As SC finals are just around the corner trades are increasingly valuable, especially for those with none left unfortunately, and the right decisions now are what can make the difference between ultimate glory and another off-season of mockeryfrom your mates. With so much fluctuating form between players in recent weeks many coaches have struggled to maintain their momentum, and fair few will likely be tempted to try and make a couple of luxury trades to solidy their positions in the top 4 or 8 of their respective leagues. As always the Best Buys are here to attempt to guide you through these difficult decisions, but as with every other aspect of SC the numbers can only tell you so much. At this time of the year success is often based more on luck and intuition than anything else, so more than ever coaches should always go with who they feel happy with rather than simply the players suggested the most by others.

The Best Buy for the week this week is Ben McGlynn, who has found some excellent form lately and seems to be avoiding much of the attention his companions such as Luke Parker are now receiving. Some big scores in his recent games have pushed him to prominence here, and with a very small number of selections to his name offers some great POD value. The coaches with the ability, and time, to play the loophole game this season are sure to be rewarded well, and McGlynn appears to be a good contender for this with only one Sunday game remaining on his schedule.

Also apologies for the formatting this week if there are any issues, time constraints have forced me to use and older version of Explorer and I really have no idea how it'll turn out.


DEFENSE

ROOKIES

Luke Thompson (ADE) DEF 162.5k 54 +25k

Luke Thompson remains in the Best Buys rookies this week, with not a huge amount of options and a reasonable price after bursting his bubble last week. Costing just over 160 grand and averaging 54 for his first few games at the top level he is facing a price rise of around 25 grand this week and has good potential for bench cover if he can stay on the field.



MID-PRICERS

Kade Simpson (CAR) DEF 462.9k 98

Simpson has continued to perform recently, which has generally been the case this season when Walker has missed games. A solid player who spends a fair amount of time sweeping up off half-back Simmo is averaging 98 for the season but can pump out 120's with some regularity. Around 42,000 sides have already got Kade sitting in their backline, and a few more will likely bring him in over the SC finals. Facing a price rise of around 23 grand after his next game it shouldn't be long before Simpson is back over the 500 grand price mark.



Sam Mitchell (HAW) D/M 413.7k 87

After missing last weekend, and costing a fair few teams a donut, SMitch may not be in a lot of coaches good books currently. With a cheap price of not much over 400 grand he is easily capable of scoring 110+ when he does play, but you'll most likely want to wait to hear on whether he is actually playing this week before bringing him into your side. Currently sitting in just under 60,000 teams SMitch isn't really a POD but still has plenty of value to offer if he returns to the Hawks side.



PREMIUMS

Pearce Hanley (BRI) D/M 567.3k 102

Hanley has been a bit of a star for his 50,000 odd coaches in recent weeks, backing up his huge game against the Suns 2 weeks back with a very handy 119 in his last outing. Averaging 102 for the season and priced at around 570 grand he isn't the best value if he stays around that average but has certainly shown he can pump out the big scores when it matters. After this weekend he will likely top the 600 grand mark, so for those still considering him now might be the time to bring him in.





REGULARS

Jimmy Bartel (GEE) D/M 467.2k 102



MIDFIELD

ROOKIES

Jack Crisp (BRI) MID 189.9k 97 +77k

For a rookie on the bubble Crisp has put out some very impressive numbers in his opening 2 games for the season, averaging 97 over the 2 and facing a price rise in the region of 75 grand after his next game. One of only two midfield rookies likely to get a game this week he will most likely be a popular downgrade for those still with trades in hand, and if he can continue to perform could offer excellent bench coverage to boot. The Lions have been performing a bit better as of late, and many will be hoping this can continue for at least the next few games.



Alex Woodward (HAW) MID 123.9k 46

Woodward is the second midfield rookie on the bubble this week, and although his average over his first 2 games is only around 45 he did manage an 83 in his last match to show some decent potential. Facing a 27 grand price rise after his next game and currently costing a reasonable 124 grand he could offer decent value, but prospective coaches would need to be pretty confident that he can hold his spot in the side once a few of the better known Hawks make their return.

