Normally I try to put a positive spin on things, be optimistic, and look at the lighter side of SuperCoach, but I have to say this week really sucks for fantasy footy. With only 8 teams playing on the weekend there really are very little good options around, and most reading this will likely already have a decent few of them in their teams. This has led to a greatly shortened Best Buys, with only a few choices making the grade and in some positions just the one solitary player. Luckily the waiting list is reasonably healthy, so if you can afford to spend a bit more cash than is strictly necessary there are still some good options here for most SC sides.

The Best Buy of the week is one that many of you have been waiting for some time now for, Sam Mitchell. After an injury relatively early on in the year sidelined him for a decent chunk of games he's now back in action, and as his 100+ in his last game showed he appears to back to full fitness and ready for SC finals. As cheap as you'll likely find him, D/M positioned and generally a great pick in all forms of fantasy footy, I can't really see why anyone would go past him at this stage.



DEFENSE
ROOKIES


Daniel McStay (BRI) DEF 140.5k 41 +27k

McStay did his job in round 17, getting on the field and keeping his average from the first 3 games at 41. As the only rookie option in the Best Buys this week McStay is still priced affordably at 140 grand, and will be facing a price rise of about 27 grand after his next game. Risky, but there are very limited options this weekend.

MID-PRICERS





Sam Mitchell (HAW) D/M 412.8k 89

SMitch will likely be the most popular player brought in this week, not just because he's the Best Buy either, and is already sitting in around 29,000 teams. A bargain basement price of just over 410 grand certainly helps, along with his D/M status, but with a price rise of only 9 grand on the cards for his next game he could be waited on for another week quite safely. An out and out gun, a lot of teams have kept a trade just to bring him in now he's fit and firing again.

PREMIUMS





Jarrad McVeigh (SYD) D/M 519.2k 105
McVeigh is almost a regular in the Best Buys this year, and with a price of 520 grand for his 105 average is pretty much spot on for value at the moment. While Malceski has taken some of his limelight in recent weeks McVeigh has been consistent all year, as attested by his 95,000 selections so far. The Swans are really flying at the moment, and with McVeigh spending plenty of time in the guts and clearing up off halfback he's a solid and relatively safe bet.

MIDFIELD
MID-PRICERS





Jaeger O'Meara (GCS) MID 525.7k 102

O'Meara is back on the list again, with Gaz obviously still out and an average of 120 from his last 3 matches he looks like a solid POD option for SC finals. Playing the Lions this week in a big game for the Suns and their finals aspirations, the young star can be expected to put on a blinder. May face a tag from Rocky, but should still easily hit the 100 mark for his 19,000 coaches.



Brett Deledio (RIC) MID 472.1k 94
Lids has had a down year this season, averaging 94 to date and bringing his price down to currently sit at around 470 grand. For a player of his talent and drive there's clear value to be had, but many coaches will still be worried about his output from here on out. A 112 in his last game shows some promise, and the Tigers look to have finally found some form in the last few weeks. With only 5,000 selections so far, Lids makes for a great finals POD.

PREMIUMS





Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 640.1k 124

Rocky was the only other contender for Best Buy this week beside SMitch, but at a price of 640 grand probably isn't even in the same ball park when comparing value. He is however, a POD in only around 34,000 sides while being the 3rd highest averaging player of the season, even though he's missed a few games through suspension. Averaging 141 over his last 3 games and returning to the field this week, for coaches with some spare cash Rocky really just needs to stay on the field from here to be a good pick for many.



Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 579.7k 112

Sloane has been great this season, stepping up to the plate to deliver a 112 average for the year and an even better 122 from the last 3 games. With around 20,000 selections so far he's a decent POD still, and will be fighting hard for a spot in the top 8. Costing a bit much for his average at 580 grand may put a few off, but as his recent form suggests there's still plenty of room for improvement.



Trent Cotchin (RIC) MID 579.6k 104
Cotch has had a much quieter year so far than many were expecting, but that may well be changing. Averaging 137 from his last 3 games he's clearly shown what he can produce, but just needs to find some consistency in both his performances and the support of his teammates. Around 42,000 sides have kept the faith with Cotch, and a fair few more may well bring him in for the run home to SC finals.

RUCK
MID-PRICERS





Stefan Martin (BRI) R/F 450k 105
The only ruck selection for the Best Buys this week, Stef Martin has been outstanding so far for his near 65,000 selectors. Now priced at 450 grand he's still very cheap for his average of 105, and is looking at another price rise this week of around 10 grand. His versatility as a R/F was a key reason many brought him in to begin with, but his numbers have elevated him to a near must have for most teams.

FORWARD
PREMIUMS





Luke Parker (SYD) M/F 562.7k 105
Parker re-joins the fold this week, after a 123 last outing and a potential 20 grand price rise on the way. Averaging 105 for the season he's the only forward option, besides Martin, to make the cut this week and is already sitting in almost 60,000 sides, but for what he's offered so far this season and the lack of options this week he's certainly worth a look for those yet to bring him in to their side.

REGULARS





Patrick Dangerfield (ADE) M/F 505.8k 107

WAITING LIST





Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 628.6k 126 -10k

Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 587k 119 -9k

Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUC 630.5k 112 -21k

Nick Malceski (SYD) DEF 563.9k 105 -9k

Kieren Jack (SYD) MID 511.4k 104 -10k

Dustin Martin (RIC) M/F 558.2k 103 -11k

Pearce Hanley (BRI) D/M 527.7k 94 -21k

Lance Franklin (SYD) FWD 553.1k 94 -21k