Some of the year’s most popular Fantasy picks could come from Adelaide’s midfield brigade.

The evergreen Scott Thompson is the Club’s most expensive player at $538,000 after averaging 97 points per game in 2015. Thommo’s been a proven Fantasy premium throughout his career, with last year the ninth consecutive season that he’s averaged 93 points or above.

The two-time Club Champion is showing no signs of slowing down either having run a personal best time trial on his return to pre-season training.

Fellow onballer Rory Sloane endured an injury-interrupted 2015, but still averaged over 95 points per game.

The hard-running midfielder was Adelaide’s leading Fantasy performer in 2014 boasting a Fantasy average beyond 100. A tackling machine, Sloane doesn’t need to win a heap of the ball to score well, but can rack up big possession games on regular occasion. Don’t expect him to stay priced at $527,000 for long.

Fantasy preview: Defenders

Sam Jacobs could be the most popular starting ruckman when AFL Fantasy officially opens on Tuesday.

The 202cm Crow has been a picture of consistency since joining the Club in 2011. He’s missed just four games since and has played the last 75 matches in succession. Jacobs has also been a proven Fantasy scorer along the journey, but particularly in the last two seasons. Incredibly, he’s posted 27 triple-figure scores during this period for season averages of 97 and 96.

The competition’s two priciest players are ruckmen Stefan Martin ($631,000) and Todd Goldstein ($630,000), but ‘Sauce’ arguably looks a better buy almost $100k less.

Another popular pick will be the returning Brad Crouch.

Crouch hasn’t played since the final round of Season 2014 and therefore comes with a generous discount. A talented player who knows how to score big, Crouch averaged 92 in his first two seasons at AFL level but was still hampered by injury in both years.

With some improved luck on the injury front, the 22-year-old could be one of the bargain buys of the year at just $415,000.

Fantasy preview: Forwards

Brad’s younger brother Matt is also worth serious consideration.

The younger Crouch all but cemented his spot in Adelaide’s starting 22 last season, averaging 21 possessions, three marks and three tackles a game for a solid 71-point Fantasy average. This was despite five sub-affected scores.

Surprisingly, Matt failed to crack the Fantasy ton last year in any of his 17 matches. It’s easy to forget that Crouch is just 20 years of age and his best footy is still to come, along with a steady rise in his Fantasy output.

It’s a similar story for exciting left-footer Rory Atkins, who played eight AFL games after debuting in the Round 16 Showdown. Ignoring his three sub-affected games, Atkins averaged 65 points and is sure to add value to his $265,000 price tag if he can hold down a regular spot.

Dean Gore is another quiet achiever to keep an eye out for. The teen recruit finished third in Geelong’s VFL best and fairest last year despite being restricted to just 11 games due to a shoulder injury.

A versatile ball-winner, Gore could be a steal at $125,000 if he can force his way into Adelaide’s starting side.

AFL Fantasy 2016 opens on Tuesday, February 2.