As we dive into the realm of AFL Fantasy analysis for 2024, our focus turns to the Adelaide Crows first up, a team that narrowly missed the finals due to a controversial goal umpiring decision. This setback, however, doesn’t overshadow the fact that the Crows are tracking in the right direction for the future. In this analysis, we’ll uncover the hidden gems in the team—players who are currently undervalued but possess an AFL Fantasy game. We’ll identify the breakout candidates poised for a significant leap in performance, and explore stash options, those players worth keeping an eye on for future fantasy glory. Let’s delve into the specifics and find out who these promising players are.

The Undervalued

Ben Keays

He was almost the hero who secured Adelaide’s finals berth last season, but it wasn’t to be. The big question surrounding Ben Keays is: Can he return to the midfield and become a fantasy gun once more? Personally, I don’t see it happening. We’re likely to see Matt Crouch used more next season, and young guns like Josh Rachele spend more time in the midfield, which will limit Keays’ involvement. There will be the odd game where he’ll play an accountable role as a midfielder, and he may score okay on these occasions, but I reckon big scores will be few and far between. However, given the scarcity of forwards, he’ll still be a handy option for your forward lines, but don’t expect those big scores he provided us with in previous years.

Wayne Milera

Wayne Milera managed to play 22 games for Adelaide last season, which feels like a miracle considering his injury history. He returned to a 70+ AFL Fantasy average last season, which isn’t groundbreaking, but it was always going to be a slow start for Milera, coming back from years of injury issues. He established himself as one of Adelaide’s better users across their half-back line as the season went on and is now poised to be one of their key players as they head into the 2024 season campaign. With Brodie Smith getting another year older, I feel like there’s scope for Milera to increase his scoring if he is used more coming out of defense and can accumulate more of the football as a result. He’s undervalued because of his low-70s average last year, but there’s scope for improvement with Milera.

The Breakout Contenders

Josh Rachele

I think Josh Rachele is in for a big year. He comes into his third season, which we all know is the magical breakout year, and looks ready to take the next leap at AFL level. He started last season with a decent amount of midfield time, and during this period, he put up some decent scores. The midfield involvement tapered as the year went on, as did his scoring. But with another pre-season under his belt, I think we could see increased usage in the midfield and an increase in his scoring as a result. Given that he’s such a dangerous forward, I don’t think he’ll be removed from the forward line completely, which means he’ll likely keep forward status in the future. So that, coupled with the expected midfield time, makes Rachele a good target for one of your first-picked forwards in keeper league drafts.

Jake Soligo

Soligo looked like a star in his first season. He got his fair share of CBAs (centre bounce attendances), coupled with some wing time, and was quite a consistent AFL Fantasy scorer in his first season of footy. He improved his average in 2023, but there were some role changes throughout the year, and he was used more on the outside and up forward. He also comes into his third season of footy and looks poised to take the next step in his career in 2024. A lot of his potential for increased scoring comes down to what role he is likely to play this season, but if he can find a way to spend more time in the midfield, we could see a leap in his AFL Fantasy scoring.

Riley Thilthorpe

I’ve been saying this for years, but I think Riley Thilthorpe is going to eventually lead Adelaide’s ruck department and become one of the best AFL Fantasy ruckmen in the game. I know he’s used as a key forward now, and Riley O’Brien is doing his thing in the ruck, but I honestly think he’s next in line. He’s got the skills, athleticism, and endurance to be used in the midfield, and I think it’s only a matter of time before it happens. Could 2024 be the year? With Tex Walker near retirement, they might be hesitant to take him out of the forward line, so hopefully, someone like Chris Burgess can come in to play a role and free him up, or Lachlan Gollant can develop enough to cover. But I honestly think Adelaide is missing out by not using him as a ruckman, so hopefully, it happens soon.

Luke Pedlar

Pedlar broke into the Crows’ side at the start of last season and never looked back. He was initially drafted as a midfielder but spent the season up forward and was a major contributor to the Crows’ improvement in form last season. His speed and explosiveness are his biggest attributes, which saw him spend a little bit of extra time in the midfield last season, particularly in the middle stages of the year. If he can add more midfield time to his game, then we should see an improvement in scoring, so he’s on my watch list.

The Stash Options

Billy Dowling

Billy Dowling’s performance in the SANFL showcases his considerable potential as a fantasy asset in keeper leagues. His transition from a forward to a midfield role with the Adelaide Crows reserves in 2023, where he averaged an impressive 20.6 disposals and 4.2 clearances over the last five games of the season, with a last-five average of 92 fantasy points. This included a high score of 123 in the final round. Additionally, his history as a prolific junior AFL Fantasy scorer, with an average of 126 points in the SANFL U18s, further cements his potential. Dowling’s consistent scoring ability and his evolving role in the midfield make him an intriguing stash option for future seasons in keeper leagues.

Luke Nankervis

Luke Nankervis shifted to a half-back for the Adelaide Crows reserves in the SANFL and showed some good signs. His consistency at the SANFL level, where he averaged 80 points for the season, suggests a solid foundation for fantasy scoring. Moreover, his brief stint at the senior level, averaging 62 points across four games, indicates good consistency. If Nankervis can increase his possession count and find more of the footy, there’s potential for him to become a better fantasy scorer, making him a player to watch in future seasons.

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