Hi guys.

Alright so Ive been awfully slack this week and obviously only just finished the Best Buys, and dont really have time for much of an intro. This last week has seen more carnage with Swan and Murphy both out for an unknown time, and many smaller worries popping up all over the place. Hopefully you can find some good options for replacement players, and for the lucky few who avoided it all, some great upgrade targets to claw some points back on the overall lead.

My pick this week is none other than ROK. He started poorly this season and as such is priced accordingly, and on previous form, or even just the last three weeks form, show he is a bargain for those willing to risk him. Hopefully this week my tip will perform a bit better than last weeks tip in Stevie J, who whilst playing a reasonably good game just couldnt make enough of an impact in a star-studded match-up.

Join me for the Best Buys and all your thumbs needs, which incidentally should be kept to this thread, over the break. Apologies about the tardiness.

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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
MID-PRICERS

Alex Rance (RIC) DEF 475.3k
Rance has been a Best Buys regular so far this year, and averaging 99 points so far at under 500 grand he makes it again this week. Whilst his regular appearances mean he has been quite consistent in keeping with up with the group of top defenders, it also indicates that he hasn’t quite taken that next step yet. The injury to Grimes will probably affect his scoring, but how still remains to be seen.

Beau Waters (WCE) DEF 493.4k
Beau has had a good season so far this year, averaging 99, but over the last three rounds has really stepped it up with an average of 115 for those. Still priced at just under 500 grand if he can keep up this output he will be a bargain. Has teased with good form before though, and to date hasn’t really delivered. Could be the year for Beau.

Scott Thompson (NM) DEF 483.3k
Scotty Thompson of the North variety has looked a decent prospect this year, posting overall pretty good scores but last week let down the coaches that brought him in slightly with a score of 88. Should still be a good option and hopefully he can pull out some bigger scores in weeks to come, and his round 11 bye could be useful as well.

PREMIUMS
Brett Deledio (RIC) D/M 609.2k
Lids has been in great form recently, and looks to have taken his game to another level with increased time through the midfield. His last three rounds he has averaged 10 ppg (points per game) higher than his already impressive overall average for the year of 123, and looks to be set for a massive second half to the season as Richmonds draw eases. Easily the best defender in SC so far this season.

Heath Shaw (COL) DEF 562.1k
Heater is making up for a slow start to the year and some minor injury issues, with his last three games producing an average of 132. An overall average for the season of 110 means he is priced at just over 550 grand and if he keeps up this level of output he will be comfortably in the top defenders at years end. Great upgrade option for those who don’t already have him.

Brendon Goddard (StK) D/M 522.8k
Goddard has been up and down so far this season, with some good games mixed in with some poor ones where he was singled out for a hard tag. Priced at not much over 500 grand he is currently averaging 8 ppg over his years average of 108 and hopefully he has learnt how to better handle close tagging. A proud player who will want to show that he can withstand the pressure, and should still be a top defender at the pointy end of the season.

MIDFIELD
MID-PRICERS
Nick Dal Santo (StK) MID 481.9k
NDS has had a fairly poor start to the season after last years stand-out effort, and has so far averaged 104. His price has seen a massive drop and is now comfortably under 500 grand, which considering the player in question must be seen as an aberration. On form this season he is a definite risk but he has shown before that he can rack up the big scores, but Hayes back in the side could well be affecting him negatively. One to consider, although mainly due to his dirt-cheap price.

Jimmy Bartel (GEE) MID 489.8k
Abrtel is another formerly elite player having a form slump, SC-wise anyway, and has also dropped in price to under 500 grand. His round 12 bye may put off a lot of coaches but if he can regain his previous form then he is a steal at this price. I for one expect him to gather some momentum through the second half of the season, but whether that is enough to put him into the top ranking midfielders I’m not so sure.

