It's finally here. After a long SC season, particularly the last few weeks, those that have fought their way through all the donuts and the carnage have earned themselves a well deserved spot in the SC Grand Finals and now it all comes down to this one weekend in August. That doesn't sound quite right but I'm sure you all get the picture.

This week there is no single Best Buy, as it really comes down to who your opponent is playing and where you can gain an advantage against them. POD's will decide the outcome, and as such the Best Buys is mainly focusing on these players to try and give you the edge you need to take home the virtual silverware. Good luck to all those who have made it this far, in both leagues and overall, and I hope you can get a win this weekend.

This is the last article from me this year, probably anyway, so I look forward to chatting to you all over the off-season before it all starts over once again next year in the quest for fantasy glory.



DEFENSE
ROOKIES





Ariel Steinberg (ESS) DEF 123.9k 39 +19k

Steinberg is the only defensive rookie on the bubble this week, but being the SC grand finals I wouldn't have thought too many people would be looking for a downgrade option anyway. Just in case you are though, he's averaged 39 from his first 2 games and costs 124 grand.

PREMIUMS





Jarrad McVeigh (SYD) D/M 534.5k 105

McVeigh is still one of the better defensive picks of the season, with an average of 105 for the year and a price of 535 grand. With over 100,000 selections he's not a POD, but if you're playing a side with him already in it then it could be worthwhile bringing him in to cancel out the opposition advantage.



Nick Malceski (SYD) DEF 519k 104
Malceski has only just been pipped by McVeigh in averages, with a 104 for the year, but is in considerably less teams with around 28,000 selections. Looks a decent POD against McVeigh, and should be in for another good night against the Tigers this weekend.

REGULARS





David Swallow (GCS) D/M 470.2k 103

MIDFIELD
ROOKIES





Kayne Turner (NM) MID 102.4k 69 +64k

The diminutive schoolboy has been impressive in his first 2 matches in the AFL, averaging 69 and showing a hard edge with some good contested ball numbers. Costing just over 100 grand and looking a decent coverage option, Turner will be one to watch next season.



Mark Whiley (GWS) MID 182.6k 84 +62k

The more expensive of the on-the-bubble options this week Whiley sits at around 182 grand, but has been averaging a healthy 84 to go with it. In a Giants side currently struggling with a few injuries he looks set to play his 3rd game of the season this week, and if he does then looks to be the better of the rookie choices this week.



Ciaran Sheehan (CAR) MID 161.1k 65 +40k
Ciaran Sheehan burst his bubble last week, but with a price of just over 160 grand is still quite affordable. The Blues got well and truly hammered by the Power last Friday night, and will be looking to make amends in their final game for the year. Averaging 65 from his first few games at the top level the Irishman hasn't looked out of place, and should cement a spot in the Blues line-up for next season.

MID-PRICERS





Tom Liberatore (WBD) MID 511.1k 110

Libba has been good this season, but hasn't quite made the step up into elite territory just yet. Averaging 110 flat for the year and showing why so many picked him early on, he currently sits in around 53,000 sides and with a current price of around 510 grand is well priced for his numbers.



Jobe Watson (ESS) MID 532.1k 108

Jobe has looked decent since his return from injury, but hasn't been scoring anywhere near his previous best. After a 70-something on the weekend he would have disappointed the coaches that grabbed him for the finals, but has one chance remaining to make a difference for your team. Costing 532 grand and averaging 108 for the season Jobe is a risky pick, but with only 19,000 picks at the moment has some good POD value.



Adam Treloar (GWS) MID 509.9k 107

Treloar has been excellent for the Giants this year, but still has a bit of work to do to make it into the ranks of the SC elite. Averaging 107 and costing just 510 grand he offers good value, and with 9,000 selections to his name is also a big POD.

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Dion Prestia (GCS) MID 502.3k 106

Prestia is another player to look for next season, with an average of 106 for this year he has been one of the few Suns to continue to perform in Gaz's absence. Priced at 502 grand and sitting in 8,000 teams he is again a good POD, but as with all of them will obviously need to pump out some big numbers in his last game to make him a worthwhile selection.



Brendon Goddard (ESS) MID 482.2k 103
BJ bounced back after a poor game the week prior with a huge 164 in his last game. Now averaging 103 for the year and costing just over 480 grand his 17,000 owners will be hoping for a repeat of last week's efforts, and Goddard represents good value for those willing to take the punt.

