Round 16 done and dusted, and what looked to be a nightmare for most of us has eased as the week progressed, to the point where now it looks like Little Gazza will play this week against the Tigers. What a relief – that looked like being a decision none of us wanted to make. The big dilemma now is do you risk it and make him captain or not? Of course, there were the other regulation injuries and suspensions, and some players that need to make way from some fresh faces in your lineup come Finals time.
(In addition to the possible trade names, those marked with an * still have a bye to come, so that should also be taken into consideration before settling on your decision)
Jarrad WAITE (Carlon. Value $352,800. Hip injury, out for 4 weeks)
What a nightmare WAITE has become for the 2.5% of SC teams who have him in their squad – although he was cheap at the start of the season, his inconsistency in terms of actually being out on the field has struck again. This time he’s injured his hip, and will be out for at least a month. Although he has averaged 78 pts per game, he has dropped $74,000 for 2011 and, when looked at in conjunction with his Finals bye, WAITE just has to be given his marching orders.
Possibilities - Nick RIEWOLDT (StK) - $350,200 Av 86 My Choice - Returning to Form
*James PODSIADLY (Geel) - $344,500 Av 79
*Eddie BETTS (Carl) - $341,900 Av 75
Ricky PETTARD (Melb) - $340,500 Av 75
*Jonathan BROWN (Bris) - $336,800 Av 76
*Jack RIEWOLDT (Rich) - $326,400 Av 79
*Michael HURLEY (Ess) - $322,600 Av 78 Value Pick - Very Classy
Brent HARVEY (Nth Melbourne. Value - $422,300. Thumb injury – unsure on severity)
Boomer still remains the heart and soul of the Kangaroos outfit, and as captain he is a vital cog in their push to have any chance of playing Finals footy. Last weekend’s embarrassing loss to Collingwood was bad enough, but now it seems HARVEY has damaged his thumb and may be out for a couple of weeks, which would almost signal the end of the Kangaroos season. He remains fairly popular in SC circles, selected in 14.5% of teams, with an average of a touch under 100 pts per game. As a Forward or Mid, if you need the league win, a missing Boomer (along with a Finals bye) might be too much to carry.
Possibilities - Midfielders:
*Brent STANTON (Ess) - $412,300 Av 94
Michael RISCHITELLI (GC) - $409,100 Av 98
*Hamish HARTLETT (Port) - $407,700 Av 93
Andrew EMBLEY (WCE) - $407,300 Av 105
My Choice and Value Pick – Gun
Forwards:
Jack WATTS (Melb) - $410,100 Av 78
Mark LeCRAS (WCE) - $406,800 Av 86
My Choice and Value Pick – Goalsneak Gold
*Robbie GRAY (Port) - $405,500 Av 85
*Matthew STOKES (Geel) - $402,500 Av 89
Brad OTTENS (Geelong. Value $410,100. Suspended one week – very lucky – for striking)
It might seem harsh to recommend trading big OTTO with only one week’s suspension, but when that is combined with Geelong’s bye in the Finals, now might be the time to move him on. Selected in 5.3% of SC teams in 2011, OTTENS has been a stellar performer, averaging 100 pts per game and rising $82,100 for the season. His form has mirrored that of his team, re-emerging as a quality ruckman and playing at a level many thought was past him. So, if you are desperate for a win, you need a decent replacement – let’s find one for you.
Possibilities - *Shane MUMFORD (Syd) - $408,400 Av 103
Darren JOLLY (Coll) - $395,300 Av 83
My Choice and Value Pick – On the up
Nick NATANUI (WCE) - $390,700 Av 88
Jonathon GRIFFEN (Freo) - $387,400 Av 118
*Matthew KREUZER (Carl) - $387,000 Av 90
*Ben HUDSON (Bull) - $349,500 Av 84
Now, on the off chance ABLETT doesn’t get named and you are so desperate for a league win that you need to trade him, the best possible replacements are as follows – from the top, Scott PENDLEBURY, Nick Dal SANTO, Ryan GRIFFEN, Joel SELWOOD, Marc MURPHY and Dale THOMAS. Wow, some fair replacements in that lot, but lets just keep our fingers crossed that Gary recovers well enough to belt out a 150 pointer against the hapless Tigers. Who knows, he might even lead his Suns to another victory?
