Deep in the guts of season 2014, and we have a range of players who have succumbed to injury as a result of last weekend’s games – and who now have to be traded out, providing you still have enough trades left to do so. If you only have one of these guys, you might be okay – but two or more and you could be in a whole heap of trouble. Hopefully we can help you navigate through the mess.
Jobe WATSON - Essendon - $580,700 Av 113
One of the biggest injuries of season 2014 so far, Essendon captain WATSON has injured his hip and will be out for at least 10 weeks, but more likely for the remainder of the year. Regardless of which one it ends up being, in SC terms WATSON simply has to be moved on from the 27% of teams he remains in. Fortunately the only thing you’ll lose will be a trade, as there are several quality players able to fill the gap.
Jobe WATSON - Essendon - $580,700 Av 113
One of the biggest injuries of season 2014 so far, Essendon captain WATSON has injured his hip and will be out for at least 10 weeks, but more likely for the remainder of the year. Regardless of which one it ends up being, in SC terms WATSON simply has to be moved on from the 27% of teams he remains in. Fortunately the only thing you’ll lose will be a trade, as there are several quality players able to fill the gap.
Options : Callan WARD (GWS) - $588,500 Av 115
Joel SELWOOD (Geel) - $562,900 Av 117
Nat FYFE (Freo) - $557,300 Av 114
Verdict : Any of these three will be great additions to your SC side, but personally I’d lean toward FYFE – if only for Fremantle’s impressive draw. However, keep in mind Ross Lyon’s penchant for resting players at the pointy end of the season.
Billy HARTUNG - Hawthorn - $187,800 Av 44
It’s odd for a rookie to be mentioned so highly up in this article, however HARTUNG is selected in 13% of SC teams, meaning his elbow injury is even more devastating than first thought. Every indication is that he will miss 4 to 5 weeks, so as bench cover you probably need to move him on. He’s made a little money, so we need to take it and run.
Options/Verdict : Only one option here in my view. Brisbane rookie Zac O’BRIEN has been named for this third game, and at the bargain-basement price of $102,400 he is the only viable alternative. Yes, his average is only 58, but the money made is priceless.
Michael JOHNSON - Fremantle - $484,300 Av 96
In a season where picking the right defender has been an art, the 5% of SC teams that had JOHNSON in their lineup were travelling pretty nicely with a 96 pt average from him – until it all came crashing down last weekend. JONO has injured his shoulder, and now looks like being out for a period of 4 to 6 weeks – way too long at this crucial stage in the SC season. Get rid of him – the options are impressive.
Options : Michael HIBBERD (Essendon) - $481,300 Av 97
Shaun BURGOYNE (Hawthorn) - $484,300 Av 98
Pearce HANLEY (Brisbane) - $439,800 Av 90
Verdict : On an even playing field I’d select the ultra-consistent HIBBERD, but with HANLEY so cheap he is very difficult to pass up. HANLEY it is – and an extra 45 grand in the kitty.
Kurt TIPPETT - Sydney - $462,100 Av 82
The big Tip is only expected to be out for a fortnight with a minor knee problem, but if you are desperate for wins to keep your SC season alive he just might have to go. He’s been going okay with an average of 82 pts per game, but at his price there are some pretty exciting replacements waiting to join the 1.5% of teams who have him.
Options : Luke DAHLHAUS (Bulldogs) - $471,300 Av 95
Buddy FRANKLIN (Sydney) - $460,900 Av 83
Matthew PAVLICH (Fremantle) - $450,600 Av 91.5
Verdict : Again the choice of these three guys is a win-win situation – but Freo’s draw has me leaning toward PAV by a nose, pardon the pun.
Luke McPHARLIN - Fremantle - $401,800 Av 77
Another of the Fremantle backline to succumb to injury this week, the ever-reliable McPHARLIN has a knee problem that will see him miss the nest 3 or 4 weeks of football. Only selected in 1% of teams and with an average of only 77, McPHARLIN may have been some coaches idea of a POD – but that all has to change now. Move him on.
Options : Corey ENRIGHT (Geel) - $417,300 Av 81
Matthew JAENSCH (Adel) - $414,000 Av 89
Scott THOMPSON (Nth) - $398,100 Av 80
Verdict : JAENSCH would be the obvious pick, but he’s slowed down a little of late. THOMPSON could be a wise selection – he has struggled in 2014, down $131,000, however he has proven before he can be a big scorer. Do you trust him to find that form again?
Curtly HAMPTON - GWS - $343,900 Av 76
Another defender selected in just 1% of SC teams, HAMPTON has put together some impressive games this year, however he too has joined the ranks of the injured – a shoulder injury putting him out of action for up to 6 weeks. Another possible POD choice, HAMPTON now has to be given the flick – and at his price, the replacements are not great.
