Goodbye Gary. As much as it hurts to say, with Ablett's shoulder injury on the weekend he really has to be traded. This will put some serious pressure on many SC teams, around 3/4 of them actually, and especially those like mine that are running critically low on trades. On top of that, a fair chunk of the players who are averaging well so far are either out this week as well or facing reasonable price-drops, making this week all the more difficult for fantasy footy. So who do we bring in for the Little Master? I'd start with Nathan Fyfe.

Fyfe is an out-and-out gun, averaging 120+ for the season and so far even keeping his shoulders attached, making him an ideal candidate to try and fill the Gazza void. The Dockers are enjoying a good run, are pushing for a top 4 finals berth, and will be bolstered by the return of Pav this week as they take on the Giants, followed by the Saints and Blues. Their run gets tougher over the final four weeks of the year playing Geelong, Hawthorn, Brisbane and then Port, but Fyfe has the ability to go 120 in each of those matches regardless.



DEFENSE
ROOKIES





Daniel McStay (BRI) DEF 117.3k 37 +18k

The Lions may have taken things a little too literally in their efforts to replace the young players who went home last season, recruiting Daniel McStay in the hope that he might stick around for a while in Brisbane. Luckily for SC coaches that's a good thing, with the young defender now on the bubble. Averaging 37 with a price tag of 117 grand means McStay is facing an 18 grand price rise after his next game, and with any luck he can keep getting on the field to provide some cash and cover for his prospective coaches.

MID-PRICERS





Andrew Mackie (GEE) DEF 459.4k 92

Mackie is a risky pick, as with many this week, averaging 92 for the season and priced at around 460 grand. The Cats are looking to finals and Mackie will continue to be a key to their structure, but does have the potential for quiet games. Sitting in around 6,000 sides Mackie has good POD credentials, but will need to be at his best to offer really good value.



Matthew Jaensch (ADE) DEF 395.5k 87

Jaensch has been solid this year, albeit somewhat quieter in recent weeks. This has brought his price down to under 400 grand, and for a bloke averaging 87 that's a pretty nice price to bring him in on. Last weekend he only managed 19 touches in a game where the Crows nearly doubled the Giants score, but with an amazing 100% disposal efficiency still topped the 100 and showed how good he can be. Currently in around 38,000 teams, this weekend's game against the Hawks could be pivotal in indicating what to expect from Jaensch over the remainder of the season.

PREMIUMS





Pearce Hanley (BRI) D/M 518k 97

Hanley looks to be back to his pre-injury best now, averaging 97 for the season and 107 from his last 3 games. Costing just under 520 grand and sitting in 43,000 sides he isn't much of a POD but has certainly shown that he can score with the best of them. Looking at a price rise of around 25 grand after his next game, those still looking for a defender would do well to consider the Irishman.



Jarrad McVeigh (SYD) D/M 513.7k 103
Even less of a POD than Hanley, McVeigh started the season strongly and has made his way into over 90,000 sides so far. Averaging 103 and priced at 513 grand mean McVeigh is pretty well priced, although he may drop a couple of grand after his next game. The Swans are on a real roll at the moment, and McVeigh is exactly the type of player to help keep it going.

REGULARS





Jimmy Bartel (GEE) D/M 546.5k 107

David Swallow (GCS) D/M 518.3k 107

MIDFIELD
MID-PRICERS





Nick Dal Santo (NM) MID 541.7k 111

Nicky Dal seems to be enjoying his new defensive fantasy role, although unfortunately in SC he remains a MID only. Don't let that put you off however, as he still stacks up pretty well against the midfielders around the same price. Averaging 111 for the season with a price of 540 grand makes him decent value, but the Roo's really need to find some consistency as a team. Sitting in around 16,000 sides NDS has decent POD value, and will be looking at a price rise of around 18 grand after his next game.



Marc Murphy (CAR) MID 524.7k 109

SMurph is back in the Best Buys again this week after a solid outing against the Saints, though he does look like dropping a few grand in value after his next match. Averaging 109 for a price of 525 grand is good value however, so don't write him off just yet. 38,000 teams have backed him in so far, and even with the Blues struggling this season he should still finish out the season strongly.