That’s it for this week. If you don’t have to trade and you can afford to, hold on to them – these are the times where rash decisions can be made that come back to haunt you come Finals time. Having said that, wins are also priceless right now, and could make the difference between finishing top 4 or not, or even making the top 8 in your respective leagues. Go your hardest.
(In addition to the possible trade names, those marked with an * still have a bye to come, so that should also be taken into consideration before settling on your decision)
Jarrad WAITE (Carlon. Value $352,800. Hip injury, out for 4 weeks)
What a nightmare WAITE has become for the 2.5% of SC teams who have him in their squad – although he was cheap at the start of the season, his inconsistency in terms of actually being out on the field has struck again. This time he’s injured his hip, and will be out for at least a month. Although he has averaged 78 pts per game, he has dropped $74,000 for 2011 and, when looked at in conjunction with his Finals bye, WAITE just has to be given his marching orders.
Possibilities - Nick RIEWOLDT (StK) - $350,200 Av 86 My Choice - Returning to Form
*James PODSIADLY (Geel) - $344,500 Av 79
*Eddie BETTS (Carl) - $341,900 Av 75
Ricky PETTARD (Melb) - $340,500 Av 75
*Jonathan BROWN (Bris) - $336,800 Av 76
*Jack RIEWOLDT (Rich) - $326,400 Av 79
*Michael HURLEY (Ess) - $322,600 Av 78 Value Pick - Very Classy
Brent HARVEY (Nth Melbourne. Value - $422,300. Thumb injury – unsure on severity)
Boomer still remains the heart and soul of the Kangaroos outfit, and as captain he is a vital cog in their push to have any chance of playing Finals footy. Last weekend’s embarrassing loss to Collingwood was bad enough, but now it seems HARVEY has damaged his thumb and may be out for a couple of weeks, which would almost signal the end of the Kangaroos season. He remains fairly popular in SC circles, selected in 14.5% of teams, with an average of a touch under 100 pts per game. As a Forward or Mid, if you need the league win, a missing Boomer (along with a Finals bye) might be too much to carry.
Possibilities - Midfielders:
*Brent STANTON (Ess) - $412,300 Av 94
Michael RISCHITELLI (GC) - $409,100 Av 98
*Hamish HARTLETT (Port) - $407,700 Av 93
Andrew EMBLEY (WCE) - $407,300 Av 105
My Choice and Value Pick – Gun
Forwards:
Jack WATTS (Melb) - $410,100 Av 78
Mark LeCRAS (WCE) - $406,800 Av 86
My Choice and Value Pick – Goalsneak Gold
*Robbie GRAY (Port) - $405,500 Av 85
*Matthew STOKES (Geel) - $402,500 Av 89
Brad OTTENS (Geelong. Value $410,100. Suspended one week – very lucky – for striking)
It might seem harsh to recommend trading big OTTO with only one week’s suspension, but when that is combined with Geelong’s bye in the Finals, now might be the time to move him on. Selected in 5.3% of SC teams in 2011, OTTENS has been a stellar performer, averaging 100 pts per game and rising $82,100 for the season. His form has mirrored that of his team, re-emerging as a quality ruckman and playing at a level many thought was past him. So, if you are desperate for a win, you need a decent replacement – let’s find one for you.
Possibilities - *Shane MUMFORD (Syd) - $408,400 Av 103
Darren JOLLY (Coll) - $395,300 Av 83
My Choice and Value Pick – On the up
Nick NATANUI (WCE) - $390,700 Av 88
Jonathon GRIFFEN (Freo) - $387,400 Av 118
*Matthew KREUZER (Carl) - $387,000 Av 90
*Ben HUDSON (Bull) - $349,500 Av 84
Now, on the off chance ABLETT doesn’t get named and you are so desperate for a league win that you need to trade him, the best possible replacements are as follows – from the top, Scott PENDLEBURY, Nick Dal SANTO, Ryan GRIFFEN, Joel SELWOOD, Marc MURPHY and Dale THOMAS. Wow, some fair replacements in that lot, but lets just keep our fingers crossed that Gary recovers well enough to belt out a 150 pointer against the hapless Tigers. Who knows, he might even lead his Suns to another victory?
That’s it for this week. If you don’t have to trade and you can afford to, hold on to them – these are the times where rash decisions can be made that come back to haunt you come Finals time. Having said that, wins are also priceless right now, and could make the difference between finishing top 4 or not, or even making the top 8 in your respective leagues. Go your hardest.