There is a bit of the unknown about the Lions this year after a big reshuffle in the coach's box. Player roles and game plans are sure to be shaken up by Chris Fagan and his team, but what does this means from a Fantasy perspective? For most coaches, it will be vital to keep a close eye on the Lions' pre-season, and an ear to the ground for any whispers about youngsters set for a breakout season.

Tom Rockliff (MID, $704,000) is coming off another monster season where he averaged 117 from 17 games. What makes that average even more impressive is that it includes two injury-affected games where he scored just 24 and 33.  On the flipside, he showed that he is capable of superhuman performances like the 174, 179 and 184 he rolled out, which goes to show why he is the only player currently holding AFL Fantasy Pig status. There is slight concern regarding what the new coaching staff has in mind for his royal oinkness.

Dayne Beams (MID, $519,000) is a superstar of the competition... when fit. Coming off just two games at an average of 86 in 2016, Beams is a bargain given he averaged over 100 in the five years leading up to last season, which included years of 108 and 116.

  Fully-fit beams isn't far away

Hugh McCluggage (FWD/MID, $246,000) is one of the most expensive first-year players but having the ability to throw him forward adds huge value.  The Morrish medallist is widely expected to play plenty of games, possibly from round one. He is a gun, pay up.

After being delisted by the Giants after just one game last year, Jake Barrett (MID, $150,000) has been picked up by the Lions which should result in a huge increase in opportunities for the young on baller. Obviously the Lions were looking at the same NEAFL numbers that excited us week to week before selecting Barrett in the rookie draft. 

Although Jarrod Berry's (DEF/MID, $218,000) junior numbers don't suggest he will be a huge scorer in his first year, he is bound to be a star and the Lions should be keen to get plenty of games into him. He ticks so many boxes to become a future star and from a Fantasy perspective, his eligibility as a defender is a handy tick.

He was all the rage early last year, but Stefan Martin (RUC, $538,000) has dropped off the radar after reducing his 2015 average of 114 to 89 last year. You can certainly look at this from a glass half-full perspective given Stef finished the season with seven hundreds out of his last eight games… bargain?

Player

Pos

2017 Price

Tom Rockliff

MID

$704,000

Dayne Zorko

MID

$640,000

Stefan Martin

RUC

$538,000

Dayne Beams

MID

$519,000

Mitch Robinson

MID

$510,000

Daniel Rich

MID

$494,000

Ryan Bastinac

MID

$468,000

Tom Cutler

DEF

$431,000

Rhys Mathieson

MID

$426,000

Tom Bell

FWD

$417,000

Allen Christensen

FWD

$405,000

Rohan Bewick

MID

$405,000

Sam Mayes

DEF

$405,000

Marco Paparone

DEF

$370,000

Lewis Taylor

FWD

$356,000

Archie Smith

RUC

$342,000

Josh Walker

FWD

$336,000

Claye Beams

DEF

$329,000

Ryan Harwood

DEF

$323,000

Jarrad Jansen

MID/FWD

$318,000

Ryan Lester

FWD

$317,000

Nick Robertson

DEF/MID

$310,000

Daniel McStay

DEF

$300,000

Eric Hipwood

FWD

$290,000

Harris Andrews

DEF

$290,000

Ben Keays

FWD

$288,000

Michael Close

FWD

$287,000

Josh Schache

FWD

$286,000

Jack Frost

DEF

$273,000

Darcy Gardiner

DEF

$262,000

Liam Dawson

DEF/FWD

$256,000

Hugh McCluggage

MID/FWD

$246,000

Jarrod Berry

DEF/MID

$218,000

Alex Witherden

DEF/MID

$206,000

Reuben William

DEF

$205,000

Cedric Cox

DEF

$204,000

Matthew Hammelmann

DEF

$200,000

Jonathan Freeman

FWD

$182,000

Matthew Eagles

RUC

$150,000

Jake Barrett

MID

$150,000

Blake Grewar

MID

$150,000

Sam Skinner

DEF

$150,000

Josh Clayton

MID

$150,000

Corey Lyons

MID/FWD

$150,000

Jacob Allison

MID/FWD

$150,000

Cian Hanley

DEF

$150,000

Mitchell Hinge

DEF

$150,000

Oscar McInerney

RUC

$150,000