It always hurts when a superstar gets grounded by injury in the fantasy world, but its ‘doubly bad’ when it happens early on in a match and affects his score so badly, as was the case last week with Brownlow favourite Jobe WATSON. However, it wasn’t just the gun Bomber who went down last weekend, with a number of other solid performers and bit-part players getting struck down and missing this week and weeks to come. I know we say it every year, but it’s around this time that your trades really start to get stretched to breaking point – remember a win now is worth four points, just the same as it was in round one. Hopefully, you still have enough to cover all your bases…
WATSON (Av 111) was the big injury news to come out of round 15 though, especially to the 33% of SC teams who have him as an integral part of their midfield. It’s a collarbone injury, and the best case scenario is a month out of action – at least that makes your decision easy. He has to go. Fortunately, as you would expect with a player the calibre of WATSON the replacements more than adequate, the best of them being David MUNDY (Av 106), Jimmy BARTEL (109), Joel SELWOOD (108), Josh KENNEDY (110) and Sam MITCHELL (108). Any of these would be great – it’s an embarrassment of riches really, which in the end comes down to personal preference or the other
players already in your lineup.
Lion recruit and onballer Brent MOLONEY (Av 87) is the next in line, injuring his calf last weekend in a blow to the 10% of SC teams who have him. MOLONEY has been solid after an impressive first few weeks, and if you are low on trades you might be able to keep him for the fortnight he is expected to be missing. However, if you need to win he just might have to pay the price. Best options to take his spot look to be Dayne ZORKO (Av 85), Shaun BURGOYNE (Av 83) or Reece CONCA (Av 83). If none of these take your fancy, a double trade to a superstar might be in order.
After one of the most unusual weeks for an AFL player in a long time, Collingwood defender Harry OBRIEN (Av 88) is another player who will be missing this week, and possibly into the future. Just how many matches Harry will be out for remains unclear, as he deals with a range of issues from depression to fall outs with the coach. For the 4.25% of coaches who have him, it may be time to give him a rest from your team also. Look toward Hamish HARTLETT (Av 90), Jarrod HARBROW (Av 88) or Pearce HANLEY (Av 98) to fill Harry’s shoes.
It’s been a frustrating season for WCE defender Beau WATERS (Av 83), who has only just come back from injury only to find himself on the sidelines yet again – this time with a knee problem that will see him missing for three weeks. That should be too long for the 3.5% of SC teams who have him, so if you have enough trades up your sleeve then it’s time to give him the flick. Best replacements for WATERS seem to be Pearce HANLEY (Av 98) or POD Jack GRIMES (Av 84) – both of whom
require a little cash in your kitty to reach them. Otherwise have a crack at running Bomber Courtney DEMPSEY (Av 86).
Although only in 1.4% of SC teams, Swan forward Sam REID (Av 58) is the type of fringe player who some teams like in the last position on their forward line – unpredictable but certain of being selected. Well that has ended, with REID suffering a quad injury last weekend that will see him sidelined for up to 6 weeks – a death sentence in fantasy terms. If you dabbled in the Reid experiment, unfortunately it has failed – and the options to replace him are not great. For direct swaps, look at Jeff GARLETT (Av 83) or Luke DAHLHAUS (Av 70), otherwise consider trading him down to Bomber Joe DANIHER (Av 76) who should get a recall soon and gains you $152,000 to spend elsewhere.
Finally we come to a player whose value will be missed much more by his actual team than by the 1.2% of SC teams who have him. Fremantle defender Luke McPHARLIN (Av 73) has succumbed to a significant calf injury, which will see him sidelined for up to 5 weeks, placing a massive strain on the Dockers backline as they look to cement a top four placing. If you have him, the best options to take his post look to be Courtney DEMPSEY (Av 86), Ben REID (Av 81) or Shaun BURGOYNE (Av 83).
No doubt your number of trades is dwindling, with many coaches finding themselves balanced on that knife edge between the pros and cons of making that trade to possibly win this weekend, or leaving yourself too short for the remainder of the season. Don’t forget that dreaded “general soreness” (i.e. resting) will hit the top teams soon, so if you do trade, make sure you have some bench coverage. As last weekend showed with the Ablett debacle, it can be the difference between a all important victory or a devastating loss.
players already in your lineup.
Lion recruit and onballer Brent MOLONEY (Av 87) is the next in line, injuring his calf last weekend in a blow to the 10% of SC teams who have him. MOLONEY has been solid after an impressive first few weeks, and if you are low on trades you might be able to keep him for the fortnight he is expected to be missing. However, if you need to win he just might have to pay the price. Best options to take his spot look to be Dayne ZORKO (Av 85), Shaun BURGOYNE (Av 83) or Reece CONCA (Av 83). If none of these take your fancy, a double trade to a superstar might be in order.
After one of the most unusual weeks for an AFL player in a long time, Collingwood defender Harry OBRIEN (Av 88) is another player who will be missing this week, and possibly into the future. Just how many matches Harry will be out for remains unclear, as he deals with a range of issues from depression to fall outs with the coach. For the 4.25% of coaches who have him, it may be time to give him a rest from your team also. Look toward Hamish HARTLETT (Av 90), Jarrod HARBROW (Av 88) or Pearce HANLEY (Av 98) to fill Harry’s shoes.
It’s been a frustrating season for WCE defender Beau WATERS (Av 83), who has only just come back from injury only to find himself on the sidelines yet again – this time with a knee problem that will see him missing for three weeks. That should be too long for the 3.5% of SC teams who have him, so if you have enough trades up your sleeve then it’s time to give him the flick. Best replacements for WATERS seem to be Pearce HANLEY (Av 98) or POD Jack GRIMES (Av 84) – both of whom
require a little cash in your kitty to reach them. Otherwise have a crack at running Bomber Courtney DEMPSEY (Av 86).
Although only in 1.4% of SC teams, Swan forward Sam REID (Av 58) is the type of fringe player who some teams like in the last position on their forward line – unpredictable but certain of being selected. Well that has ended, with REID suffering a quad injury last weekend that will see him sidelined for up to 6 weeks – a death sentence in fantasy terms. If you dabbled in the Reid experiment, unfortunately it has failed – and the options to replace him are not great. For direct swaps, look at Jeff GARLETT (Av 83) or Luke DAHLHAUS (Av 70), otherwise consider trading him down to Bomber Joe DANIHER (Av 76) who should get a recall soon and gains you $152,000 to spend elsewhere.
Finally we come to a player whose value will be missed much more by his actual team than by the 1.2% of SC teams who have him. Fremantle defender Luke McPHARLIN (Av 73) has succumbed to a significant calf injury, which will see him sidelined for up to 5 weeks, placing a massive strain on the Dockers backline as they look to cement a top four placing. If you have him, the best options to take his post look to be Courtney DEMPSEY (Av 86), Ben REID (Av 81) or Shaun BURGOYNE (Av 83).
No doubt your number of trades is dwindling, with many coaches finding themselves balanced on that knife edge between the pros and cons of making that trade to possibly win this weekend, or leaving yourself too short for the remainder of the season. Don’t forget that dreaded “general soreness” (i.e. resting) will hit the top teams soon, so if you do trade, make sure you have some bench coverage. As last weekend showed with the Ablett debacle, it can be the difference between a all important victory or a devastating loss.