Welcome all to the final edition of Best Buys for 2012.

This year in SC has been a real roller coaster, with the introduction of the sub rule, a new multi-bye arrangement and the new expansion teams all switching things up for us. For anyone still in the hunt for overall, or even just in their league grand finals, I commend you on the effort in what has been a frustrating season for many. As with last weeks Best Buys, I will be ignoring all of the mainstays for this year, the Gazzas, Pendles, Marics etc, and instead focussing on some of the POD options for the all important Granny.

My pick of the week this week, is Tex Walker. A break-out season for Tex, he is coming off a good game last weekend and playing against a depleted Suns team this weekend, so I fully expect him to kick a bag. Carlton proved last week how complacency can affect a side so Adelaide should be looking to really turn the screws on GCS here, and hopefully come away with a massive win. Now that I have put the mozz him however, all coaches considering him should ponder it pretty carefully.

So, join me over the break for the final Best Buys for the year, and all your Granny thumbs needs.

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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 players 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
MID-PRICERS

Andrew Carrazzo (CAR) D/M 458.3k
Carrots has been one of the better performers for the Blues this year, consistently scoring well for the majority of the games he played but never really reaching a massive price. Averaging 97 for the year and priced at under 460 grand he is one of the best defenders going around, even in a disappointing season for his side.

Shaun Burgoyne (HAW) D/M 374k
Burgoyne has been relatively quiet this year, with the Hawks pie being shared around by many, but has still played his role well and been an asset for the side. Priced at a great 375 grand he is a very cheap option for his potential, and is coming off a good game and may be relied upon again this week if Clarko goes into finals mode.

Jack Grimes (MEL) DEF 477.5k
Grimey, the bane of many SCers, is now looking to be back in business. The perennial tease has showed some good form this year after his slow start to the season, and is now averaging around 107 from his last 5 games. A player of great potential but horrible luck with injuries the signs are looking good for Grimey in 2013, and he would be a certain POD for the final round of 2012.

Sean Dempster (StK) DEF 434.3k
Quite a few SC coaches have been Dempstered this year, with the Saints backman coming into his own and holding down a sometimes struggling St Kilda defence. An average of 87 for the season isn’t great, but good recent form and an upcoming match against a struggling Blues outfit could provide some great scoring opportunities for him. Not a popular SC pick at all, Dempster will be a real POD for those looking for risks.

Beau Waters (WCE) DEF 467k
Beau is continuing to make the teams that traded him out for his earlier injury regret it, averaging 100 for the season and playing a high scoring SC role out of the Eagles back-line. Still cheaply priced for his average, the Friday night clash between the Hawks and Eagles should see the ball going his way a fair bit.

MIDFIELD
ROOKIES

Piers Flanagan (GCS) MID 113.2k
Piers is now on the bubble, and the final SC rookie for the year to make it to the magical three game barrier. If you need a rookie then he seems to be your man, but really it is a case of too little too late for most.

MID-PRICERS

Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 491.2k
After making me look stupid (stupider?) last week by not playing, Sloane should be rested and ready to go this weekend. Unless he really was injured. A breakout young player in great form, his 107 average for the year is healthy enough but when you consider his sub-500 grand price tag, he makes a great pick-up. Might want to wait on team selections to ensure he will make it back, but all signs so far are pointing to a small case of the general.

Simon Black (BRI) MID 397.3k
Blacky has played some good footy this year, providing the grunt in an often struggling midfield and racking up the clearances. Now priced under 400 grand and playing the Dogs this weekend in the final round of SC, he certainly has the potential to score large and provide some cheap points for your side.

Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 396k
Rocky has been very inconsistent this season, putting up some great scores, usually shortly followed by some shockers. His sub 400 grand price tag puts him in a very similar position to Blacky this week, and is definitely worth a look as a sneaky finals POD.

David Mundy (FRE) MID 476.3k
Mundy has been good in the latter half of the year, starting slowly with some injury concerns he has now built his average to a fairly poor 87, but has a three game average of 109. I’m sure you’ll all getting sick of me saying that Lyin will be an issue by now, so this time I’ll let you think about that one for yourselves.

Luke Hodge (HAW) MID 446.4k
Hodgey has really struggled to get on the field this season. When he has played he’s had some good games, such as his return, and then some poor ones but looks to be in some sold form at the moment. One would expect the Hawks to not bother resting him, as they will probably be looking to get as much game-time into him as possible before the finals.

Travis Boak (PTA) MID 452.6k
Boak seems to have stepped up his game since the coaching fiasco, a possible indicator he’s looking at staying, and after averaging 91 for the year is now sitting on a 106 average for his last three games. A final assignment of Richmond at the G will be a tough game for Port, but not one that should see them smashed.

