<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16.363636016845703px;]This week in the Best Buys we take a look at the area that is currently causing the most concerns, the defense (as well as the others). Many strategists and leaders over time have stated that 'the best form of defense is a good offense', or similar words, however they obviously weren't talking about SC. After a large chunk of the popular choices were either ruled out with injury last week, or played only to get injured, a lot of teams are looking for a good defender (or two) to try and block some holes.
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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;]Heath Shaw makes himself the Best Buy for the week, after a promising performance in his last game and the recent injury of Toovey he appears to be playing a similar role to previous years and a more defined one to earlier in the season. Heater may have been better value last week, as a few pointed out in the comments section, but after a minimal price rise he's still looking good value.


DEFENSE

<strong style='font-size: 13.63636302947998px;]ROOKIES[/b]




Sam Docherty (BRI) DEF 115.9k 54 +40k

Whilst Docherty didn't get a game last weekend he is still on the bubble, and likely to rise by around 40 grand in price after his next match. The fact that he's already in and out of the side doesn't bode particularly well for his ongoing job security.





Justin Clarke (BRI) DEF 115.9k 52 +37k

Clarke on the other hand did play the last match, bringing him to the bubble, and he will probably be looking at around a 37 grand price rise. Crazy Vossy is still Crazy Vossy though however, and again his job security will remain in question.





Nick Vlastuin (RIC) D/M 159.5k 56 +31k

Vlaustin is on the bubble with impeccable timing, after issues with quite a few of the better defenders going around over the weekend, and looks a great downgrade target with his DPP. Vlaustin will likely be one of the main trade-ins to occur this week.




MID-PRICERS




Ryan LESTER (BRI) DEF 327.2k 121

Lester has come out of left-field to play his way into contention for more than a couple of squads this week. An uncomfortable price currently, his average of 121 in his first two games indicate a price rise of over 70 grand if he can maintain his current form. Great POD option for the risk-takers, as he is only in around 2,000 teams.





Michael HIBBERD (ESS) DEF 499.8k 106

Hibberd has kept on with his great early form, consistently scoring well and averaging 106 he looks to be the better choice between him and Heppell (and even BJ) so far, and is still in only around 16,000 teams. Great pick.





Charlie DIXON (GCS) DEF 482.4k 105

Charlie has generally looked great in the game-time he's had so far this season, but his injury concerns seem to be worsening knocking a bit off his potential value for most. If he gets a game this weekend and pulls up fine, he should still be good value.





Nick Malceski (SYD) DEF 476.4k 97

Malceski has been somewhat inconsistent to date this season, but still looks like pretty good value for his sub 480 grand price tag. Averaging 97 he isn't quite setting the SC world on fire, but currently in only 8,000 teams and playing in the backline he may seem a bit tastier this week for those with issues down there.





PREMIUMS




Heath Shaw (COL) DEF 504.4k 97

Heater made me look a bit silly last week, as I expected him to only return an 80 odd point score which he nearly had by half-time. The coaches that backed themselves and brought him in would be all smiles, as the majority of defenders put in poor games, and Heater is expected to rise another 20 grand or so after his next game. Always a bit risky due to his injuries and stupidity, if he stays on the park and in form he'll be a steal.





Heath Scotland (CAR) D/M 502.5k 92

Scotland also had a good game over the weekend, a rare thing for defenders, and with Gibbs still in doubt and Carrazzo unlikely to play he could well score well again this week. His age is an issue for many coaches, but when he's playing his preferred role he can still rack up the points. In around 14,000 teams to date this season.




MIDFIELD

ROOKIES




Zachary Williams (GWS) MID 96.2k 32 +16k

Zach Williams, I must say, I know next to nothing about so far. Averaging 32 in his first 2 games he is now on the bubble, and looking at around a 15 grand price rise. As I haven't heard much about him I can only assume he hasn't been a stand-out, and his average reflects this, however those looking for a midfield downgrade this week might find some value in looking into him further.





MID-PRICERS




Travis Boak (PTA) MID 543.2k 115

Boak has been great so far this year, averaging 115 and showing why the Port faithful rate him so highly. Leading from the front and competing hard he looks like a good POD choice, overlooked by many he is currently in under 10,000 squads.





Daniel Hannebery (SYD) MID 530.1k 111

Hannebery still looks the goods for a break-out year, averaging 111 in a strong Sydney outfit he seems to have benefitted considerably from the extra attention on JPK this season. Still priced roughly 20 grand unders he offers decent value and a strong POD with around 16,000 coaches selecting him so far.




PREMIUMS




Gary Ablett (GCS) MID 689.1k 136

Gazza seems determined so far to prevent as many fantasy coaches as possible from trading him in, again pumping out another 130+ score just when he was looking affordable. The problems with defenders will probably once again prevent a few from bringing him in this week, but if you manage to swing it without much collateral damage he's surely the safest bet.





Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 648.4k 135

Pendles has moved into second place on the SC leaderboard for 2013, behind the little master, and is still offering some good value. Averaging only 1 point less than Gaz he is also 40 grand cheaper, and in some 60,000 less teams. While still not a POD by any stretch, he could be a valuable source of points against those yet to grab him for a couple of weeks to come still.





Andrew Swallow (NM) MID 562k 116

Swallow has been fairly consistent this year, while not racking up the 150+ scores he has been averaging a healthy 116 and driving much of the Roo's offensive pushes. A clearance specialist he usually scores well in SC and North will be hoping to notch up a few more wins in their relatively easier upcoming fixture. Currently in 20,000 teams if North can start winning more he is a good chance to improve his average to near 120.





