Jarryd ROUGHEAD - Hawthorn - $451,200 Av 90
The big man-mountain from the Hawks has had a slightly less than standard year so far in 2014, dropping $80,100 but still averaging a fairly tidy 90 pts per game. Selected in the forwardline of 24% of SC teams, Roughy has been suspended for a week for another contentious bump last weekend, meaning in addition to his bye he’ll be gone for the next fortnight. Is that enough to toss him out of your team? If you’re desperate for a win, it just might be – and these are your best options.
Tom HAWKINS (Geel) - $443,000 Av 78
Charlie DIXON (GC) - $440,500 Av 61
Verdict : I’ve selected these three guys mainly because they have already had their bye. Other options like Zorko, Pav, Bruest and Gunston are viable, but with a bye still to come it would be a pointless trade. I’d look to DIXON or HAWKINS if a straight swap was needed for ROUGHY.
Paul CHAPMAN - Essendon - $451,100 Av 97
Another to feel the wrath after a head-high hit, CHAPPY is in a very similar boat to ROUGHY – suspended for one week, but stretched out to a fortnight with the Bombers bye still on the cards in Round 10. Down $13,300 for the 14% of Sc teams who have him, CHAPPY has been a solid investment – and this fortnight might just be the break he needs to freshen up for the second half of the year. If you need to win though, he might have to go.
Options as a Midfielder : Dayne ZORKO (Bris) - $453,900 Av 97 (Bye Rd 10)
Reece CONCA (Rich) - $454,000 Av 92
Brendan GODDARD (Ess) - $465,600 Av 99 (Bye Round 10)
Verdict : Even with the bye next week, is GODDARD too cheap to ignore? If it will help you get over your opponent this week, it might be worth the trade as he will only score better as the season progresses.
Options as a Forward : Same as the options above for Jarryd ROUGHEAD.
Verdict : DIXON or HAWKINS if you have to make the trade.
Cyril RIOLI - Hawthorn - $507,400 Av 97
Who hasn’t been burnt by Cyril before? Not many teams I wouldn’t think, and he’s done it again. Another hamstring injury and another 3 to 4 weeks on the sidelines, with the Hawks expected to take a cautious approach given their man’s persistent leg injury issues. Selected in 8% of SC teams, Cyril has performed well with an average of 97 pts per game, however a possible month on the sidelines could be too much for your side to stand.
Options : Jamie ELLIOTT (Coll) - $513,000 Av 99
Luke DAHLHAUS (Bull) - $515,200 Av 101 (Bye Round 9)
Luke PARKER (Syd) - $516,400 Av 103 (Bye Round 10)
Verdict : If you need player to cover both bye rounds, obviously ELLIOTT is your man – and he makes for a very nice POD also. If you are well covered in round 10 already, DAHLHAUS in a real find and looks to have taken the next step.
Mike PYKE - Sydney - $351,900 Av 73
One of the big disappointments for Sydney so far in 2014, PYKE has failed to live up to the heights he scaled in 2013, dropping $114,900 on his way to an average of only 73 pts per game. Selected in 2% of Sc teams, his poor form has now been exacerbated by a hamstring injury, which when coupled with the Swans round 10 bye, means he is gone for at least a fortnight. Now could be the time to bite the bullet and move him on.
Options : Dawson SIMPSON (Geel) - $344,600 Av 57
Nic NATANUI (WCE) - $375,500 Av 70 (Bye Round 9)
Billy LONGER (St K) - $299,400 Av 71 (Bye Round 10)
Verdict : All things being equal, NICNAT would be the man here, given the possible huge upside to his game. However, with the Eagles having the bye this week, SIMPSON might come into the frame to provide you enough points to get a W on the board.
Mark LeCRAS - West Coast - $419,400 Av 90
Can this bloke take a trick? Injury after injury, now a suspension for one for the better bumps you’ll see – albeit head high and worthy of the weeks suspension! When coupled with the Eagles bye this weekend, that means LeCRAS is gone for a fortnight, and puts his place in the 1.5% of teams that have him is serious jeopardy. As with some of the other players already listed, if you need to win this weekend then maybe he has to go.
Options : Chad WINGARD (Port) - $424,600 Av 84 (Bye Round 9)
Ben McGLYNN (Syd) - $431,900 Av 89 (Bye Round 10)
Travis CLOKE (Coll) - $374,500 Av 61
Drew PETRIE (Nth) - $374,000 Av 58
Verdict : WINGARD is clearly the best option of this mob, and even with his bye this weekend he might still be the man to take. However if you are a punter and like a risk, CLOKE or PETRIE could potentially represent huge value going forward.
That’s it for this week. As we approach bye week number two, keep in mind that there are still plenty of rounds of footy to be played – if you can keep some trades up your sleeve, it will certainly benefit you in the long run. However, at the same time if you can see that chance to better you team right now, grab it.