PREMIUMS

Brock McLean (CAR) MID 511.2k
Brockles has been a surprise story this year for the Blues, resurrecting his career in a blaze of form that has seen him cement his spot in the best 22. His latter season work has seen him bring his average up to a healthy 103, and has been one of the best scorers for Carlton for the last few months. The Blues are certainly out of the finals race now, but will be looking to try and restore some form of credibility this weekend against the Saints.

Callan Ward (GWS) MID 505.4k
Ward has been a good leader for the Giants in their inaugural season, flying under the radar a bit in SC but still managing a 106 average. He will be a good one to consider next season as the young Giants improve, and is certainly worth a look as a POD in the finals this year.

Andrew Swallow (NM) MID 530.1k
Swallow has had a good season this year, but somehow It hasn’t resulted in the same SC numbers he managed last year. The Roos have been in great form recently, and will be looking to bounce back from a solid defeat in Perth.

Shane Tuck (RIC) MID 568.2k
Tuck has been another of the stories of the year this season, not considered much of a player by many going around his form this season has been nothing short of outstanding. Due to this form his price has been mainly on the high side, but for a bloke averaging 115 for the year and coming off a 150+ game he looks to be well worth the risk. Especially against Port at home.

RUCK
MID-PRICERS

Aaron Sandilands (FRE) RUC 450.9k
Sandi has continued to tempt after his return from the most recent “turf toe” episode, putting up good number and still at a 450 grand price tag. 211 dominates the ruckwork in most games he plays, to the point where opposition midfielders learn to read the taps from him instead of relying on their own ruckmen, but his injury history will always remain an issue. At this stage of the season, for the final game, for many he will be easily worth that risk.

PREMIUMS

Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUC 500.9k
Jacobs has really stepped up his game this year, coming into his own as a force to be reckoned with and pressing his claims for AA selection in a tough field. Going up against GCS in the SC Grand Final he shouldn’t have too much opposition for the taps, and will likely score big.

Ben McEvoy (StK) RUC 521.2k
McEvoy has kept on building his average up after a slow start, raising it to 104 over the latter half of the year. Final match against Carlton and Kreuz, he will have some decent opposition but his work around the ground tends to be what scores most of his points anyway.

FORWARD
MID-PRICERS

Harley Bennell (GCS) M/F 489k
Harley has laid some good claims for best second year player in the comp this season, averaging 98 in a team that gets pumped most weeks he has shown why he was such a highly rated draft pick previously. Top scoring with a 150+ earlier he has shown he has the potential for big scores, and will be playing with confidence after a great showing by the Suns against Carlton last weekend.

Tom Hawkins (GEE) FWD 465.3k
Tomahawk is building into his finals form, and has been playing some very good footy of late. Averaging 95 for the year, the Cats are really picking up pace for their run into the finals, and will be looking to Hawkins to kick a few bags. A tough game against the Swans at home this weekend, the Cats will be looking to continue their run home.

Steve Johnson (GEE) FWD 498.9k
Stevie J has been in and out of the Best Buys all year this year, with form slumps, minor injuries and some quality games thrown in along the way. He has kept his average at a healthy 97, and is still one of the leading forwards going around, and with a price of just under 500 grand he should be seen as a reasonably safe POD for the Granny.

Jack Riewoldt (RIC) FWD 464.9k
JRoo hasn’t had the best year this year, not really playing up to his potential but in a very strange season is still a chance for the Coleman. Playing against Port at the G this weekend he has come out and said he’ll be taking home the Coleman, so expect him to come out firing.

Adam Goodes (SYD) M/F 422.3k
Goodesy has been in decent form since his return from injury, a bit up and down but generally getting the job done. His average for the year is still sitting at a low-ish 91, but as I’m sure everyone here knows he is certainly capable of the big ones. A tough assignment this week for the Swans, but they will be desperate to come away from Geelong with the 4 points.

PREMIUMS

Taylor Walker (ADE) FWD 506.4k
Tex is another player to be in and out of the Best Buys this season, switching off with Tippett over who will score well most weeks and suspension issues aside he has had a good year for a young KPF. Averaging 100 he is still in the leading pack of forwards, and facing a GCS suns side in Adelaide this week means he is decent odds to kick a bag.

Brent Harvey (NM) M/F 536.8k
Boomer has dropped off this season, as many predicted he would, but what most didn’t predict was by how little. Averaging 96 for the year he has had some minor issues but overall has showed that he still has what it takes to impact a game. Playing against the Giants this weekend, you can expect Boomer to go large and rack up some big points for your Granny.

Alright, so that’s it for the season for the Best Buys from me, but for those of you who will be floating around over the off-season, or those that follow me on twitter, I’ll be working on a few things to keep our minds ticking over and give you all the best shot at 2013. Thanks for all your comments and support, and I’ll look forward to seeing you all again next year, when Best buys makes its return. Good luck to all!