Hi again all, and welcome to this weeks Best Buys.

Hopefully from now on I should have a bit more time up my sleeve to write this bad boy, so with any luck theyll be a bit more substantive and I might start missing less things. There are also a decent range of rookies on the bubble this week, but as such theyll have to be strongly looked at to figure out job security. Many people last week queried Goodes exclusion from the Best Buys, and it was primarily due to him not really pumping out a big score since his injury, but last weekend certainly changed that.

Which brings me to my pick of the week, Adam Goodes.
Goodesy has been a star of SC for years now, and his reliability and versatility have served him well. Priced at just about 460 grand he is a steal and one of the most consistent players around, and should certainly be considered by all with available trades. The Swans are fighting for the all important top 4 berth, and as such should continue to put in 100%, and Goodesy should be leading the charge.

So for all the Best Buys this week, and a great Waiting List to keep an eye on with some young blood coming in, join me over the break!

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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

Andrew McInnes (CAR) DEF 113.2k
Young McInnes has struggled to get to the bubble, but has now made it there. Very little job security but a promising 2 game average of 64 show that if given the chances he could score well enough for cover, but that if is a big one. I have to admit here that I haven’t heard or seen much of him so he is one to research for yourselves if interested.

MID-PRICERS

Andrew Carrazzo (CAR) D/M 485.8k
Carrots hasn’t disappointed so far, and is starting to change the minds of his doubters. Has seemingly taken a decent slice of Scotlands pie this season, he is the better performing Carlton D/M and still at under 490 grand is a great price. Averaging 99 for the season with some injury games thrown in there he represents great value in the back-line.

Heath Scotland (CAR) D/M 478.4k
Scotland appears to have been overtaken in the Carlton D/M stakes, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still worth a look. Averaging 99 for the season and priced at just under 480 grand he should be considered, albeit probably behind Carrots at this stage. A great player and relied upon in the Blues line-up he should still finish out the season in the leading group of defenders.

Chris Yarran (CAR) DEF 342.4k
Yarran continues to rise in price after his recent return to form, but is still a great cheap defensive option or even coverage choice. His average of 66 for the season shows why his price is so low, but his 3 game average of 98 show what he is capable of when in good touch. Tipped to rise around 20 grand this week, the main hesitation I would have in recommending him is overloading the backline with Blues, as they haven’t been in form recently and a big loss could decimate their scoring potential.

Grant Birchall (HAW) DEF 493k
Birch, as was correctly pointed out to me in recent weeks, is already one of the leading SC defenders this year. Averaging 97 for the year, but a much nicer 109 for his last 3 games, the main concern regarding him, and many Hawks, would be Clarko’s GC funny business last year. If this can be avoided then Birch will be a great pick-up, and on current form one of the better defenders.

Nathan Grima (NM) DEF 437.6k
Grima is again a Best Buy, thanks mainly due to his price. Averaging 93 for the year isn’t spectacular, but at under 440 grand it makes him worth a look. A solid POD but may not be the highest scorer around, a good consideration but a decent risk.

PREMIUMS

Heath Shaw (COL) DEF 501k
Heater continues to do his thing, staying valuable enough to remain a Best Buy, while not doing enough to really dominate. Tipped to increase another 20 grand this week, and currently priced at just over 500 grand, he may not excel but should certainly be more than serviceable. Has the potential for big scores, and brain fades.

Brett Deledio (RIC) D/M 546.2k
Lids is still pumping out good scores, and averaging 117 for the season. Clearly the number one defender so far this season he can hopefully maintain this form, but almost everyone already has him anyway.

MIDFIELD
ROOKIES

Elliot Yeo (BRI) MID 106.6k
After looking promising in the pre-season, Yeo has taken a long time to reach the bubble, but is finally there. Averaging 57 over his first 2 games he is tipped to rise by around 50 grand, but as with all rookies coming in this late in the season his job security is unknown. “Yeo” is a slang term for cocaine in the US, so let’s just hope he really is that good.

MID-PRICERS

Simon Black (BRI) MID 470.5k
Blacky is once again a mid-priced Best Buy, sitting at just over 470 grand and averaging 98 he doesn’t have the best numbers in the league but with a 3-game average of 116 he represents some good value at current output. The Lions will need Blacky to stand up in the latter part of the season, and he looks in the form to do so. Great POD or excellent cover.

