This week see's the Best Buys with a bit of a different look, being SC finals and all, with no rookie picks at all and the majority of players mentioned in the premium price bracket. For the last few rounds of the year it's all about points on the board, and as such we're focusing on the main players likely to get them for you. There are no rookies on the bubble, that played last week anyway, and while someone like Jono O'Rourke is still affordable I think generally most teams will be much better served picking up a cheap non-playing rookie with DPP status to take advantage of coverage in other lines. With rolling lockouts this season coaches who can take advantage of the loopholes this provides will be at a considerable advantage, so picking some riskier players with that in mind could well pay off in spades.

That brings us to the Best Buy of the week, Jarrad Waite. A definite risk, and one I'd be very hesitant to suggest normally, Waite has been in career best form over the past few weeks and if he can keep it going could be a massive boost for those with the guts to grab him. The Cats this week are a formidable test for Waite, but as it's the Friday night game he should sit nicely on the forward bench for those with a non-playing forward next to him that can take the field if Waite goes large once again. Waite is likely playing for his football career now, and will need to keep producing to ensure a spot somewhere next year and possibly beyond.


DEFENSE
MID-PRICERS





Heath Shaw (GWS) DEF 440.1k 92

Heater has made his way back into the Best Buys this week, on the back of a 126 point outing against North in his last game. An inconsistent player prone to brain fades Shaw is currently only in around 15,000 sides, but when he plays his natural game he is always capable of generating big scores. Playing Melbourne, Collingwood and then the Doggies in the last 3 SC games of the year he has a decent run home, and with a price of 440 grand could be a cheapish POD for the finals.



Matthew Jaensch (ADE) DEF 457.9k 89
Jaensch hit a real purple-patch earlier on in the year, resulting in selection numbers that are still around the 38,000 mark. Somewhat inconsistent with an average of only 89, his disposal efficiency and intercept marks are what keep him in selection contention as he is one of the players that can still top 100 points without huge disposal numbers. Coming off a 117 in his last outing and fighting for a finals spot Jaensch's price of around 460 grand could offer great value if he can keep hitting his targets consistently.

PREMIUMS





Nick Malceski (SYD) DEF 512.7k 103

With the Swans in good shape and one of the form teams in the competition currently Malceski is the first of a few Sydney-siders to feature this week. Priced at just over 510 grand and averaging 103 for the season he has been good value to date for his 25,000 coaches, and will be looking to continue that deep into the SC finals. With a run home of St Kilda, the Bulldogs and then Richmond the Swans will be confident in winning all their remaining matches, and players like Mal should have every opportunity to continue to score well.



Jarrad McVeigh (SYD) D/M 510.5k 103

McVeigh has a lot of the same positives as Malceski, but is in considerably more teams topping the 100,000 selection mark for the season so far. Costing 510 grand and averaging 103 he offers decent value, and has been fairly consistent over the year to boot. Again with the good run home, and D/M positioning on the side, McVeigh has been one of the better defenders in SC this season.



Kade Simpson (CAR) DEF 500.3k 99
Simpson continues to dominate off half-back in the absence of Walker, coming off a 128 point game against the Suns over the weekend. While only averaging 99 for the season he has certainly performed better without Walker in the side, and his 44,000 coaches so far would have little complaints. Costing 500 grand almost on the dot and providing great run out of defence, the Blues tough run home may serve Simmo well and keep his numbers around the 120 mark over the remaining games.

MIDFIELD
PREMIUMS





Nathan Fyfe (FRE) MID 645.5k 123

Fyfe has been a star this season, and is tipped by many to take out the Brownlow count even if he's ineligible to actually take Charlie home on the night. Struggling slightly last week with a shoulder concern those looking to bring him in will want to keep an eye on team selections and injury whispers, but if he does play then should be seriously considered. On the pricey side at 645 grand for an average of 123 Fyfe has managed a 130 average over his last 3 games, and his 86,000 coaches will certainly be glad they brought him in.



Joel Selwood (GEE) MID 645.1k 120

Ducky has been in excellent form lately, averaging 141 over his last 3 games to bring his price up to 645 grand this week. With over 100,000 picks so far he is one of the more popular players going around but for very good reason. With the Cats doing just enough in their last few games to fall over the line they made be being underestimated by some, but appear to be good odds to keep the wins coming on the backs of players like Selwood.



Matt Priddis (WCE) MID 630.7k 115

Priddis has been getting a bit more attention in recent weeks, topped off by a 155 in the win over Collingwood. For a player averaging 115 for the season his selection numbers of around 9,000 are ridiculously low, and he could be a great POD for finals as the Eagles strive to make the top 8. Priced relatively expensively at 630 grand some may balk at his asking price, but if he can stay in the same form he shown in recent weeks he's more than worth it for those with the spare cash and trades.



Rory Sloane (ADE) MID 563.6k 114

Sloane pulled out a blinder on the weekend against the Lions, pumping out a 172 to bring a big smile to the faces of his 21,000 coaches. Averaging 114 for the season and almost 100 grand cheaper than many of his contemporaries averaging similar numbers he offers great value, and is a solid POD option for those looking to take a risk. The Crows are also one of the many teams fighting to keep their finals hopes alive, and with Sloane and Jacobs going the way they are currently they should be every chance to do so.



