After another fantastic Ultimate Footy season, the final Hunch Report looks at each side's most valuable player in 2016.
ADELAIDE
All in a name: While his Round 23 suspension would have been a costly Ultimate Footy grand final omission, Rory Sloane led an impressive fantasy trio of Rories this year. Mr Atkins and Mr Laird are closing in fast though.
BRISBANE
Building: Just two Lions managed more than 90 in their season from hell, with Tom Rockliff edging an impressive Dayne Zorko. A season average of 116.9 isn't quite at his 2014 level, but he's almost back there. Again.
CARLTON
Wet sail: If Patrick Cripps' last five-game average of 113.6 is a taste of what 2017 has to offer, his average draft position of 89.2 will plummet below 20. And it's completely justified, too.
COLLINGWOOD
Usurper: If Scott Pendlebury thought that the Collingwood fantasy crown would be handed over to him in the absence of Dane Swan, then he did not factor in Adam Treloar. To shade Pendles in his first year at the club is an impressive effort by Treloar.
ESSENDON
Questionable: Zach Merrett's fantasy game was truly a sight to behold this year. A record-breaking eighteen scores more than 100 raised eyebrows league-wide. Much like his absence from the All-Australian squad.
FREMANTLE
Lach and load: If you drafted Lachie Neale as your second, or even third midfielder for 2016, your team likely went deep into UF finals. Just don't expect him to slip past the first round next year.
GEELONG
Happy life: Patrick Dangerfield's move home to Moggs Creek has unquestionably taken his football to another level in 2016. If Danger was still at Adelaide, would he have received so many accolades? We'll never know.
GOLD COAST
Hall 2.0: Touk Miller's improvement over the course 2016 was astounding. Scores of 39 and 32 to start the year – 139 and 105 to finish. Poles apart. To produce those scores at the pointy end of the year bodes for a great fantasy future.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Embarrassment of riches: Josh Kelly successfully went about his business away from the spotlight, but it won't be long until the apprentice joins the masters and is mentioned in the same breath as Heath Shaw, Stephen Coniglio, Tom Scully and Callan Ward.
HAWTHORN
Delicious: Cyril Rioli's fantasy game has been solid but unspectacular, falling into the 'reliable cover' category and taken on average at pick 135. An injury-free season combined with more scoreboard impact has moved him well and truly into 'viable field option'.
MELBOURNE
Weight off his shoulders: With Nathan Jones carrying the Melbourne midfield for so many years, it was a welcome sight to see Jack Viney step up and truly break out. He should have even more support next year.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Passing the baton: Todd Goldstein may have conceded the league's best fantasy ruck mantle to Max Gawn, but still ended the season as North's highest averaging fantasy player. Not sure if this says more about North Melbourne, or Goldstein.
PORT ADELAIDE
50 shades: Robbie Gray was a rare fantasy gem for the Power in season 2016, as we have become accustomed to. Should he reach his undoubted potential, Sam Gray could very well join his namesake next year.
RICHMOND
Olympic spirit: The last time Shaun Grigg averaged over 95 was the year of the London Olympics in 2012. He managed it this year, putting his draft position of 173 to shame. Here's hoping we don't have to wait until Tokyo 2020 to see a repeat.
ST KILDA
Richo: Nick Riewoldt's 2016 reinvention on the wing has been eerily similar to Matthew Richardson's 2008, right down to both taking 222 marks apiece. Superstars over 30 don't seem to be a problem at the Saints.
SYDNEY
The Chosen One: Jake Lloyd's 2016 average of 86.3 will become triple figures within two years. Sooner if Tom Mitchell departs.
WEST COAST
Three-way tie: If you own a player and he dips below 75 points in a match just four times in a season, you would be pretty satisfied. All three midfield maestros Andrew Gaff, Matthew Priddis and Luke Shuey achieved this feat.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Lach and load #2: There must be something about Rories and Lachies. Lachie Hunter was barely looked at before the speculative 16th round of the draft. By season's end, he had outshone the household names of Tom Boyd, Liam Picken, Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli.
Article supplied by Footy Prophet – football analysis with a fantasy focus. Footy Prophet is fantasy football.
