Welcome once again to the Best Buys.

Once again the SC gods seem to be punishing us this week, with a swag of new injuries, and some recurrent old ones. This week many people will be looking to try and claw back some early points with an early upgrade, whilst coaches such as myself will also be looking to stem the bleeding. Due to the all-around carnage occurring this year the premium stocks are awfully low outside the mid-field, and mid-pricers are looking better all the time. Hopefully the Best Buys can give you a few good options to choose from, or at least offer up a couple that you hadn’t previously considered.

My pick of the week this week is Daniel Cross, who at just over 500 grand offers great value and if the Dogs can start performing again will be an absolute bargain. Doubts will remain over his ability to keep pace with the elite mids but for an early upgrade he’s a great player and priced perfectly.

Join me for all the Best Buys, over the break.

<!--more-->

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 player 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

Shaun Edwards (GWS) DEF 113.2k
Shaun hasnt really racked up massive number so far, but he has had some decent stats and is on the bubble this round if named. A few people will look to do the early Pendles upgrade about now, and a few GWS defense rookies have gone well enough to consider it. Edwards a decent option for timing as much as anything, job security unknown.

MID-PRICERS

Harry Taylor (GEE) DEF 454.1k
Taylor has had a couple of good games this year and with so called "premium" scores all over the place the solid mid-priced options are looking better and better. Taylor is a key part of the Cats defense so he is assured of as much game time, if fit, as any other key Cat. His average of 97 means he is only a few ppg (points per game) out of the top five defenders at the moment and a definite POD (point of difference).

Alex Rance (RIC) DEF 476.4k
Rance has kept up with his solid performances, albeit with a couple of small dips, but importantly is under 500 grand and with an average of 101 is sitting in the top 6 defenders overall at this early stage. If he can keep these numbers up he could well remain there all year. Has a break-even of 115 this week so he may lose a little coin next weekend but nothing worth waiting on if youre looking for an early upgrade.

PREMIUMS

Brett Deledio (RIC) D/M 572.8k
Lids has been one of the better performed defender this year, and with Goddards latest effort he is sitting clearly ahead as the highest scoring defender this year so far. He has a break-even of 120 this week but his average of 117 and excellent form in his last game (overcoming an injury scare and racking up a 129) mean he wont lose much value if any this week.

Heath Scotland (CAR) D/M 554k
Scotland has been working past his slow start to the year, and is now averaging a decent 103. His break-even of 120 again means he could lose a bit of cash this week but his recent form says he shouldnt lose much. An absolute work-horse but seems to flourish in the harder games and go quiet in the hidings.

MIDFIELD
ROOKIES

Jesse Stringer (GEE) MID 113.2k
Stringer had an impressive last game, scoring 87 points against the Lions in shocking conditions. Hes on the bubble this week and if he keeps getting game time then he could be a well-timed downgrade option. A break-even of -57 means hes in for a big rise rise after his next game.

Jack Crisp (BRI) MID 94.7k
I gotta be honest here, I havent got squat on this guy, except whats already on TS. I havent seen him play and have no idea of his job security, and didnt hear anything pre-season. Anyone else do? "Crispy" scored 58 and 48 respectively in the last two games which are his first two of the year, meaning hes on the bubble this round if he lines up again. Break-even of -48 so he should make some good cash.

MID-PRICERS

Chris Masten (WCE) MID 459.3k
Masten continues to score well, averaging 106 over the early season. The Eagles forward woes may mean that the mid-fielders need to work a bit harder and get it right into the goal square or take up some of the scoring slack themselves. Priced at a bargain-basement sub 460 grand he is great value going by stats so far.

Tendai Mzungu (FRE) MID 482.9k
Mzungu has stepped up even further this year after impressing last, and is becoming an integral part of Freos midfield. Averaging 101 he may struggle to make the top 10 mid-fielders but for those looking to take a big risk hes probably a lot better value than most.

PREMIUMS

Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 587.8k
JPK has continued his run of incredible form, along with Sydneys winning streak, averaging 134 ppg helped out by a 170+ game last weekend. He looks set for a break-out year and so far is easily in the top mid-fielders in the competition. His break-even of 80 means he is sure to top 600 grand next week so get on him now.

Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 613.7k
Pendles has officially hit his low point. He may not have quite reached 600 grand yet but with a break-even of 102 and an average of 126 combined with his last week score of 140 means he will go up by around 10 grand this week if he hits his average. Id tip him to go more.

Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 608k
Rocky has in great form this year. A one off shocker of 61 in round 2 drops his average to 123, which is still huge, but when you take that one game out it rockets up to 138.5. On his current average he will rise around 25 grand this week, and with his 61 out of the system and some big scores in there expect it to keep on rising. Hopefully opposition teams dont work out what caused his horror game though...

Scott Thompson (ADE) MID 575.1k
Thompson has started this year where he left off last, averaging 122 with a season 2012 low of 90. Hes consistently the Crows best player and should continue to be so, proving last year that wins werent required for him to excel. A break-even of 101 indicate he will have a decent price hike after the Sydney game, as long as he can keep performing of course.

Scott Selwood (WCE) MID 554k
Scooter has continued on his way after a massive start to the season, averaging 122 and has put up some good scores in some very tough games. Now at over 550 grand he is definitely a premium and you would want him to continue this level of output, but he should always have a quality ruckman feeding him the ball at stoppages which will obviously help.

