<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16.363636016845703px;]Welcome all to the (delayed) Best Buys for round 9.
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<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16.363636016845703px;]There are a few tasty options going around the traps this week, and none more so than the Best Buy, Nic Naitanui. Nic Nat has been in good form since his return from injury and booted the match-winner last week to grab himself a very nice score, and is at a cheaper price than he started. The ruck/forward will be a very popular target this week, and for good reason.
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<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16.363636016845703px;]The Buddywhack part, which you may have notice in the title, is a side note on just what difference a week can make in fantasy football. For the coaches that couldn't resist the lure of Buddy against the Giants last week and brought him in over Priddis, planning on nabbing Priddis this week instead, that's a $35,900 difference right there. Buddy did score 2 points more over the weekend however, and I'm not saying that it wasn't a risk worth taking, merely pointing out the cost. In this game it seems that these are the decisions that will make or break a team, the ones that need to made each and every week.






DEFENSE
ROOKIES



Jackson Thurlow (GEE) DEF 124.5k 81 +74k
The young Cat has looked pretty impressive in his 2 AFL games so far managing an 81 average, meaning this week he is on the bubble and looking likely to rise a healthy 74 grand in price. With a lot of the defensive cash cows now seeing pretty high break-evens, namely the Port ones, Jackson will be a popular trade in target this week.



Jimmy Webster (StK) DEF 115.9k 59 +47k
Webster has also looked fairly good as a defensive rookie now on the bubble, however he hasn't quite managed the numbers of Thurlow and is only looking at around a 47 grand increase. His job security at the Saints remains to be seen, but his numbers haven't been too bad.



MID-PRICERS



Garrick Ibbotson (FRE) DEF 453.5k 100
Ibbo has been like a surprisingly large amount of Fremantle players this year, he seems to be able to pump out the odd massive game but then follows it up with some poorer ones. Still managing a solid average of 100, and currently sitting around 50 grand below that average in price, if he can keep up the same numbers even if they aren't too consistent he will still be worthwhile and a tasty POD with only 7,000 picks so far.



Bachar Houli (RIC) DEF 492.8k 97
Bachar was a smoky pre-season pick for a few coaches this season, and while he hasn't paid off exceptionally well to date he does look like being a solid performer. Averaging 97 and priced at about the right mark with Grimes out now for the best part of 2 months Bachar will again be one of the tigers main routes out of the backline, with only 12,000 selections this season he also offers good POD value.



Paul Duffield (FRE) DEF 496.2k 97
The Duffman was tipped by a fair few to be the beneficiary of Broughton's departure over the season this year, however he started relatively slowly before now starting to gain some momentum. A fair few SC coaches will be wary of Lyon's defenders, or players in general, and Duffield does seem to be affected by consistency issues. Could be worth a punt with around 17,000 selection to date.



PREMIUMS



Pearce Hanley (BRI) DEF 537.9k 113
Hanley is the number 1 backman in SC this year so far, and by a decent margin. 7 points per game in front of BJ and still priced at least 20 grand under his average he looks good value and should be a popular trade target, especially as he's still in under 40,000 teams.



Brendon Goddard (ESS) D/M 528.4k 106
Goddard is still a leading defender, thanks as always to his trusty DPP status. One of the more consistent Dons so far this season the few who waited for his price to drop before selecting should be bringing him in fairly soon.



Shannon Hurn (WCE) DEF 505.2k 95
Hurn continues to be an SC-only player, benefitting from the efficiency side of the game while not really racking up the possessions. At an average of 95 and priced at just over 500 grand he is priced pretty fairly, and is still in less than 12,000 teams this year.



MIDFIELD
ROOKIES



Jordan SCHRODER (GEE) MID 144.5k 56 +36k
Schroder seems to go alright so far, averaging 56 for the Cats to bring him to the bubble he is looking at about a 35 grand price rise. Uncertain job security and a relatively low average to date will probably mean he is overlooked by most.



Elliott Kavanagh (ESS) MID 139.1k 51 +30k
The Kav has now reached the bubble, averaging 51 and facing a 30 grand price rise. Internally the Dons seem to rate this kid a fair bit, so he looks to be a decent option. Probably not the fastest burner, but if he can hold his spot he should see some decent returns.



