It comes as no great surprise that Adelaide’s most expensive AFL Fantasy midfielder is Rory Sloane.

The hard-nosed onballer elevated his game yet again in 2016 and earned a raft of accolades for his efforts. He won the Crows Club Champion award for the second time, was named vice-captain of the All Australian team and was runner-up in both the AFLPA MVP and AFLCA Player of the Year awards.

After such a stellar season, the 26-year-old has received a hefty $112,000 price hike over his 2016 base.

However, coaches shouldn’t be scared off by his $639,000 price tag as Sloane has shown he is worth every cent, averaging 105.9 point across 21 games. He recorded 12 scores over 100 points, including a run of six consecutive Fantasy tons between Rounds 11-17.

Also rising rapidly up the Fantasy ranks is young onballer Matt Crouch.

The 21-year-old had his best season to date, missing just two games and averaging 93.6 points last year.

Crouch ended the season particularly strong, averaging a whopping 108.4 in the last five games of the home and away season. Off the back of this form, he has been rewarded with a $168,000 price increase over his 2016 base price.

The prolific ball-winner now sits on the fringe of elite MIDs in the AFL Fantasy competition at $564,000 and will be a handy asset to any midfield, with his stocks expected to rise yet again in 2017.

Rory Atkins is another young Crow who took his game to new heights in 2016.

The dashing left-footer was one of Adelaide’s most improved players, averaging 21 disposals and playing every game last season.

While not yet a prolific Fantasy scorer, Atkins averaged a solid 73 points, including a maiden ton in Round 10 against Greater Western Sydney.

At $441,000, Atkins sits in the mid-priced category that many coaches tend to avoid, however for those willing to take a risk, he could add some quick cash or even surprise with some big early scores.

Once again, Sam Jacobs looms as a premier ruck choice in this year’s AFL Fantasy competition.

Despite missing two games last season, Jacobs displayed his customary consistency, averaging 88.3 points and notching six Fantasy tons.

AFL rule changes abolishing a ‘third-man up’ will drastically change the dynamic for Fantasy ruckmen, and Jacobs looks a big beneficiary, with his penchant for one-on-one contests a major strength of his game.

The 202cm Crow takes just a $1,000 price increase into 2017 and will likely be one of the competition’s most selected rucks yet again.

Young left-footer Harrison Wigg ($150,000) could be a bargain buy after impressing in Adelaide’s opening JLT Community Series match against Richmond.

The third-year Crow is among the cheapest players available in this year’s comp and is a no-brainer if selected for the premiership season.

Rory Sloane will start the season as Adelaide's most expensive midfielder in AFL Fantasy