Heath SHAW - GWS - $479,900 Av 90
The most popular player in terms of teams represented (10%) to be missing from this weekend’s round of matches is GWS defender SHAW. After a sickening collision with Kurt TIPPETTs knee, SHAW was severely concussed and is out for at least this week . Given that we are fast closing in on fantasy footy finals, that may mean you need to move him on in order to give yourself the best chance of victory.
Luke HODGE (Haw) - $462,900 Av 90
Alex RANCE (Rich) - $459,000 Av 89
Verdict : If you have a little cash and don’t already have SWALLOW, this is a no-brainer. However, as a POD I really like RANCE – quite underrated and usually scores well.
Michael HIBBERD - Essendon - $445,600 Av 94
One of the premium backmen again this season, HIBBERD has had an interrupted year and once more is off the park as a result of ankle/hamstring soreness. This leaves teams with a dilemma – do you trade a guy who scores well and will most likely be back next week? If a win is essential then maybe you do, but otherwise the 9% of teams that have him should make use of bench cover and hold the trade.
Options : Kade SIMPSON (Carl) - $454,000 Av 98
Shaun BURGOYNE (Haw) - $447,000 Av 96
Corey ENRIGHT (Gee) - $439,300 Av 84
Verdict : If you have to pull the trigger, SIMPSON is your man to fill the void – particularly with a favorable matchup this weekend against the Saints.
Jamie ELLIOTT - Collingwood - $393,900 Av 84
Another to succumb to injury from last weekends round of matches is Collingwood’s high flying goalsneak ELLIOTT. Selected in 5% of SC teams, ELLIOTT has had a pretty consistent year and will definitely be missed by both his club and those who have him in their team. It’s only a minor hamstring strain, but he could be missing for a fortnight which could spell curtains for him in your lineup.
Options : Jack RIEWOLDT (Rich) - $401,900 Av 85
Josh J KENNEDY (WCE) - $411,900 Av 78
Jeremy McGOVERN (WCE) - $352,800 Av 86
Verdict : This is a tough one. Simply because of his attitude I would never have Jack ROO in my team. In this situation I’d probably take the punt on McGOVERN – or get some cash from elsewhere to upgrade ELLIOTT further.
Cyril RIOLI - Hawthorn - $441,200 Av 93
Surprise, surprise – Cyril’s done his hammy again. Another innocuous incident running through the middle of the field, RIOLI was taken from the field last week and now looks certain to miss the rest of the fantasy football season, if not the AFL season as well. As frustrating as that is, even those out there with only a few trades left need to move him on now.
Options : Luke DAHLHAUS (Bull) - $452,000 Av 95
Kurt TIPPETT (Syd) - $441,000 Av 80
Dayne ZORKO (Bris) - $432,100 Av 92
Verdict : There is an argument for ZORKO here, but I’d be jumping at the chance to get DAHLHAUS – this kid can play, and rarely wastes a possession.
Jimmy WEBSTER - St Kilda - $351,400 Av 66
Another St.Kilda defender, another long term leg injury. WEBSTER joins the likes of GEARY, FISHER, GILBERT and WRIGHT as Saints defenders who have succumbed to significant injuries this year, and he now looks like missing the rest of the year. One of few shining lights this season for the Saints, he is still in 4% of SC teams – something that now has to change.
Options : Sam DOCHERTY (Carl) - $352,100 Av 76
Steven MAY (GC) - $349,400 Av 75
Dane RAMPE (Syd) - $355,500 Av 78
Verdict : Not the best selection here, but I’d lean toward MAY or RAMPE – good job security in teams that should perform well in the remainder of the year.
Jackson TRENGOVE - Port Adelaide - $352,200 Av 71
Surprisingly TRENGOVE is currently selected in 3% of SC teams, and has been respectable with an average of 71 pts per game until now. However an ankle injury looks like keeping him out of action for the next 6 weeks, which spells the end for him in SC terms. Move him on.
Options : Sam DOCHERTY (Carl) - $352,100 Av 76
Dane RAMPE (Syd) - $355,500 Av 78
Jack GRIMES (Melb) - $361,00 Av 76
Verdict : GRIMES all the way in this one. The Dees are improving and GRIMES is getting back to some of his best footy. Could be a nice POD.
In addition to these guys, plenty of other fringe guys who are in less than 1% of teams are out this week. If you have HAYES, ZIEBELL, REDDEN or Stephen HILL as well as some of the above players, you might have your work cut out for you. Trade hard if you have to – get that competitive team on the field and keep your fingers crossed.