Just how radically this might impact the nature of the 2016 season, the future of the Essendon Football Club and the AFL are questions that are now beginning to be asked.

But for us lovers of fantasy, there is really only one question on our minds – how will this affect our Ultimate Footy seasons?

Wiping out 17 players from the league for a year is going to have a significant impact on all the teams involved. Here's a brief look at some of the players whose fantasy fortunes will be most affected.

The dynamic of the entire Essendon team is going to shift significantly – not only will they see radical change in their on-field regulars, but they also have a new coach who will bring a new game plan to a side that will have been together less than three months when the season starts.

Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis and Zach Merrett are now the three most proven fantasy players at Essendon and one would expect that more and more work is going to fall on their shoulders in 2016.

This could mean a significant increase in points, especially for Zaharakis whose output in 2015 was mediocre. However, the pressure of having to carry the team could also have a negative effect.

Off-season recruits Craig Bird and Matthew Leuenberger have gone from likely starters to absolute certainties. Leuenberger is a lock to take the No.1 ruck role, while Bird will likely get to start in the midfield, which should do wonders for his fantasy scoring.

Shaun McKernan and Courtenay Dempsey will both be promoted from fringe players to regulars in the side, though whether the roles they play will be good for fantasy is less certain. Adam Cooney might become a useful fantasy commodity again but only if he can manage to remain fit for the season.

Youngsters with a bit of experience such as Orazio Fantasia, Jackson Merrett, Jayden Laverde, Martin Gleeson, Elliott Kavanagh, Shaun Edwards and Kyle Langford should see plenty of opportunity this season, as will fresh draftees Darcy Parish, Aaron Francis, Alex Morgan and Mason Redman.

Outside Essendon, the most significant fantasy impact will be the absence of Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder. This will see Matthew Lobbe return to the No.1 ruck role, where he averaged 89 points per game in 2014 before Ryder's arrival.

The absence of Angus Monfries might mean more opportunities for Sam Gray who finished last season with a string of high scores, while the absence of Stewart Crameri from the Western Bulldogs' forward line might be Jed Adcock's key to an elevation from the rookie list.

Jake Melksham's absence from Melbourne will likely leave former top-10 draft pick Christian Salem plenty of room to develop a quality fantasy game off half back, and Jake Carlisle being unavailable for St Kilda should mean opportunities for Hugh Goddard at St Kilda.

Article supplied by Footy Prophet – football analysis with a fantasy focus. Footy Prophet is fantasy football.