While there is a need to stock your AFL Supercoach team with premiums and rookies, you also need to keep on the mid-priced bargains that could make or break your season.
These are the players that are priced in an awkward range because they struggled last season - and this means they generally battle to make cash or score consistent points.
But a well-thought out selection in the mid-priced region can be a point-of-difference that sets your team apart from the rest.
Sporting News delves in the mid-priced madness world to see which bargains you should be looking at in 2021.
Defenders - mid-pricers and bargains
RORY THOMPSON (GOLD COAST) [DEF - $123,900]
Stick the 29-year-old full back on your list to use as a downgrade later on in the season as he has currently been absent since 2018 with a knee problem.
Barring another injury setback, Thompson should play senior football this campaign and should average between 50 and 70 to make you some quality cash.
NEVILLE JETTA (MELBOURNE) [DEF - $186,300]
The 31-year-old is another experienced defender who falls into the category of both rookie and bargain.
Lock-down small Jetta has played 154 games for the Demons since 2009 but has struggled with injury over the last two seasons to only play 13 matches.
With five seasons of an average Supercoach score of 60-plus in his career, Jetta could be a solid option down back to make some cash.
JORDAN CLARK (GEELONG) [DEF/MID - $241,800]
After managing 18 games in his debut season in 2019, Clark struggled to get in the Cats team in 2020, playing only three matches.
But the dashing youngster has thrown himself into round one calculations with a stunning performance in the AAMI Community Series victory against Essendon.
Clark had 29 disposals and kicked the go-ahead deep in the last quarter in an impressive role that saw him start on the wing but roam both ends of the ground.
His highest ever score in a match to date is 87 - on three occasions - so be aware you will be needing him to be breakout player at this price.
CHANGKUOTH JIATH (HAWTHORN) [DEF - $266,500]
The rebounding Hawks defender seemingly has a spot locked in the back six with his Supercoach-friendly style of play.
Jiath likes to run and carry the football and seems to be the player Hawthorn want to give the ball to as they rebound out of defence.
The 21-year-old scored 123 Supercoach points from his 24 disposals against North Melb to further sway those coaches that want to take the risk.
ALIIR ALIIR (PORT ADELAIDE) [DEF - $321,200]
In one of the surprises of the trade window, Aliir jumped from the Swans to the Power and looks set to assume a floating role across defence.
Against an admittedly weak Crows, the 26-year-old took 14 marks and amassed 122 Supercoach points in a commanding performance.
It could be unrealistic to assume Aliir will maintain that output but he could be for a rise above his career best SC average of 79 this season.
LIAM DUGGAN (WEST COAST) [DEF - $448,600]
The dour defender flourished into a promising midfielder at the back of the end of last season and has been used in the engine room so far this campaign.
Even though he only scored 98 from his 22 disposals against the Dockers, Duggan gained a game-high 589 metres to show what he could bring to your Supercoach team this season.
The worry is how will his score be affected by the eventual returns of Tim Kelly and Elliot Yeo?
ZAC WILLIAMS (CARLTON) [DEF - $458,600]
Now that the former Giant is suspended for round one, he becomes an even more intriguing option to select your defence.
Williams has excelled in a midfield role for the Blues in pre-season, being one of the best afield in the loss to St Kilda.
Now that he misses round one, will you be willing to field an extra rookie in defence to get the POD of Williams in your team from the second match?
Midfielders - mid-pricers and bargains
NAKIA COCKATOO (BRISBANE) [MID/FWD - $123,900]
The injury-prone flyer only managed to play 34 games with the Cats in six years before moving to Brisbane for a fresh start.
If the 24-year-old can get his body right, he represents a player capable of getting well north than his best average of 63 in 2016.
Cockatoo is currently struggling for fitness so he will represent a risk no matter what time you bring him into your team
PADDY DOW (CARLTON) [MID/FWD - $202,400]
Despite being priced real awkwardly, the former no.3 draft pick looks set for a breakout year after impressing in the midfield during pre-season.
The 21-year-old was horribly out-of-favour last season, meaning he only played three matches, and saw him handed his bargain basement price.
Dow was one of Carlton's best players against Essendon, while against the Saints, he still gathered 15 touches and played the majority of the match in the midfield.
Is even more of a certainty to play midfield in round one with Zac Williams' suspension.
JORDAN CLARK (GEELONG) [MID/DEF - $241,800]
See in defenders section.
DOM TYSON (NORTH MELBOURNE) [MID - $243,900]
The forgotten midfielder has only managed three games since the start of 2019, but appears to be injury free at the Kangaroos this season.
Tyson kicked three goals, had 23 disposals and accumulated 111 Supercoach points despite the defeat to Hawthorn.
The 27-year-old averaged 94 in 2014 and 90 two years later to underline his scoring potential when fit and raring to go.
If he plays a full season, Tyson could be one of the mid-priced steals to get your team firing.
DYSON HEPPELL (ESSENDON) [MID - $319,100]
The Bombers skipper's price is set in true mid-price areas after he only managed three games in 2020 due to injury.
Heppell has averaged over 100 in three occasions and a further three times over 90 - underlining his scoring potential when fit.
In a half back role against Geelong, Heppell gathered 21 disposals but only scored 53 points, as he didn't use the football efficiently.
If the 28-year-old can average 90-plus for the season, he will be worth the selection.
