Essendon are a very interesting one. Obviously there is the elephant in the ro … nah I’ll come out and say it … the infraction notices that have been handed to 34 of their players, current and ex.

What happens as a result of this will define the whole AFL season, fantasy and onfield. If mutiple players are banned for multiple matches, the impact on Fantasy teams will be massive and not necesarilly all bad – there’ll be some very cheap players getting a lot of gametime.

But let’s leave that as the unknown it is and deal with what we have before us. There is certainly some real quality on the Bomber list.

» More Bombers Talk on our Dream Team Board

GET THEM IN

Brendan Goddard (MID/FWD $550,000)

Dual position and a very nice price for this established Fantasy gun. Very hard to go past.

David Zaharakis (MID $545,000)

It would be better if he were a FWD as well, but even then, Zaharakis is very nicely priced and at the right age to have an absolute breakout year. Could very well end up worth well north of $600k.

NOT WITH A BARGEPOLE

Ariel Steinberg (DEF $164,000)

Somewhere there is somebody who will think “Hey! This bloke played finals! And he’s cheap!”. Do not let this person be yourself.

Adam Cooney (FWD/MID $445,000)

Despite his dual position status, I think there’s far better, and more durable, value for the money than the Coon … Bomber?

WORTH A PUNT

Tom Bellchambers (FWD/RUCK $281,000)

The departure of Paddy Ryder means a spot has opened up for Bellchambers if he is willing and able to make it his own. Monitor him over the NAB Thingymabob.

Michael Hibberd (DEF $506,000)

Can be a reliable defensive pick Hibberd. Unless he’s injured or suspened that is. Keep a watching brief on him over the pre-season: no hammy problems, possibly.