Hi again, and welcome to the second last Best Buys for the season.

For the final 2 Best Buys Ill be ignoring the regulars, and instead focussing on the POD options available. I figure that if youre still alive in overall or your finals then you probably already know that Gazzas a gun, and dont need me continuing to tell you so. So over the break I will look at some of the players to sneak under the radar so far this season, and studiously ignore the Lids and Dangers of the year.

My tip of the week this week is Rory Sloane, a break-out player racking up some very good numbers in a top side. Ignored by many for his Crows companions in Dangerfield and Thompson, Sloane is a good chance to score big and has a great run home to help.

I must admit when I took on the Best Buys at the start of the year I didnt realise quite how much went into it, or how much Id learn from doing it. Thank you all for your support and comments, and for pointing out the things Id missed, as this sort of interaction is what really makes this place what it is.

So, for all the Best Buys and the usual thumbs/polls etc, 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
Tim Golds (GWS) D/M 113.2k
Golds has broken into the GWS side for the last couple of games of the year, averaging 28 and set to increase his price by only 5 grand or so after his next game. As with all rookies at this stage of the season, he may well not get many more games but can still be useful for freeing up some cash.

Nathan Blee (PTA) DEF 106.6k
Blee has now managed two games for the season in the struggling Port outfit, which is probably a worry really, but again can be useful in generating some money for an upgrade elsewhere. Just don’t be too surprised if he gets dropped again this week or next.

Luke Brown (ADE) D/M 106.6k
Luke Brown has been fairly good in his first two games, averaging 36 but looking comfortable at the elite level of football. Adelaide have an excellent run in the last two rounds of SC2012, and if he keeps getting games he should probably score fairly well

MID-PRICERS
Grant Birchall (HAW) DEF 458.2k
Birch has been good this year, averaging 97 and priced at just under 460 grand he represents some good value and his only real concern is The General striking in the final rounds. Great efficiency in a player still quite young, he will also be one to consider starting next season.

Jed Adcock (BRI) DEF 431.6k
Adcock has been up and down this season, hitting some impressive scores but then failing to back them up. His recent contract negotiations now put to bed, and Brisbane having a great run home, will hopefully mean he can deliver for the last two rounds.

Shannon Hurn (WCE) DEF 389.9k
Hurn has also been up and down this season, which is probably made evident by his sub-390 grand price tag for a yearly average of 91. His cheap price and good potential output make him one to strongly consider this week.

Beau Waters (WCE) DEF 488k
As loathe as I am to include Beau in the Best Buys again, after his “5-week” injury cost me a donut then my final trade before he made his return the week after, but averaging 101 as a defender priced under 490 grand makes him hard to ignore. The burn factor here is still fresh, so many other coaches could well overlook him also.

MIDFIELD
ROOKIES
Brendan Lee (ESS) MID 94.7k
Brendan Lee, where was he at the start of the year? Now on the bubble after averaging 76 in his first two games he is looking at a price rise of around 75 grand after his next match. Probably the best of the rookie candidates this round, but too late to be anything other than cover at best.

Lin Jong (WBD) MID 114.7k
Linsanity has officially struck, the youngster averaging a healthy 62 in his first two games in a struggling side, and showing plenty of good signs while doing so. A hard at it midfielder of decent size, the Dogs have snagged some nice players over the last couple of years now in Dahlhaus and Jong.

MID-PRICERS
Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 491.2k
Rory deserves a look in after his good form this year, averaging 107 playing alongside Dangerfield and Scotty T is no mean feat, but Sloane has managed it and is still priced under 500 grand. Not many coaches have him, but he certainly has the ability to score big in any given game.

Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 415.9k
Rocky is another player to have a good season, but with some serious ups and downs along the way. Averaging 102 for the year he has shown some good signs, and the Lions run home should treat him well.

Dale Thomas (COL) MID 424.6k
Daisy has been a strange one this season, with so much talent going around the Pies engine room he has struggled to make an impact in many games, but has still been solid enough and influential in a couple. Barely anyone has him now, so his POD value must be fairly high, obviously though a POD is only effective when they score well.

Ryan Griffen (WBD) MID 495.2k
Griffen is coming off the back of a monster 170 point game on the weekend, and will be looking to carry that form into the last two games of the SC season. Priced at just under 500 grand, his potential ceiling as recently demonstrated shows he is currently good value, and can hopefully keep the big numbers coming.

PREMIUMS
Jack Redden (BRI) MID 508.2k
Redden has flown under the radar for a while now, playing for a struggling Lions outfit and never really exploding with huge scores he is a certain POD, and is putting up decent numbers. Averaging 102 for the year at just under 510 grand, the Lions last couple of games should help him out with some decent scores.

Bryce Gibbs (CAR) MID 516.8k
Gibbs has been a strange one this year, tipped for a break-out year during pre-season he really hasn’t delivered, and Ratts’ insistence on changing his roles each week hasn’t helped much either. Only averaging 95 for the season the last few weeks has seen Gibbs playing a role we are more accustomed to seeing him in, and this has helped push his 3-game average up to a very nice 131. Big POD, and certainly worth a look.

