TooSerious

First week of the byes here people. Did you stack your team appropriately?
<h3 style='color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px;]Byes</h3>
<h3 style='color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px;]<strong style='color: #555555; text-align: center; letter-spacing: -1px;]Adelaide, Collingwood, Geelong, Gold Coast, North Melbourne, Richmond[/b]</h3>
<h3 style='color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px;][span style='font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: -1px; color: #3b3b3b;]Sydney vs. Hawthorn</h3>
<h3 style='color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px;]Friday, May 9th | 7:50pm AEST

ANZ Stadium</h3>
<p style='color: #555555; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 1.5em;]SYDNEY

B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe

HB: Nick Malceski, Heath Grundy, Rhyce Shaw

C: Dan Hannebery, Craig Bird, Kieren Jack

HF: Lewis Jetta, Lance Franklin, Ben McGlynn

F: Harry Cunningham, Adam Goodes, Luke Parker

R: Tom Derickx, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh

I/C: Jeremy Laidler, Jake Lloyd, Sam Reid, Kurt Tippett

EMG: Brandon Jack, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Dean Towers
<p style='color: #555555; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 1.5em;]IN: Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett

OUT: Brandon Jack (omitted), Mike Pyke (hamstring)
<p style='color: #555555; background-color: #ffffff; margin-bottom: 1.5em;]HAWTHORN

B: Kyle Cheney, Josh Gibson, Ryan Schoenmakers

HB: Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Matthew Suckling

C: Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Bradley Hill

HF: Cyril Rioli, Jack Gunston, Isaac Smith

F: Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, David Hale

R: Ben McEvoy, Jordan Lewis, Mitch Hallahan

I/C: Billy Hartung, Paul Puopolo, Taylor Duryea, Will Langford

EMG: Jonathon Ceglar, Derick Wanganeen, Jonathan Simpkin
<p style='color: #555555; background-color:...

[span style='font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; color: #000000;]

<p style='background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #444444;]Round 8 is upon us. The first of the bye rounds and arguably the
hardest in picking a captain. With Gold Coast, Collingwood, Geelong and
Adelaide amongst the teams having a bye, we are robbed of our likely first and
second and possible third choices. Before we get to the numbers for round 8,
let's quickly re-cap the top scores from last week. In a round highlighted by
good, but not great scores, Callan Ward led the way with 145. Montagna, despite
being on the wrong end of a 145 point hiding by Hawthorn, was next best with
144. Josh Gibson scored 142 whilst Ablett and Polec both scored 141. The best
of the rest were Breust and Liberatore with 139 each, Brodie Smith with 148 and
Roughead with 147.
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<p style='background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #444444;]
[span style='font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; color: #000000;]

<p style='background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #444444;]SYDNEY v. HAWTHORN
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<p style='background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;][span style='font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #444444;]...

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:
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<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 class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]Gold Coast head coach Guy McKenna has claimed Gary Ablett's determination to continue being the Suns star man in midfield could be the driving force behind him going onto collect a third Brownlow Medal. The midfielder, who has amassed 145 fantasy points in six games this season, took his Brownlow vote total to between 10 and 12 after six rounds with a sensational performance in his side's 40-point victory over Greater Western Sydney.
<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]
<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]The former Geelong star produced yet another memorable performance to help Gold Coast to their fourth win of the season, with Ablett recording 30 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 11 tackles, six inside 50s and two goals. It was Ablett's 94th career return of 30-plus disposals and highlighted just how much is left to come from a player who is nearing his 30th birthday.
<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]
<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]The two-time Brownlow winner has already put himself in a great position to win a third, although there could be significant damage done to his hopes with the form of Gold Coast's impressive young stars such as Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow, Harley Bennell and Dion Prestia - who are all capable of taking votes off Ablett this season.
<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]
<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]And McKenna believes the young talent coming through the Gold Coast ranks is pushing the ultra-competitive Ablett to keep producing the sort of performances that could see him become a triple Brownlow winner.
<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]
<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]He's playing some...

<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;...