The off-season can be a difficult time for AFL SuperCoach players yearning for another shot at a top-100 finish and bragging rights within their friendship group.

Fortunately, Champion Data have locked in every player's position for next year's iteration of fantasy football, giving coaches a bone upon which their imagination can feast ahead of the new year.

There are some former MID-only players that gain relevance after gaining Dual-Position Player ('DPP') status, with Nat Fyfe and Ben Cunnington becoming underpriced MID-FWD options.

Former number one pick and rising star winner Andrew McGrath might have been considered too risky of a pick as a MID, but his DPP status as a MID-DEF means that he could potentially yield strong returns as a defender for brave coaches.

Nat Fyfe during the 2022 AFL Round 19 match between Richmond and Fremantle (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

On the flip side, there are some key players that have lost DPP status, much to the chagrin of coaches.

Headlining this list is Bulldogs talisman Marcus Bontempelli who has lost his dual MID-FWD status, an unsurprising reflection of his enhanced minutes in the engine room as the Bulldogs fought for a position in the finals during the back-end of season 2022.

Most would have considered him a certainty to match or better his top-four finish in average FWD scoring this year, but he is no certainty to rank so highly amongst the most prolific MID scorers in 2023.

There are a plethora of other popular FWD picks that have lost their DPP status, with highly-ranked forwards Tim English, Adam Treloar, Will Brodie, Rowan Marshallย and Jordan De Goeyย all losing out in the new DPP changes.

The 25-year-old English is of particular fascination given his point-scoring ability and RUC status, and questions remain over whether the Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy ruck pairing at Melbourne opens the door to him becoming a viable set-and-forget successor.

English and Marshall sharing RUC-FWD status has been of significant utility, a loss coaches are no doubt disappointed by.

Daniel Rioli, Keidean Coleman and Tristan Xerri were also popular picks at times during the 2022 season but, after outperforming projections with impressive points scoring this year, their prices may be inflated beyond what coaches are willing to pay.

Marcus Bontempelli during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Many coaches have enjoyed watching point-scoring feasts from predominately midfield-playing players with DEF status but, as was the case with Rory Laird and Callum Mills last year, their true positions have come out in the wash.

Popular (and at times frustrating) defensive pick George Hewett is no longer a DEF-MID after averaging the fifth most points across defenders this year.

The same fate awaits popular picks in Jayden Short, Jack Crisp and Lachie Whitfield who ranked sixth, ninth and 13th in DEF fantasy average respectively.

Some players have also lost MID status and are therefore less malleable picks, losing crucial flexibility that is popular amongst indecisive coaches.

This list includes Isaac Heeney, Nick Daicos, Jack Sinclair, Jordan Dawson, Angus Brayshaw, Hunter Clark and Maurice Rioli Jr.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: George Hewett of the Blues handballs during the round five AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Port Adelaide Power at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 17, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Some crucial FWD players have retained DPP status, most notably the premier ranked forwards of this year Josh Dunkley, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Patrick Lipinskiย and Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin.

Harry Himmelberg is an especially exciting prospect heading into 2023 due to his epic scoring run after a positional switch from the forward line to defence.

Himmelberg posted scores of 161, 117, 112, 103, 104 and 120 across rounds 13-22 after starting the year with scores of 65, 53, 47, 27 and 49.

He is therefore seriously undervalued if he can maintain that form, with his retention of DPP status as a DEF-FWD putting him on the radar of fantasy coaches as a flexible option.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 12: Harry Himmelberg of the Giants in action during the 2022 AFL Round 13 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium on June 12, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Lastly, Champion Data unveiled some new positions for players who made a switch this year.

Wayne Milera, a perennial pre-season fantasy prospect, has become a FWD after holding DEF status for his whole career.

Dayne Zorko has played in a myriad of positions during his illustrious career and now becomes a FWD-only player after being a DEF-MID this year.

Another important position change affects former MID-FWD turned DEF-only player Mitch Duncan who has previously averaged over 100 points a season on four different occasions throughout his career.

Elliot Yeo, who was accused of being "out of shape" during the 2022 season, has also displayed significant point-scoring potential and now is classified as a DEF after being a MID-only player this year.

The full list of DPP changes can be found below: