Hi all, and welcome once again to the Best Buys.

This week Ive been quite rushed, so Ill have to start by mentioning that the Best Buys arent quite as large as usual, but will hopefully be just as helpful, and apologise for the rushed nature of it. This week sees a few young rookies on the bubble, and really not much else changing to be fair. The question as always with the rookies will be whether or not they can continue to get TOG, but unfortunately even for the best SCers this will remain a bit of a gamble.

My tip of the week for this week is Carrots, or Andrew Carrazzo.
After breaking his shoulder and a decent lay-off Carrots is back in the game and showing why he is internally one of the top rated players at Carlton. D/M MPP is a great bonus to have, and if the dreaded late-season injuries, or even The General, strike he could be a great coverage option. Murphys return may see slight change in role for Carrots but he should still be able to rack up some good scores. As the saying goes though, its the Carrot or the Stick, and Im still unsure of which will work better.

Anyways, join me over the break for the rest of this weeks Best Buys.

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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 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
Taylor Hine (GCS) DEF 113.2k
Hine is a rookie on the bubble this week, although I must say I haven’t heard heaps about him. Playing in the struggling Gold Coast back-line if he continues to get games then he should see plenty of the ball in his area, and with a break-even of -25 and an average of 47 he should increase in value moderately as well. At this stage of the year however reliability must be rated over cash generating potential.
MID-PRICERS
Heath Scotland (CAR) D/M 491.1k
Scotland had been serviceable this season, without being great. An average of 100 and priced at just under 500 grand he is a solid choice but may not rack up the big scores very regularly. One of the few players in the Blues outfit currently who actually seems to be trying.

Andrew Carrazzo (CAR) D/M 442.6k
Now that Carrots is back from his shoulder injury, and putting together some decent scores, he makes a very useful swing-man option. Averaging 94 for the season and carrying significant weight in an underperforming team if the Blues are to give September a real shake then they will need Carrots firing. Great for M7 and defensive cover.

Chris Yarran (CAR) DEF 256.3k
Yarran has had a poor year after the standard he set last season, averaging just 59 for the year and suffering a few injury set-backs. Not starting team material this season, but for those willing to take a sizeable risk he could provide great cover in the backline and at around 250 grand would be a straight swap from a cash cow.

Michael Johnson (FRE) D/F 472.9k
MJ had an improved performance on the weekend, after his poor game the week prior, but will still most likely lose 10+ grand this week. For those just after a coverage option he may well be better looked at next week, but for around 475 grand he isn’t especially expensive just now anyway. A few big suspensions during the week will leave many searching for some cover, and MJ could well provide that and handy back-up afterwards.

Shannon Hurn (WCE) DEF 471.7k
Hurn has been performing well this season, and while not making the top-tier of defenders he has been solid most of the season. With Waters pricier and a similar output Hurn has made the Best Buys this week in his stead, and even if he doesn’t rack up the big ones he should still provide reliable, solid scores.

PREMIUMS
Brett Deledio (RIC) D/M 546.1k
Lids has dropped down to under 550 grand, and is still the leading defender going around. Almost everyone has him but for those that are yet to bring him in now is the time. The Tigers run home should see them get some decent points over the next few weeks and while Lids may well be tagged a bit more now his role has allowed him to still rack them up.

MIDFIELD
MID-PRICERS
Simon Black (BRI) MID 436k
At this stage of the season most mid-priced options are considered for cover, or due to their low price and reasonable scores, and on both these fronts Blacky is ideal for the job. Averaging 96 for the season with an injury or two thrown in there and priced at around 430 grand he won’t make the leading mid-fielders for the season but should still be good for 100 odd a game. When The General hits this year, many will be caught out and coverage could be key.

Chris Judd (CAR) MID 466.5k
Juddy is another great coverage option, priced at around 460 grand and averaging 104 he’s bargain priced, but again will likely not be in the leading group of midfielders at years end. With Murphy still out injured Juddy will be shouldering a lot of the load in the mid-field, and is certainly capable of doing so.


PREMIUMS
Scott Thompson (ADE) MID 531k
Scotty T has seen a decent price drop in recent weeks, and is now sitting on just over 530 grand. With a 116 average for the season he is under-priced and his run home should hopefully see his average improve. A contested ball gun and with the Crows flying he should certainly be considered.

Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 538.2k
Rocky has been keeping fairly regular over the season, knocking out some big games and then the odd low scoring one. Priced at around 540 grand and averaging 111 for the season he is worth a look this year, and should definitely be pencilled in for next season.