Dane Swan (COL) MID 620.2k
Swannie caught fire last week, racking up a huge 180 against the Bombers, and winning me an ORFFL match in the process. He started kinda slowly this year, by his standards anyway, but looks to have put that behind him and is in red hot form. Main concern for Swan would have to be the dreaded "mid-season Arizona Trip", which is a strong possibility, but if he stays uninjured then he should score enough over the other rounds to make up for it.

Daniel Cross (WBD) MID 511.7k
Crossy has had a relatively slow start to the season, averaging 105, but priced at around 510 grand he cant be ignored. The Dogs look to be improving on their sluggish start and hopefully Crossy can help that lift. A break-even of 90 shows he will start to rise in value again but unless he pulls out a massive score this weekend it shouldnt be too rapid a rise.

RUCK
ROOKIES

Orren Stephenson (GEE) RUC 106.6k
Orren continues to tease, looking like being named most weeks only to not quite make the cut. If he gets a game this week then he will be on the boil meaning that if he starts getting regular time then he could be good down-grade for the astute few coaches who started without him.

MID-PRICERS

Hamish MacIntosh (NM) RUC 470.4k
HMac continues to munch down Goldys points, and for those that have him that continues to be a good thing. Goldy could be being rested for a finals run, but so far HMac has clearly been the Roos number 1 ruckman. Priced at just 470 grand he is one of few ruckman this year to have been consistently good for his price, even though it has been rising for a while now. A break-even of just 60 means he will continue to increase fairly sharply.

Ben Hudson (BRI) RUC 470.2k
The Beard seems to have taken over from Leuey quite well so far, with Longer still only having the 1 game and Huddo averaging 102 so far. Another 470 grand ruckman with good upside he should be in consideration, and for the next while at least should remain number 1 ruck at Brisbane.

PREMIUMS

Paddy Ryder (ESS) RUC 534.3k
Ryder continues to shine this year, averaging 118 and proving the doubters wrong. A break-even of 129 indicate he will lose a bit of cash this week, but a home game against The Beard means he could score anything. Still looking like great value, if he can keep up this high level of performance.

Nic Natainui (WCE) RUC 519.6k
NicNat has clearly overtaken Cox so far this season, in the ruck at the Eagles and in SC. Cox holders can only hope that he is being rested up forward early to prime him for finals and ease NicNat into it but nobody knows how it will play out. In the meantime NicNat is looking like great pick for the coaches savvy enough to nab him at the start, and a good upgrade for the others.

FORWARD
ROOKIES

Cory DellOlio (ESS) FWD 94.7k
Lolly has done alright in his two games for Essendon, and his NAB performance, with a sub affected average of 30 he hasnt set the world on fire but is the only forward rookie on the bubble this week. His low average however means that he should only have a small price rise early on and could be picked up later if he continues to get games and starts to score better.

MID-PRICERS

Justin Sherman (WBD) M/F 366.3k
The Sherminator had a big week, and after his next game is looking to rise by around 30 grand. If the Dogs can continue to adapt to their new game-plan and improve then he could have a decent case for selection, averaging 98 and is an MPP (multi-position player). Quite a risky choice but the reward is fitting also.

Luke Dahlhaus (WBD) FWD 453k
Dahl has been smashing it this year, but to be fair to him he wasnt exactly poor last season either, and averaging 103 so far he is currently one of the top forwards in the game. As discussed above with the Dogs improving slowly he should continue to score well and has the talent and ability to become a real star. Great POD option and astute pick-up, he will continue to rise in price for a while yet.

Tom Hawkins (GEE) FWD 447.3k
Tomahawk continues on his way to a break-out year, kicking 6 goals in horrendous conditions against the Lions on the weekend. His finals performance last year showed what he is capable of and so far this season he looks to be continuing on with this great form. Like all forwards so far this season he has been up and down score-wise but is still a definite consideration.

Steele Sidebottom (COL) M/F 491.4k
Sidey has been solid so far this year, without really making a huge impact. With the Pies injury woes however he could benefit greatly points-wise, and should spend more time in the midfield and be relied upon more than previously. As an MPP he has good flexibility in SC and could easily make top 10 forwards by years end with the right support.

PREMIUMS

Jordan Lewis (HAW) M/F 523.7k
Forward premiums are few and far between this season. Lewis has been good early on, and importantly quite consistent, and whilst he hasn’t racked up the huge scores he is still in the leading forwards so far. MPP status always helps and if the Hawks start dominating like a lot of people thought they would this year, then Lewis could be a big beneficiary. Hodges return will still put some doubt on him though.

WAITING LIST

Taylor Adams (GWS) M/F 136.6k 80*
Kyal Horsley (GCS) MID 128.7k 87*
Adam Goodes (SYD) M/F 562k -13k
Brendon Goddard (StK) D/M 539.6k -33k
Jarryd Roughead (HAW) R/F 527.4k -18k
Lance Franklin (HAW) FWD 538.6k -30k
Daisy (COL) MID 547.5k -39k
Boomer (NM) M/F 493.6k -34k
Juddy (CAR) MID 596k -33k
Shuey (WCE) MID 530.7k -32k
Coxy (WCE) RUC 548.2k -26k
Stevie J (GEE) FWD 418.9k -26k
Sam Mitchell (HAW) MID 555.5k -24k
ROK (SYD) M/F 468.3k -23k
Heater (COL) DEF 516.3k -23k
NDS (StK) MID 585.6k -20k
Jobe (ESS) MID 588.7k -20k

And thats it from me for another week, so good luck all and good trading.

See you in the comments.