The byes have been especially brutal this year, well it seems that way anyway, so I'm sure I speak for the vast majority of us when I say thank god they're almost over. The Best Buys curse seems to be doing it's thing, but really there isn't much I can do about that so we just have to push on and hope for the best.

The Best Buy this week is Joey Montagna, he's been putting up great numbers all season and is a huge POD with barely anyone backing him in so far. The Saints may have been struggling to rack up the wins, but Montagna certainly hasn't struggled so far in racking up the points himself. The only real question is whether or not to bite the bullet and grab Joey now, or to wait a few more weeks and see if Gaz can get back to form.

The Best Buys are a bit short this week, primarily because the majority of decent options are all set to lose 10-20 grand over the next couple of rounds, so hopefully there's a couple a players you haven't yet considered there.


Round 11: ADE, RIC, WBD, BL, CAR, HAW

Round 12: GCS, StK, SYD, COL, ESS, FRE

Round 13: NM, GWS, PTA, WCE, GEE, MEL


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DEFENSE
ROOKIES





Hugh Beasley (BRI) DEF 102.4k 46 +33k

Beasley is on the bubble at the right time, after he playing his second game last week and averaging 46 he will most likely increase in value by around 33 grand after his next match. Cheaply priced at just over 100 grand he could be the defensive downgrade most sides have looking for.



Joel Hamling (WBD) DEF 170.8k 60 +24k
Hamling isn't on the bubble after playing his third game on the weekend, but at 170 grand is still priced well enough to include. An average of 60 will see his price go up by around 24 grand next week, as long as he stays on the field.



MID-PRICERS





Bachar Houli (RIC) DEF 486.2k 103 8.5%

Houli continues to be one of the leading defenders this season in SC, without quite cementing a spot in our upgrade plans. Now averaging 103 and sitting in 8.5% of teams he has some good POD value, but the Tigers will need to put on another win-streak to really get him up there.



Cale Hooker (ESS) DEF 429.2k 93 7.6%
Hooker makes it in this week, but really it's because so many options are set to lose significant value in the coming weeks. Averaging 93 and costing 430 grand he is decent value, but really needs to step up another level to be considered a top defender.



PREMIUMS





Luke Hodge (HAW) D/M 556.6k 110 23.8%

Hodge has been excellent this season, barring his suspension, and after a 122 in his last game is now sitting on a healthy 110 average. Costing 556 grand he is priced appropriately for his numbers and will likely see a few more coaches pick him up.



Rory Laird (ADE) DEF 517k 97 4.8%
Laird has been in good form this season, stepping it up to excellent in the absence of Jaensch and Smith's injury woes. Now priced at a bit under 520 grand he is pricey for his average of 97, but has averaged 125 from the last 3 games. Sitting in just under 5% of teams he is a good POD, and could well be a starter for many coaches next year.



MIDFIELD
ROOKIES





Elliott Kavanagh (ESS) MID 145.1k 63 +45k
Kavanagh has finally made it to the bubble, and with an average of 63 is set to make some good coin after his next game. A 45 grand price-rise will see him nearing the 200 grand mark but if he keeps getting games and scoring like that he'll probably be worth it even then.



MID-PRICERS





Lachie Neale (FRE) MID 533.2k 111 12%

Neale has been a revelation for the Dockers this year, going from unheralded to star in just half a season. Averaging 111 and costing 533 grand he is good value at current price and is still sitting in only 12% of sides. Opposition teams still aren't putting much effort into shutting him down, and if that continues he could well average 115+ by year's end.



Dyson Heppell (ESS) MID 534.8k 109 8.9%

Heppell has also stood up this season, which is a good thing for the Dons as Watson has been underperforming. Now seemingly the number one man in the Essendon midfield Hep is producing good numbers with an average of 109 and a price of 535 grand. Still only in 9% of teams Heppell also has decent POD value.



Scott Thompson (ADE) MID 498.8k 108 3.3%

Scotty T has been excellent this season, turning back the clock to average 108. With a selection rate of just 3.3% he is a big POD, and is priced very well at under 500 grand. Thommo may see a decline in his scoring with Sloane back in the side, but if not he is an absolute bargain.



Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 483.5k 104 9.3%
Speaking of the Sloane Ranger, he bounced back on the weekend with a very nice 117 to show that his injury issues are now behind him. Averaging 104 for the season and priced at 483 grand he is good value at the moment, and if he can get back to his early season form should be considered by all teams with a midfield spot still free.



