Tens of thousands of coaches have entered their Fantasy Classic team at fantasy.afl.com.au or via the free smartphone app for their chance to win a swag of prizes, but most importantly, to take on their mates for bragging rights.

Squads of 30 are made up of eight defenders, 10 midfielders, four ruckmen and eight forwards under the $12.6million salary cap.

Pick your AFL Fantasy team now

The key to picking a balanced team is nailing the 'cash cows' to not only help your team increase in value, but to allow you to pick the big gun premiums you need to boost your score each week.

The Traders' round one Fantasy team

Below is a list of cash cows to consider in each position.

Defenders

Sam Murray (DEF, $170,000)
The former Swan is yet to debut at AFL level but following an excellent JLT Community Series game where the 20-year-old scored 93 points and led the team for metres gained, Murray should be in Collingwood’s 22 on Saturday night.

Tom Doedee (DEF, $170,000)
Jake Lever’s departure opens the door for Doedee at the Crows. While he won’t be a huge scorer, his job security is about the best we will find from the basement-priced players.

Nicholas Coffield (DEF/MID, $256,000)
One of St Kilda’s first-round picks at last year’s draft is a chance to be an important part of their defensive structure in 2018. With scores of 70 and 60 in his pre-season appearances, Coffield will be worth spending the extra cash on and playing him on your field.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: Jeremy Finlayson (DEF/MID, $170,000), Cam O’Shea (DEF, $231,000), Alex Pearce (DEF, $197,000), Aaron Naughton (DEF, $254,000), Ryley Stoddart (DEF, $170,000), Lachie Keeffe (DEF/FWD, $170,000), Mark O'Connor (DEF/MID, $193,000).

Midfielders

Andrew Brayshaw (MID, $268,000)
The No.2 pick at the 2017 NAB AFL Draft is a ready-made player and is all but confirmed to start for the Dockers on Saturday in Adelaide. Brayshaw scored are more than a point per minute during the JLT Community Series and will be a popular last midfield pick.

Bailey Banfield (MID, $170,000)
Playing in the WAFL last season, Banfield averaged 24 disposals, six tackles and a Fantasy ton. Starting as a forward for Fremantle this pre-season, the 19-year-old kicked multiple goals and scored 65 (from 39% game time) and 81 (from 87% game time) in his JLT matches.

Nick Holman (MID, $170,000)
At 22 years old, the former Blue could be the mature-aged recruit Fantasy coaches need in their midfield. Holman averaged 26 disposals in the SANFL last season and while his place in the Suns’ side may not be guaranteed, his scoring will be up there with the best for those priced under $200,000.

Tim Kelly (MID, $224,000)
Putting his hand up for round one selection, the 23-year-old ball-winner averaged a ton last season in the WAFL on his way to the Sandover Medal. Expect him to play for Geelong as a high half-forward if named.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: Paddy Dow (MID, $266,000), Dom Barry (MID, $170,000), Charlie Constable (MID, $200,000), Ben Jacobs (MID, $243,000).

Rucks

Darcy Cameron (RUC, $170,000)
Kurt Tippett’s retirement and Sam Naismith’s ACL injury could open to the door for Cameron at some stage this season. The Swans are likely to go with Callum Sinclair as their No.1 ruckman, but we should see the man who averaged 90 in the NEAFL last season at some point this year.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: Tim English (RUC/FWD, $197,000), Matthew Flynn (RUC/FWD, $170,000), William Frampton (RUC/FWD, $170,000).

Every player's Fantasy scores from the JLT Series

Forwards

Bayley Fritsch (FWD, $210,000)
Fristsch booted 42 goals last year in the VFL and played both JLT matches, kicking four goals and scoring 69 and 52. Job security looks sound as Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin basically said he will be playing in round one.

Liam Ryan (FWD, $220,000)
The Eagles have an exciting player in Ryan and while his scoring could be sporadic, he is part of the future of West Coast. The $220,000 asking price is a lot to place on your bench, but there will be some games where his scores will be fairly low.

Cameron Rayner (MID/FWD, $270,000)
One of the most popular rookie options up forward, the No.1 draft selection should play the majority of games this year. Plenty of coaches put a line through Rayner after scoring 18 from 61 per cent game in time in JLT1. In the wet for JLT2, the MID/FWD finished the match with 84 points thanks to 10 tackles and increased midfield time.

OTHER TO CONSIDER: Jake Waterman (FWD, $170,000), Zac Giles-Langdon (FWD, $170,000), Daniel Venables (FWD, $170,000), Jaidyn Stephenson (MID/FWD, $260,000), Darcy Fogarty (MID/FWD, $248,000), Willie Rioli (FWD, $170,000).