ADVENT calendars are being torn open at this time of the year but for AFL Fantasy fans, it is a long countdown until the first lockout of next season. There are 99 days left of the pre-season before the Richmond-Carlton clash kicks off 2018 but there will be plenty for Fantasy coaches to think about in the coming weeks.

The team at Fantasy HQ have been as busy as the players on the track as they prepare for the new year. Rather than running time trials, they're running spreadsheets.

Earlier this year the players negotiated a new pay deal and in turn, the salary cap for each club has increased. As the official Fantasy game of the AFL, the salary cap for Fantasy Classic will mirror the figure clubs must adhere to with their list.

In 2018 your initial squad of 30 players must come under the $12,600,000 cap.

With the significant salary cap increase comes more expensive players. Last year, Tom Mitchell topped the list for points scored averaging 127.2. Heading into his second year as a Hawk, the 24-year-old will set you back $896,000. 

How it works 

Players are priced according to their 2017 output. In simple terms, their average from the previous season is multiplied by the 'magic number'.

There are some exceptions.

If a player takes part in fewer than 10 games, a discount will apply in the form of three per cent per game. Discounted players are priced according to the higher of their last two season's averages. If they miss a full season, the discount can be up to 30 per cent (the price will be calculated on the player’s previous season average).

A popular choice of starting ruckman is set to be Nic Naitanui (RUC, $417,000). The Eagle missed the 2017 season due to injury and has received a 30 per cent discount on his 2016 average of 84.5. He is therefore essentially priced at approximately 59 points per game.

The cheapest players in the game are priced at $170,000 with the top 50 draftees having a premium added to their price.

No.1 pick and new Lion Cameron Rayner (MID/FWD, $270,000), is the dearest first-year player with second pick Andrew Brayshaw (MID, $268,000) valued at $2K less. That trend continues until the 51st selection, and all subsequent picks, are basement priced.

We will reveal all prices and positions, as provided by Champion Data, over the coming weeks ahead of the launch of AFL Fantasy in late January.

Top defenders

In 2017, Sam Docherty (DEF, $823,000) and Taylor Adams (MID, $808,000) were the two must-have premium options down back. Unfortunately, Docherty has injured his ACL and is out for majority of the season, while Adams has been stripped of defender status as he was primarily a midfielder last season.

Rory Laird (DEF, $707,000) is the sole player to average more than 100 points available in the back line.

Named as a MID/FWD last season, Elliot Yeo (DEF, $692,000) is a good chance to be the top-scoring defender next year after averaging 110 in the first eight rounds of 2017.

It’ll be a new look list of defenders as you trade to your ultimate team. Also setting those initial Fantasy Draft rankings will be a challenge.

Top midfielders

Just six midfielders averaged more than 110 Fantasy points in 2016, whereas 11 managed to top the number this year.

With some higher numbers than usual at the top end, it is going to be tough to fit many from the top 10 in initial Fantasy Classic squads.

Patrick Dangerfield (MID, $849,000) and Zach Merrett (MID, $825,000) have put together two outstanding seasons and will justify shelling out the big bucks for reliability. But there are a few new names in the top 10 who may have some extra growth in their output next year.

Having a set and forget captain each week like Tom Mitchell will be a popular choice, but it may be the players who fall below this list that will be the most beneficial.

Top rucks

Last year it was Brodie Grundy (RUC, $748,000) and Max Gawn (RUC, $605,000) who were the sure-thing ruckmen to start the year. Gawn will be a popular starting selection priced below the top performers of 2017 due to an injury-interrupted season. Grundy is a Fantasy favourite, but if Mason Cox (RUC/FWD, $418,000) is named alongside him, the big Pie's numbers suffer.

If you can pick the next Matthew Kreuzer (RUC, $740,000), you will go a long way to winning your Classic and Draft league. The Blue increased his average by more than 23 points on the previous season.

Top forwards 

The forward line took a big hit with position changes.

Jack Macrae (MID, $732,000) was the top performer all season and Steele Sidebottom (MID, $745,000) added forward status in round 18 to be one of the main Fantasy upgrade targets. They’ve been wiped, leaving Cat Sam Menegola (MID/FWD, $719,000) as the most sought after premium option for the new season.

You can throw a blanket over who is likely to finish the season as the top forward, but looking at the dual position players (MID/FWDs) could be the winners.

Expect Luke Dahlhaus (MID/FWD, $624,000) to be in the mix as well as Robbie Gray (FWD, $572,000) who is priced well below his output in seasons prior.