draft pick Tom Boyd, a veritable mountain of a manchild, arrived.

Where this leaves the Dogs in the greater scheme of things remains to be seen, but changing coaches midway through a rebuild isn’t ideal no matter how you spin it. McCartney had a very clear vision, building from the inside out. Does new coach Luke Beveridge continue the work in progress or look to start from square one?

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Footy is a funny game and the loss of Griffen, with whom the captaincy never sat well, could prove to be a blessing in disguise, especially if Boyd hits the ground running. There’s certainly the young talent still at the club to keep it very competitive.

In fantasy terms, it would be unwise to load up on too many Bulldogs too early. But keep a watching brief, especially on the youngsters.

GET THEM IN

Marcus Bontempelli (MID/FWD $392,00)

Right player at the right price with right designation. Pick him as a FWD obviously. Has been training the proverbial house down and Griffen’s departure means he should get more midfield time and a bit of latitude with opposition coaches more focused on the like of Macrae and Libba Jnr. And as this effort from last year shows, as a pure FWD Bontempelli knows where the goals are

Tom Liberatore (MID $559,000)

Just pick him. His average has gone up every year since he started and last season he was 1.3 points off a ton a game. He brings home regular 120+ efforts and does have that blinder once or twice a year where he tops 140. With his in and under role, even if the Dogs do have a crap year, his score won’t effected. The smart coach would also look to make him captain when circumstances such as Tom Rockliff being injured, suspended or on the bye, arise.

NOT WITH A BARGEPOLE

Tom Boyd (FWD $192,000)

Don’t believe the hype: if you select Tom Boyd you need your head examined. He should turn out to be an very good player, but he’ll be fantasy garbage this year. He averaged just 35 points in 2014 and isn’t suddenly going to turn into a lean, mean century avergaing machine. He’ll be getting a lot of attention from opposition defenders and the Dogs simply won’t be getting their ball in their forward half enough. There’ll be far better value in a rookie who will score more and make you cash.

Jack Macrae (MID $591,00)

A surprise packet last year that paid off hugely for coaches who got on him early Macrae is priced too high for my liking. He’s not a proven elite fantasy player, a “fantasy pig” as those of lesser wit who do these things would say. He’s had one good year. He’s going to cop a lot more attention from taggers too now that Griffen is gone. And all the people who missed out on him last year will be sure to jump on this year, meaning that if you spend the same cash wisely on someone else, you’re going into almost every game with a headstart (if I’m right that is). Macrae needs to do a hell of a lot to just stand still price-wise and with the Doggies every chance of having an ordinary year onfield, for mine, Macrae is the opposite of Yazz – the only way is down.

WORTH A PUNT

Clay Smith (MID $194,000)

Keep an eye on Smith. Kid had a hideous run with injuries and while allegedly over the worst now, isn’t likely to be back in senior contention until mid season. But if he does make it back, he’s a great proposition as a downgrade to free up some cash, who should then quickly increase value himself. Inside ball winner who can kick a goal. Like I said, don’t pick him from day one, but certainly keep an eye on him.

Lachie Hunter (FWD $356,000)

Pricey for a punt but if his pre-season form resembles some of the efforts he was pulling out last season, then he’ll be worth every penny. Averaged 62 last year but that was brought down by some games where he was injured or subbed off. There was also a ton, a 90 and an indication that 80 odd was in reality closer to an average game for him. If he can string together an injury free season you could reasonably expect a 15% or maybe even 20% improvment on his fantasy output. At that price, you do the proverbial math.