Shane Mumford. Giants. Sausages. 151 SC average.

Need I say more?

This week Mummy is the Best Buy, our first for the year, and as the top scorer in SC to date he probably won't be a surprise for too many. The Giants have been exceptional over the start to the 2014 season, thanks in no small part to the dominant efforts of their new number one ruck. For those that took the punt on him pre-season he has been rolled gold, but now the rest of the pack have caught up and are starting to eye off the big man his selection numbers are sure to skyrocket. Can he maintain this form? Can the Giants stay competitive? Will he continue to set world sausage eating records? None of these things are certainties, but going by form so far I'd say they're all decent bets.
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DEFENSE
ROOKIES


Jeremy Laidler (SYD) DEF 161.8k 76 +58k

Laidler had a brief sabbatical from senior footy in round 2, before returning to the Sydney back-line for their demolition of the Crows on the weekend. Still in around 82,000 sides his job security may not be quite what it seemed during the pre-season, but for coaches looking for a decent defensive rookie Laidler is still a solid pick. On the bubble and facing a near 60 grand price rise this week.



Kade Kolodjashnij (GCS) DEF 197.3k 60 +27k

KKolo didn't take long to make his AFL debut, coincidentally after a massive game in the reserves he slotted into the Suns team for round 2 and hasn't looked back. A higher priced rookie choice at just under 200 grand, his 60 average will see him with a modest price rise this week.



Angus Litherland (HAW) DEF 123.9k 18 -8k

Angus Litherland shouldn't be considered, but as he's on the bubble I thought I'd at least mention him. With an average of 18, he's looking like losing money this week.

MID-PRICERS





David Swallow (GCS) D/M 476.7k 121

Swallow continued to perform for his almost 90,000 coaches on the weekend, keeping his average up around 120 and bringing in just under 50 grand of value. As break-out contenders go, surely he has to be considered well and truly broken-out.



Shaun Burgoyne (HAW) D/M 483.4k 109

Burgoyne impressed once again on the weekend, and for around 480 grand he offers good value with his 109 average. With a probable 20 grand price rise this week his 13,000 coaches are likely to increase over the coming rounds.



Matthew Jaensch (ADE) DEF 364.6k 109

Jaensch has been a bit of a surprise packet so far, averaging 109 and bringing home an impressive 50 grand for his 15,000 coaches already. With the Crows struggling early on it will remain to be seen whether he keeps getting the points when their form improves, but so far the signs are all good.



Cale Hooker (ESS) DEF 445k 104
Hooker is another player to keep surprising us with his form, and with an average of 104 his 4,000 coaches are more than happy for that trend to continue. Still priced at under 450 grand and a certain POD, Hooker is a decent pick if he can keep his form at this level.

PREMIUMS





Pearce Hanley (BRI) D/M 525k 109
Hanley is one of very few premium defenders to have scored well so far, and after a couple of big games his average is sitting nicely on 109 and his price will increase by another 20 grand or so this week. With around 55,000 picks so far he isn't much of a POD, but there is safety in numbers I've been told.

MIDFIELD
ROOKIES


Josh Kelly (GWS) MID 212.3k 82 +52k

Even after his sub-affected first game, Kelly has lived up to his hype and managed an impressive 82 average in his first 2 games at AFL level. Priced highly as a premium&amp;rdquo; rookie selection he will need to average a bit more than others to make decent coin, but with a price rise of around 50 grand coming this week the odds are in his favour.



Dylan Buckley (CAR) MID 133.8k 60 +43k

Bucks has looked solid in the Blues line-up so far, even if the rest of the team hasn't. His average of 60 may not be the most impressive around, but with the cheap(ish) price of around 130 grand he shouldn't need to average that highly. Expecting a 40 grand price rise this week, and playing Melbourne, Bucks will be a fairly popular rookie selection this round.



Lin Jong (WBD) MID 157.8k 44 +16k
Jong has now been at the Dogs for a while, and his development is starting to become noticeable. On the bubble with a decent price of just under 160 grand and the Bulldogs looking good on the weekend add up to Jong making a decent POD pick. Only facing a price rise of 16 grand this week, so one that can be comfortably left for another week to watch.

