TooSerious

The bye rounds have always been tough in Supercoach, since they started anyway, and this year looks to be no different. With an especially vicious opening round taking our Crows, Suns, Pies, Tigers, Cats and Roos out of contention this week many teams will be struggling to even field a full 18 (reduced squads due to byes). Having an extra trade each week for the bye rounds will help somewhat, but that still relies on there being good options to trade in.

The Best Buy this week, albeit a tentative one, is Callan Ward. Ward burnt us late last year after being named the Best Buy, and while not quite over that just yet, his numbers mean he warrants another chance. Priced well under his current average Ward offers good value as well as being a POD, but really has only been named the Best Buy this week as no-one else stands out. An inconsistent player to date Ward has shown glimpses of his true potential, but will really need to work on bringing it into every game.
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DEFENSE
ROOKIES





Angus Litherland (HAW) DEF 125.9k 26

Litherland re-joined the Hawks senior side last weekend to burst his bubble, but as he's only averaging 26 his price really hasn't risen much so far. Priced at 126 grand and with questionable job security, he won't be too popular a trade-in this week and may struggle to keep his spot in the side.



Darcy Gardiner (BRI) DEF 139.6k 40 +12k

Gardiner has made the Best Buys again this week, simply because of the lack of other options. Averaging 40 and looking at a 12 grand price rise after his next game Gardiner unfortunately is one of the better rookie options still going around.

MID-PRICERS





Shaun Burgoyne (HAW) D/M 490.8k 105

Burgoyne is one of many Hawks to make the Best Buys this week, influenced considerably by the thrashing of St Kilda over the weekend and consequent scoring. Averaging 105 after his 128 in that game and still priced below 500 grand make Burgoyne one of...

Last round before the bye rounds. The usual stuff, an update on the level of GnR strategy in the initial team selection and I'll have a look at trading strategy so far.
Round 7 season to date
Initial Team Selection:
<center>
<table border='0' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='4' width='80%]
<tbody>

<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Position
<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: left;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Player
<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Team
<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Score
<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Price



<td style='text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]D1
[span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]Cale Hooker (D)
<td style='text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]ESS
<td style='text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]121
<td style='text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]417500



<td style='text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]D2
[span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]David Swallow (D,M)
<td style='text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]GCS
<td style='text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]135
<td style='text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]429400



<td style='text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px;...

Charlie's Opening 1239 d Nunawading 1180
Charlie's Opening won a crucial match against Nunawading to settle into third on the ORFFA ladder.
Both teams were hit by injury, though Nunawading was more cruelly dealt with - losing Lake and Geary to injury early in the game. The match remained close however, and it wasn't until the final stages that Spelunkers' pair Pearce and MacKenzie scored enough to confirm the win.
For the Spelunkers, Montagna (144) continued his great form, with support from Jack (133), Hansen (117) and Dan Jackson (110). An injury to Thomas Nicholls might see Giles forced into the first ruck position.
For Nunawading, who can consider themselves a bit unlucky, Chris Dawes (123), JPK (130) and Kade Simpson (109) top scored.

Darraweit Guim 1235 d Wagga Wagga 1118
The Blimps returned to the winners list with a hard-fought 117 point win over the Wombats.
Again it was Darraweit's backline that led the way - with Josh Gibson (142) continuing his purple patch of form and snaring five Les W votes. Fellow defenders Andrew Walker (109) and Alex Rance proved able support.
The returning Goddard (122) and Vickery (102) were good, while Tyson (112) provided handy points off the bench. However the Guim forwards have been put on notice after sub-par efforts.
The Marsupials enjoyed a consistent run of scores, led by the wonderful Jay Schulz (108). Dion Prestia (97) played well in the midfield, while Bradley Sheppard (92) enjoyed a career game off the bench. Sam Mayes (86) continues to look the goods.

Lovely Banks 1353 d Powlett Plains 1006
The Purple Petals enjoyed a day to remember, notching a record score on the way to a comfortable win over the Packers.
The Lilacs were in full bloom with young defenders Tom Langdon (128) and Dane Rampe (115) continuing their great form. Rosa, Ballantyne, old man Chappy and Scott Thompson all topped the ton as well.
The only sour note was an injury to ruckman Myke Pike -...

Sam Mitchell, Luke McDonald, Zach Merrett and Langdon's 128 sitting on the bench.

It's been a rough week in Supercoach, at least Ablett is still a god.

How have you gone?

Carlton v Collingwood, it's always a big game. It's also a nice little captains loophole.
I'm gunna try my luck with Beams tonight I think- who are you going with?

