After a shocking round for rucks last week, including the previous Best Buy not even playing but instead opting for minor surgery, many coaches are left wondering how it all could have gone so wrong. Unfortunately there aren't a whole heap of viable options in the ruck, but there are a few sneaky POD's worth a look and as always plenty of other in form choices from around the ground for those that avoided the bullets.

The Best Buy for this week, is Alex Fasolo. Still an untried selection in many respects, after a change of role and new team set-up, but going by early form and price along with the lack of forwards performing he is a stand-out early on. Now playing in a half-back kind of position he has license to run and carry, and while he hasn't been amazing he has certainly provided the Pies with some solid rebound from defence so far. Cheap as chips and locked into the 22, for now at least, Fasolo will be a very popular pick this week I'd think.
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On a side note, there was some discussion last week around including a list of cheap players who were still viable cash-cow options, but there really aren't any of them around this week except for those already in the Best Buys so that one will have to stay on the back-burner for now. Keep an eye out in coming weeks though.


DEFENSE
ROOKIES





Jason Ashby (ESS) DEF 123.9k 49 +31k

Ashby is on the bubble at Bomberland this week, but after a poor showing from Essendon against the Dockers there may be a few changes at the selection table. Averaging 49 and looking at a 30 grand price rise after his next game Ashby is the only defensive rookie to really be worth a look this week.

MID-PRICERS





Matthew Jaensch (ADE) DEF 414.1k 109

So far this year Jaensch has been a very astute pick for the now 25,000 odd coaches with him in their side. He is averaging 109 and facing a 35 grand price rise this week, so expect him to continue finding his way into various sides as long as his form continues. Not as much of a POD as before, but still offers good value.



Cale Hooker (ESS) DEF 459.2k 105

Hooker keeps performing, and bringing in the dollars. Now priced at around 460 grand he has surprised most in the SC community with his 105 average, and showed on the weekend that even in defeat he can still safely top 100. If his new role continues, he could be an excellent POD with only 4,000 selections to date.



Matt Suckling (HAW) DEF 380.9k 92
Suckling started in a lot of sides in the pre-season, and is now in just under 100,000 teams, but as Terry pointed out last week he still offers good value for the ones without him so far. Averaging 92 after a slow start and looking at a near 40 grand price rise this week his sub 400 grand price will not last for long.

PREMIUMS





Sam Mitchell (HAW) D/M 566.5k 115

SMitch smashed out a 149 over the weekend, bringing his average to 115 and putting him clearly in the best performed defenders category for 2014 to date. Already in almost 120,000 sides he is certainly a popular defensive pick, and his numbers show why. Rumours of an early-week scan are still around, so keep an eye on the injury reports before bringing SMitch into your side.



Shaun Burgoyne (HAW) D/M 503.3k 109
Burgoyne joins SMitch and Suckling as Hawthorn defensive options impressing early on this year, with is most likely a reflection on the Hawks as a whole so far this season. Averaging 109 and only sitting in 14,000 teams so far Burgoyne is a decent POD and a solid player.

REGULARS





David Swallow (GCS) D/M 498.9k 117

Jimmy Bartel (GEE) D/M 541.3k 105

MIDFIELD
ROOKIES





Nathan Gordon (RIC) MID 117.3k 46 +30k

Nathan Gordon brings himself on to the bubble this week, averaging 46 and expecting a 30 grand price rise. With the Tigers appearing to have a few player they'd like to bring in however, just who gets games at Richmond will remain in question until teams come out.



Matt Crouch (ADE) MID 117.3k 62 +51k

Matt Crouch has gone well in his first two AFL games, averaging 62 and filling in nicely for his older brother. With a price rise of 50 grand on it's way after his next match, Crouch is the ideal target for those forced into a downgrade this week.



Sam Gray (PTA) MID 102.4k 104*
Gray isn't on the bubble, after only playing one game, but he did score 104 in that match. The only advice I can reasonably offer here is to wait at least another week before bringing him in, Ambrose anyone?

