Whilst we haven’t had too much grief from the Match Review Panel in 2013, this week they made their presence felt with some significant suspensions to some key players, which could have a huge effect on SC match-ups this weekend. Not only that, but there were also some significant injuries to a couple of players as well as persistent question marks over others, leaving many teams in fantasy limbo. Of course it all boils down to how many trades you have left, but for many the choice is a simple one – make the trade or kiss the season goodbye.
The most important injury to come out of round 16 was the shoulder damage to Adelaide gun midfielder Patrick DANGERFIELD (Av 114). In a whopping 27% of SC teams, the issue with DANGERFIELD is made even cloudier because his diagnosis is very vague – he will miss this week but could miss up to a month. He is too much value to have sitting on your bench unless you are guaranteed a top four position, so if he needs to exit your team the most appropriate replacements look to be Michael BARLOW (Av 114), Dane SWAN (Av 117), David MUNDY (Av 107) or Keiran
JACK (Av 110). No complaints there I wouldn’t think.
The next most popular player to be MIA this weekend is none other than the Geelong ‘class clown’, Stevie JOHNSON (Av 119). In an impressive 23% of SC teams, JOHNSON had yet another brain fade on the weekend, kneeing Colin SYLVIA and earning a one week suspensions – his 4th in the last 13 games. Lucky this guy can play football, because he’s not exactly a rocket scientist. Obviously you’ll hold him if you can, but some may not have that luxury. If that’s you and he’s in your midfield, look to use Dane SWAN (Av 117) or David MUNDY (Av 107) as replacements, and if he’s in your forwardline, the best options seem to be Jarryd ROUGHEAD (Av 103) or Jimmy BARTEL (Av 107).
Hawthorn swingman Shaun BURGOYNE (Av 84) is the next in line, another who has been suspended for a fortnight just when his fantasy teams need him. Increased in popularity due to
his dual position status, BURGOYNE is currently in 10% of SC teams, either as a defender or a midfielder. Again, if you need to win this week then he has to go. As a defender, the best substitutions appear to be Jack GRIMES (Av 85) or Brent STAKER (Av 84), while in the engine room you should consider Marc MURPHY (Av 91) or Levi GREENWOOD (Av 90) – the latter giving you $42,000 in the kitty.
Port Adelaide stalwart Kane CORNES (Av 107) has surprised many with his form this year, but for the 6% of SC teams who currently have him, he has created another selection/trade dilemma by being suspended for one week. Having CORNES on your bench might be the difference between winning and losing, so if you need to move him on look to replace him with Steele
SIDEBOTTOM (Av 100), Dustin MARTIN (Av 103) or Daniel HANNEBERRY (Av 99).
Just when Fremantle were starting to get used to having their spearhead Matthew PAVLICH (Av 80)
back in their lineup, he too went and had a brain fade, committing a head high bump that will now see him missing for the next three weeks. Dumb play by PAVLICH, who really needed some consistent footy leading into the Finals. He is only in 2.5% of SC teams, but 2 weeks is too long to carry him so if you are unlucky enough to have him, move him on now. Best bets look to be Nick
RIEWOLDT (Av 105), Dustin MARTIN (Av 103) or Travis CLOKE (Av 97).
Another player also in 2.5% of SC teams who will be missing this week is WCE elder statesman Andrew EMBLEY (Av 57). Yet another to be grounded by the MRP, EMBLEY will now be missing
for the next fortnight, and unfortunately if you have him the bad news doesn’t end there – decent replacements are few and far between. At a similar price perhaps look at Nathan HROVAT (Av 68), otherwise make some cash by downgrading to Matthew ARNOT (Av 75), making yourself a tidy $170,000 in the process.
Sydney livewire forward Ben McGLYNN (Av 74) has the double whammy this weekend – not only has he done his hamstring and will be out for at least 3 weeks, but he has also been suspended for those three weeks anyway, effectively ending his relevance to SC for 2013. Selected in 1.8% of teams, McGLYNN has to go now – if you have him, look to substitute him with Jeremy HOWE (Av 78), Steven MOTLOP (Av 77) or Jack DARLING (Av 78).
Whilst not many people will be disappointed about serial pest Hayden BALLANTYNE (Av 67) injuring his hamstring and missing the next three weeks, those 1.3% of SC teams who have him will now have to waste a trade moving him on. There is a little bit of light at the end of that tunnel though, with possible replacements Ricky PETTERD (Av 74) or Jeff GARLETT (Av 82) both scoring better than BALLANTYNE anyway. Get him out, and learn the lesson – like his mate Ryan CROWLEY, they should never see the light of day in any realistic SC team.