PREMIUMS





Tom Rockliff (BRI) MID 711.3k 132

Rocky will finish the season with some massive numbers, including his 170 point effort last week against a rampaging Freo. Costing a huge 711 grand and averaging 132 for the season his price is a pretty good reflection of his form in the last couple of months, and those with the cash to bring him in would be well served doing so. The new perma-captain in Ablett's absence, his price and remaining trades will be the only reasons he is currently in 54,000 teams instead of 150,000+.



Nathan Jones (MEL) MID 550.3k 108

Jones has had a great year this year, by SC standards anyway, and will be looking to finish the season strongly this weekend against the Roos. Costing 550 grand and averaging 108 for the year, including a 129 last outing, Jones is currently in around 11,000 sides and has some solid POD prospects.



Jordan Lewis (HAW) MID 635.9k 107
Lewis was a bit quieter on the weekend, compared to his 2 massive games prior anyway, but is still a solid performer. Averaging 107 for the season and only making his way into around 6,000 sides he is not a popular pick to date, but one that can certainly pay off when on his game. Costing 635 grand he is on the high side of things this week, but being the SC grand final and all it's only about the points this week.

<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background: #ffffff;]Bryce Gibbs (CAR) MID 543.1k 107
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background: #ffffff;]Gibbs has had a break-out year this year after receiving a lot of criticism for not living up to expectations in the past. Averaging 107 for the season with a price of 543 grand he still isn't quite where many hoped he would be, but has shown all the signs of getting there next year. With only 4,000 picks for the season to date he has huge POD value, and will be looking to bounce back to finish the year on a positive after being thrashed the week before.
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REGULARS





Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 596.6k 126

RUCK
MID-PRICERS





Patrick Ryder (ESS) RUC 496.4k 100
Ryder has had a solid year so far, averaging 100 flat for his 10,000 coaches and flying somewhat under the radar. A big game against the Blues this Saturday will be forefront in his mind, and after a 133 point game last week he's certainly well positioned to have one. Costing under 500 grand he is well priced currently, and playing against Cam Wood in the ruck should certainly give him plenty of opportunities to score well once again.

PREMIUMS





Shane Mumford (GWS) RUC 534k 115

Mummy has been a good pick this season, apart from the missed games. Averaging 115 over the matches he's played he's one of the better performing rucks by stats alone, and belted out a huge 165 in his last game. Sitting in 34,000 teams and playing the Dogs on Sunday arvo, possibly without Minson again, he looks a likely candidate for another big scoring week.



Todd Goldstein (NM) RUC 631.8k 106
Goldy has been interesting this season, not matching his efforts from last year but still playing well with an average of 106 over the year. Costing 631 grand and sitting in around 18,000 teams he isn't the most popular ruckman going around, but always has the potential to go large in any given game.

FORWARD
PREMIUMS





Stefan Martin (BRI) R/F 555.9k 112

Stef Martin has been one of the picks of the year since Leuey went down injured, and has to be strong chance to keep the number one ruck mantle at the Lions next season. Now priced at 555 grand and averaging 112 for the games he's played he will create some big selection dilemmas for Leppa next season, but with 70,000 picks in SC so far is a lock for the sides he's in. Scoring another 120+ on the weekend he is in excellent form, and will be looking to finish the year on a high against the Cats on Saturday night.



Robbie Gray (PTA) M/F 572.1k 110

Robbie had a massive match against the Blues last Friday, scoring 174 and cementing his place at the top of the AFLCA voting for the season. A big contender for most improved player this season he has averaged 110 SC for his 57,000 coaches, and with a price of 572 grand should still be fairly affordable for those lucky few with trades remaining.



Luke Parker (SYD) M/F 577k 108
Parker has to be another contender for most improved this season, averaging 108 for the year on the back of a 141 point performance last weekend. Costing 577 grand and sitting in 67,000 teams he is surprisingly more popular than Gray, but playing a Tigers outfit on the weekend in a match that Richmond needs to lose to take out 9th spot on the ladder. An excellent pick for those that grabbed him, and looking a likely lock for next season.

REGULARS





Patrick Dangerfield (ADE) M/F 506.8k 105