Marc Murphy (CAR) MID 466.4k
SMurph has made his way back into the Blues squad after a decent injury lay off, and is now priced very nicely at just 466 grand. For a player of his quality that is an absolute steal, even with the Blues continuing to struggle. He is tipped to drop another 13 grand this week but a big game could easily change that, and is surely one to have a good look at. He could even play out the year as M7 for those lucky enough to still have luxury trades.

Scott Selwood (WCE) MID 492.8k
Scooter is now under 500 grand, and still a worthwhile pick-up. Averaging 108 for the year after a red-hot start to the season he has quietened down a bit since but is certainly still capable of big games, and will be relied upon somewhat in the Eagles engine room. A solid choice, if a somewhat unpredictable one.

PREMIUMS

Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 507.8k
Sloane has been a bit of a surprise packet this year, averaging 108 in a strong Crows outfit his current cost puts him around 40 grand under-priced. A mid only many SCers will overlook Sloane this year, making him a great POD, but he will certainly get more attention next year.

Scott Thompson (ADE) MID 551.3k
Scotty T is still under-priced, and will still be the Crows go-to guy in the middle. He gets plenty of his own ball and carries the Adelaide engine room. Always a consistent SC scorer and priced well he should definitely be at least considered.

Gary Ablett Jr (GCS) MID 600k
Gazza has been up and down in recent weeks, but is still Gazza. Priced at 600 grand he is still not cheap, but is considerably under-priced for his years average and a couple of months ago he looked like not dropping below 700 grand. If you have the money and the trades, get him in.

Sam Mitchell (HAW) MID 590.3k
SMitch is racking up the numbers, averaging 132 over his last 3 games to go with his years average of 115. Priced at about 590 grand he isn’t the cheapest option around but certainly represents some of the best value on current average. The Hawks will be looking to finish strongly, and with Hodgey still uncertain SMitch will remain the number one man at Hawthorn.

Trent Cotchin (RIC) MID 560.1k
Cotch has been solid this year, while not quite matching Lids, but has hit a patch of good form of late that is looking to change that. Averaging 113 for the year, and 126 over his last 3 games, Cotch will be a good POD and may well be worth the risk.

Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 525.3k
JPK has evened off after a massive start to the year, but it still playing some very solid footy. Priced at about 525 grand he is on the cheap side of his yearly average, but his recent average doesn’t quite stack up as well. Definitely a good pick this season, he still has it in him to pump out solid 110+ games for the remainder.

Matthew Boyd (WBD) MID 559.2k
Boydy keeps on going, averaging 114 for the year and after a quiet one in previous weeks is looking like rising around 15 grand this week. A player of class he should be in consideration for all who still have a mid spot available. The Bulldogs might not make the 8 this year, but don’t expect Boydy to slack off anytime soon.

RUCK
ROOKIES

Tom Derickx (RIC) RUC 113.2k
Derickx is another young player who’s taken a fair while to bubble, playing his second game for the season last week. Averaging 48 over the two games he is a solid rookie choice but like all of them at this stage job security is an issue. Maric could well push him from the squad on return.

MID-PRICERS

Ben Hudson (BRI) RUC 468k
Huddo could very well be the POD ruckman many are looking for, averaging 99 for the year but a much improved 110 over the last 3 games he is priced well and should get some solid game-time. After a year of utter carnage in SC, it’s starting to look like the “risky” choice maybe aren’t so risky after all, with most premiums/starters going down at various stages of the season. A certain risk but could be a valuable POD.

Jonathon Griffin (FRE) RUC 470.6k
Griffin remains a Best Buy this week, still priced at around 470 grand and building his average to 94. With Sandi still out indefinitely Griffin will continue to be relied upon by the Dockers, and may be an astute pick-up in the latter stages of this year. Many coaches will be putting up with ruck injuries to R1 &amp; R2 so a sneaky sideways could well be the difference in a finals berth for a few.