MID-PRICERS

Steele Sidebottom (COL) MID 573.9k 111

Sidebottom has been in excellent form lately including a score of 130 in his last game, and with a season's average of 111 has been a solid performer for most of the season to date. Costing around 575 grand he isn't as cheap as he could be, but obviously his recent big games account for a lot of that inflation. With only 3,000 selection so far he is an excellent POD risk, but obviously will need to keep his scores up over 110 to make that risk worthwhile. A handy player when firing, and a probable good loophole option for the remaining games of the year.





PREMIUMS

Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 678.4k 127

After his massive efforts against the Ablett-less Suns Rocky had a quieter match in his last game, only scoring 113 to bring his average for the season back to 127. That's still a mighty impressive average however, and I'm sure his 41,000 coaches won't be too disappointed with his output so far. Missing games has been his major issues this season, but with a bit of luck and a fair breeze he could easily play out the rest of the SC year. Costing just under 680 grand and facing a minimal price rise this week, Rocky is almost a must have but for those with more pressing concerns elsewhere he can probably be waited on for another week before trading him in.



Nathan Fyfe (FRE) MID 642.9k 123

Fyfe rewarded the many coaches to back him in as VC/C against the Blues, pumping out a 171 and renewing the concerns about an ineligible player leading the Brownlow count at season's end. Averaging 123 for the season to date and proving himself just as capable up forward as in the midfield his price of around 640 grand offers decent value, going by recent form, but with 85,000 picks to his name isn't a POD unless you're one of the coaches not to have him so far. A gun player and in a Fremantle side striving for top 4, you can expect Fyfe to keep on keeping on with big numbers over the final few games of the year.



Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 623.2k 119

Ducky rebounded nicely in his last game, scoring a 148 to bring his season's average up to 119. Priced at 623 grand he is around the mark for what he can offer, but with over 100,000 selections so far is one of the more popular players going around. Most are predicting Stevie J will get the Crowley tag this week, after going to him the last 2 outings with considerable success, however if they choose Selwood to take the tag instead then he may be in for a quiet one.

Callan Ward (GWS) MID 602.6k 117

Cal Ward remains one of the better POD's so far this season, averaging 117 for the year and sitting in only around 17,000 teams. Priced at just over 600 grand he isn't the cheapest player around, but has only had a few games this season that would be considered poor by most. Scoring a 136 in his last game and playing North on the weekend, who have struggled to contain star opposition players this year, he should be every chance to once again go large and provide a solid edge to those with him in their side.



Matt Priddis (WCE) MID 606.1k 113

Priddis has picked up his game as of late, especially after the Selwood injury, and has now brought his price up to 606 grand and his average to 113 for the season. While not offering great value going by those numbers alone, he has been in better form recently and remains a POD in under 10,000 sides. The Eagles run home from here is a bit of a mixed back, but Priddis has shown his ability to perform against the better teams already. Another good loophole option for those with trades up their sleeves.



Michael Barlow (FRE) MID 566.7k 110

Barlow has been solid this season, without quite reaching the heights of previous years. Averaging 110 and costing around 565 grand he is around the mark price-wise, but with only 12,000 picks to his name has considerable POD value on top. Facing a small price rise this week of only around 6 grand and in a big match against the Cats, he could easily be waited on for another week to see how he fares against fellow top-4 contenders.

REGULARS

Dayne Beams (COL) MID 582k 118





RUCK

ROOKIES

Cameron Wood (CAR) RUC 162.6k 82 +65k

Cam Wood has performed well in his opening 2 games for the Blues, with the exception of the last 2 minutes against the Dockers. That poor judgement however could easily cost him his place in the side, with Malthouse generally very critical of simple errors at crucial stages of the game. Costing just over 160 grand and averaging 82 he looks like a solid bench and downgrade option, but he is another player that will need to be monitored to ensure he's playing again this week before pulling the trigger on him. If he does play, and can maintain his current average, Wood is most likely facing a price rise of around 65 grand next week.



