Hi all,

Its a day late, but in some ways, given the need to be prepared to deal with "The General", Best Buys really fits with waiting a bit longer to see the teams, then to work out the best options from there.

It is an interesting situation for quite a few teams.   Some teams in leagues are now having a weeks rest, but the same teams are in cut throat matches in very competitive leagues as well.   Do you trade or sit tight?   Its always a tough call to work out.   In the end, Id suggest you will need to try to pick your best team regardless.

If it means replacing someone this week who will certainly not play in one game from here, then might be the best option.

Ive also looked at the ticker.   Yeah, that device not that many go to, and even less understand.    Its worth a look.   Basically look at R22-R24 and if there is a nice red or golden outlook for your club and position then thats something very helpful.   If theres a white mark (bye) or anything in the blue and green, then there is considerable cause for alarm.   When theres 3 games to go, you need to be getting someone who will go Bang-Bang-Bang and not just one firework.   Didak looms haha.

So, in looking, there are some interesting candidates for good byes.   Im thinking that defenders are going to be most sought after given teams probably have some of Scotland, Gibbs and Enright to cover - and maybe Heppell at a pinch.

Again, its Johncock who appears the best of the options.   And a good run according to the ticker.   Stefan Martin has a good run according to the ticker, but his output has been cut since Jamars return.   So, for mine, if you dont have Stiffy and need to cover Enright-Gibbs or something like that, might be worth a straight Enright-Stiffy swap.

For the mids, well here you could be needing to cover players like Selwood, Bartel, Judd, Murphy - even Watson possibly on run home.   Scott Thompson is my push for a good candidate.   For my team a Chappy-Thompson trade will gain some money, and provide midfield coverage next week, and in the case of R24 General Soreness.   Not sure if its worth a straight swap, but its thinking outside the box.   And given Mzungu is stuck on that mids bench anyway, might be worth a roll of that dice in my team.

Id think Moloney and Beams are also interesting candidates to come with hot form on the horizon.   (And in Beams case in the recent past as well...121 in the past 3)

Forwards, well it seems like Cloke and dagger stuff.   Not many great options, some might need too much money, and not give the reward.   If you can get into the MPPs, then you have to look at Fyfe/Harvey as options, even though their run home isnt the best.   For those with a glittering future run, thats Sylvia for the bravehearts, or maybe Jack Riewoldt for those who can sense hes returning to his old self.

Rucks is an interesting conundrum because in quite a few teams theres Mr Petrie doing the job.   But by getting a better R2, you can release Droopy back to cover forward issues.   A ruck upgrade can therefore be a forward upgrade.   In other words you can replace your current F7 with a dominant R2.   With a trade at the ready, the one with a good run home is.... you guessed it ... Sandilands.

So, theres some interesting thoughts from me, but what are yours?

Happy trading and good luck in the leagues for this weekend!