PREMIUMS

Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUC 534.1k
Jacobs has backed up earlier claims of All-Australian form by racking up record breaking hit-out numbers and ensuring the Adelaide mids get plenty of it. Will need a big finish to the year to claim that AA spot but with Ryder injured and some doubts over the Mullet now is certainly the time to press his claim. Averaging 129 over his last 3 games this could be seen as his break-out year.

Jarryd Roughead (HAW) R/F 542.2k
Roughy is another Hawk who should probably benefit from Buddy’s absence, and averaging 105 for the season as a R/F certainly isn’t a poor return anyway. Priced at around 540 grand he is on the slightly pricey side, but with the extra coverage potential, coupled with a swing man in the appropriate position, he should be worth the cost.

FORWARD
MID-PRICERS

Jordan Lewis (HAW) M/F 479.4k
Another of the Hawks brigade to be scoring well over-average in recent times, Lewis’ year average of 99 doesn’t quite do justice to his 3 game average of 113. Priced at under 480 grand he has been a great pick in the forward line this season, and will hopefully continue to do so.

Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 455.1k
Roo has been fairly consistent this season, not consistently great but consistently good enough. Priced at about 450 grand he is a good price and is averaging a healthy 100 for the year, and should be in most SCers considerations. A classy player who has been overlooked by many after a shocker last year, Roo will be looking to finish out the season strongly.

Adam Goodes (SYD) M/F 457.9k
Goodesy has made his return from injury successfully, and even followed it up with a big score. Still priced at under 460 grand due to his earlier injury he has shown that he can still pump out the big ones, and with the Swans flying he should hopefully be able to keep them up for the remainder of the season. An undoubted star in SC and the real stuff, Goodesy should never be written off.

PREMIUMS

Paddy Dangerfield (ADE) M/F 501.5k
Danger has dropped down to just over 500 grand, and based on his current output is a steal at that price. Averaging 108 for the year and continuing to be one of the better performing forwards those who started the year with him have been laughing ever since, and the rest of us who haven’t yet gotten on should probably do so now.

Jarryd Blair (COL) FWD 511.7k
Blair sneaks into the Best Buys this week on his 3 round average, which is sitting on a very healthy 111. His season average of 94 and price of just over 510 grand mean he will be ignored by many, but if he can keep these numbers up he could well end up a leading forward and great POD. An interesting choice and a certain risk, it may just pay off.

Matthew Pavlich (FRE) M/F 572k
The Pav has hit a purple patch of form recently, pun intended, and is averaging a massive 134 over his last 3 games. His average of 105 for the season means he in over-priced, but if he can keep up his current form he will be well unders. Most will probably not trust Lyin after being burnt repeatedly this season, but the Pav could be one risk worth taking. Fighting for a finals berth the Pav is the man to lead them to it.

Paul Chapman (GEE) M/F 538.2k
Chappy had a bit of an off week last week, as did many Cats, and will be looking to bounce back this weekend. There’s still a lot of pride in that Cats outfit, and you can fully expect “the angriest man in football” to be a little cranky about the last game. Averaging 105 for the season and priced at about 540 grand, he seems about right price-wise, but may not get much cheaper.

Cyril Rioli (HAW) FWD 519.6k
Cyril has been slowly building his form this season, and is now averaging 99 for the year. A price of around 520 grand shows that he is a little over-priced, but if he can keep up the numbers will be well worth it. Has a history of injuries, and burning SC coaches, but with Buddy out for a bit and the Hawks in good form he should at least be given a look.

WAITING LIST

Luke Brown (ADE) D/M 106.6k 41*
Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 506.4k -19k
Steele Sidebottom (COL) M/F 510.7k -14k
Dane Swan (COL) MID 625.6k -16k
Mark Baguley (ESS) D/M 79*
Scott Gumbleton (ESS) FWD 89*
Jobe Watson (ESS) MID 612.3k -15k
Michael Johnson (FRE) D/F 430k -17k
Michael Walters (FRE) FWD 292.7k 110*
Josh Hall (GCS) RUC 94.7k 46*
Jackson Sheringham (GEE) MID 94.7k 26*
Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 606.3k -11k
Josh Walker (GEE) FWD 113.2k 47*
Stephen Clifton (GWS) M/F 130.7k 55*
Thomas Couch (MEL) M/F 94.7k 57*
Sam Dunell (StK) MID 108.7k 44*