Steve Johnson (GEE) MID 505.3k 109

Stevie J has had a quiet run over the last while, but after starting the season on fire this has only brought his average down to 109. This has also brought his price down to just over 500 grand, and after a 119 on the weekend he's facing a 17 grand price rise after the next match. Around 42,000 sides have kept Stevie J, and now with Ablett in serious doubt a fair few more will likely jump on as he is nearly 50 grand under-priced for his average.



Michael Barlow (FRE) MID 547k 108

Barlow has been overlooked by many this season, averaging 108 for the year to date but still only getting a gig in 9,000 sides. Even better is his 116 average over his last 3 games, to go with his price of a bit under 550 grand. Freo look to be back in finals form stringing together a run of good wins, and former fantasy favourites like Barlow are leading the charge.



Trent Cotchin (RIC) MID 540.7k 104

Cotch has been a bit disappointing for many of his 39,000 coaches this year, but after a 133 on the weekend he looks to be making amends. Averaging 104 for the season overall and priced at 540 grand he isn't especially good value, but with a price rise of 35 grand on the way and his obvious potential he will likely tempt a fair few teams this week.



Jaeger O'Meara (GCS) MID 499.2k 101

With Gaz out it seems only right to include at least one Sun this week, and after his 143 on the weekend O'Meara is the man. Priced pretty much spot on for his average so far at 500 grand and 101 respectively, the 16,000 sides that have him will be hoping those kind of numbers can continue in the little masters absence. A player well ahead of his years both skill-wise and physically, O'Meara may cop more tagging attention but has the ability to keep performing regardless.



Mitch Duncan (GEE) MID 509.9k 99

Duncan is one of a few Cats to seemingly swap scoring on a regular basis, averaging 99 for the season and 109 over his last 3 games. Only 4,000 teams have picked him up so far, making him a solid POD option, and with a price tag of 510 grand he has decent value to boot. A fair few of the Cats younger midfielders are starting to shine this year, and Duncan could well lead the pack by season's end.



Levi Greenwood (NM) MID 544.6k 96
Greenwood is again in the Best Buys this week, after pumping out a 140 in the win over the Hawks to bring his season's average up to 96. On its own that isn't particularly special, given his price tag of 544 grand, but when you consider his scores have only dropped below 100 once in the last 8 games you get a good idea of what he has to offer for the risk takers. Still in under 2,000 sides.

PREMIUMS





Nathan Fyfe (FRE) MID 639.3k 121

Fyfe pumped out a 142 over the weekend, bringing his average up to 121 for the year and into the Best Buy position for this week. With Gaz down for possibly the count this season and Fyfe so far only making his way into 57,000 sides to me he's the perfect alternative. He is on the pricey side, at 640 grand, but that's still 30 grand less than you'll get for Ablett. An obvious star and still on the rise Fyfe is possibly the best player at the Dockers, and should finish the season as strongly as they do.



Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 593.3k 118

JPK makes the Best Buys this week as another Gaz alternative, even though he is facing a 16 grand price drop this week after his 72 on the weekend. That aside, he's averaging 118 for the season and priced at about 595 grand putting him squarely where he should be on numbers alone. For those with good cover it might be best to wait a week, but if you already have Pendles and Fyfe, then JPK is most likely the next best option.



Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 567.8k 113

Sloane went large on the weekend as the Giants focussed on Dangerfield, scoring 143 to bring his average up to 113 for the year. This will bring with it a price rise of around 15 grand after his next game, and with his current price of just under 570 grand this means if you're interested you should grab him sooner rather than later. Only around 11,000 teams include Rory so far, giving him decent POD value, and the Crows are starting to play some pretty good footy.

