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 the better defensive options currently in SC. Burgoyne has around 18,000 selections so far, and is looking at a price rise of around 17 grand.



Cale Hooker (ESS) DEF 475.1k 100

Hooker has been a standout for the Bombers this year, and once again on the weekend put in a solid performance. Seemingly switching through the running half-back role with Hibberd this season he is averaging 100 so far, and still has a solid price of around 475 grand. Now with around 7,000 coaches picking up Hooker, business appears to be booming.



Rhyce Shaw (SYD) DEF 404k 80
Another team to put in good all-round performances over the weekend was Sydney, including defender Rhyce Shaw who is now averaging 109 from his last 3 games. With around 34,000 picks so far and a price just topping 400 grand, for those that think he can maintain his current numbers, Shaw presents good value considering his 80 average for the year to date.

PREMIUMS





Jarrad McVeigh (SYD) D/M 551.1k 105

Continuing on with the Swans and Hawks theme we have McVeigh, with twice the selection numbers of Shaw and a much healthier average over the season. With a 135 on the weekend and a 10 grand price rise on the way, McVeigh has been a stalwart defender so far this year and should continue to perform.



Nick Malceski (SYD) DEF 508.1k 99
The third, and final, Swans defender this week is Malceski, a fantasy favourite of seasons past who appears to be in some decent form once again. Averaging 99 for the year and only in around 7,000 teams to date put Malceski firmly into the POD category.

MIDFIELD
ROOKIES





Jonathan O'Rourke (GWS) MID 123.9k 43 +24k

A prior top draft, Jono O'Rourke was on a few radars pre-season this year but then carried an injury into the season and is only now on the bubble. Averaging 43 from his first 2 games and looking at a 24 grand price rise after his next game, O'Rourke may struggle to stay in the Giants side this week so keep a close eye on selection news before considering bringing him in.



Christian Salem (MEL) MID 177.3k 25 -13k

Salem is another high draft pick in contention for some this round, but after coming on briefly for an injured player on the weekend, then going off again before actually being subbed into the game, his numbers indicate a loss of around 13 grand. He did show a bit briefly, but then failed to impact the game thereafter.



Marcus Bontempelli (WBD) MID 202.3k 30 -13k

Bontempelli is the second midfield rookie looking at a loss of around 13 grand this week, going by his stats anyway, and with a price over 200 grand will be ignored by the majority. Averaging 30 from his first couple of games he may still take a while to properly hit his stride at the highest level.



Jake Lloyd (SYD) MID 162.6k 53 *97 +44k

Lloyd didn't look that enticing early on, but then he burst his bubble over the weekend with an impressive 97 to keep him in the mix for another round. As this brought his average up to 53, his price change hasn't been dramatic and he's looking at a further 44 grand rise this week. A decent rookie option when they are severely lacking.



Mitch Hallahan (HAW) MID 156.8k 49 +32k
Following on from the no good rookies&amp;rdquo; theme, Hallahan has also earnt a reprieve this week. Averaging 49 and priced at just over 155 grand the young Hawk is facing a 30 grand price rise, but still has questionable job security.

MID-PRICERS





Callan Ward (GWS) MID 509.7k 109

Ward has been a bit up and down this season, averaging 109 for the season so far including his impressive 145 last outing. Still in only around 4,000 sides he is a strong POD candidate, and currently priced around 40 grand under his average. A young gun on the rise, you can expect Ward to have considerably more up games than down. The Best Buy for this week, but admittedly only so due to no real stand-outs.



Tom Liberatore (WBD) MID 523.7k 105
Libba is another young gun to be up and down so far, averaging 105 for the year and scoring 139 over the past weekend. Sitting in around 34,000 teams and looking at a 10 grand price rise this week, Griffen's slow return to form will remain an unknown factor for a few weeks to come.

PREMIUMS





Leigh Montagna (StK) MID 637k 123

After an excellent 2013 Joey sat out early this year, resulting in minimal pick numbers which still hover around the 3,000 mark. He is pricey at the moment, costing 637 grand, but his amazing numbers of a 152 average from his last 3 matches show why. A great player in a side without many SC premiums around to take his points, Montagna has the potential to again be amongst the league's best SC scorers.



Matthew Boyd (WBD) MID 623.2k 120

Boyd has been a bit of a surprise to date this season, possibly helped by Griffen's low output, but also the Bulldogs natural improvement and gameplan advances. Averaging 120 and only making his way into around 3,000 sides so far, the Handball King could be a worthwhile POD.



Nathan Fyfe (FRE) MID 585.7k 119

Fyfe is again in the Best Buys, somewhere he often finds himself when not injured or suspended, and with a solid price and average will be in contention for many teams over the upcoming rounds. With around 33,000 picks so far and an average just shy of 120, Fyfe is an elite midfielder when in form and should be set for a big season with the 2013 grand finalists.



Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 583.9k 117

Rocky is another player to be up and down this season, so much so that he's actually facing a small loss this week to his price. Considering he scored a 132 on the weekend and is averaging 117 for the season so far, his price of around 580 grand presents value even if he does drop 5 grand this week, and he should still be strongly considered by most. The Lions haven't been in good form this year, but Rocky has been their best more often than not for his 17,000 selectors.



Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 598.5k 115

JPK started the season slowly, and disappointed a bit last season, but now appears to have hit his stride. Averaging 115 for the year and 126 for the last 3 games he certainly has the potential to remain a premium midfielder, and a small loss in value this week shouldn't deter many. Sitting at just under 600 grand and 9,000 selections respectively, JPK has all the attributes of a POD.



Kieren Jack (SYD) MID 557.3k 105
Another Swan, another big score on the weekend. Similar to JPK Jack has been disappointing this year, but a 133 on the weekend may prove to be the turning point for him. Averaging 105 for the season and costing a bit over 550 grand he is only in around 7,000 sides currently, and has the potential to be a top-10 midfielder.

RUCK
MID-PRICERS





Mark Jamar (MEL) RUC 420.7k 114

The ruck has been especially hard hit this season, with the majority of popular choices either failing to fire or finding themselves with extended bench time. Jamar probably isn't the answer, but with little other options currently he's worth at least considering and is on the bubble this week. Averaging 114 for his only 2 games this season, including his 135 on the weekend, his price of 420 grand certainly has some appeal, as he's looking at a price rise of around 40 grand after his next game. While it has been a few years since Jamar did much on the SC front, his 724 current coaches will be cheering for every hit-out.



Patrick Ryder (ESS) RUC 482.5k 93

Ryder probably provides a safer option than Jamar, but not by much really. Averaging 93 this year and struggling with injuries he's back on the park now, and his 7,000 coaches will be hoping he can stay there. The Dons as a unit need to lift their game a bit going by recent results, by certainly have the players to do so. A risky choice as always, Ryder has the potential to star if he and the rest of his team can get back into the groove.



Trent West (BRI) RUC 419.1k 86

West makes the Best Buys again, as a cheap R1 option with around 5,000 picks. Priced at just under 420 grand he offers solid value, even with an average of 86, but shouldn't be expected to deliver big scores too regularly.



Billy Longer (StK) RUC 279.1k 59
With the news of Hickey out for an extended period, young Billy Longer comes into contention as the Saint's number one ruckman. Averaging a pretty poor 59 to date will put many coaches off, but priced at 280 grand and now almost the sole fit ruckman on the list, he certainly has some potential. Around 13,000 picks so far puts him ahead of Ryder and West on popularity, but again he shouldn't be counted on to deliver the big points.

REGULARS





Aaron Sandilands (FRE) RUC 495.7k 115 177k

FORWARD
MID-PRICERS





Luke Breust (HAW) FWD 468.3k 103
One of three Luke's to make the Best Buys forwards list this week, Breust dominated on the weekend scoring 139 to bring his seasons average back to 103. To be fair there were multiple other Hawks scoring around the same, but for a 470 grand forward option in only around 20,000 sides Breust looks great value if he can improve his consistency. Only looking at an 11 grand price rise this week it would be fairly easy to wait until after his bye, but with not a lot of round 9 bye competition he should still be worth at least considering for this week.

PREMIUMS





Cyril Rioli (HAW) FWD 503.9k 106

Rioli has long frustrated SC coaches, always promising but never really delivering. Could this be the season he finally does? Hopefully. Averaging 106 and priced at just over 500 grand he has decent value, and a price rise of around 30 grand on the way, so a decent number more than his current 20,000 coaches can be expected to jump on board if he continues with this kind of form.



Robbie Gray (PTA) M/F 528.6k 105

Gray has been in great form so far this year, stepping up for the Power and averaging a healthy 105. Coming off his 121 on the weekend he is facing a minor price rise this week, but with only 14,000 selections still has good POD value and isn't priced too badly at just under 530 grand. With Port clearly in contention this season, many will be hoping current form is permanent rather than an aberration.



Luke Dahlhaus (WBD) FWD 507.2k 105

Dahl performed well on the weekend, backing up his Best Buy selection and now averaging 126 from the last 3 games. Considering he's classed as a forward and the Dogs have lost their last 3 matches, that's a pretty impressive output for anyone. Now priced at just under 50 grand and sitting in around 12,000 sides, Dahlhaus will likely be a popular upgrade target for many.



Luke Parker (SYD) M/F 508.9k 102
The third and final Luke, Parker has impressed this season and well and truly shown that he's ahead of TMitch for SC so far this year. Averaging 102 and costing just under 510 grand Parker's contested style has suited the Swans well, and helped him fit nicely into his 21,000 teams. A break-out contender this season Parker has delivered so far, and doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon.

WAITING LIST





Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 494.9k 99 -47k

Brendon Goddard (ESS) MID 483.5k 94 -27k

Ben Cunington (NM) MID 501.6k 97 -47k

Brett Deledio (RIC) MID 545.8k 100 -26k

Ryan Griffen (WBD) MID 508.9k 83 -22k

Matthew Pavlich (FRE) FWD 488.3k 91 -19k

Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 555.7k 117 -18k

Nic Naitanui (WCE) RUC 391.5k 68 -17k