MID-PRICERS





Adam Treloar (GWS) MID 541.8k 127

Treloar keeps on impressing in 2014, averaging 127 and bringing his selection numbers up to around 8,000. Still sneaking into the mid-priced category, but only just, the Giant POD offers excellent value on performances so far and will likely increase in price by around 35 grand this week. As with all young stars-in-the-making however, expect some down games.



Oliver Wines (PTA) MID 474.8k 118

Wines hasn't looked like slowing down too much yet early on, averaging 118 and throwing some doubts onto the selections made before him in his draft class. Priced at around 475 grand he is still looking cheap for his potential upside, and has now been picked up by almost 25,000 coaches.



Daniel Jackson (RIC) MID 499.2k 116

Dan Jackson has been a big surprise to many over his first 2 games of 2014, averaging 116 and sitting at just under 500 grand. With only 692 selections to date he is a certain POD, but hasn't really indicated before that a step up to elite is on the cards to be wary. One for the big risk-takers.



Jackson Macrae (WBD) MID 427.6k 110
Jackson Macrea has been a stand-out for the Dogs early days, averaging 110 and bringing his price up to around 430 grand. With Griffen coming back into form Macrae may start to slow down a bit, but so far the signs are all positive for him. Looking at a price rise of over 40 grand this week for his 20,000 teams he has already risen a fair bit, but if you're confident he can keep his average over 100 then he might still be worth a spot in your side.

PREMIUMS





Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 597k 122

Rocky has been in excellent form since his one match lay-off, averaging 122 for the year after his opening 95 odd point score and being the clear stand-out for the Lions. With Leuey down for the count along with Rich, and Hanley out for a couple at least Rocky will need to stand up even more, but is certainly the type of player with the ability to do so. Only in 16,000 sides to date and still priced at under 600 grand Rocky is a good POD, but will be much more popular when the upgrades start.



Nick Dal Santo (NM) MID 564k 119

NDS has been a great inclusion for North, racking up possessions in the midfield and really helping to fill the void left by Swallow. Averaging just shy of 120 for the season and still in under 10,000 sides Nicky Dal should be on the radar at least for most sides, not a particularly prolific scorer in seasons past the change of clubs could be just what he needed.



Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 573.3k 113

Rory was one of my POD picks going into this season, and one of the only ones to have seemingly been a decent pick. Averaging 113 so far and in only 5,000 sides he offers good value and has really stood up with Danger spending more time in the forward line. Priced at around 575 grand he still looks like increasing in value, but probably not that substantially at this stage.

REGULARS





Gary Ablett (GCS) MID 714.6k 145

Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 665.1k 140

Dayne Beams (COL) MID 544.1k 124

RUCK
ROOKIES





Daniel Currie (NM) RUC 123.9k 50 +33k

Currie drew the ire of many SCers over the weekend, being a late out just when he was needed for cover with all the ruck carnage going on around him. Either way though if he is named this week then he's still on the bubble, and the only rookie ruck to be there as well. Averaging 50 and providing good service as back-up for Goldy, Currie could still be worth giving another chance to.

MID-PRICERS





Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUC 476.4k 103

Sauce is another Adelaide POD to be performing well early, even if there was a bit of talk from his 10,000 odd coaches about dropping him after a poor performance first up. With a large chunk of his competitors going down or not playing on the weekend he is gaining much more attention this week, but still has consistency issues and offers a decent risk.



Hamish McIntosh (GEE) RUC 375.6k 82

HMac has been solid in his first games as a Cat. Averaging 82 and priced quite cheaply at only around 375 grand. The definitive mid-pricer he is a risky choice, and has yet to solidify his spot in the team, but with a sudden lack of other options he is one that many may find themselves contemplating this week.



Trent West (BRI) RUC 363.9k 81
West has been primarily ignored this year, but with Leuey now looking at an extended lay-off he now finds himself in contention for a few SC sides. Averaging 81 and now possibly the Lions number one ruckman, you could do worse with his 360 odd grand asking price.