MID-PRICERS



Sam Mitchell (HAW) MID 545.9k 113
The arbitrary cut-off point of 550 grand for premiums in the midfield has this week seen a trio of quality midfielders drop into the mid-priced category, and they are headed by Sam Mitchell. Averaging a very solid 113 and looking likely to maintain it, SMitch has been the driving force behind the Hawks engine room this season and with Hodge's return to form he should see less attention from here on. Under 35,000 coaches have brought in SMitch thus far, but that number will surely rise considerably as coaches upgrade.



Ryan Griffen (WBD) MID 544.9k 112
Griff started the year on fire before being struck down with injury, and some poor games, before bouncing back and once again offering the points. Now averaging 112 and priced at a bit below that average he is once again looking good POD value, as he has only racked up around 3,000 selections, and warrants at least a look.



Brett Deledio (RIC) MID 544.8k 112
Lids may be trailing Cotch by 5 points per game so far this season, but that doesn't mean he isn't still a valuable pick-up. Averaging 112 and priced a bit under that he is a classy player and an essential part of the Tigers midfield mix, and will probably rise by around 30 grand this week making it ideal timing to snag him. Lids has currently around 30,000 picks to Cotch's 72,000.



Nathan FYFE (FRE) MID 536.4k 110
Fyfe has once again been teasing fantasy coaches with his good form and amazing potential, but as always it will be a nerve wracking affair for those with him in their side each and every time he takes the field. Averaging 110 and offering decent value, Fyfe is one of the stereotypical high-risk high-reward options which hasn't stopped his 44,000 coahes.



Richard Douglas (ADE) MID 513.4k 107
Douglas has been a surprise packet this season, averaging 107 in a generally poor Adelaide team, and bumping his price up to over 510 grand. While he certainly offered better value earlier on, he still offers a solid POD choice with only 1,500 odd selections to date, and if he can continue with this level of scoring will surely be one to watch.



Michael BARLOW (FRE) MID 492.8k 105
Barlow has been solid, without yet being spectacular. With Freo's upcoming run of games however, he could really take off and start blasting out the 120's. Averaging 105 and still priced at under 500 grand his 11,000 coaches are banking on some big ones to come.



PREMIUMS



Gary Ablett (GCS) MID 695.1k 135
Gazza is looking like dropping around 8 grand in price this week, but that will probably not stop many potential coaches from bringing him in. He is still the permacaptain, and is still a lock for your side.



Josh P. Kennedy (SYD) MID 598k 122
JPK has been up and down this season, after building expectations with his excellent form last year, but is still averaging on the right side of 120 and looking at rising around 25 grand this week. With the Swans looking a force again his form should hopefully remain around this level, and his 64,000 picks so far is relatively meagre considering he's now the 3rd ranked mid.



Jobe Watson (ESS) MID 571.3k 119
Jobe is in a similar position to JPK, having come into this year on the back of a stellar season last year he has struggled with consistency, for an elite player anyway, but is looking great value on price. Likely to rise around 20 grand this week, Jobe is in around 70,000 teams so far.



RUCK
ROOKIES



Jarrod Witts (COL) RUC 115.9k 37 +18k
Witts is a massive kid, and when he gets some consistent games and opportunities in the ruck he should be a genuine force for the Pies. Now on the bubble averaging 37 and facing a near 20 grand price rise he could be worth a look, but isn't really screaming out to be selected.



MID-PRICERS



Matthew Leuenberger (BRI) RUC 443.2k 96
Leuey has done the job for a lot of coaches so far this season, just under 100,000 of them as of this week in fact, but is still offering some value and could still be a worthwhile addition for a fair few squads. Priced at under 450 grand and averaging a solid 96 after his comeback from injury, he might just be worth keeping for a bit longer.



PREMIUMS



Todd Goldstein (NM) RUC 586.5k 115
Goldy continues to perform in the main ruck role at North, dominating the tap work and improving his work around the ground. Surprisingly he is still only in around 31,000 squads, but on form should be in a whole lot more.



Will Minson (WBD) RUC 548.5k 115
There isn't much to say about Wilbur that I haven't already done so, much positive at any rate. Now matching Goldy for average over the season this year and continuing to be the leading fantasy player out West he is still offering decent value and a solid POD option with only 11,000 picks so far.



