Okay people, this what we all play fantasy football for – its Finals Time, and that means your team needs to be in tip top shape, whether you have finished on the top of the ladder or are looking to make a late Premiership run from 8th spot. It all comes down to this, and to stay alive you need to do just one thing – beat your opponent. Fortunately there aren’t too many major injuries this week, although there are a couple of popular players who will need to be managed – whether that means a trade or a bench is up to you.
First cab of the rank this week is the ever-frustrating Buddy FRANKLIN (Av 90). Selected in a huge 39% of teams, Buddy made the big come back two weeks ago against Essendon but, after an ordinary game last weekend, is now being given a rest against the Saints – probably more as a precautionary thing than anything else. However, if you have him you now face the dilemma – to
trade or not to trade? If you are in the bottom half of the 8 and you have him – and a few trades – I’d move him on for sure. This could be the trade that wins you the match so look to bring in any of the following : if you have a little cash, look to Chris MAYNE (Av 90) or Dean COX (Av 106), however if it’s a straight swap you need, try Paddy RYDER (Av 91) or Matthew STOKES (Av 95). I’d lean toward MAYNE, as the Dockers have a great draw in the next month.
Next up is another Hawk, selected in 7% of teams – their inspirational leader Luke HODGE (Av 96). Having a surprisingly productive, slightly under the radar type season, HODGE has been very solid for those SC teams who had him, however last weekend he damaged his thumb and will be out for at least 2 to 3 weeks. That means he has to be moved on, especially when he is a midfielder only. Look to replace him with Jordan LEWIS (Av 95), Luke BALL (Av 99), Josh KENNEDY (Av 106), Jimmy BARTEL (105) or Sam MITCHELL (105). A nice bunch there, any will perform well in your team I reckon.
The Bombers season seems to be really hitting the wall at the moment, and another speed hump has been the season-ending hamstring injury to running halfback Courtney DEMPSEY (Av 78).
Selected in 1.8% of teams, DEMPSEY has had an inconsistent year, however he has at least maintained his value and there are some decent options you can bring in for him from here on. The best of these seem to be Jack GRIMES (Av 77), Nick VLASTUIN (Av 76), Chris NEWMAN (Av 75) or Lachlan KEEFE (Av 77). I’d go GRIMES every day of the week – the boy can play.
To the final injury, and it is to one of the all-time great SC players in Brisbane forward Jonathan
BROWN (Av 63). Once a SC God, BROWNY is only in 1.5% of SC teams at the moment, which is a sad but honest reflection of where he now sits in the big scheme of things. Unfortunately the big fella may have played his last game of AFL, injuring his foot last weekend in what appears to be a season-ending problem that may in fact end his career. If you are one who has stuck by him this year, now you need to move him on. The best of the options look to be Josh HILL (Av 73), Nathan BOCK (Av 71) or - with a little extra cash - Quinten LYNCH (Av 72).
Well that seems to be it for this week. Best of luck for the Finals, and we’ll do it all again next week.
Note : With team selections not long out, a few curly ones have crept up on the unsuspecting SC player this week. Carlton has rested key ruckman Matthew KREUZER, and with GC’s NICHOLLS
and Geelong BLICSAVs both also missing, things could get pretty slim in the ruck stakes. Jed
LAMB and Mitch ROBINSON have also been omitted, leaving some gaping holes in some forward lines already hurt by Buddy not playing.
trade or not to trade? If you are in the bottom half of the 8 and you have him – and a few trades – I’d move him on for sure. This could be the trade that wins you the match so look to bring in any of the following : if you have a little cash, look to Chris MAYNE (Av 90) or Dean COX (Av 106), however if it’s a straight swap you need, try Paddy RYDER (Av 91) or Matthew STOKES (Av 95). I’d lean toward MAYNE, as the Dockers have a great draw in the next month.
Next up is another Hawk, selected in 7% of teams – their inspirational leader Luke HODGE (Av 96). Having a surprisingly productive, slightly under the radar type season, HODGE has been very solid for those SC teams who had him, however last weekend he damaged his thumb and will be out for at least 2 to 3 weeks. That means he has to be moved on, especially when he is a midfielder only. Look to replace him with Jordan LEWIS (Av 95), Luke BALL (Av 99), Josh KENNEDY (Av 106), Jimmy BARTEL (105) or Sam MITCHELL (105). A nice bunch there, any will perform well in your team I reckon.
The Bombers season seems to be really hitting the wall at the moment, and another speed hump has been the season-ending hamstring injury to running halfback Courtney DEMPSEY (Av 78).
Selected in 1.8% of teams, DEMPSEY has had an inconsistent year, however he has at least maintained his value and there are some decent options you can bring in for him from here on. The best of these seem to be Jack GRIMES (Av 77), Nick VLASTUIN (Av 76), Chris NEWMAN (Av 75) or Lachlan KEEFE (Av 77). I’d go GRIMES every day of the week – the boy can play.
To the final injury, and it is to one of the all-time great SC players in Brisbane forward Jonathan
BROWN (Av 63). Once a SC God, BROWNY is only in 1.5% of SC teams at the moment, which is a sad but honest reflection of where he now sits in the big scheme of things. Unfortunately the big fella may have played his last game of AFL, injuring his foot last weekend in what appears to be a season-ending problem that may in fact end his career. If you are one who has stuck by him this year, now you need to move him on. The best of the options look to be Josh HILL (Av 73), Nathan BOCK (Av 71) or - with a little extra cash - Quinten LYNCH (Av 72).
Well that seems to be it for this week. Best of luck for the Finals, and we’ll do it all again next week.
Note : With team selections not long out, a few curly ones have crept up on the unsuspecting SC player this week. Carlton has rested key ruckman Matthew KREUZER, and with GC’s NICHOLLS
and Geelong BLICSAVs both also missing, things could get pretty slim in the ruck stakes. Jed
LAMB and Mitch ROBINSON have also been omitted, leaving some gaping holes in some forward lines already hurt by Buddy not playing.