AFL Fantasy is back for another season, and the team at Footy Prophet will again be supplying NMFC.com.au with premium fantasy analysis and tips for the 2015 season.

It’s been a long road back for Lachlan Hansen ($388,000), who hasn’t played senior footy since injuring his hip in the last round of 2014.

Having missed the finals series and much of the pre-season, Hansen will be keen to make up for lost time.

His outings in the VFL for Werribee were solid. His last game saw him pick up 16 possessions and 12 marks, signalling to the team his readiness to return.

It’s difficult to say what Hansen’s initial fantasy impact will be; players such as Sam Wright ($387,000) and Robbie Tarrant ($247,000) have made decent inroads into North’s back six.

It may take a little time for the defenders to gel and for Hansen to work his way back into senior footy.

Also shoring up North’s defence will be Luke McDonald ($342,000), who has been absent since Round 3 with a leg injury.

McDonald’s scoring was improving right before his break, so fantasy coaches will hope he can rediscover his form.

The youngster's round 3 effort against Port Adelaide was particularly impressive He collected 28 touches (including 15 kicks).

The only thing standing in the way of McDonald really firing in fantasy terms is a few more tackles and marks.

He hasn’t been tested in the VFL, so North must have full faith in his ability.

At this stage, McDonald is another player that should be watched closely and considered.

Of North’s other selections, the time is certainly right to pounce on Jack Ziebell ($444,000), if you haven’t already. Right now, he is about as cheap as he’ll ever be.

Ziebell's price suffered a few healthy falls this year, but now with two solid efforts against Geelong and Hawthorn in the bank, things can only be looking up. 

Throw in the fact that he loves playing Richmond (his last two scores against them have been AFL Fantasy tons) and loves playing in Hobart (he scored 132 AFL Fantasy Points against Adelaide there in Round 22 last year), and you have to ask yourself – why not?

Finally a big congratulations to Todd Goldstein ($575,000). We really tried hard to keep him out of this article for once, but we couldn’t deny congratulating him on the arrival of Lachlan Jack Goldstein ($0).

Unfortunately, as he’s only 3.5 kilos and has not yet been drafted, young Lachlan isn’t going to be available for AFL Fantasy for a few years yet.

Around the grounds
Call it bravery, call it stubbornness, call it what you will – but Tom Rockliff ($585,000) is fronting up after being concussed last week against the Gold Coast. This follows on from broken ribs and punctured lungs.

If Rockliff does end up playing, his fantasy output may be questionable, even though Brisbane are playing Carlton, a side with their own issues.

Even if he does fire, Rockliff is certain to come down in price over the next few weeks. You have to admire his tenacity, but hold off bringing him into your side.

Also under an injury cloud is Rory Sloane ($561,000), who was subbed out of last week’s Showdown with a calf complaint.

Sloane’s last two games have been well under his prolific best. Fantasy coaches will be desperate for him to play, given just how battered the Gold Coast’s ranks have become.

Also returning after a long layoff is Brett Deledio ($527,000), who hasn’t played since Round 1 thanks to persistent Achilles and calf complaints.

Deledio is a player to bring into your side in a few weeks, after his price has softened a little and he has worked himself back into shape.