Welcome once again to the Best Buys.

This week sees a lot of teams putting the trade cue back in the rack as they are safely ensconced in the top 8 in their leagues, however it also offers the last opportunity for those still battling it out for a finals berth to claim their spot. At this time of the year trades are invaluable, and a fair bit of thought needs to be given to all options and ramifications before they are used, as Greg Broughton has now shown. Last week the Stanton to Murphy was a popular trade, however those who used up their final trade and are now stuck with Broughton on the bench will be seriously unimpressed.

This week the pick of the week from me is Marc Murphy, the SMurph. After an injury induced lay-off he came back into some serious form in his last game and on current price is as cheap as chips. As Carlton fight for finals, and look to bring some starting 22 players back into the line-up, SMurph will be leading from the front and a major catalyst for the finals push.

I am also now on twitter, so follow me @BlueBelieverTS for notifications on when the Best Buys article goes up each week, and occasional injury info from the clubs.

For the info on SMurph, and the rest of the Best Buys, join me over the break.

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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 players 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
ROOKIES

Tom Bell (CAR) DEF 104.7k
Tom Bell has made a big impact for the Blues in his first 2 games, and as a midfielder in AFL playing a defender in SC he should continue to score well in the games he plays. Averaging 84 in his first two games his job security is still an issue but he has certainly made the most of his chances to date.

Sam Frost (GWS) DEF 130.7k
Frosty is now on the bubble for the Giants, averaging a decent 66 over his first 2 games and looking likely to continue to get game time. At this stage of the year you would only be looking at bringing him in to generate some cash and get cover, and hopefully he will suffice for both.

MID-PRICERS

Heath Scotland (CAR) D/M 499.3k
Scotland is still doing what he does, floating across half-back and through the midfield and racking up some good SC scores in the process. Scotland can have quiet games from time to time as opposition teams attempt to curb his influence, but he is still a reliable scorer. Under 500 grand for a short time only, a certain bargain.

Brendon Goddard (StK) D/M 431.1k
Goddard is more than likely in pretty much all SC teams now, so I won’t go into much detail here. The key point is that he is an SC star, and currently priced at around 430 grand.

PREMIUMS

Andrew Carrazzo (CAR) D/M 506.7k
Carrots is continuing in his vein of good form since his return from injury, averaging 113 over his last 3 games and remaining a key part of the Carlton midfield. At just over 500 grand on current form Carrots is a great buy and should finish out the season a leading SC defender.

Heath Shaw (COL) DEF 533.8k
Heater, while occasionally frustrating, has continued to be one of the leading SC defenders in 2012. Averaging a healthy 107 for the year and priced at around 530 grand he offers some decent value, but if he can keep up his current 3 game average of 121 he is a defensive must have.

MIDFIELD
MID-PRICERS

Marc Murphy (CAR) MID 493.3k
SMurph came back into form with a bang last week, belting out a huge 160 point game and immediately causing some regrets for those who considered trading him in but didn’t. The Blues match-up with Sydney this weekend will be the decider of their finals hopes and they will be expecting big things from SMurph.

PREMIUMS

Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 519.6k
Sloane has had a break-out year this year, but is still overlooked by many due to his midfield-only eligibility. Averaging 110 for the year and priced at just under 520 grand he could be a great POD option for SC finals.

Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 602.7k
Pendles has been solid this year, without quite dominating the way most hoped he would pre-season. His elite 126 average for the year shows that he is worth his 600 grand price tag, but going by the current form of other, cheaper, options and the fact most already have him he may be best left out for a POD option instead.

Dane Swan (COL) MID 617.2k
Swannie is in a similar boat to Pendles currently, clearly an elite midfielder in SC and racking up a great average of 125 for the year, but a very popular choice and in a lot of teams going around already. That certainly isn’t to say he isn’t a good option or won’t score well, however he may not give coaches the edge they’re looking for come finals.

Jobe Watson (ESS) MID 573.1k
Jobe has had a great season this year, averaging 122 so far but more importantly keeping his hammies intact. Priced at about 575 grand he isn’t cheap, and is also a popular choice this year, but after recent Essendon form will be looking to salvage their year. Said form could be an issue however, so you’d want to be quite confident in the Bombers to pick him up now.

Gary Ablett Jr (GCS) MID 638.7k
Gazza is still Gazza. Sound familiar? That’s cause it’s still true, he’s still Gazza. Averaging a massive 151 over his last three games the permacaptain is showing why he’s priced at almost 640 grand, but for those without him the price tag can’t hurt as much as the points lost each week to those that do. Amazingly even priced that highly, his season average of 136 means he still represents some great value.

Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 554.4k
Ducky has been good this season, averaging 121 for the year and not missing many games to date through head-knocks or suspensions. A key part of the Cats finals drive he is also a major component to many SC teams, and as a popular pick will not be a POD if picked, but it will stop him from being a POD for your opponents.

Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 564.1k
JPK has returned to some good form recently, after a great start to the year then a bit of a mid-season slump. Averaging 120 for the year, and priced at around 565 grand he is on the cheap side, but with plenty of potential to go large.