Finally, in one of the sadder stories to come out of the weekend’s football Bulldog youngster Clay SMITH (Av 68) has torn his ACL, and will be out of action for the best part of the next 12 months. SMITH was just starting to find his feet, some form and some consistency at the Doggies, and was visibly distressed at the end of the match. Selected in 1.2% of SC teams, SMITH needs to be replaced and the best to do it look to be Koby STEVENS (Av 71), Lachie WHITFIELD (Av 72) or Ben
HOWLETT (Av 81).
Damn, what a list. Let’s hope next week is a bit easier on us all.
JACK (Av 110). No complaints there I wouldn’t think.
The next most popular player to be MIA this weekend is none other than the Geelong ‘class clown’, Stevie JOHNSON (Av 119). In an impressive 23% of SC teams, JOHNSON had yet another brain fade on the weekend, kneeing Colin SYLVIA and earning a one week suspensions – his 4th in the last 13 games. Lucky this guy can play football, because he’s not exactly a rocket scientist. Obviously you’ll hold him if you can, but some may not have that luxury. If that’s you and he’s in your midfield, look to use Dane SWAN (Av 117) or David MUNDY (Av 107) as replacements, and if he’s in your forwardline, the best options seem to be Jarryd ROUGHEAD (Av 103) or Jimmy BARTEL (Av 107).
Hawthorn swingman Shaun BURGOYNE (Av 84) is the next in line, another who has been suspended for a fortnight just when his fantasy teams need him. Increased in popularity due to
his dual position status, BURGOYNE is currently in 10% of SC teams, either as a defender or a midfielder. Again, if you need to win this week then he has to go. As a defender, the best substitutions appear to be Jack GRIMES (Av 85) or Brent STAKER (Av 84), while in the engine room you should consider Marc MURPHY (Av 91) or Levi GREENWOOD (Av 90) – the latter giving you $42,000 in the kitty.
Port Adelaide stalwart Kane CORNES (Av 107) has surprised many with his form this year, but for the 6% of SC teams who currently have him, he has created another selection/trade dilemma by being suspended for one week. Having CORNES on your bench might be the difference between winning and losing, so if you need to move him on look to replace him with Steele
SIDEBOTTOM (Av 100), Dustin MARTIN (Av 103) or Daniel HANNEBERRY (Av 99).
Just when Fremantle were starting to get used to having their spearhead Matthew PAVLICH (Av 80)
back in their lineup, he too went and had a brain fade, committing a head high bump that will now see him missing for the next three weeks. Dumb play by PAVLICH, who really needed some consistent footy leading into the Finals. He is only in 2.5% of SC teams, but 2 weeks is too long to carry him so if you are unlucky enough to have him, move him on now. Best bets look to be Nick
RIEWOLDT (Av 105), Dustin MARTIN (Av 103) or Travis CLOKE (Av 97).
Another player also in 2.5% of SC teams who will be missing this week is WCE elder statesman Andrew EMBLEY (Av 57). Yet another to be grounded by the MRP, EMBLEY will now be missing
for the next fortnight, and unfortunately if you have him the bad news doesn’t end there – decent replacements are few and far between. At a similar price perhaps look at Nathan HROVAT (Av 68), otherwise make some cash by downgrading to Matthew ARNOT (Av 75), making yourself a tidy $170,000 in the process.
Sydney livewire forward Ben McGLYNN (Av 74) has the double whammy this weekend – not only has he done his hamstring and will be out for at least 3 weeks, but he has also been suspended for those three weeks anyway, effectively ending his relevance to SC for 2013. Selected in 1.8% of teams, McGLYNN has to go now – if you have him, look to substitute him with Jeremy HOWE (Av 78), Steven MOTLOP (Av 77) or Jack DARLING (Av 78).
Whilst not many people will be disappointed about serial pest Hayden BALLANTYNE (Av 67) injuring his hamstring and missing the next three weeks, those 1.3% of SC teams who have him will now have to waste a trade moving him on. There is a little bit of light at the end of that tunnel though, with possible replacements Ricky PETTERD (Av 74) or Jeff GARLETT (Av 82) both scoring better than BALLANTYNE anyway. Get him out, and learn the lesson – like his mate Ryan CROWLEY, they should never see the light of day in any realistic SC team.
Finally, in one of the sadder stories to come out of the weekend’s football Bulldog youngster Clay SMITH (Av 68) has torn his ACL, and will be out of action for the best part of the next 12 months. SMITH was just starting to find his feet, some form and some consistency at the Doggies, and was visibly distressed at the end of the match. Selected in 1.2% of SC teams, SMITH needs to be replaced and the best to do it look to be Koby STEVENS (Av 71), Lachie WHITFIELD (Av 72) or Ben
HOWLETT (Av 81).
Damn, what a list. Let’s hope next week is a bit easier on us all.