PREMIUMS
Scott Thompson (ADE) MID 633.4k
The original Scotty T has been on fire in recent weeks, averaging 140 over the last three rounds and playing against some quality opposition. At over 630 grand he isn’t what you’d call cheap, but considering that his three week average is 12 points over his season average you can expect him to increase by a decent amount in price over the next couple of weeks at least. Another player with a useful bye-round.

Ryan Griffen (WBD) MID 614.2k
Griff is really pushing his claims to elite status at the moment, averaging 115 ppg over the year and a massive 133 over his last three games. The Bulldogs have been improving over their poor start to the season and Griff looks to be benefitting from this, and Geelong should be a great test for him and the rest of the Doggies on Friday night.

Jobe Watson (ESS) MID 604k
Jobe has kept up his numbers this season, and so far has been injury free and fit, averaging a good 122 for the season and an even better 131 over the last three rounds. Jobe has been overshadowed this year by his team-mate in Stanton but his number still speak for themselves. Priced at just over 600 grand he could have been picked up for cheaper earlier, but on current form will not be this cheap again in a while. Was resting in the forward line at times on the weekend and took some good contested marks, if regular this move may work well for his scores as he sometimes lacks the speed of some of the straight midfielders.

Brent Stanton (ESS) MID 646.1k
Stanton has been the break-out star of SC this season, averaging 137 for the year, and 153 over the last three games. He can have the occasional quiet game when tagged well but his consistent 150+ games have thus far more than made up for those. Priced at almost 650 big ones he has already sky-rocketed in value this season, but is also in Ablett-like form so 700 isn’t out of the question.

Gary Ablett Jnr (GCS) MID 708.5k
Gazza has taken his recent role change in his stride, and instead of racking them up through the midfield has now been doing it through the forward and backlines as well as the midfield. Tipped to lose another 5 grand this week but on form you’d have to say it’s not worth the wait, for those that haven’t got him back in, now is as good a time as any.

Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 641.9k
Pendles has come back into form nicely, and his average of 129 is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Under 650 grand and on his average will lose another 4 grand this week but a big performance should see him rise in price instead. Still easily a top mid but with Swans absence he may cop a hard tag more often than not.

Josh P Kennedy (SYD) MID 605.6k
JPK has been in ripping form this year, averaging 128 and joining the elite mids in the process. At just over 600 grand there is probably better value found with a couple of other players but no doubt none will score much more, if any, than JPK over the year. Unfortunately a lot of the higher scoring mids this season are round 12 players and JPK falls into this category, I’m just not sure the points lost in the meantime will be made up in upgrading to him after the byes to avoid a donut.

RUCK
ROOKIES
Josh Jenkins (ADE) RUC 113.2k
Jenkins is a good sized rookie player who has so far impressed with an average of 88 ppg over his first two, meaning he is now on the bubble this round. Hasn’t played too much time in the ruck but his round 11 bye and ruck status in SC will see him a great downgrade option for Giles, for those with two premium rucks. His break-even of -107 mean if he hits his average this week he could hit 200 grand after his next game alone.

MID-PRICERS
Ben Hudson (BRI) RUC 493.4k
Huddo has impressed in Brisbane, and his average of 102 so far this season has also pleased a few SC coaches that have him. A definite POD he is currently ranked outside of the top few rucks but closer to them than say Kreuezer, for example, is and with Leueys continuing injury issues he may sneak closer over the next few weeks. Only just scrapes into the mid-pricers category so better value may be found in players like Ryder for not much more.

PREMIUMS
Paddy Ryder (ESS) RUC 505.1k
Ryder continues to impress, albeit with a few minor hiccups, and currently averaging 111 ppg he looks to be in with a good chance at the top few rucks this year. Essendons great form and quality midfield work in his favor so I wouldn’t expect too drastic a drop-off in his performance barring injury or a serious form reversal for the whole team. Resting forward he can take some good marks and is always a chance to kick a few goals.

Ivan Maric (RIC) RUC 524.7k
Maric has continued to show great form, probably thanks to his mullet Samson-style, and whilst his season average of 106 is fairly impressive his three game average of 128 is huge. The Tigers draw opening up over the back half of the year could increase his scoring, and if he can stay healthy and n form he will be a great POD acquisition.

