Well, what a relief to not have too much to talk about this week. With only three players considered good enough to be listed here as injured, we finally get a respite from the carnage of the past few weeks – and thank god, given some of the players who have been dropped or rested, particularly those at GWS. Wins are gold at this time of year, and can really set up your season – do you need to trade to keep yourself in the contest?
Hamish McINTOSH (Kangaroos. Value - $506,100. Av 103. Knee injury – one, two or more weeks?)
Big H-MAC has been a bit of a SC favourite this year, given the low price he started with at the beginning of the season. He has risen a whopping $141,800 for the 17% of teams who selected him, but now those coaches are faced with a real dilemma – just how long will he be out for? Varied reports suggest anywhere from one week to four, which could be a disaster. The Big O from Geelong getting selected might ease your pain, but if you have to offload H-Mac, here are your options.
Possibilities : Will MINSON (Bull) - $493,800 Av 92
Ivan MARIC (Rich) - $485,100 Av 102 My Choice – On Fire
Sam JACOBS (Adel) - $484,600 Av 96
Oren STEPHENSON (Geel) - $106,600 Av 48
(Note : If you have Giles and want to downgrade H-Mac for dollars, obviously STEPHENSON is the way to go!)
Allen CHRISTENSEN (Geelong. Value - $434,300. Av 84. Calf injury – at least two weeks)
Another with one of those injuries that doesn’t give coaches a definitive number of weeks missing, CHRISTO has fallen foul of the dreaded calf injury which should see him out for at least a fortnight. Averaging a respectable 84 pts per game in 2012 for the 7% of coaches who have him, the young utility was well on the way to a very promising season. The question now becomes – does he stay or does he go?
Possibilities : As a Midfielder
Brent HARVEY (Nth) - $430,900 Av 86 My Choice – Has to bounce back
Justin SHERMAN (Bull) - $428,800 Av 99
Chris MASTEN (WCE) - $427,300 Av 93
Sam ILES (GC) - $426,400 Av 93
As a Forward
Brent HARVEY (Nth) - $430,900 Av 86
Justin SHERMAN (Bull) - $428,800 Av 99
Luke DAHLHAUS (Bull) - $424,200 Av 93 My Choice – Can Play
David HALE (Haw) - $414,900 Av 88
David SWALLOW (Gold Coast. Value - $440,300. Av 85. PCL Knee Injury – out 6 weeks)
This guy is a gun – a future star of the competition in my opinion. I love watching him go about his footy, and it is a real shame to see him out for a sizeable portion of the season with a knee injury. Currently in only 2.5% of teams, SWALLOW has averaged a very tidy 85 pts per game. However, six weeks at this time of year is too long – you have no option, he has to get the flick.
Possibilities : Keiran JACK (Syd) - $436,800 Av 90 My Choice – Hard As A Cat’s Head
Brent HARVEY (Nth) - $430,900 Av 86
Justin SHERMAN (Bull) - $428,800 Av 99
Chris MASTEN (WCE) - $427,300 Av 93
That’s it for major injuries to popular players for this week. Of course, just when we get some respite from injuries, GWS come out and rest popular picks Bugg, Shiel, Smith and Kennedy, whilst the Cats give Smedts a break too! Ouch! Could be a looooooooooong weekend.