<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt; background-color: #fcfcfc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='color: #444444;]One rookie and some familiar faces made up the top 10 for last round. Leigh Montagna led the way (in a losing team) with 174 and he was followed by Boak with 156 and Rioli with 154. Marc Murphy with 148 and Ablett with 145 were next best. Rookie Aish was brilliant with 144 and he was followed by Swan (143), Boyd (143), Hannebery (138) and Sidebottom (138).
<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt; background-color: #fcfcfc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='color: #444444;]
<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt; background-color: #fcfcfc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='color: #444444;]Here are the numbers for Round 7 &amp;hellip;
<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt; background-color: #fcfcfc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='color: #444444;]
<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt; background-color: #fcfcfc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='color: #444444;]CARLTON v. COLLINGWOOD
<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt; background-color: #fcfcfc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='color: #444444;]
<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt; background-color: #fcfcfc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='color: #444444;]Recent game - Round 15 2013: Collingwood scored a comfortable 41 point victory, 118 to 77. Usual suspects Pendlebury (154) and Swan (148) led all scorers whilst Kreuzer was next best with 136. Macaffer tagged Simpson in the game.
<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt; background-color: #fcfcfc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='color: #444444;]
<p style='margin-bottom: 0pt;...

All the ins and outs for round 7

<h3 style='color: #474747; background-color: #ffffff; letter-spacing: normal;]Carlton vs. Collingwood<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
Friday, May 2nd | 7:50pm AEST<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
MCG</h3>
<p style='color: #474747; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 15px;]CARLTON<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
B: Simon White, Michael Jamison, Sam Rowe<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
HB: Zach Tuohy, Andrew Walker, Kade Simpson<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
C: Heath Scotland, Andrew Carrazzo, Mitch Robinson<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
HF: Brock McLean, Jarrad Waite, Dale Thomas<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
F: Troy Menzel, Lachie Henderson, Levi Casboult<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
R: Robert Warnock, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
I/C: Andrejs Everitt, Dylan Buckley, Kane Lucas, Jeff Garlett<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
EMG: Matthew Watson, Tom Bell, Sam Docherty
<p style='color: #474747; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 15px;]IN: Andrew Carrazzo<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
OUT: Chris Yarran (hamstring)
<p style='color: #474747; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 15px;]COLLINGWOOD<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
B: Nick Maxwell, Jack Frost, Marley Williams<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
HB: Clinton Young, Lachlan Keeffe, Heritier Lumumba<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Dane Swan<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
HF: Sam Dwyer, Jesse White, Luke Ball<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
F: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Tyson Goldsack<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
R: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
I/C: Jarryd Blair, Tom Langdon, Jarrod Witts, Josh...

As the 2014 season settles into it's stride the potential future stars of SC begin to emerge, and we start to get a much better picture of how teams and players will fare over the year. A lot of the early bolters have dropped off, and some of the stars from previous years have now gotten back into the swing of things, coupled with the bye rounds fast approaching to make for some crucial rounds of trading.

Luke Dahlhaus has impressed enough this season to be the week's Best Buy, and after missing one game earlier on with injury is still a relatively obscure pick. His contested play style, natural improvement and overall improvement from the Dogs all contribute to this nicely, and with a comparatively good bye round he will probably be a popular trade-in over the coming weeks. Playing more in the midfield, but still kicking the occasional goal, gives Dahl a more fantasy friendly role this season and one I expect will continue to deliver him solid scores.



DEFENSE
ROOKIES





Darcy Gardiner (BRI) DEF 117.3k 42 +24k

Gardiner hasn't been getting too much attention lately, sipping under the radar for many coaches but bringing himself onto the bubble nonetheless. Averaging 42 from his first two games and looking at a price rise of around 25 grand he looks a decent downgrade target in defense.



Tom Cutler (BRI) DEF 154.4k 51 +41k
Cutler Isn't on the bubble any more, after last week playing his third game and increasing in price by a bit, but at around 150 grand and averaging 51 he still offers some decent value. Some might not be too happy with fielding two Brisbane rookies in the same line, so for those not interested in Gardiner Cutler still has some cash generation left in him yet.

MID-PRICERS





Lynden Dunn (MEL) DEF 433.7k 93
Dunn has stepped up his game so far in 2014, culminating in a big 133 on the weekend. Still only averaging 90 however, and in a poor side to boot, Melbourne have a decent run into...

Six rounds done and one more to go before the bye rounds. In addition to listing the initial team selection, round by round trades and last round's team selection - which I'll continue to provide - I want to start looking at some of the strategy elements. I'll try to setup the analysis so I can easily repeat and refine them later on in the season.
Last week I had a quick on-the-fly look at team representations with a few surprising and not so surprising factlets. This week let's have a look at level of GnR strategy, but first the teams and trades:
Round 6 season to date
Initial Team Selection:
<center>
<table border='0' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='4' width='80%]
<tbody>

<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Position
<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: left;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Player
<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Team
<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Score
<td style='background-color: #4f81bd; text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: white;]Price



<td style='text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]D1
[span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]Cale Hooker (D)
<td style='text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]ESS
<td style='text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]121
<td style='text-align: right;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]417500



<td style='text-align: center;][span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]D2
[span style='font-size: 12px; color: black;]David...