RUCK
MID-PRICERS

Todd Goldstein (NM) RUC 499.7k
Goldy has been in good form recently, and with HMac still out for a while should hopefully continue to be. Priced at just under 500 grand, his 3 game average of 110 puts him into contention for those looking for a solid, cheaper ruck option. North look to be in the box seat for a finals berth, but will want to be firing on all cylinders to keep up the momentum.

PREMIUMS

Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 548.1k
The Mullet has returned after a short break, and didn’t seem to miss a beat. Averaging 114 for the year in his break-out season, the Tigers have grown to rely on the big man and his SC scores have been indicative of this. Capable of the big scores we’re all after, Maric has been an excellent pick so far this year.

Nic Naitanui (WCE) RUC 526.7k
NicNat has broken out properly this year, regularly showing off his freakish athletic abilities and taking over the mantle of West Coast’s number one ruckman. Priced at around 525 grand and averaging a solid 112 he is tipped to increase in price by around 25 grand this week, so now is the time to get on.

FORWARD
ROOKIES

Levi Casboult (CAR) FWD 113.2k
Levi is another young Carlton player on the bubble this week, playing up forward and helping out from time to time in the ruck. Averaging 41 for his first 2 matches he has shown some decent form, without setting the world on fire. Warnock may edge him out of the side on return.


MID-PRICERS

Clancee Pearce (FRE) M/F 480.9k
Clancee Pearce, the answer to my twitter question earlier in the week, has been absolutely smashing it of late. Averaging 127 points over his last three games, priced at just 480 grand and mid/forward eligible he has a lot going for him, but know that Ross Lyin and his team of SC-destroying cronies lurk in his shadow. A big risk for finals, but one that may pay off, with Broughton out for the rest of the season though no-one really knows what Ross is thinking.

Paul Chapman (GEE) M/F 477.9k
Chappy has been solid this year, in a season many tipped him to drop off to the point of irrelevance his 103 average must be seen as a win. As the Cats gear up for their finals run, as only Geelong know how, Chappy and his sub-480 grand price tag could be a valuable addition to many teams and should not be ignored.

Jordan Lewis (HAW) M/F 498.6k
Lewis has been good this year, without being great, averaging 99 but with the added benefit of some mid/forward action as well. A reliably solid player and a good choice so far, the Hawks recent form must also be considered a positive. With Hodgey back in the side Lewis may get some more space, but he may also less of the ball from his teammates.

Nathan Fyfe (FRE) M/F 446.6k
Fyfe was a lock for many SC sides pre-season this year, until his troublesome shoulders gave out and he missed the majority of games. On return last weekend he showed how he earned his favouritism with a great first up game back, however this didn’t equate to big SC numbers. Not only are his shoulders a concern, Lyin and his tomfoolery will remain an issue, but for those coaches looking for a big risk/big reward type player Fyfe could be your man. Not my cup of tea personally, but could mean the difference for some come finals.

Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 460.5k
Roo has been good this year, without quite being great. His current price of around 460 grand reflects this, but his average of 101 for the year shows he is still capable of being a leading SC forward. A cheap and capable choice, the Saints are still in contention for the finals this year and Roo will be looking to lead them to it.

PREMIUMS

Paddy Dangerfield (ADE) M/F 539.9k
Dangerfield has been a stand-out performer this year, averaging 111 points over the season, and 127 over his last 3 games. The Crows have got a great finals run and should score well, with plenty of the pie available for Danger.

Dayne Beams (COL) M/F 601.6k
Beams is another player enjoying his break-out year, and whilst currently priced at the high point of his spectrum at just over 600 grand his form over the last few games has been more than worth the price. Averaging 136 over his last three games, his yearly average of 114 is certainly nothing to sneeze at for a forward option either.

Cyril Rioli (HAW) FWD 557.4k
Cyril has been in great form recently, averaging 122 over his last 3 games, however his price of almost 560 grand is also reflective of his current output. Put on the “never again list” by many SCers due to his history with hamstring problems he could be a great POD for finals and will be overlooked by many. He certainly has the output right now, but his hammies will remain to be a concern.

Jarryd Roughead (HAW) R/F 526.7k
Roughy has been good since his return from a nasty Achilles injury, with ruck/forward eligibility and an average of 104 he offers some good value for those contemplating him. Best selected as a forward, with the new trading rules he offers some great coverage flexibility if a ruckman goes down for the count.

Ryan OKeefe (SYD) M/F 563.6k
ROK has hit a purple patch of late, averaging a great 134 in his last 3 games, and showing why he was the pick of the Best Buys a while back. Sydney are looking to close out the year with the minor premiership, and seem to be in the form to do it.

WAITING LIST
Stephen Wrigley (BRI) DEF 94.7k *39
Alex Browne (ESS) DEF 113.2k *50
Elliott Kavanagh (ESS) MID 106.6k *26
Luke Hodge (HAW) MID 530.8k 86 -18k
Matthew Boyd (WBD) MID 542k 111 -19k
Frazer Dale (CAR) MID 94.7k 18 -2k