Patrick Dangerfield (ADE) MID 571k 106

Dangerfield has now started to come good, after a very disappointing start to the season that saw many coaches drop him from their side. His 65,000 current selections mean there will continue to be a lot of fantasy pressure on him, and without gaining some more consistency I'd steer personally clear of him as somewhat of a negative POD. Has amazing potential, but the Crows haven't looked the same team as 2012 so far this season.





RUCK

ROOKIES




Jack Hannath (FRE) RUC 109.5k 58 +47k

Hannath is another young rookie that I'm yet to hear much about, playing in the Freo ruck in his first 2 games he has averaged a solid 58 and is facing a near 50 grand price rise after his next game. The continued absence of Sandilands throws some doubt on his longer term job security, but if he gets named this week he may still be a solid short to mid-term investment.





MID-PRICERS




Jonathon Griffin (FRE) RUC 491.6k 103

Speaking of the Fremantle ruck division, their current number 1 big-man in Jon Griffin has been a solid pick this season, averaging 103 without Sandi and still priced at under 500 grand. Griff has a lot of potential, but at this stage the uncertainty over Sandi will probably scare most coaches off bringing him in now. Currently in around 8,000 squads.





PREMIUMS

Dean Cox (WCE) R/F 602.7k 119

The Big Cox has been dominant without Nicnat this year, averaging 119 and easily topping the ruck ratings with the bonus of DPP. In most teams now anyway, Nicnat's return could see Cox pushed forward more but I'd personally lean more towards him spending more time in the ruck as Nicnat is nursed back to full fitness.





Todd Goldstein (NM) RUC 529.4k 112

Goldy has continued to be a great ruck choice, averaging 112 and with Currie recently going under the knife his job security seems better than ever. Goldy can be found in under 30,000 teams to date, but will also be a fairly popular choice this week.





Will Minson (WBD) RUC 530.1k 112

Wilbur's break-even is sitting pretty much square on his average this week, and therefore not looking at much of a price chance if any, so he could quite safely wait another week before getting the call up to SC squads in need of a premium ruck. In break-out form so far he is looking great in a struggling Doggies side, but I'd dare say that defensive issues will be forefront in peoples mind this week and Big Will should still be there next week. Still only in around 10,000 teams.





FORWARD

<strong style='font-size: 13.63636302947998px;]MID-PRICERS[/b]




Jefferey Garlett (CAR) FWD 493.3k 106

Jeffy Garlett has been excellent this season, averaging a career-high 106 and still priced at under 500 grand he is offering good value in the forward-line. Jeffy has previously been very inconsistent, as a lot of small forwards are, but with the Blues easier run over the next few weeks and Yarran's injury issues he looks set for some more big scores. Only in about 8,000 teams he offers good POD value for those wanting to take a risk.





PREMIUMS




Andrew Walker (CAR) M/F 546.3k 120

Walks has really thrived off half-back (again) this season, the positional change seeing him average 120 so far which ranks him at an impressive 5th highest scorer overall. Priced at just under 550 grand he will likely rise another 25 grand this week, but again with the Blues upcoming run he could still be easily worth it. Just shy of 40,000 selections to date, his break-out year looks set to continue and he will only grow in popularity. Also taking a lot of kick-ins, which are very hard for taggers to effect.





Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 569.9k 118

Roo is looking back to his best, after a few great games his average is now up to 118 and near midfielder levels, and his price of 570 grand isn't unreasonable. 7th highest scorer over the season to date and in under 11,000 squads surprisingly Roo offers a great POD choice, and a relatively reliable KPF.





Steve Johnson (GEE) M/F 554.6k 113

Stevie J is working his way back into calculations for many SC squads, averaging 113 and priced accordingly if he can continue on with this form then he looks to be a steal. Abrtel and Stevie in the same forward line may put a couple off, but surely one just has to look at Pendles and Swan to see this shouldn't be a major issue.





Jimmy Bartel (GEE) M/F 526.9k 110

Again, speaking of, Abrtel had another good game on the weekend to raise his average up to 110 and will likely bump his price up a further 15 grand or so after his next game. His ability to bring himself into the game in the late stages remains both a positive and a negative, as he can be ineffectual in thrashings, but hasn't put off the 75,000+ coaches with him to date.





Dustin MARTIN (RIC) M/F 527.8k 108

Dusty had a slow start to the year, the opposite of most of his games, but now seems to be putting some decent form together for his 80,000+ coaches. His DPP positioning is a decent positive, he surely wouldn't be in nearly as many teams as a forward only, but he still has some concerns about finishing off matches. If he can keep himself in the game for 4 quarters, he's looking good value.




WAITING LIST




Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 598.2k 116 -22k

Jobe Watson (ESS) MID 595.8k 114 -23k

Josh P. Kennedy (SYD) MID 570.9k 114 -8k

Kane Cornes (PTA) MID 591.9k 129 -9k

Dane Swan (COL) MID 652k 124 -10k

Travis Cloke (COL) FWD 575k 114 -19k

Ben McEvoy (StK) RUC 565.3k 113 -12k

Justin Westhoff (PTA) FWD 535.3k 111 -48k

Pearce Hanley (BRI) DEF 541.8k 110 -22k

Grant Birchall (HAW) DEF 545.1k 108 -35k

Brendon Goddard (ESS) D/M 541.4k 105 -13k

Brent Stanton (ESS) MID 539.6k 104 -26k

Hamish Hartlett (PTA) D/M 544.5k 103 -13k

Brett Deledio (RIC) MID 554.2k 103 -36k

Matt Priddis (WCE) MID 485k 91 -36k

Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 530.6k 100 -26k

Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUD 459.2k 87 -25k

Scott Thompson (ADE) MID 549k 106 -16k

Trent Cotchin (RIC) MID 607.8k 117 -12k




Once again that's all from us here for this week, but as always join us in the comments section below for all your questions/comments and thumbs needs.