Its finally arrived folks – Preliminary Final weekend in Fantasy football. Considered by the true football supporter to be the best footy weekend of the year, it’s this weekend when the real teams stand up, staking their claim for Premiership glory. If you are still in the race, your team might need a little fixin’ up after last weekend, with a few pivotal players getting injured or suspended to throw a spanner in even the best laid plans. If you have the trades left, now is the time to use them – you have to make the GF to win it, and as last weekend showed, even the best players can struggle to score well when the pressure is on, so no win is ever guaranteed. Trade on my friends, trade on.
Three key defenders were injured last weekend, which could cause some major headaches this week. First to be looked at is Bomber mop-head Dyson HEPPELL (Av 91). Selected in a massive 33% of SC teams, HEPPELL has continued his Rising Star form from last year to have a very solid 2013 in fantasy terms. However last weekend he was cut down with a foot injury that will see him miss the rest of the season, which means only one thing – get him out. Best direct replacement options look
to be Bryce GIBBS (Av 94) or Jarrod HARBROW (Av 83). However if you have a little bit of cash, an extra $2,000 can snare you Trent McKENZIE (Av 91), or even better and extra $9,000 can get you Grant BIRCHALL (Av 93 with a 106 on return last weekend).
The next defender to let us down come Prelim time is Port Power gun Hamish HARTLETT (Av 91). Selected in 20% of SC teams, HARTLETT got the double whammy last weekend – a shoulder injury
and a two week suspension, effectively ruling him out of fantasy footy action for the year. The positive is there are lots of quality replacements for HARTLETT – take your pick from Michael
HIBBERD (Av 96), Harry TAYLOR (Av 94), Heath SHAW (Av 96), Bachar HOULI (Av 91), Charlie DIXON (Av 94) or Grant BIRCHALL (Av 93). Nice list that.
The final defender to be added to this infamous list is Adelaide’s Ricky HENDERSON (Av 85). A bit of a revelation this year, HENDERSON has been a quality addition to the 3% of SC teams who have him, however that has all come crashing to an end with a knee injury last weekend which has ended his season. He has to be traded if you have any left, and the best options look to be Scott
THOMPSON (Av 98), Corey ENRIGHT (Av 94) or Pearce HANLEY (Av 97). If you have HENDERSON as a forward, the best replacements look to be Dustin MARTIN (Av 100), Kurt TIPPETT (Av 95), Chris MAYNE (Av 93) or Andrew WALKER (Av 105).
Another to have come up lame after last weekend is Tiger spearhead Jack RIEWOLDT (Av 86).
Selected in 10% of SC teams, J ROO hyper extended his knee and, although he played out the match, the general consensus seems to be he will be rested this weekend. That’s a disaster if you have him, and if he does miss it may be a case of you having to move him on to assure a victory. If you do need to trade him, look to replace him with David HALE (Av 82), Lachie HANSEN (Av 72 but on fire in recent weeks), Mitch ROBINSON (Av 81) or Cyril RIOLI (Av 87).
The last on this week’s injury list is Collingwood forward Jamie ELLIOTT (Av 72). Selected in 5% of SC teams, ELLIOTT has been impressive this season, however a hamstring twinge last weekend should see him out of action for probably the next fortnight – ruling him out of any further SC action. If he is in your side, move him on for Lindsay THOMAS (Av 73), Greg BROUGHTON (Av 73), Sam MAYES (Av 70) or Ben McGLYN (Av 72).
Others to miss matches this weekend include Freo pair Aaron SANDILANDS and Hayden BALLANTYNE, however they aren’t selected in enough teams to come under our microscope. Of course there will be the usual curve balls thrown in at the selection table, so keep an eye on that too. It’s all or nothing again this weekend – win this and the ultimate success is at your fingertips. Good luck.
to be Bryce GIBBS (Av 94) or Jarrod HARBROW (Av 83). However if you have a little bit of cash, an extra $2,000 can snare you Trent McKENZIE (Av 91), or even better and extra $9,000 can get you Grant BIRCHALL (Av 93 with a 106 on return last weekend).
The next defender to let us down come Prelim time is Port Power gun Hamish HARTLETT (Av 91). Selected in 20% of SC teams, HARTLETT got the double whammy last weekend – a shoulder injury
and a two week suspension, effectively ruling him out of fantasy footy action for the year. The positive is there are lots of quality replacements for HARTLETT – take your pick from Michael
HIBBERD (Av 96), Harry TAYLOR (Av 94), Heath SHAW (Av 96), Bachar HOULI (Av 91), Charlie DIXON (Av 94) or Grant BIRCHALL (Av 93). Nice list that.
The final defender to be added to this infamous list is Adelaide’s Ricky HENDERSON (Av 85). A bit of a revelation this year, HENDERSON has been a quality addition to the 3% of SC teams who have him, however that has all come crashing to an end with a knee injury last weekend which has ended his season. He has to be traded if you have any left, and the best options look to be Scott
THOMPSON (Av 98), Corey ENRIGHT (Av 94) or Pearce HANLEY (Av 97). If you have HENDERSON as a forward, the best replacements look to be Dustin MARTIN (Av 100), Kurt TIPPETT (Av 95), Chris MAYNE (Av 93) or Andrew WALKER (Av 105).
Another to have come up lame after last weekend is Tiger spearhead Jack RIEWOLDT (Av 86).
Selected in 10% of SC teams, J ROO hyper extended his knee and, although he played out the match, the general consensus seems to be he will be rested this weekend. That’s a disaster if you have him, and if he does miss it may be a case of you having to move him on to assure a victory. If you do need to trade him, look to replace him with David HALE (Av 82), Lachie HANSEN (Av 72 but on fire in recent weeks), Mitch ROBINSON (Av 81) or Cyril RIOLI (Av 87).
The last on this week’s injury list is Collingwood forward Jamie ELLIOTT (Av 72). Selected in 5% of SC teams, ELLIOTT has been impressive this season, however a hamstring twinge last weekend should see him out of action for probably the next fortnight – ruling him out of any further SC action. If he is in your side, move him on for Lindsay THOMAS (Av 73), Greg BROUGHTON (Av 73), Sam MAYES (Av 70) or Ben McGLYN (Av 72).
Others to miss matches this weekend include Freo pair Aaron SANDILANDS and Hayden BALLANTYNE, however they aren’t selected in enough teams to come under our microscope. Of course there will be the usual curve balls thrown in at the selection table, so keep an eye on that too. It’s all or nothing again this weekend – win this and the ultimate success is at your fingertips. Good luck.