We’re baaaaaaaaaaaaack. Yes, after a short hiatus in sunny Queensland (not hard to see why Little Gazza chose the Gold Coast option this year!) Trade Winds is back and raring to go. With the multiple bye rounds still in action, trading has probably been down a little in terms of actual movement, but over the past few weeks there have been some big injuries that need to be discussed. It’s also time to take aim at an underperforming “star”.
Nick SUBAN (Fremantle. Value - $338,600. Out for at least 2 months with a broken leg)
This young Freo gun was doing everything right in 2011, and looked to be heading towards a very solid year, averaging 78 points per game. However, as has been the case with quite a few Dockers players this year, he 3was cut down by injury, sustaining a sickening broken leg that may yet keep him out all year. The 3% of coaches who had him need to look elsewhere.
Possibilities : Alipate CARLISLE (Port) - $329,500. Av 74
Ben REID (Coll) - $329,100 Av 73 My Choice – penetrating, accurate kick.
Jimmy GWILT (St K) - $326,100 Av 69
Leigh BROWN (Coll) - $324,700 Av 69
Zac DAWSON (St K) - $297,500 Av 79 Value Pick – One of few Saints
playing well
Jason WINDERLICH (Essendon. Value - $343,000. Out for at least 2 months with knee injury)
One of two Bombers to go down in the same game, the speedy fringe player will be a big loss to Essendon, despite only averaging 55 SC pts this year. Whilst Winderlich isn’t a superstar, his run and carry is typical of the Bombers style and the 1% of coaches who have him in their SC team as a “point of difference” player will need to find a ready replacement.
Possibilities : Liam ANTHONY (Nth) - $342,300 Av 73
Rick LADSON (Haw) - $339,100 Av 79
Matt THOMAS (Port) - $332,700 Av 75
Hamish HARTLETT (Port) - $324,100 Av 89 My Choice – Huge potential
Ed CURNOW (Carl) - $311,500 Av 103 Value Pick – Even at that price. Gold!
Jared POLEC (Bris) - $168,600 Av 67
Courtenay DEMPSEY (Essendon. Value - $312,600. Possibly out for season with knee injury)
The other speedy Bomber to crash back to earth in the Carlton match, DEMPSEY was averaging a disappointing 50 pts per game in 2011 – something the 1.5% of SC teams who had him would not be happy about. His knee buckled also, further cutting into the Bombers running game and testing their depth.
Possibilities : Jacob SURJAN (Port) - $312,500 Av 61
Cale HOOKER (Ess) - $305,200 Av 69
Zac DAWSON (St K) - $297,500 Av 79 My Choice and Value – best of a
bad bunch
Jackson TRENGOVE (Port) - $286,300 Av 69
Taylor HUNT (Geelong. Value - $286,300. Possibly out for two months with knee injury)
Is the game getting too fast for the players? Another speedster down for the count, HUNT injured his knee early in the epic game against the Hawks, possibly straining a medial ligament that could see him out for at least two months, just when he seemed to be cementing his place in the Cats lineup. Averaging 59 pts per game, the 3% of SC teams that have him now have to try and find a cheap replacement – never an easy task.
Possibilities : Adam McPHEE (Freo) - $286,100 Av 63
Alex RANCE (Rich) - $283,200 Av 79 My Choice – Shows a bit.
Antoni GROVER (Freo) - $272,300 Av 62
Chris TARRANT (Coll) - $267,900 Av 61
Shaun McKERNAN (Adel) - $176,900 Av 63
Danny STANLEY (GC) - $192,500 Av 66 Value Pick – will only improve.
That’s about all the major injury concerns from the last few weeks, with Cyril RIOLI virtually given the all clear after his hamstring scare - especially with the HAWKS having a bye this weekend. The only other player left to discuss due to his lack of form rather than injury is another Hawk – ex Demon Cameron BRUCE.
Like many of you out there I have carried BRUCE since round one waiting for him to improve, all the while watching his price plummet. Now we are faced with two choices – keep him because he has dropped to a point where he isn’t worth anything and can only improve, or get rid of him. I’ll be doing the latter, but waiting until after this weekend’s games, when big Brian LAKE’s value should also drop after some early struggles. Take advantage of that with a double trade – perhaps Krakouer to another rookie to free some cash? – and then upgrade BRUCE to LAKE.
Bring it on.