This week in SuperCoach sees the completion of the first of the bye rounds, and some more carnage thrown in just for good measure. While many teams fared pretty well last week that all looks set to change, with this week looking like an absolute train-wreck for many sides. For the rest of us though, this round is shaping up to be the one where serious ground can be made up on the leaders with some astute selections and trades.

The Best Buy for the round is Luke Hodge. Currently the best scoring defender by average, although he did miss games earlier on in the season, the Hawks champ is in great form and offering plenty for prospective coaches. After their bye last week the Hawks should be well-rested and come out firing this week against the Crows in what should be a great match-up. With Adelaide playing some good footy Hodge will likely have plenty of opportunities to run the ball out of defense and up the ground, and could well be in for a big score.



Round 11: ADE, RIC, WBD, BL, CAR, HAW

Round 12: GCS, StK, SYD, COL, ESS, FRE

Round 13: NM, GWS, PTA, WCE, GEE, MEL


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DEFENSE
ROOKIES





Joel Hamling (WBD) DEF 123.9k 64 +52k
Hamling is the only rookie I see on the bubble this week that played in the last game, but at least he seems like a decent one. Averaging 64 from his first two games and facing a subsequent price rise of around 50 grand means if he can stay in the side then his 124 grand price tag is a pretty good buy.



MID-PRICERS





Tom McDonald (MEL) DEF 486.4k 106 18.7%

McDonald seems to be getting back to his early season form now, racking up 125 points against the Saints to bring his average for the year back up to 106. Now cheaply priced for that average, costing 486 grand, he faces a tough task against Geelong on the weekend before taking a rest. A gun player, but needs to be given the freedom to run off his man to make an impact on the SC scoreboard.



Bachar Houli (RIC) DEF 480.4k 103 6.8%

Houli had another good game in his last outing as well, knocking up 117 in the surprise win over the Dockers. Now averaging 103 and costing 480 grand he is the leading group of defenders, and looks like staying there.



Corey Enright (GEE) DEF 484.9k 96 2.9%

Enright had a monster game against the Power, scoring himself 142 points and another spot in the Best Buys. With an average of 96 and a price of 485 grand he is pretty well where he should be, but with a few more big games could be great value as a POD in under 3% of sides.



Rory Laird (ADE) DEF 475.5k 95 4%
Laird has really broken out this year, with the injury issues around Smith and then Jaensch he has taken a much bigger role in the Crows backline and it is showing in his numbers. Averaging 95 after his second 130+ score in a row and costing 475 grand. The main concern is he has already suffered a couple of concussions this season, but if you're tempted to bring him in and join the 4% of coaches that already have him then now is the time as he'll likely be around 30 grand more expensive next week.



PREMIUMS





Luke Hodge (HAW) D/M 544.2k 109 19.6%

Hodge is cementing his place as one of the leading defenders this year, and is currently the leading defender with an average of 109 for the season. He did miss some footy with suspension earlier in the year but hopefully that is behind him now and he can concentrate on playing good footy. Currently sitting in just under 20% of teams he is looking like one of the safer options around so far, and is the Best Buy this round with his bye now safely behind him.



Heath Shaw (GWS) DEF 556.8k 105 28.6%
Heater had another good game on the weekend, scoring a nice 127 to take his season's average to 105. So far he has managed to be fairly sensible this year, which is no mean feat for him, but as always it's safest to remain sceptical. Now in just under 30% of teams and a proven performer he just needs to stay on the field to be a great pick for his coaches.



MIDFIELD
MID-PRICERS





Dylan Shiel (GWS) MID 534.2k 112 13.2%

Shiel is putting in a career-best season, which isn't really that hard for a lot of Giants but still good for us. Priced at just 534 grand for an average of 112 means he is good value, and in around 13% of teams currently. If GWS are to make the finals for the first time Shiel will be a key, but with Mummy now done for the season that remains in doubt.



Trent Cotchin (RIC) MID 540.7k 107 5%

Cotch also had a good game against the Dockers, like many of the Tigers did, in his case knocking up 123 points to bring his average back to 107. At 540 grand he is pretty well priced and a bit of a POD sitting in only 5% of teams. If the Tigers can get a run-on like last season he will be an excellent pick, and likely to increase in value by almost 20 grand this week alone.



Scott Thompson (ADE) MID 490.8k 107 3%

Scotty T is in interesting form so far, after exploding early on he dropped off a bit to reduce his price but his 108 in the last game shows he's still a valuable player. Averaging 107 for the year for a price of just 490 grand is great value, and with only 3% of teams backing him so far he has some good POD value. The return of Sloane may effect him going forward but they seemed to play together pretty well earlier.



Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 484.5k 102 4.6%
Speaking of Rory, here he is. Facing a 9 grand price drop after his next game isn't ideal, but currently costing around 485 grand is pretty close to it. Averaging 102 for his 4.6% of teams he is good value when fit, and if he can get back to his early season form he's a steal considering he has now likely bottomed-out.



PREMIUMS





Brad Ebert (PTA) MID 581.2k 112 6.9%

Ebert had another good game on the weekend, scoring 128 points in the loss to Geelong. Priced at 581 grand he is a little overpriced for his 112 average but not by enough to hold off on bringing him in. Currently in around 7% of teams he is still a POD, and facing a price rise of around 15 grand, and the Power will need him to stand up to get their season back on track.



Callan Ward (GWS) MID 567.5k 110 4.8%
Ward is still benefitting from his monster game the other week, with his average now 110 and his price looking likely to increase by 20 grand after his next game. Still in under 5% of sides he has good POD value, but again will probably suffer from Mummy's absence. Looking good value at the moment, even if slightly overpriced at 567 grand, a fair few coaches will likely still be hesitant about chasing points by bringing in the Giants skipper.



RUCK
PREMIUMS





Todd Goldstein (NM) RUC 554.3k 113 35.5%

Goldy definitely appears to be back in form again, pumping out another 130+ on the weekend to bring his average up to 113 for the season. Luckily, for those that don't have him anyway, his earlier slump has only served to lower his asking price. Now costing 555 grand with another 20 grand increase on the way, his 35% of coaches will be glad they backed him in.



Mark Blicavs (GEE) M/R 529.4k 105 17.1%

Blicavs continues to impress, this time with a big 132 points against Port. Now averaging 105 for a price of 530 grand he is decent value without being great, but has been serving his 17% of coaches well so far. A gun of the future, playing in probably about his 5th season of footy at any level, he has plenty of room for improvement and the potential to go with it.



Nic Naitanui (WCE) RUC 527.5k 97 28.1%
Nic Nat had a monster against Essendon, as a few coaches predicted he would, pumping out 147 points and bringing his season's average up to 97. Now a bit overpriced at 527 grand he is still in 28% of teams, and those teams will be hoping he can play against a side with no ruckman every week. Slowly building back to form after some long-running injury issues, Naitanui will be a beast when he gets back to being fully fit.



FORWARD
MID-PRICERS





Max Gawn (MEL) R/F 339.8k 108 *118 +53k 1.9%

He might not be a rookie, and certainly isn't priced as one, but big Maxy is Gawn no longer. On the bubble after his second game of the year, and one in which he scored 118 points no less, Gawn is looking great value if he can stay on the park but is obviously fairly risky in regards to consistency. Averaging 108 from his first two games and surprisingly sitting in almost 2% of teams he still has great POD value, and is facing a price rise of over 50 grand after his next game, but like many here today will have the bye next round.



Chad Wingard (PTA) FWD 496.6k 97 6.7%

Wingard is coming back into some nice form now, scoring a big 138 points to take his average back to 97. Costing just under 500 grand he is priced appropriately for his average, and has some good POD value sitting in under 7% of teams. With Gray taking plenty of attention, and some points, Wingard should have a bit more freedom then last year but will also need to keep pumping out big numbers to match it with his colleague.



Shaun Higgins (NM) D/F 478.3k 92 16.8%
Higgins scored another 100+ on the weekend, something his 17% of coaches were really hoping for, and he now looks to be settling in well at Arden Street. Costing under 480 grand with an average of 92 is about right, but his D/F eligibility should add to that value for most coaches. With Wells now apparently in doubt to return at all this year Missy should keep getting plenty of opportunities up forward, and hopefully can continue to convert them.

PREMIUMS





Shane Edwards (RIC) M/F 504.7k 103 1.3%
Edwards has been in and out of the Best Buys, and is once again in after scoring 107 points against Freo. Averaging 103 for 504 grand shows he's decently priced and has good potential, and is sitting in just 1.3% of teams so has plenty of POD value for the risk-takers. Like the other Tigers this week a lot of value is based on their recent performances and the fact that they have already had their bye, but personally I would expect a few coaches to grab Edwards this week.

REGULARS





Dustin Martin (RIC) M/F 569.2k 109 43%

WAITING LIST





Gary Ablett (GCS) MID 734k 103 -58k

Robbie Gray (PTA) M/F 594.4k 115 -26k

David Armitage (StK) MID 571.9k 113 -22k

Josh J Kennedy (WCE) FWD 517.3k 101 -24k

Matt Priddis (WCE) MID 612.4k 114 -12k

Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 572.6k 105 -15k

Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 486.2k 103 -13k

Jordan Lewis (HAW) MID 516k 104 -11k

Brodie Smith (ADE) DEF 339.8k 76 -20k

So as always good luck for the upcoming round and hopefully you can make up some good ground on the leaders. For all the trade discussions and poll requests join us in the comments sections below.