MID-PRICERS


Adam Treloar (GWS) MID 523.8k 134

Treloar exploded on the weekend, pumping out a 176 and bringing his average for the year up to 134. The Giants have surprised a few pundits with their form so far this season, and Treloar's roughly 4,000 coaches will be hoping he can keep it going. 2 big scores out of 3 games for the season to date has the young Giant sitting nicely as a POD with great potential, with a 30 grand price rise on the way this week.



Oliver Wines (PTA) MID 447.7k 116

Wines continues to perform, averaging 116 for the year and offering excellent value for the 21,000 that picked him. Looking at a likely 20 grand price rise this week, after going up around 50 grand the previous week, also shows it isn't too late for those that want to jump on.



Nick Dal Santo (NM) MID 538.3k 114

Dal has been excellent for his new club, taking up a lot of the slack left by Swallow's extended absence. With under 10,000 selections so far he is a good POD, and his average of 114 has him up there with the better picks to date.



Steven Coniglio (GWS) MID 439.6k 110

Coniglio is another young Giant to stand up in 2014, one of several really, and with only 2,000 picks to date it seems he has surprised quite a few. After increasing in value by 40 grand on the weekend he can be expected to go up by another 30 grand this week, and with a 110 average to date he's looking like a real bargain so far.



Jackson Macrae (WBD) MID 384k 106

Macrae has been getting a fair bit of attention as of late, the mid-pricer has been in excellent form averaging 106 and starting at a basement price of around 330 grand. Last week he added another 50 grand to that price, and is expected to add another 35 grand this week, and with around 17,000 coaches taking the risk so far he has paid solid dividends.



Matt Thomas (RIC) MID 321.9k 104

Thomas had a down game on the weekend after many brought him in for his cash generation potential. Having 6-7 free kicks against and the same amount of clangers certainly didn't help his score however, so he can be expected to bounce back again this time around. Still averaging 104 for the season and looking at a 40 grand price rise, after this weekend's games Thomas will have likely added over 100 grand to his value this year so far. Still priced at under 350 grand however, and with around 33,000 picks, he may still have some good coin in him yet.

PREMIUMS


Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 662k 145

Ducky started the year on fire, and has maintained the rage with an average of 145. With around 33,000 selections he is somewhat of a POD, as of now anyway, but with his obvious scoring potential and only a 13 grand price rise on the way he should still find his way into many more sides.



Callan Ward (GWS) MID 551.8k 125

Ward, for me, is the surprise packet of the premium mids. With GWS' form so far he has excelled, as have a lot of his team mates, but somehow he still only finds himself in around 2,000 sides. With an average of 125, a price just north of 550 grand and obvious value, especially with Mummy on a tear, I'd expect him to be picked up by a fair few pretty soon. I may even make him my first upgrade.



Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 591.5k 125

After missing a week with suspension Rocky bounced back in a big way, scoring 155 for his approximately 16,000 coaches and proving he was worth the wait. A POD after the false start, and still priced at under 600 grand, Rocky has all the markings of a premium midfielder and isn't expected to change in price much this week for those who'd rather watch again.





Dion Prestia (GCS) MID 551.6k 124

Prestia has kept up with his fast start, averaging 124 and avoiding the tag. With only around 2,000 selections to date he's a strong POD candidate, and one that Sarah Island have rated for years. The uncertainty around the expansion clubs maintaining their form will continue, but for those willing to take the risk it could pay off in spades.

RUCK
ROOKIES


Daniel Currie (NM) RUC 123.9k 50 +33k

Currie makes up half of the rookie-ruck duo that graces the majority of (serious) SC benches to date, and with an average of 50 to go with his price of 120 grand he is nicely on the bubble this week. Risky job security, but with questions around Goldy's fitness and North's preferred Ruck/Forward structure he is still an ideal bench option.



Tom Derickx (SYD) RUC 123.9k 46 +28k
The other half of said duo is Derickx, averaging 4 ppg less than Currie but still looking great on the sidelines for many SC teams nonetheless. With Pyke handling the ruck load solo this year he is a decent bet to get a few games in, and provide solid cover with some cash generation on the side.

