Just released: this free NAB Cup watchlist from fantasy footy veteran David Natoli, aka BigFooty’s DaVe86.

The Cheatafl online magazine returns for 2016 and is available for download for $3.99 from www.cheatafl.com. You will receive a 50 page book chock full of fantasy footy information.

Super Coach, Dream Team, AFL Fantasy – this book will help you in any form of the game you play.

Below is a snippet from the book, and my watchlist for the 2016 NAB series. To download the full book, containing club by club analysis, squad structure advice and selection strategies, go to www.cheatafl.com

If you can’t watch a lot of the NAB Challenge series, at least take some notes on the following players:

  1. Toby Greene – In the last two seasons, Tom Mitchell has caused me a lot sleepless nights as I knew he was a genuine gun Fantasy player, but just couldn’t cement his spot in the Sydney side. This year, Toby Greene is providing me the same dilemma. He is very cheap, and has dual position status this year. However, he was pushed out of the GWS midfield last year and was forced to play as a forward. This severely limited his output and explains why his starting price is so cheap. If he can force his way back into the midfield, then he could be the best player in the forward line. Watch him throughout the NAB Cup to see how he is used by GWS.
  2. Joel Selwood – Early indications suggest that Selwood is touch and go for round one, and is very unlikely to play any NAB Challenge games. This provides a huge conundrum as I think he could be set for a career best year with the recruitment of Patrick Dangerfield to take the tag. If Selwood isn’t fit for a NAB Challenge game, but is named round one, it would be a brave coach to pick him in his fantasy side. He is under priced after a difficult 2015, and I think he could improve his average significantly this season if fit.
  3. Daniel Wells – He is so cheap and a proven gun. He also has dual position status and can be selected as forward. This makes him a certain lock if he can string a few NAB Challenge games together.
  4. Brodie Smith – Adelaide has really beefed up its half back line with the recruitment of Seedsman and Hampton. This could mean Smith is utilised more on a wing which could improve his numbers. Keep an eye on his form in the NAB Challenge, as he is one of Adelaide’s most important players.
  5. Mitch Robinson – Mitch doesn’t get a lot of recognition, but he is one of the more consistent forwards and always gives 100%. He has had a strong pre-season, and should benefit from having Tom Bell next to him as an enforcer. He could be a good point of difference.
  6. Dale Thomas – Daisy has had a shocking two years, but is so cheap this year that he’ll be hard to ignore if he has a good pre-season. He’ll never be the player he was in 2011, but if he stays on the park he will build in value.
  7. Bryce Gibbs – Another Carlton midfield who would rather put 2015 behind him. All reports suggest that Gibbs is having his best ever pre-season and is hungry to regain respect. He is very cheap and a proven fantasy specialist, so he could be a good point of difference at a relatively low price if you are game.
  8. Matt Rosa – Rosa struggled to find a spot in the strong West Coast midfield last season, and found himself sub on occasions. I’m not quite sure what his role will be at Gold Coast as I believe they have a few very similar types on the list. However, he will automatically become a leader at the club given he has more experience than most on the list, and he knows how to find the footy. He is named in defence this year, and is cheaper than some of the other premiums to choose from. Just monitor his role over the NAB Challenge. If he looks to have a solid role in the midfield, then he could be a real steal.
  9. Brett Deledio – A number of coaches will face a dilemma whether to select Dustin Martin or Brett Deledio. Personally I will be starting with both, however I think Deledio should actually improve on his average from last year. He had a very limited off-season and played mainly as a forward for most of the year. If he looks fit in the NAB Challenge, and has a run through the middle, then he will be impossible to pass up on.
  10. Harley Bennell – The former Gold Coast badboy has a lot to prove this year, and is at the perfect club to keep his attitude problems in check. I think that he was recruited to add a bit more run through the midfield, and if so should enjoy very little attention considering Fyfe and Stephen Hill usually cop the brunt of the taggers. Bennell is as talented as they come, so if he has a strong NAB Challenge and has a run through the middle, then he could be a real smokey. However, he is yet to get back to full training, so must be touch and go for round one at this stage.