HeraldSun Have Released Some Prices Of Players Who Are At A Reduced Price For 2016

JOBE WATSON (Essendon) $499,600 MID

The Essendon skipper looms as very good value after a shoulder injury ended his 2015 prematurely. A proven consistent scorer, Watson is sure to win plenty of the ball and hit the hundred, while he’s also capable of going big. By all reports he’s tracking well in his return. His 2015 starting price was a massive $574,800 after averaging 106.9. Bargain.

GARY ABLETT (Gold Coast) $623,200 MID

Gaz is a no brainer, isn’t he? The little master returned to full training last week and it appears it’s full steam ahead for Round 1. Although his price isn’t as low as we’d all hoped, at $623,200 he’s still $50,000 less than what he set us back at the start of this year. Not sure we have to sell him any further, do we?

TOM LIBERATORE (Western Bulldogs) $357,300 MID

The pin-up boy for fallen premiums because of injury heading into 2016 is the best and fairest winner from the Whitten Oval. A contested ball king, Libba is simply a must-have at this bargain basement price. Normally we’re searching for that mid-range player who could go big, this year he’s been handed to us on a silver platter. Is training the house down too, and on track for a Round 1 return.

TOM ROCKLIFF (Brisbane Lions) $550,100 MID

A frustrating season for the Lions skipper after broken ribs, concussion and more broken ribs meant he couldn’t have the impact he would have liked in a horror year for Brisbane. Was a massive $709,500 at the start of 2015 so to think he’s at this price is almost too good to be true. He hit huge scores of 152, 146, 122 and 145 to end the season, too.

MICHAEL JOHNSON (Fremantle) $435,800 DEF

The Fremantle defender was in plenty of teams to start the season only to suffer a horrible hamstring injury that kept him out for nearly three months. Disappointingly only has a $33,000 discount on his 2015 starting price of $468,500 but scores of 121 and 136 show if he hits that type of form he’ll be a bargain.

DION PRESTIA (Gold Coast) $545,000 MID

If you’re looking for a point of difference in the midfield Prestia might be one to look at as a player coming back from injury. He’s only about $24,000 cheaper than his 2015 starting price so that’s a bit of a worry and might be one for your watch list to see how he’s tracking before Round 1 and in the opening rounds.

SHANE MUMFORD (GWS Giants) $570,500 RUCK

High risk, high reward. Mumford is a proven SuperCoach performer and in a season where Todd Goldstein is going to cost an arm, a leg and another arm, the Giant is definitely going to be among the top picked ruckmen. The issue is can he stay fit and play 20-22 games? Nearly $60,000 less than his $600,000+ 2015 opening price and averaged 105 in his 11 games in 2015.

OLLIE WINES (Port Adelaide) $525,100 MID

The Port Adelaide bull was a very popular pick before breaking his arm, rewarding owners with huge scores like 145, 124 and 123 before injury. Although, he hasn’t come down much in price (was $539,200 at the start of 2015) despite playing only playing 13 games, which is disappointing. Has been named as a standout so far during pre-season, though.

DANIEL WELLS (North Melbourne) $243,900 MID/FWD

Daniel, Daniel, Daniel. Will we see you in the royal blue and white stripes on game day this year? We definitely hope so because at this price you’re an absolute bargain. Adding to the appeal is Wells’ dual position status as a midfielder/forward and that he has averaged 96.1, 99 and 104.2 in the last three seasons (2011-2013) where he had a good run with injuries. Another high risk, high reward pick.

DAVID SWALLOW (Gold Coast) $416,800 MID

Unfortunately the former no. 1 draft pick is eligible only as a midfielder but still presents good value at this price. His year was ruined by knee injuries but is on track for a Round 1 return according to coach Rodney Eade. He set you back $554,600 at the start of 2015, so at just over $400,000 he’s available at a huge discount but wouldn’t be shelling out the cash without a decent NAB Challenge campaign.

MATTHEW KREUZER (Carlton) $481,900 RUCK

A fit Matthew Kreuzer is on Carlton’s Christmas wish list and he’s on our SuperCoach radar, too. Despite missing a heap of football, Kreuzer reminded us just how good he can be for the Blues with his athletic ability, goalkicking and strong contested marking. Hit the ton five times in 13 games.

PEARCE HANLEY (Brisbane Lions) $467,000 MID

The Irishman had a horrible year with hip and hamstring injuries and again does not have the dual position status that made him a must-have two years ago. His final-round score of 146 reminds us of his potential but not having that dual position hurts him. Still, could be a point of difference and one to monitor.

BRYCE GIBBS (Carlton) $444,600 MID

Gibbs by his own admission had a year to forget and is already talking about how determined he is to make amends under new coach Brendon Bolton. He’s been training hard and is definitely one to keep an eye on during the NAB Challenge. Was $571,000 at the start of 2015 ... at mid-$400,000s he looms as a possible bargain given he can kick goals to turn 80s or 90s into 120s.

LEVI GREENWOOD (Collingwood) $429,000 MID

Greenwood’s first season at Collingwood was delayed by a horrible ankle/leg injury so he never really got going but put in scores of 110 and 112 and notched more than 80 three times in his eight games. In his career-best season with North Melbourne he averaged 94.2. He’s one to watch over the NAB Challenge but there are probably better options out there.

JAEGER O’MEARA (Gold Coast) $316,300 MID

Almost an instant buy at this price but that patella injury was very, very nasty. His coach Rodney Eade says he’s on track for a Round 1 return all things going well but we’ll have to keep a close eye on him. Has the potential to be an absolute bargain alongside Liberatore.

DALE THOMAS (Carlton) $308,700 MID/FWD

The former Pie’s season barely got going this year and normally we probably would be steering clear given his recent injury troubles but his dual position status puts Thomas back into the equation. Thomas says his troublesome ankle has had plenty of time to heal and he’s feeling good ahead of next season. One to definitely watch as a mid-priced forward option, not the midfield.

JARED POLEC (Port Adelaide) $303,000 MID

Polec was one of the absolute bargains of 2014 with his consistent high scoring in his first season at the Power but 2015 was a year to forget for him. We all expect the Power to rise up the ladder again after a poor season and a fit and firing Polec might be a very good option as a point of difference in the midfield with most likely to pick Liberatore and O’Meara.

DANIEL MENZEL (Geelong) $260,600 FWD

Can this talented youngster get a decent run at it? Menzel reminded us of his prodigious talent with a score of 119 in his comeback game against Collingwood and could prove to be a top cheap pick if he can get a change in luck. We hope he can. Definitely one to watch and possibly pencil in. There will be plenty of ball heading into the Cats forward line in 2016 with Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield leading the midfield.