Brent Stanton (ESS) MID 500.1k
Stants has dropped off significantly after his early-season heroics, now averaging 119 for the year, and priced at just 500 grand. On these numbers he is severely under-valued, the question however will be whether or not he can return to his earlier from. The Bombers are legitimate contenders this year and with Jobe continuing to rack them up Stants may well be tagged less again as his impact has diminished.

Gary Ablett Jnr (GCS) MID 624k
Gazza has had another poor return by his standards, and his associated price drop has seen him drop down to around 620 grand. Not quite as consistent as he can be this season, Gaz is still averaging 134 and will always be the Little Master.

Andrew Swallow (NM) MID 520.1k
Swallow has had a quiet season this year, after dominating in the Roos midfield last year, and while averaging 109 is priced at just 520 grand. A certain POD this year and still putting up decent numbers, those looking for an edge come finals time may well find one in Swallow.

Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 526.3k
JPK has been a revelation for the Swans this season, averaging 119 to date with a quiet patch thrown in there he has shown he has the ability and class to make it as a top-line player in the AFL. Again priced cheaply for his average and somewhat of a POD (quite a few will still have him after his early season scoring) JPK has all the traits required to stay at the top level.

Scott Selwood (WCE) MID 517k
Scooter looks to be returning to his early season form, racking up some solid numbers while playing off some of the elite mid-fielders going around. The Eagles are flying and will be looking to maintain their momentum into the finals with Scooter a driving force in the engine room. Can be slightly unreliable as he can play multiple roles, and play them all well.

RUCK
ROOKIES
Tom Campbell (WBD) RUC 94.7k
Campbell is on the bubble this week, averaging 67 over his first two games and sitting on a break-even of -76. His TOG will remain uncertain, and the Dogs have a few young ruck options, so should only be looked at really to free up cash.

PREMIUMS
Patrick Ryder (ESS) RUC 519.1k
Ryder is now playing 4th string to Maric, Cox and NicNat, but is also priced around 50 grand cheaper than any of them. A solid option and has shown throughout the year that he has turned a corner with his SC scoring, and the Bombers good form certainly hasn’t hurt either. Good ruck choice and still somewhat of a POD.

Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 594.9k
The Mullet has kept on with his good form of late, still averaging 114 for the year and taking the number 1 SC ruck spot. The Tigers have been playing some good footy and Maric has flourished at Tigerland, so we can hope that these scores will continue on into the SC finals. No real competition for the ruck spot either.

Nic Naitanui (WCE) RUC 575.4k
Dean Cox (WCE) RUC 569.1k
NicNat and Coxy have now drawn about level with each other, in SC at least, both averaging 111 for the season and priced just 6 grand apart. NicNat is the more regular scorer, and now number one ruck at the Eagles, however Coxy generally has the ability to score higher and will play more key-position in tighter games.

FORWARD
PREMIUMS
Kurt Tippett (ADE) FWD 455.1k
Tippett has been in and out of the Best buys this year, and with big Texs suspension should now be able to hold his spot for a couple of weeks at least. Has performed well to date without really impressing, but the Crows are having a real crack this year and with only one KPF to kick to now he can hopefully kick a few bags.

Paddy Dangerfield (ADE) M/F 530.8k
Danger has dropped again in price, and will most likely do so this week as well, so is now priced at around 530 grand while averaging 109. On these stats he will probably lose 10 grand this week but that may well not be enough for many to worry about waiting for it. Given the SC history of MPP players I’d suggest Danger may well not be FWD eligible next year, so enjoy it while you can.

Matt Pavlich (FRE) M/F 500.7k
The Pav is doing enough, but only just. A poor season really from the champ, and many possible excuses for it, however Freo had big expectations for this year so I wouldn’t expect that to sit well with him. Ross will be desperate to make the finals this year, or some real questions will start to be asked, and the Pav will be doing everything in his power to ensure they have every chance at the 8 in September.

Jarryd Roughead (HAW) R/F 508.8k
Roughy has made a somewhat surprise return to form this year, after a shocking Achilles injury derailed his season last year he has looked to be fully recovered and getting back into the game. MPP is certainly helpful at this time of year, and personally I would think that the flexibility on offer would bump Roughy up the ratings lists.
WAITING LIST
Jake Spencer (MEL) RUC 113.2k 43*
Murray Newman (WCE) MID 106.6k 42*
Todd Elton (RIC) FWD 106.6k 36*
Jordan Murdoch (GEE) FWD 106.6k 88*
Brendon Goddard (StK) D/M 475.5k
Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 501.6k
Adam Goodes (SYD) M/F 461.3k
Steele Sidebottom (COL) M/F 571.6k
Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 620.4k