FORWARD
ROOKIES
Dayne Zorko (BRI) M/F 113.2k
Zorko has come along at a perfect time for downgrades, and whilst he did have a big game against the Giants which may not be the best indicator of form, his average of 58 and break-even of -47 mean he should earn some decent money after his next game. MPP (multi-position player) eligibility means he will be a popular choice for the timing of his games and flexibility alone. Hasn’t shown to be the next “Horse”, but should be solid enough if he continues to get game-time. Had big wraps pre-season.

MID-PRICERS
Jonathan Brown (BRI) FWD 408.9k
Browny is probably now too injury prone to really be a Best Buy, but I figured I’d throw him in here as a consideration after his big 150+ against the kids and tiny price. If he can stay on the field and remain un-injured he may well push back into 100+ averages, but I think the days of his 140+ averages are well and truly past him.

Ryan O’Keefe (SYD) M/F 460k
ROK has started to come good now, and appears to have officially bottomed out in price. His years average of 82 does him little justice, as his previous three games has seen him average a decent 101. With Goodes out he will be relied upon more in the Swans side and is a great POD due to his poor form early. A great sneaky choice, and many of the SC veterans will surely have him by the end of the bye rounds.

Jordan Lewis (HAW) M/F 498.9k
Lewis just scrapes into the mid-pricers section this week, and with a break-even of 114 on his average of 100 he may well stay here for another couple of weeks. A strong midfielder that can be picked as a forward in previous years would have been a lock but with some of the young forward guns this season may not be rated by that many.

Nick Riewoldt (StK) FWD 483.7k
Roo is playing some good footy so far, without really doing anything special yet. Priced under 500 grand and averaging 102 he should be looked at as a good F6-7 but seems to still be struggling with the attention often given him by opposition teams. Can probably be waited on as without a massive game he should stay under the 500 grand mark for a couple of weeks still.

PREMIUMS
Steele Sidebottom (COL) M/F 576.4k
Sidey has been on fire in recent weeks, averaging 133 over the last three games and really standing up for those coaches that brought him in. The return of Daisy didn’t hamper his scoring efforts last week and he looks to be one of the fittest guys out there, getting sheer weight of possession through gut-running. Similar to the way Stanton has stepped up this year Sidey is looking to be one of the top pick-ups in his position.

Paddy Dangerfield (ADE) M/F 560.6k
Dangermouse exploded last week, with a 170+ point reward for the coaches that brought him in, and will probably be picked up by a lot this week. His play style may have its critics but these days contested possessions and clearances really are king. A great pick on a break-out year, his contract talks only seem to be driving him harder to increase his potential value.

Lance Franklin (HAW) FWD 553.9k
Buddy is averaging 123 ppg over his last three games, 13 ppg over his season average, and if he had been kicking straight may well be closer to 150. He has been getting plenty of the ball and shots on goal, and has only been let down by his goal kicking results. Expect him to work hard on his accuracy at training over the next few weeks and hopefully this will see him nab the extra points regquired each game to bump him back to a 120 average permanently. At around 550 grand he is almost as cheap as he will get.

David Zaharakis (ESS) M/F 510.1k
Zaha has been in good form recently, averaging 118 over his last three games, and is looking at a solid price rise this round. One of a slew of Essendon players now in contention for a lot of SC sides his early pre-season hype now seems to be coming through. A good choice but a risky one, as his scores can be inconsistent and may well rely on the Bombers winning, which this season so far hasn’t been too big an issue.

WAITING LIST
Tommy Walsh (SYD) FWD 113.2k *84
Sam Darley (GWS) DEF 113.2k *82
Stevie J (GEE) FWD 498.5k -18k
Matt Priddis (WCE) MID 503.5k -45k
Daisy (COL) MID 501.1k -40k
Robbo (CAR) MID 475.3k -35k
Pav (FRE) M/F 521.8k -27k