MID-PRICERS

Hamish McIntosh (GEE) RUC 361.9k 88
HMac started the pre-season in a lot of SC teams this year, after some doubts on his fitness he managed to stay in around 26,000 sides, and is repaying the faith for those coaches who grabbed him with an average of 88. Looking at a decent price rise of around 25 grand this week he has been overlooked in many forums, but if he can keep up his fitness and continue to play as the Cat's R1 he could still offer solid value.

PREMIUMS


Shane Mumford (GWS) RUC 565.4k 151
Mummy, the man of the week, and with an average of 151 coming off his 164 on the weekend he's currently the highest averaging player in SC this year. That's pretty damn good really, especially when you consider he has already increased in price by near 70 grand but is still only a touch over the 550 grand price barrier. Looking at another 60 grand increase this week and with a plethora of star young midfielders to feed the ball to, it's easy to see why Mummy is the Best Buy after round 3.

FORWARD
ROOKIES


Patrick Ambrose (ESS) FWD 102.4k 63 +56k

Ambrose duded a fair few coaches over the weekend, supposedly playing in the Sunday night game before not making an appearance and costing those that brought him in and straight onto the field. Shame really, as against a shocking Carlton team he had the potential to go big. Bargain basement priced at just over 100 grand and averaging 63, if he can get back into the side he will remain a popular downgrade option.



Lewis Taylor (BRI) M/F 137.1k 38 +28k (20k)

Lewy Taylor is another rookie on the bubble, although with an average of 38 he may still be left for another week by many. Priced around 35 grand higher than Ambrose but with obvious potential he remains an option for many, but will need to increase his output.

MID-PRICERS


Luke Breust (HAW) FWD 480.8k 116

Breust keeps on keeping on for the Hawthorn faithful, now averaging 116 and smashing it in the SC forward line. In only around 7,000 sides to date he is still a good POD choice, and with the Hawks looking a step above the rest so far he can be expected to continue to return solid numbers. Priced at 480 grand he's looking pretty good value right about now.



Paul Chapman (ESS) M/F 495.8k 116

Chappy has surprised a few by playing each game so far, and playing well enough to average 116. Touted for around 16 games this season he will remain a chance of being rested for probably the entire rest of the season, but for his 27,000 coaches he is providing the much needed points here and now. Just under 500 grand in price at the moment, so far Chappies hammies have stayed attached and apparently in good working order.



Cyril Rioli (HAW) FWD 476.7k 107

Rioli is starting to emerge, once again, as a solid SC option. Averaging 107 to date and looking in near career-best fitness he is a sneaky POD who hides in plain sight. Under 10,000 selection so far indicate the general SC populations wariness around him, but this could well be the year that Cyril really delivers.



Luke Parker (SYD) M/F 483.1k 104

Parker has taken the lead comfortably in the TMitch/Parker race that started in the pre-season, edging out his teammate with an average of 104. Priced at about 485 grand he still offers some decent value, and if he can continue to perform will reward his 10,000 coaches handsomely.

PREMIUMS


Brent Harvey (NM) M/F 570.6k 119

The Roo's evergreen forward has kept his momentum going in to round 4, leaving the rest of the oldies in his dust with an average of 119. With under 10,000 picks so far he is a good POD, but the reason so many have missed him so far, his age, isn't likely to improve any time soon. A gun SC pick for years now, it remains to be seen if he can prove his doubters wrong once again.

WAITING LIST


Ryan Griffen (WBD) MID 627.7k 56 -90k

Dane Swan (COL) MID 564.4k 74 -55k

Andrew Walker (CAR) DEF 572.5k -48k

Drew Petrie (NM) FWD 456.5k 36 -63k

Patrick Dangerfield (ADE) M/F 571.4k 93 -32k

Leigh Montagna (StK) MID 619k 101 -28k

Kieren Jack (SYD) MID 589.4k 92 -31k

Todd Goldstein (NM) RUC 566.4k 87 -33k

Ryan O'Keefe (SYD) MID 458.4k 43 -50k

Jimmy Bartel (GEE) D/M 551.1k 98 -22k
Travis Boak (PTA) MID 524.4k 76 -28k