Option : Steven MAY (GC) - $330,200 Av 76
Jack GRIMES (Melb) - $320,000 Av 73
Verdict : Personally I’d try and double trade HAMPTON up to a premium defender, but if that isn’t an option then take a punt on GRIMES – he’s been a proven score previously and, in an improving Demons lineup, could finally find some form.
That’s it for this week – the full gamut of stars and bit players on display this time around. Fingers crossed this coming weekend goes a bit easier on us.
Joel SELWOOD (Geel) - $562,900 Av 117
Nat FYFE (Freo) - $557,300 Av 114
Verdict : Any of these three will be great additions to your SC side, but personally I’d lean toward FYFE – if only for Fremantle’s impressive draw. However, keep in mind Ross Lyon’s penchant for resting players at the pointy end of the season.
Billy HARTUNG - Hawthorn - $187,800 Av 44
It’s odd for a rookie to be mentioned so highly up in this article, however HARTUNG is selected in 13% of SC teams, meaning his elbow injury is even more devastating than first thought. Every indication is that he will miss 4 to 5 weeks, so as bench cover you probably need to move him on. He’s made a little money, so we need to take it and run.
Options/Verdict : Only one option here in my view. Brisbane rookie Zac O’BRIEN has been named for this third game, and at the bargain-basement price of $102,400 he is the only viable alternative. Yes, his average is only 58, but the money made is priceless.
Michael JOHNSON - Fremantle - $484,300 Av 96
In a season where picking the right defender has been an art, the 5% of SC teams that had JOHNSON in their lineup were travelling pretty nicely with a 96 pt average from him – until it all came crashing down last weekend. JONO has injured his shoulder, and now looks like being out for a period of 4 to 6 weeks – way too long at this crucial stage in the SC season. Get rid of him – the options are impressive.
Options : Michael HIBBERD (Essendon) - $481,300 Av 97
Shaun BURGOYNE (Hawthorn) - $484,300 Av 98
Pearce HANLEY (Brisbane) - $439,800 Av 90
Verdict : On an even playing field I’d select the ultra-consistent HIBBERD, but with HANLEY so cheap he is very difficult to pass up. HANLEY it is – and an extra 45 grand in the kitty.
Kurt TIPPETT - Sydney - $462,100 Av 82
The big Tip is only expected to be out for a fortnight with a minor knee problem, but if you are desperate for wins to keep your SC season alive he just might have to go. He’s been going okay with an average of 82 pts per game, but at his price there are some pretty exciting replacements waiting to join the 1.5% of teams who have him.
Options : Luke DAHLHAUS (Bulldogs) - $471,300 Av 95
Buddy FRANKLIN (Sydney) - $460,900 Av 83
Matthew PAVLICH (Fremantle) - $450,600 Av 91.5
Verdict : Again the choice of these three guys is a win-win situation – but Freo’s draw has me leaning toward PAV by a nose, pardon the pun.
Luke McPHARLIN - Fremantle - $401,800 Av 77
Another of the Fremantle backline to succumb to injury this week, the ever-reliable McPHARLIN has a knee problem that will see him miss the nest 3 or 4 weeks of football. Only selected in 1% of teams and with an average of only 77, McPHARLIN may have been some coaches idea of a POD – but that all has to change now. Move him on.
Options : Corey ENRIGHT (Geel) - $417,300 Av 81
Matthew JAENSCH (Adel) - $414,000 Av 89
Scott THOMPSON (Nth) - $398,100 Av 80
Verdict : JAENSCH would be the obvious pick, but he’s slowed down a little of late. THOMPSON could be a wise selection – he has struggled in 2014, down $131,000, however he has proven before he can be a big scorer. Do you trust him to find that form again?
Curtly HAMPTON - GWS - $343,900 Av 76
Another defender selected in just 1% of SC teams, HAMPTON has put together some impressive games this year, however he too has joined the ranks of the injured – a shoulder injury putting him out of action for up to 6 weeks. Another possible POD choice, HAMPTON now has to be given the flick – and at his price, the replacements are not great.
Option : Steven MAY (GC) - $330,200 Av 76
Jack GRIMES (Melb) - $320,000 Av 73
Verdict : Personally I’d try and double trade HAMPTON up to a premium defender, but if that isn’t an option then take a punt on GRIMES – he’s been a proven score previously and, in an improving Demons lineup, could finally find some form.
That’s it for this week – the full gamut of stars and bit players on display this time around. Fingers crossed this coming weekend goes a bit easier on us.