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REGULARS





Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 640.4k 129

RUCK
MID-PRICERS





Stefan Martin (BRI) R/F 419k 106

Everyone's new favourite ruckman could well be about to get more popular again with the announcement that Leuey had an Achilles issues on the weekend in the reserves, and the same one that cut short his season in 2012. Martin is now averaging 106 for the season, is a R/F and costs 420 grand, making him great value on all fronts. With 62,000 selections he isn't a POD, but should still make for an excellent F6 and cover-swingman.



Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 479.6k 89

Maric is a POD alternative for those still looking for a ruck, sitting in under 2,000 sides currently after injury issues stalled the start to his season this year. Averaging 89 with a price of 480 grand puts him a little overs, but with an average of 105 from his last 3 games he's shown he could still be worth the coin.

PREMIUMS





Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUC 629.1k 113
Sauce has been on fire over recent weeks, with his 108 on the weekend the lowest score he's had over his last 5 games for an average of 132 over that same period. This goes a fair way towards explaining his 630 grand price tag, considering his season's average of 113, but with around 31,000 sides backing him in he also has a bit of POD value and is looking the goods to top score for the rucks over the remainder of the year. The Crows are fighting hard to stay within touch of the top 8, and finals, and the form of the big man Jacobs will be vital for their finals aspirations.

FORWARD
ROOKIES





Mitch Honeychurch (WBD) M/F 117.3k 50 +35k

This week see's 2 rookie forwards on the bubble, with the best of these options looking to be Mitch Honeychurch. Averaging 50 from his first 2 games Honeychurch's 117 grand price looks likely to rise by around 35 grand after his next game, and he has shown plenty of potential to start his AFL career. As a M/F he offers a bit of extra flexibility, and should be a popular target this week for those with the trades to spare.



Blaine Johnson (CAR) FWD 102.4k 40 +25k
Johnson is the other forward rookie on the bubble, albeit with a slightly lower price and average of 102 grand and 40 respectively. Facing a 25 grand price rise after his next game, and doubts around players such as Waite and Garlett getting games, he could be a decent coverage option but probably won't be especially popular.

MID-PRICERS





Steven Motlop (GEE) FWD 452.7k 80

After impressing last season, and in the international rules series, Motlop seems to be coming back into form now after an injury lay-off earlier in the year. Averaging 80 for the season but a much nicer 109 from his last 3 games Motts is only in around 4,000 sides and looks a solid POD. Priced at 450 grand he will need to keep his numbers up to be worthwhile, but could well provide the edge for your team come SC finals.



Jack Gunston (HAW) FWD 458.1k 92

Gunston was a relatively popular pick early on in the year as coaches tried to figure out who would be kicking Buddy's share of the goals for Hawthorn. While he hasn't set the world on fire, averaging 92 for the year to date, his 144 in the loss to the Roo's shows the ones who picked him were on the right track. Now in around 25,000 sides and costing 460 grand Gunston isn't the best forward going around, but is at least looking like increasing his price by around 18 grand after his next game.


PREMIUMS





Robbie Gray (PTA) M/F 530.3k 107

Gray is again in the Best Buys, even though he might shed a few grand from his price after the next game. Averaging 107 for the season and priced at 530 grand he's still solid value, and his 40,000 coaches certainly wouldn't be complaining with his output to date. Port have hit a bit of a rough patch in the last few weeks, but that hasn't slowed down Robbie too much, and he could well finish the season with an average around 110 if they can recover for finals.



Luke Parker (SYD) M/F 531.4k 104
Parker continues to rub in the fact that many picked TMitch over him to start the season, pumping out a 151 on the weekend to bring his season's average to 104. Priced at 531 grand he may be slightly overpriced, but the 47,000 teams with him already in their side can expect another 23 grand price rise after his next game. Another forward who spends plenty of time through the midfield, Parker is certainly one to watch for next year and the remainder of this one.

WAITING LIST





Sam Mitchell (HAW) D/M 448.7k 87 -42k

Dion Prestia (GCS) MID 563k 108 -35k

Brent Harvey (NM) M/F 575.4k 109 -28k

Shane Mumford (GWS) RUC 575.4k 118 -19k