Nic Naitanui (WCE) R/F 575k 95
Nic Nat looks to be uninjured and raring to go, belting out a 142 on the weekend in a match-winning performance while dropping around 35 grand to make it just that bit easier for everyone to grab him this week. While he will probably drop another 3 grand this week, his price seems to have pretty much bottomed out for now. In 12,500 teams going into this weekend, I'd be betting he'll be in closer to 4 times that by the end of it.



FORWARD
MID-PRICERS



Mathew Stokes (GEE) FWD 479.1k 101
Stokes has been in ripping form recently, bringing his average up to over the 100 mark and earning himself some reasonable press attention in the process. Still priced well for his average he will be 20 grand more expensive after next week, and may well have another solid outing against Port this weekend. Currently in only about 12,000 teams and offers some good POD value.



Jack Riewoldt (RIC) FWD 459k 93
JRoo still looks to be decent value, but will still need to lift his game. When on song he is capable of monster scores, but these have been few and far between this season unfortunately. A calculated risk at under 460 grand, and with only around 30,000 selections, he will surely finish out the season averaging 100+.



Jordan Lewis (HAW) M/F 466.1k 91
Lewis is looking good value now at around 465 grand, even though his 91 average for the season to date is somewhat underwhelming. A proven performer he will likely enjoy the Hawks upcoming fixture and is certainly worth a look as a POD with only around 11,000 selections so far.



Lance Franklin (HAW) FWD 443.1k 89
Buddy now looks to have bottomed out, hopefully for the season, and at under 450 grand he's certainly a tasty prospect. While he hasn't exactly come back to form with a bang, managing only a 107 against GWS on the weekend, surely it's only a matter of time before he's back to his 110+ scoring ways.



PREMIUMS



Brent Harvey (NM) M/F 511k 123
Boomer is now on the bubble after his return from a lengthy suspension, and the 35 year old looks to be refreshed from the break so far. Averaging an excellent 123 in those 2 games he is priced well below his average, but keep in mind that he won't be likely to manage to keep these 120+ scores rolling. On the other hand, a 105 average from here on out is a decent possibility, which most would take for their forward line any day of the week. Currently in 6,5000 odd teams.



Dustin MARTIN (RIC) M/F 571.2k 112
Dusty looks to have been working on his ability to finish out games this season, and his fantasy scores have seen the benefits. Averaging 112 and facing a near 10 grand price rise this week he looks reasonable value on current from, but is actually priced slightly overs for his average. Most coaches are fully aware of Dusty's prodigious talent, it's just a matter of how long he can keep serving up full 4 quarter games for his 90,000 or so coaches.



Jimmy Bartel (GEE) M/F 547.9k 109
Jimmy boy continues to be a solid pick in the forward line of a lot of SC teams this year, and continues to annoy the ones who haven't yet grabbed him. He is still somewhat inconsistent, with both huge games and shockers, but at the end of the day he keeps the points rolling in and his average is up there with the leading forwards. Around 83,000 coaches are riding the Abrtel train to date this year, and again that number is likely to rise.



WAITING LIST
Matt Spangher (HAW) FWD 128k 84*
Brent Staker (BRI) D/F 128k 73*
Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 643.5k 128 -19k
Kane Cornes (PTA) MID 557.9k 120 -11k
Trent Cotchin (RIC) MID 596.7k 117 -20k
Dane Swan (COL) MID 593.5k 115 -28k
Dean Cox (WCE) R/F 567.1k 112 -21k
Andrew Walker (CAR) 545.9k 111 -19k
Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 607.4k 118 -6k
Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 545.5k 110 -15k
Andrew Swallow (NM) MID 553.9k 109 -22k
Patrick Dangerfield (ADE) MID 621.5k 109 -12k
Ben McEvoy (StK) RUC 550.8k 109 -10k
Jefferey Garlett (CAR) FWD 525.6k 104 -7k
Daniel Hannebery (SYD) MID 504.1k 103 -19k
Travis Cloke (COL) FWD 495.3k 102 -29k
Michael HIBBERD (ESS) DEF 499.6k 99 -19k
Dyson HEPPELL (ESS) D/M 469.4k 96 -9k
Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 497.4k 97 -18k
Beau Waters (WCE) DEF 499k 94 -22k
Grant Birchall (HAW) DEF 436.4k 94 -28k
Hamish Hartlett (PTA) DEF 437.2k 90 -29k