Welcome back to Trade Winds for season 2012. Well, what a round one that was – an absolute belter. Fortunately, in terms of SC squads, there were no major injuries to any superstars of the game, which is how we like it. However, there were a few fringe players who will be missing for a few weeks, which may have an impact on your team selection. Is round two too early to trade? Normally yes, but if you are looking to win the car…then maybe not.
Hayden BALLANTYNE (Freo) and James McDONALD (GWS) – Both Suspended 2 weeks
Hayden BALLANTYNE (Freo) and James McDONALD (GWS) – Both Suspended 2 weeks
First off the block is the controversial BALLANTYNE, suspended for two weeks after an off-the-ball cheap shot on Paul Chapman. BALLANTYNE has rapidly become the league’s most hated player, and managed to really get under the Geelong players (and coach’s) skin on the weekend - however his niggling has now cost him the next fortnight. McDONALD too has been suspended for two weeks after a strong head-high hit on Sydney youngster Luke PARKER. The extra sore point for coaches with either of these players is that they both scored over 100 in week one. Ouch.
Possibilities : DO NOT TRADE! Do not hit the panic button so early and trade either of these guys out – they will be back in round 4 and scoring well for you again. Trades are a priceless commodity that need to be treated as such. However, if you really feel you have to…then.
BALLANTYNE - Jack DARLING (WCE) - $376,800 Av 102
Luke DAHLHAUS (WBD) - $355,800 Av 112
McDONALD - James MAGNER (Melb) - $94,700 Av 102
Clay SMITH (WBD) - $116,600 Av 102
Matthew SCARLETT (Geelong. Value $436,800. Suspended for 3 weeks)
Sucked in Scarlo. The Geelong fullback let fly with a nice left hook on serial pest Hayden BALLANTYNE, and now faces a 3 week sit on the sidelines for his recklessness – something the Cats can ill-afford with a match-up against Buddy and the Hawks this weekend. SCARLO had a terrible game to boot, scoring a dismal 35 pts for the match. He should never have been in your team anyway, but if you are in the 3% of coaches who took the plunge – it’s time for him to go already!
Possibilities : Shaun BURGOYNE (Haw) - $432,200 Av 70
Garrick IBBOTSON (Freo) - $429,200 Av 91
Dustin FLETCHER (Ess) - $427,400 Av 93
Jarrod HARBROW (GC) - $415,200 Av 99
Ted RICHARDS (Syd) - $413,300 Av 104
Paul DUFFIELD (Freo) - $410,200 Av 90 My Choice – Can Score big
Stephen CLIFTON (Greater West Sydney. Value $130,700. Fractured wrist – out 5 or 6 weeks)
A hard-nut who was on a lot of team’s radars early on in the pre-season, CLIFTON injured his wrist in the round one reserves match on the weekend and will now be out of action for at least 5 weeks, possibly more. That’s bad news, and spells an early trade if he is in your team – even if he is warming a bench spot, that’s too long. Move him on.
Possibilities : Clay SMITH (WBD) - $116,600 Av 102
Curtly HAMPTON (GWS) - $113,200 Av 49
Tom LEDGER (STK) - $113,300 Av 0
James MAGNER (Melb) - $94, 700. Av 102 My Choice–Magner the Magnet
Adam SCHNEIDER (St.Kilda. Value $458,100. Hamstring strain – out for 3 to 4 weeks)
Selected in a tad under 1% of teams in 2012 despite averaging a steady 84 pts per game in 2011, SCHNEIDER has been overlooked in SC teams this year – luckily, given that he has already strained a hammy and will be out for the best part of a month. However, if you are a Saints diehard and he was in your lineup, it’s time for him to go.
Possibilities : Michael HURLEY (Ess) - $456,600 Av 70
Steele SIDEBOTTOM (Coll) - $452,400 Av 72
Stewart CRAMERI (Ess) - $449,700 Av 81
Jack RIEWOLDT (Rich) - $441,600 Av 118 My Choice–Capable of anything
James PODSIADLY (Geel) - $430,200 Av 104
That concludes round one of Trade Winds – a fairly sedate first edition, thankfully. As the year progresses things will hot up in the trade room, with rookies hitting their ceiling and starts falling out of form – and of course, as injuries and suspensions hit hard. Check in with Trade Winds each week to see just how your team should be molded – who to get, and who to get rid of.
Possibilities : DO NOT TRADE! Do not hit the panic button so early and trade either of these guys out – they will be back in round 4 and scoring well for you again. Trades are a priceless commodity that need to be treated as such. However, if you really feel you have to…then.
BALLANTYNE - Jack DARLING (WCE) - $376,800 Av 102
Luke DAHLHAUS (WBD) - $355,800 Av 112
McDONALD - James MAGNER (Melb) - $94,700 Av 102
Clay SMITH (WBD) - $116,600 Av 102
Matthew SCARLETT (Geelong. Value $436,800. Suspended for 3 weeks)
Sucked in Scarlo. The Geelong fullback let fly with a nice left hook on serial pest Hayden BALLANTYNE, and now faces a 3 week sit on the sidelines for his recklessness – something the Cats can ill-afford with a match-up against Buddy and the Hawks this weekend. SCARLO had a terrible game to boot, scoring a dismal 35 pts for the match. He should never have been in your team anyway, but if you are in the 3% of coaches who took the plunge – it’s time for him to go already!
Possibilities : Shaun BURGOYNE (Haw) - $432,200 Av 70
Garrick IBBOTSON (Freo) - $429,200 Av 91
Dustin FLETCHER (Ess) - $427,400 Av 93
Jarrod HARBROW (GC) - $415,200 Av 99
Ted RICHARDS (Syd) - $413,300 Av 104
Paul DUFFIELD (Freo) - $410,200 Av 90 My Choice – Can Score big
Stephen CLIFTON (Greater West Sydney. Value $130,700. Fractured wrist – out 5 or 6 weeks)
A hard-nut who was on a lot of team’s radars early on in the pre-season, CLIFTON injured his wrist in the round one reserves match on the weekend and will now be out of action for at least 5 weeks, possibly more. That’s bad news, and spells an early trade if he is in your team – even if he is warming a bench spot, that’s too long. Move him on.
Possibilities : Clay SMITH (WBD) - $116,600 Av 102
Curtly HAMPTON (GWS) - $113,200 Av 49
Tom LEDGER (STK) - $113,300 Av 0
James MAGNER (Melb) - $94, 700. Av 102 My Choice–Magner the Magnet
Adam SCHNEIDER (St.Kilda. Value $458,100. Hamstring strain – out for 3 to 4 weeks)
Selected in a tad under 1% of teams in 2012 despite averaging a steady 84 pts per game in 2011, SCHNEIDER has been overlooked in SC teams this year – luckily, given that he has already strained a hammy and will be out for the best part of a month. However, if you are a Saints diehard and he was in your lineup, it’s time for him to go.
Possibilities : Michael HURLEY (Ess) - $456,600 Av 70
Steele SIDEBOTTOM (Coll) - $452,400 Av 72
Stewart CRAMERI (Ess) - $449,700 Av 81
Jack RIEWOLDT (Rich) - $441,600 Av 118 My Choice–Capable of anything
James PODSIADLY (Geel) - $430,200 Av 104
That concludes round one of Trade Winds – a fairly sedate first edition, thankfully. As the year progresses things will hot up in the trade room, with rookies hitting their ceiling and starts falling out of form – and of course, as injuries and suspensions hit hard. Check in with Trade Winds each week to see just how your team should be molded – who to get, and who to get rid of.