REGULARS





Aaron Sandilands (FRE) RUC 443.1k 116

FORWARD
ROOKIES





Sam Lloyd (RIC) FWD 117.3k 131*

Sam Lloyd is in a similar position to Sam Gray, impressing in his opening match after topping the 100, and in a Tigers side soundly beaten as well, but still only having the one seniors match to his name. As a forward rookie he is looking mighty tempting, but as always the main recommendation is to keep an eye on him in his second game before committing to bringing him in.



Brant Colledge (WCE) FWD 123.9k 44 +25k

Brant Colledge is on the bubble this week, averaging 44 for the WEagles and seeming to fit into the side nicely so far. The Eagles do have a number of players in the reserves putting their hands up for selection however, so his job security will remain an unknown for the time being.



Tom Williams (WBD) FWD 189.9k 73 +46k
Williams isn't a rookie on the bubble, but following on from discussions last week around cheap SC options he gets a mention this time around. Priced at just under 190 grand and averaging 73 he looks a likely type, but as always presents a fair bit of risk for those considering bringing him in. Likely to rise in price by around 45 grand this week.

MID-PRICERS





Luke Breust (HAW) FWD 485.9k 110

Breust heads the list of forward options this week, with no premiums really standing out and an asking price of 485 grand his 110 average is probably the pick of the bunch so far. With around 15,000 selections he has good POD value, and the Hawkers are really sending a message to the rest of the league early on with their dominant form.



Luke Parker (SYD) M/F 491.6k 101

Parker is now the clear leader in the Parker/TMitch debate, averaging 101 and standing up when a lot of other Swans have looked disinterested. With around 14,000 selections so far he is still a good POD, but not one worth trading TMitch in for just yet in my opinion.



Jarryd Roughead (HAW) FWD 495.5k 95

Roughy has been a bit up and down so far this year, but with the Hawks dominating most sides they come against their to-end scoring was always going to be a bit all over the shop. Averaging 95 and with a healthy 60,000 picks so far Roughy isn't a POD, but he is one of the better looking forwards going around in the early parts of the year.



Robbie Gray (PTA) M/F 444.1k 94

Robbie Gray has snuck under many radar's this season, bringing his average up to 94 for his 5,000 odd coaches and showing the skills many have picked him for in seasons past. Priced at under 450 grand and looking likely in the Power's forward line Gray may finally be living up to his potential.



Jackson Merrett (ESS) FWD 366.5k 94

Merrett, I actually feel a bit bad about. He didn't make the cut for last week's Best Buys, and only managed a 70 on the weekend, but when Caddy was named as the sub I brought him into my side anyway. Now averaging 94 for the Dons, but still not standing out in any way on-field, his 37,000 coaches will be hoping he can continue to rack up the stats and keep increasing in price. Currently a touch over 365 grand if he can keep his average north of 100 he'll be a great short-term bargain for a few.



Alex Fasolo (COL) FWD 213.6k 89
Faz has been getting a lot of attention this week, after a change in role has seen his numbers edge up to an average up almost 90. Priced very cheaply at a little over 200 grand he makes a very tempting f6 option, and many will likely bring him in this week. Expecting a 60 grand price rise after his next game, it's probably worth bringing him in if you think he can keep these numbers going for even just a few more games. The Best Buy of the round after the Mummy debacle last week, fingers are crossed that he can turn my current strike-rate into something a little more impressive than 0-1.

WAITING LIST





Scott PendleBury (COL) MID 138 -15k

Steve Johnson (GEE) MID 613.6k 122 -7k

Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 584.9k 122 -10k

Jobe Watson (ESS) MID 585.3k 118 -13k

Brent Harvey (NM) M/F 569.7k 103 -30k

Dayne Zorko (BRI) M/F 476k 102 -24k

Dustin Martin (RIC) M/F 519k 97 -16k

Ryan Griffen (WBD) MID 556.1k 71 -48k

Andrew Walker (CAR) D/M 521.2k 75 -32k

Nic Naitanui (WCE) RUC 438.6k 62 -48k

Drew Petrie (NM) FWD 414.3k 49 -43k