Steele Sidebottom (COL) MID 591.6k 113

Sidey has been in excellent form recently, which is mirrored by his current price of 590 grand, but with only 3,000 picks to his name is severely overlooked in SC terms. Averaging 113 for the year and managing a big 145 in the loss to the Eagles the Pies may be struggling, but Sidey is one of the few regularly saluting for his team. Swan's possible inclusion may either help or hinder the Pies midfielder's output, but going by his recent record he should be a good chance to keep the big numbers coming.



Michael Barlow (FRE) MID 583.3k 112
Barlow is the blue-collar star of the Fremantle midfield, not gaining the attention of the likes of Fyfe or even Mundy but regularly being in the Dockers best and scoring some nice fantasy numbers. Averaging 112 for the year and scoring a 132 in the loss to the Cats Barlow is capable of regular big scores, and provides a great POD option for finals with only 12,000 selections to his name. Priced at around 585 grand he is somewhat expensive going by his numbers, but at this stage of the season points scored are the only metric that really matters.

REGULARS





Scott Pendlebury (COL) MID 583.8k 125

Dayne Beams (COL) MID 613.5k 118

RUCK
PREMIUMS





Sam Jacobs (ADE) RUC 604.8k 115

Jacobs put in a huge effort on the weekend, going 160+ against the Lions and an in-form Stef Martin. Priced at just over 600 grand and averaging 115 for the year he is again on the pricey side, but his 32,000 coaches so far will be rapt with his scoring to date. Playing the Tigers, Roos and then Saints in the SC grand final, out of the teams competing for a spot in the 8 the Crows also have one of the better runs home.



Stefan Martin (BRI) R/F 522.8k 109

Stef Martin continues to put pressure or Leuey to hold his spot as number one ruck at Brisbane next year, and has been invaluable to his 69,000 SC teams as a swingman through both the ruck and forward lines. Averaging 109 from his shortened season and now costing 522 grand he still offers value, and in conjunction with the right rookies could well save his teams a donut if there are surprise withdrawals in the remaining games. One of the better picks so far this season.



Todd Goldstein (NM) RUC 635.9k 106
Goldy has been in excellent form late in the season, culminating in a 143 in his last game against Mummy and his Giants. Priced very highly for his season's numbers at around 635 grand with a 106 average he will likely be ignored by most from here out, but if points on the board is what you're after then there aren't many better options going around. Sitting in around 18,000 sides he is a bit of a POD, when compared to the likes of Sandi and Martin, but his main appeal will likely be playing the Demons in the SC granny.

REGULARS





Aaron Sandilands (FRE) RUC 517.4k 111

FORWARD
MID-PRICERS





Taylor Walker (ADE) FWD 419.5k 81
Tex has been slowly building since his return from injury, and on the back of a six goal haul against the hapless Lions on the weekend pumped out a 133 for his 34,000 coaches to show why he's a great loophole option for SC finals. Costing around 420 grand and facing a price rise in the vicinity of 25 grand after his next game Tex looks to be fit and firing, but has been inconsistent and will probably best serve his teams as a bench option or to replace players like Pav struggling for form.

PREMIUMS





Luke Parker (SYD) M/F 561k 106

Parker bounced back on the weekend with a solid score against Port, and proved that the return of Hanneberry shouldn't affect him too drastically. Somewhat expensive currently at 560 grand for an average of 106, he has been one of the better forwards going around this season as his 64,000 selections attest. The DPP status is a decent advantage for him over the last few games of the year, and he will most likely find his way into a decent few more sides by round 23.



Ben McGlynn (SYD) FWD 546.2k 99

Last week's Best Buy stood up well on the weekend, belting out a 134 against the Power including a final quarter where he dropped off considerably. This only goes to highlight his scoring potential when he can put a full game in, and is one of the reasons he's now in contention for All-Australian honours. Averaging 129 over his last 3 games he has been in excellent form, and the Swans will be banking on him keeping that run going for a while yet. Priced at under 550 grand and still sitting in only around 6,000 teams, McGlynn is a great POD option and suits the loophole game quite well.



Jarrad Waite (CAR) FWD 530.5k 92
Finally we reach the Best Buy of the week, and while it's one I'm fairly nervous about his recent numbers can't be ignored. Since returning to the side Waite has looked a different player for the Blues, belting out a 160 on the weekend against an admittedly poor Suns side he has also averaged 145 over his last 3 games. Costing 530 grand and sitting in under 2,000 teams he is a huge POD, and with the Friday night game this week is an excellent contender for an emergency/loophole position for those with trades to spare. A very risky pick, but currently in career best form, Waite is not one for the faint of heart.

WAITING LIST





Steve Johnson (GEE) MID 526.9k 106 -43k

Daniel Hannebery (SYD) MID 520.8k 99 -45k

Callan Ward (GWS) MID 593.4k 114 -12k

Pearce Hanley (BRI) D/M 596.5k 101 -18k

Jobe Watson (ESS) MID 580.7k 113 -5k

Steven Motlop (GEE) FWD 482.1k 84 -28k