TOM PHILLIPS (HAWTHORN) [MID/FWD - $402,600]
Having made the move from Collingwood to Hawthorn, Phillips looks set to slot into his preferred wing role, a position he averaged 90 in during the 2018 season.
Against North, Phillips scored a mammoth 134 points while playing on the wing, gathering 30 disposals, five clearances and a goal.
With a fresh lease of life in the brown and gold, Phillips could prove to be handy, flexible option across your midfield and forward line.
TIM TARANTO (GWS) [MID - $453,700]
The 2019 Giants best and fairest winner had an injury-affected 2020 that saw his Supercoach average dip to 84.5 - after averaging 102.4 the previous season.
Now looking fit and ready to go, the 23-year-old gathered 31 disposals and 106 Supercoach points against the Swans on the weekend.
The prospect of a cut-price premium midfielder is an enticing option in Supercoach and Taranto is arguably the best fit.
MATT ROWELL (GOLD COAST) - [MID - $495,100]
Last season's number one draft pick averaged 102 across his first five games before season-ending shoulder injury curtailed his momentum.
The 19-year-old is not 100 per cent fit and ready to got his campaign, playing 70 per cent of game time and scoring 91 against the Lions.
The only worry about Rowell is the question on whether can he maintain his extraordinary form at such a young age? And also deal with a tag?
Rucks - mid-pricers and bargains
PAUL HUNTER (ST KILDA) [RUC - $102,400]
With Paddy Ryder missing round one due to personal reasons and Rowan Marshall out with stress fractures, Hunter has been thrust into St Kilda selection calculations and will likely start as the team's no.1 ruck.
The 28-year-old has looked solid in pre-season and gathered 77 Supercoach points while rucking against Carlton's Marc Pittonet in the AAMI Community Series.
But buyer beware: Hunter's lack of ability to play as a forward option means Shaun McKernan is likely to be the second ruck when Ryder returns - which could be as soon as round two and before any cash is made off the former Adelaide rookie.
LLOYD MEEK (FREMANTLE) [RUC - $123,900]
The unknown Dockers big man looks set to play a significant role in the early part of the season with Sean Darcy and Rory Lobb both expected to be out for the first few matches minimum.
Meek held his own against West Coast duo Nic Naitanui and Nathan Vardy during the AAMI Community Series, gathering 77 points in an impressive performance for a player yet to debut.
The 22-year-old should get an extended run in the Dockers side and make you a decent amount of cash in the R3 position.
MATTHEW FLYNN (GWS) [RUC - $123,900]
With Braydon Preuss out for four-to-five-months, rookie ruckman Flynn was shaping to be an important part of GWS' ruck plans in the first half of the season.
But an ankle injury saw the 23-year-old miss the AAMI Community Series match against the Swans, with Kieren Briggs doing a reasonable job as a stand-in ruckman.
If Flynn is named for round one, he could be a good selection, but just bear in mind that experienced veteran Shane Mumford is on the rookie list and could be elevated at any time.
STEFAN MARTIN (BULLDOGS) [RUC - $272,200]
The veteran ruckman has secured a move to the Bulldogs were he is expected to ruck in tandem alongside the talented Tim English.
Interestingly in the AAMI Community Series, English spent significant periods of the game in the forward line and looked dangerous with this agility.
If could guarantee Martin would spend 70% of game time in the ruck for all 22 matches, he would be a legitimate, but risky option at R2.
But at 34 years of age, concerns about Martin's durability should be enough to see him passed on by most Supercoaches.
Forwards - mid-pricers and bargains
NAKIA COCKATOO (BRISBANE) [MID/FWD - $123,900]
See in midfielders section.
MARK HUTCHINGS (WEST COAST) [MID/FWD - $157,600]
With injuries ruining the Eagles tagger's season in 2020, his low price is tempting once he returns from another body issue around round three or four.
Hutchings has averaged 70-plus during four seasons in his career and a similar average this campaign would see him become an excellent cash cow.
The 29-year-old will definitely be a downgrade target when you are ready to cull some of your fattening cash cows.
PADDY DOW (CARLTON) [MID/FWD - $202,400]
See midfielders section.
JOE DANIHER (BRISBANE) [FWD - $233,300]
There is big risk, big reward selecting the former Bomber, who appears to have his body right as he has a crack at fresh start in Brisbane.
At this price region, the 27-year-old will need to average at least 80-plus for him to be cash cow - a figure he has only achieved once in his eight AFL seasons.
Daniher has only played 15 game in the past three seasons, so you must consider his durability before selecting him.
JACK ZIEBELL (NORTH MELBOURNE) [FWD - $257,900]
If the North Melbourne skipper isn't locked into your team, just get him in there now.
Playing in a new role across the half-back line, Ziebell can be expected to get plenty of the ball and also take intercept marks.
There is a decent chance Ziebell could be in your team the whole season as F5/6 and regardless, he should generate a huge amount of cash.
TOM PHILLIPS (HAWTHORN) [FWD/MID - $402,600]
See midfielders section.
JORDAN DE GOEY (COLLINGWOOD) [FWD - $435,200]
The Collingwood matchwinner appears set for midfield time in 2021, meaning his scores could push up toward the 100 average.
De Goey has averaged 87 on two occasions, but at this awkward price, he will have to lift his scoring considerably to be a value pick.
The worry is that Collingwood will struggle for goals and the 24-year-old will end up spending more time out of the goalsquare.