Chris Judd (CAR) MID 546.8k
Juddy is back in business, and looking to lead the Blues into the finals series. While he didn’t light it up in his return game last weekend, he is Chris Judd, and can generally be relied upon for consistent solid scores. After his suspension lay-off most coaches who did have him have probably traded him out.

Brock McLean (CAR) MID 506.3k
Brock has been a revelation this year, originally covering for some of the more established Blues stars he has cemented his spot in the side with some great form of late, and will be desperate to hold his spot in the side for the finals and 2013 season. Averaging 101 for the year and priced at just over 500 grand his value is about right, but his more recent form warrants a closer look.

James Kelly (GEE) MID 531.5k
Kelly has been solid for the Cats this year, the blue-collar type midfielder has provided the drive for many of their forward attacks and has slipped under the radar in the shadows of Joel Selwood. Averaging 104 for the year he is no SC slouch, and priced at around 530 grand he is currently on value.

Andrew Swallow (NM) MID 537.8k
Swallow hasn’t really stood up to expectations this season, while certainly not spudding it up after his stellar 2011 he hasn’t quite delivered on what was shown. As such he has been overlooked by the vast majority this year, but his numbers and North’s recent form show he is certainly worth a look. Averaging 111 for the year at under 540 grand he is a great POD and every chance to light it up in the final two rounds.

Shane Tuck (RIC) MID 562.8k
Tucky has had a break-out year this year, but has avoided too much SC attention due to his pricing. Now priced at just over 560 grand he is about on value for his 113 average for the season, but has shown the ability to go 130+ with some regularity. A certain POD, unless you’re playing in Merton.

Kieren Jack (SYD) MID 588.6k
Jack is another midfielder on a break-out season, who has also been overlooked by many in the SC world. The Swans have been in great form, with Jack certainly assisting this as his 115 average will attest, a great option for those looking to take a risk without gambling too much.

RUCK
MID-PRICERS
Ben Hudson (BRI) RUC 433.6k
Huddo has been good for the Lions this season in Leuey’s absence, managing to average 95 for the year while currently only being priced at around 430 grand. Great value, and last two matches for the season against Port and the Doggies should give him a chance to rack up a few more hit-outs.

Aaron Sandilands (FRE) RUC 456.1k
Sandi snuck back onto the field over the weekend, causing a fair bit of controversy and securing a big 8 votes in the coaches award. While he is still a monster of a man, he also still has big toes and still plays for Lyin. Huge risk, but may be worth it.

Todd Goldstein (NM) RUC 488.9k
Goldy has been solid after generously sharing his points with HMac for most of the early season, and as the sole ruck recently has been showing good signs. North’s form certainly hasn’t hurt him either, but a big match this weekend against Sandi and co will be the real decider.

PREMIUMS
Ben McEvoy (StK) RUC 531.6k
McEvoy started the year fairly poorly, but has since slowly built his form to now culminate in an average of 105 for the season. A POD after a certain Saints supporter warned everyone off him pre-season, McEvoy’s scores have benefitted from the lack of a real back-up ruckman at Saintsland.

FORWARD
ROOKIES
Fletcher Roberts (WBD) FWD 106.6k
Roberts has played two games for the Dogs, averaging 34 points and is expected to rise in price by around 16 grand this week. This is really all the info I have on this young bloke, so I’ll just have to say that like the other rookies, he’s probably best only looked at to make some cash.

MID-PRICERS
Taylor Walker (ADE) FWD 479.2k
Tex has been in and out of the Best Buys this year, but looks to be back for the final two rounds. Averaging 97 and priced at under 480 grand he offers some good value, and has a great run home. If the rumours around Tippett are true, which I’m starting to believe they are, the Crows may well look to Tex as their primary forward target.

Tom Hawkins (GEE) FWD 496.5k
The Tomahawk is in some great form of late, bringing his years average up to a decent 95 and is still priced under 500 grand. Of note he is tipped to lose almost 30 grand after his next game, but at this stage of the season not many will care. A finals specialist from last season, Tomahawk is turning it on at the right time as the Cats charge home.

Drew Petrie (NM) FWD 486.6k
Petrie is another player to be in and out of the Best Buys, showing some great signs over the season but never really backing them up consistently. Averaging 98 at a price of under 490 grand, if the Roos can continue to play the same football they have been lately, then big Droopy could make a huge difference for finals.

Adam Goodes (SYD) M/F 431.1k
Goodes has been up and down since his injury comeback, and most recently was up with a big 120+. Priced at just about 430 grand he is as cheap as he will ever be, and has the talent to go big, particularly in clutch games. As far as POD’s go he will be a popular one, but still one nonetheless.

PREMIUMS
Harley Bennell (GCS) M/F 502.8k
Bennell has carried his great first-year form into his second season, averaging 96 in a team that weekly gets pumped. Priced now at just over 500 grand for coaches after a real POD, a second year premium player from GCS is about as POD as you can get.

Ryan OKeefe (SYD) M/F 565.2k
ROK had a great match on the weekend, racking up the possessions with Goodesy and generally running riot. A consistent player ROK can generally be relied upon for decent scoring and his years average of 103 gives you a solid idea of what to expect, and hopefully he can really turn it on for the finals.

WAITING LIST
Piers Flanagan (GCS) MID 113.2k 20*