MID-PRICERS

Stefan Martin (BRI) R/F 499.6k 109

Big Stef Martin continues to rack them up, averaging 109 for his year to date and increasing in popularity every week. Now sitting in around 68,000 sides and priced at almost 500 grand on the dot he still offers good value, and again is an excellent option as a swingman between the ruck and forward lines. Facing a price rise of around 25 grand after his next game, and playing Adelaide at the Gabba, he may not go huge this weekend but should still be a more than worthwhile inclusion.

Nic Naitanui (WCE) RUC 498.7k 88

Nic Nat seemed to return to form after a slow start to the season with injury, but after a few poor games was once again written off by many in the SC community. However after scoring a 133 in his last game, without big Coxy taking the number one ruck spot, he could still provide some solid value for those looking for a bit of a POD. With around 25,000 picks to date he isn't a massive POD, for a ruckman, but still certainly has nowhere near the numbers of some other options like Martin or Sandi.

PREMIUMS

Patrick Ryder (ESS) RUC 528.1k 101

Another POD ruck option, and probably much more so, is Paddy Ryder. Sitting in around 10,000 sides so far and averaging 101 over the season his price of under 530 grand is around the mark, and with a 117 last weekend against the Swans showed he is still capable of good scores even against the top sides. With a price rise of around 18 grand on the way he probably won't offer as good a value again this season, and the Dons are every chance to win their remaining regular season games.



REGULARS

Aaron Sandilands (FRE) RUC 503k 111





FORWARDS

MID-PRICERS

Justin Westhoff (PTA) FWD 477.7k 91

The Hoff bounced back into form on the weekend with a 120 against the Pies, and with Wingard receiving considerably more attention this season looks to be the one to watch at Port for SC finals. Priced at under 480 grand but only averaging 91 for the season he isn't the best value pick going around, but with only around 12,000 selections to his name is still a reasonable POD option. After his next game he will most likely top the 500 grand mark, so for those either desperate for another forward or keen to play the loophole game now looks like the best time to bring him into your side.



Jarryd Roughead (HAW) FWD 463.8k 93

Roughy has been up and down this year, much to the disappointment of his 53,000 coaches, but with Gunston injured last week and Roughy pumping out a 125 he looks like benefitting from being the main target up front for the Hawks. Priced at around 465 grand and averaging 93 for the year his big games have been big, and can offer a handy edge when he fires, but buyer beware he has also had some real stinkers. A tough run home awaits the Hawks from here, but they will be doing everything they can to lock in a top 4 finish.

Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 483.9k 91

Riewoldt started the season in excellent form, and after a quiet patch towards the middle of the season appears to be building once again. Now averaging only 93 and costing around 485 grand he doesn't appear the best value going around, but always has the potential to go large. With the retirement of club great Lenny Hayes looming on the horizon the entire Saints outfit can be expected to give it all in their remaining matches, but questions remain over whether that will be enough to net the big scores. Facing a price rise of around 33 grand after his next game, and currently sitting in 35,000 sides, Roo is a relatively middle-of-the-road POD type pick from here.

PREMIUMS

Ben McGlynn (SYD) FWD 509.7k 97

The Best Buy of the week after some excellent recent from, Benny McGlynn is a great POD option and has the ability to pump out big scores when his team needs it the most. Racking up 130 points in his last game and avoiding too much opposition attention so far McGlynn's 5,000 odd coaches would have to be reasonably pleased ( at the least) with how he's performed this year. Costing around 510 grand and facing a price rise in the neighbourhood of 20 grand after his next game, if he can continue to fly under the opposition teams' radar he could well be one of the better picks for the SC finals.



WAITING LIST

Matthew Pavlich (FRE) FWD 383.5k 83 -40k

Brent Harvey (NM) M/F 556.9k 109 -25k

Brendon Goddard (ESS) MID 501.5k 102 -22k

Dustin Martin (RIC) M/F 509.7k 100 -19k

Nick Malceski (SYD) DEF 528.4k 103 -15k

Steve Johnson (GEE) MID 565.1k 110 -11k

Luke Parker (SYD) M/F 565.2k 105 -11k