This week saw some bad SC news in the form of not just Buddy out for a few weeks, but also Beau (who I coincidentally traded in last week) facing a stint on the sidelines, causing some major headaches for more than a few coaches. Who has cover? Will it be enough or will you lose too many points in the mean-time? A few questions need to be asked, and answered, and hopefully the Best Buys can help with that.

This week my pick of the week is once again two, and they are Yarran and Roughie. Yarran showed last week against the Pies that he is capable of pumping out good games, and at his price he really is perfect cover for any injured or sidelined defenders for a couple of weeks. If he and the Blues can ignore the last 2 months and instead follow last weekends lead then he may even make it as a defensive starter. Roughie is in some good form, and is perfectly positioned to swoop on Buddys pie while he takes a bit of a rest. His R/F MPP also means a trade into the forward-line could always be moved to the ruck with the right rookie sitting on the bench.

My apologies for the lateness of the article, and the sparse commentary on a few of the players, things should settle down in the next couple of weeks and the next Best Buys will certainly aim to have a little more detail. Until then, join me over the break for this weeks Best Buys.

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INFO

The Best Buys uses a mix of price, form, break-evens and projected salaries to assess the Best Buys of each round. These are essentially the players that represent the best “value” which is determined by the above factors. Some player will not be mentioned on here even if they are playing well, as value is the key for this article. If a player is averaging 110, which is certainly solid, but priced at an average of 112 then they will not be rated. This does not mean these players should be avoided or not picked due to this, but simply that they aren’t as good “value” as the others in the Best Buys. For all the player I’ve missed, and any more you’re wanting opinions on, the thumbs are always there.

The thumbs act as a polling tool for the TS community, if you pose a question with either a yes-no answer or a “thumbs-up X, thumbs down Y” in there then the community as a whole can give you some great feedback into your choices and what they think about it, while also catering to the lazy amongst them that can’t be bothered actually typing out a response.

The “Waiting List” section at the end of the article shows players who are looking like being great buys but for whatever reason will be better looked at in the coming weeks rather than this one. In the case of the first few names on the list this is because they have only played one game (indicated by the * next to their single game score) and you will have one more week to assess them, having only played one match they do not have a salary prediction either, for the others on the list it is usually because they will be decreasing in value this round based on current predictions and could be picked up cheaper the next week. Some players on the Waiting List will not make the next Best Buys, due to only a small decrease in price etc, and so it is something you should keep an eye on regularly. The Waiting List also includes a projected salary drop over the next round for each player.


DEFENSE

MID-PRICERS

Andrew Carrazzo (CAR) D/M 471.4k
Carrots has been in good form since his return from injury, and managed to salute last week with a tidy 113. D/M eligibility makes him all the tastier as he could easily finish the season from here in the top defenders, on current form. Still under 500 grand, and almost 30 grand under, he’s bargain priced.

Chris Yarran (CAR) DEF 293.3k
Yarran really bounced back into form against the Pies, scoring 114 and hopefully showing why he made the Best Buys. The big question will be whether or not he can maintain this though. Personally I wouldn’t be confident enough in that to give him a starting spot but at under 300 grand still he would make great cover, or for the risk takers could well be worth the punt. Looks like rising around 40 grand this week.

Grant Birchall (HAW) DEF 478.8k
Birch is looking to make claim to a spot in the top defenders this year, and while his numbers are not quite there yet he’s certainly getting close. Averaging 97 for the season and priced at below 480 grand he’s a great selection to finish off your back-line. Unfortunately though the “Clarko factor” will come into play in SC finals just as they did last year, but to what extent remains unknown.

MIDFIELD
MID-PRICERS

Chris Judd (CAR) MID 471.7k
Juddy has been slowly building on his form recently, with some good games in the last few managing to silence his critics again for a little while. Averaging 106 for the year and predicted to rise by around 30 grand this week, which would bring him up over 500 grand again, for the lucky coaches with an abundance of trades left he could make a great M7 or simply finish off your midfield if you’re on a tight budget.

Jimmy Bartel (GEE) MID 496.1k
Abrtel is a super-smokie selection, barely rating a mention anywhere this year and priced at under 500 grand, but still averaging 102 for the year. With the Cats in the unusual spot of fighting to stay in the finals they will need to be playing some good footy and will look to their stars to shine. May not average 120 from here out like the elites but is still definitely worth a look.

Daniel Kerr (WCE) MID 456k
Kerr is another mid-priced midfield option for those looking to get some sneaky points back through cover and PODs. Averaging 85 for the season and priced at just over 450 grand his 3 game average of 114 shows his current form much better, and indicates what he may have in store for the remainder of the year.

PREMIUMS

Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 527.5k
Sloane has had a break-out year and is averaging a very healthy 110 for the season, and priced at around 530 grand he could be a great POD for finals. Not many will have him and he is certainly capable of knocking out big scores.

Scott Thompson (ADE) MID 539k
Scotty T is under-priced at the moment, and will likely make some of that up this week with a predicted 10+ grand price rise. Averaging 118 for the season he is a gun and a great pick-up, and with Adelaide in the top 4 race he should continue to score well.

Dane Swan (COL) MID 636.2k
Swannie continues on his way, smashing out good scores regularly and running the Pies midfield in Pendles’ absence. Priced slightly high at over 630 grand his average of 124 however shows that he can certainly be worth the cost, and can hopefully continue to score just as well when Pendles comes back in.

Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 607.8k
Ducky is averaging 124, is priced at just under 610 grand, and is a Best Buys regular. Many people started the season with him as a lock, and so far he hasn’t disappointed. Not much more I can say on him that I haven’t already, so just get him in.

Andrew Swallow (NM) MID 539k
Swallow has been mounting a charge of late, averaging 121 over the last three games and bringing himself back into SC contention. A bit of a forgotten player this year, by many anyway, he will be a great POD for the rest of the year and if he can keep his 120+ average up then a possible top scoring mid. Still priced pretty cheaply, but on the rise now.

Shane Tuck (RIC) MID 618.6k
By popular demand, it’s Shane Tuck. On the pricey side Tuck sits just under 620 grand and has averaged 112 for the year, but his recent stats are much more promising. Coming off a 133 point game, and averaging 137 over his last 3 games, Tuck is in sensational form and if he can maintain it will be an excellent POD. Unfortunately that’s a big “if” though.

Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 522k
JPK has had a sizable drop in price since the early season, where at one point he was over 100 grand more than he is now, but still seems to be in reasonable form. Sydney are fighting for the top spot, and the return of Goodes to form should help JPK but he hasn’t quite been up to his earlier standards of late.

Matthew Boyd (WBD) MID 528.1k
Boydy is priced well at under 530 grand, and as always has the potential to smash out massive scores and makes a great trade-in. A popular pick for a reason he is a quality player and looks set to be rise again in price this week by around 20 grand.

Matt Priddis (WCE) MID 547.2k
Priddis has risen in price a bit since he was suggested here a few weeks ago, but his last weekend score of 170 shows that he can still provide some value. Averaging 108 for the year he is set to rise around 25 grand this week, but more importantly is in some great form and can hopefully back up with another good performance.

RUCK
ROOKIE

Jake Spencer (MEL) RUC 113.2k
Spencer managed to sneak under my radar, and appears to now be on the bubble. Averaging 48 in his first two games he appears a solid cover player but I must admit I have no idea on his job security. One to research if interested.

MID-PRICERS

Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUC 499.1k
Jacobs is coming off a record-breaking game last week, absolutely dominating the ruck and racking up a tidy 146 in the process. Priced at just under 500 grand and averaging 100 he’s sitting about where he should be but the big score will bump his price by nearly 20 grand this week, making him better picked up early.

Jonathon Griffin (FRE) RUC 465.7k
Griffin has performed well while Sandi’s been out, again, and in his last game managed a nice 111 to go with his 95 average. A mid-priced prospect who could well finish out the SC season as the number 1 big man at Freo, Griffin should be considered again by those on a tight budget or those willing to take some risks.

PREMIUMS

Paddy Ryder (ESS) RUC 507k
Ryder is priced at just over 500 grand and is a great ruck choice in 2012, averaging 108 so far in a quality Bombers outfit. A Best Buys regular he could be a great pick to replace Giles with, and somewhat of a POD with all the Mullet love currently.

FORWARD
MID-PRICERS

Jordan Lewis (HAW) M/F 454.1k
Jordan Lewis continues to put in tradesman-like performances, not being overly flashy but getting the job done. His average for the year of 98 means his 450 odd grand price tag is a little unders, but then when you add in the fact that he’s averaging 107 over the last 3 games and he’s starting to look bargain priced. A great pick-up in the forward line and one of the top scorers.

Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 466.6k
NRoo is still hanging in there, not drawing too much attention to himself but managing to get the job done most times. Averaging 101 for the year and priced at under 470 grand he is a good cheap option to finish out your forward line. The Saints will be desperate to make the eight this year.

PREMIUMS

Paddy Dangerfield (ADE) M/F 511.6k
Paddy has had a good year in 2012, averaging 108 and providing some great run through the midfield for the Crows, and with their great draw this year he will hope to finish just as strongly. Priced on the cheap side he is looking likely to drop around 10 grand in price this week but a big game could well change that.

Matt Pavlich (FRE) M/F 543.3k
Belting out a massive 175 last week, the Pav may well be playing himself back into some serious form after a relatively slow season. A lot of people will be hesitant to pick any of Lyins men so he could be a valuable POD if he can keep his good form going. An average of 104 shows that even if he can’t, he should still score reasonably.

Paul Chapman (GEE) M/F 557.7k
Chappy is coming back into his best form, averaging 109 for the year and being a driving force for the Cats going forward. As M/F eligible he would be great for luxury cover, but is also scoring better than half of my forward line anyway and very worthy of a starting spot. Earlier injury concerns seem behind him.

Jarryd Roughead (HAW) R/F 532.5k
Roughy is on fire at the moment, averaging 122 over his last three games, and now Buddy is out injured. When Franklin went off injured last weekend Roughy really stepped up, kicking a bag, and showing that he loves to play the leading forward. Hopefully these scores will continue for a while, and his MPP with the ruck could be very handy.

THE WAITING LIST
Tim McIntyre (ADE) M/F 94.7k 55*
Kurt Tippett (ADE) FWD 407.2k -13k
Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 534.6k -18k
Marc Murphy (CAR) MID 505.6k -41k
Dayne Beams (COL) M/F 589.1k -23k
Travis Cloke (COL) FWD 404.1k -14k
Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 620.4k -18k
Heath Shaw (COL) DEF 498.9k -10k
Steele Sidebottom (COL) M/F 542.2k -15k
Gary Ablett Jn (GCS) MID 624.4k -23k
Nathan Grima (NM) DEF 469.1k -22k
Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 583.4k -22k
Brendon Goddard (StK) D/M 475.5k -18k