Hi all,

Just was doing some future planning and was thinking well it would be nice to know that there are some juicy downgrade targets across the board.  But with so many good prospects getting games regularly and early, we might not be able to get good cash cow $ plus handy bench coverage as we have done in the past.

What we are looking for are players who will remain under 150k, preferably in the 80-100 zone in the important Round 8-12 trade zone.  Assuming for all the noobs that this is when the midfield rookies reach their peak, and you can trade them out as they struggle to hit breakevens.

The question is who are the likely targets?  I will look at each position (over the break).

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Defence:
Chris Schmidt from the Crows started late, may have average job security (Bock, Stevens, Rutten) but scored well on the weekend.  One to keep an eye on.
Andrew Moore, early draft pick from Port.  Got a taste, has the DEF/FWD ability (only really activatible with Waite though..) seems a slow burner but could be good coverage later in the season.
Jarrad Blight.  Big wraps on this Pie junior, but job security is hard in a strong Pies team.  Has the talent and will score if he gets games.  10 games max youd reckon.
Jeremy Webberley from Richmond.  That should be enough to have neon signs saying Buyer Beware, but might get games soon.  3 by round 10, and regular after that would perfectly suit Waters/Maguire upgrades.
Marcus Davies from Carlton.  Apparently the Blues are impressed and might get a run if they want to blood a few kids mid to late season.  (Finals aspirations gone if they lose this week?)
Talia and Davis from the Crows - got Preseason Time, but not much else.  If the Crows bomb further this year, these two with MPP F/D will have to come into consideration.
Injury Watch - for mine its Howard and Sheppard.  One with great ability to come in, one with a great team who can lift his scores.  Ill leave you to work out which.

Im not really happy with the defence, but there does appear to be something to work with.

Midfield.  All over the shop Im afraid.
Cunnington.  Comes at a cost but should get gametime for the Roos.  Hope he stays out for another week or two.
Howlett.  One of the better rookie starters, would be great to see him out for a fortnight, then a regular.  His 83k is very tasty and even with one upgrade week, he would be an obvious target for a quick upgrade.
Scully.  Struggling at the moment with the pace of the game and disposal.  Not looking the cleanest and best of the Demon youth.  If he goes down in value, or even gets dropped I wouldnt hesitate to consider him in the mid to late season.  Expensive likely for a downgrade option but youd think he will get at least 15 games this year.
Lucas/Melksham - Low draft picks, now in the team.  Very hard to see them staying low enough to be in the range for a downgrade.
Colyer/JKT - Job security looks low for the longer term.  Id probably steer clear.
Strauss - If he stays low value could be  a good investment.  Melbourne rate the kid internally very high.  Durability a bit of a concern and hasnt exactly turned it on so far.  One to watch definitely.
Blease - See Strauss except without the game time this season.
Rohan - Showed plenty in the preseason.  Youd think hed get a run soon, and he activates your forward MPPs nicely.  Everyone is hoping he is ready about Round 8.  Yum.

The rest of the midfielders at the moment appear a mixed bunch.  What does the community reckon?  There might be someone at your club who you can fill us in on who is banging down the door.

Rucks... Generally I say run fast.  But if you are wanting to downgrade say Warnock for another ruck (assuming maybe Warnock gets to 250), please consider...
Max Bailey - return from injury
Jamie Charman - ditto
Roughead - looking good in the magoos...that said the Minson/Hudson wall is big
And really no one else has a realistic chance of regular game time.

Forwards, surely there are plenty.
Rockliff will just miss a downgrade unless you strike early with Tippett.  If you do, then Rockliff v Peterson is the debate you must have.  Rockliff youd think higher scoring but Peterson better security (at a cost of 70k now).
Now the options for the downgrades:
Ben Reid/Andrew Moore - expected low scoring options on the fringe of selection
Relton Roberts...well hes going to be cheaper than 83k soon...
Hicks/Rohan - have the MPP option, Hicks cheaper and youd think worthy of a go soon
Tarrant mark 2 surely would have had a run in the dysfunctional North forward line if he were any good.  Petries return with squeeze him.
Watts is the other mystery man.  Youd think he would need to play soon so Melbourne can work out if they have purchased a dud stallion for top $.  Starting out this year in about Round 7 would be perfect - you might even be able to make money out of Gumbleton by then.

Injuries pending:
Tapscott is one to watch.
Rusling if he gets back to the Seniors at Collingwood is certainly worth a look (though most unlikely IMPO)
Dennis-Lane came across with big wraps, but at the moment the Swans are doing well.  Should that change, he might get a run, but McGlynn seems to be handling that role well.

OK now its over to you.