PREMIUMS





Leigh Montagna (StK) MID 574.9k 119 1.7%

Joey has been in amazing form this year, averaging 119 on the back of a 125 point game in his last outing. His price is still low for his numbers, at only 575 grand, and he has massive POD value sitting in under 2% of sides. The Best Buy curse has been in full effect this year, but hopefully Monty can buck the trend for us.



Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 558.7k 114 +4k 38%
Pendles hasn't really been dependlebury this year, but is starting to get there once again after some consistent scores. Now averaging 114 for the year and priced at 560 grand he is good value, but already in a fair few teams at 38% selection. The Pies are looking to challenge for a finals spot well ahead of schedule, and if Pendles can get back to his best they are a real chance at making the 8.



REGULARS





Nathan Fyfe (FRE) MID 688.2k 134 63.8%

RUCK
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Peter Wright (GCS) R/F 187.3k 32 -7k

<div>Wright hasn't performed too badly for a first year ruck/forward, but his price of almost 190 grand means his average of 32 from his first 2 games isn't up to par. A projected loss of around 7 grand means that his Supercoach prospects aren't great so far, but he is a R/F and may continue to get games so he might still be worth getting for some teams who want more bench coverage.




PREMIUMS





Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUC 519k 100 12.3%
Sauce has been good this season, but not quite to the level most of his 12% of coaches were hoping. An average of 100 flat for a price of 519 grand is a bit on the high side, but given the other options this week it's as good as you'll get. The Crows are also challenging for a finals berth this year, and really need Jacobs to fire to get them there.



FORWARD
ROOKIES





Toby McLean (WBD) FWD 117.3k 43 +26k
McLean has gone under the radar with the glut of Bulldogs rookies coming into the team in recent weeks, but after a 67 in his last game to bring him on the bubble people are starting to take more notice. Costing under 120 grand and likely to increase in price by about 25 grand after his next game, the main concern is how many rookies can the Bulldogs keep playing?



Orazio Fantasia (ESS) FWD 168.4k 60 +35k

<div>A good pick-up from jp has included Orazio this week, who is on the bubble with an average of 60. If he keeps getting games then this is a good sign for the young forward, who will likely increase in value by around 35 grand next week. Costing almost 170 grand he is a bit pricey for a rookie, but has the best job security of the two on the bubble up forward this week.



MID-PRICERS





Marcus Bontempelli (WBD) M/F 417.3k 96 40.3%
The Bont returned with a decent score on the weekend, but still has some work to do to get back to his early season heroics. Now averaging 96 for a price tag of around 420 grand is good value, but he's already in over 40% of teams so he doesn't have any real POD value to speak of. If he can stay on the park and go back to his earlier role then expect the points to flowing once again.



PREMIUMS





Tom Mitchell (SYD) M/F 520.4k 111 30.7%

Mitchell has been good but not great so far this season, but with his history of getting games we'll take good any day of the week from him. Now in just over 30% of sides and averaging 111 he is one of the best forwards going around, and should remain one if he stays on the park. Costing 520 grand and facing a price rise of around 15 grand after his next game means he is on the cheap side, but probably not for much longer.



Luke Dahlhaus (WBD) FWD 533.5k 105 8.4%

Dahl has been excellent this year, pushing his average to 105 for the first time and showing the advantages of a midfield-style small forward. Clearly one of the Dogs best he is having a break-out season, and is every chance to keep the big scores coming. Costing 533 grand he is decent value at the moment, but is facing a price drop of 13 grand after his next game.



Lance Franklin (SYD) FWD 527.2k 98 32.6%
Buddy has been a bit quiet to start the season this year, but that is starting to turn around now. Averaging 98is a solid effort so far, but his almost 33% of coaches would be expecting more. Luckily for them, he's averaging 127 over his last 3 games. A price of almost 530 grand is definitely expensive for a bloke averaging under 100, but with his potential to go large and the Swans focussed on September Buddy should keep on with his recent form and bring his average back up to the 105 region.



REGULARS





Dustin Martin (RIC) M/F 596.3k 112 45%

Dane Swan (COL) M/F 500.8k 101 56.9%

WAITING LIST





Gary Ablett (GCS) MID 734.6k 103 -58k

Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 537.5k 100 -32k

Jordan Lewis (HAW) MID485.2k 98 -32k

Pearce Hanley (BRI) MID 557.7k 89 -30k

Robbie Gray (PTA) M/F 546.5k 110 -26k

David Armitage (StK) MID 571.9k 113 -22k

Thanks for joining us once again for the Best Buys, hopefully this last bye round isn't too brutal and good luck to all. As always feel free to join in on the polls and trade discussions below.