Doc, my team's injury list is growing every week, with Brad Ottens and Michael Hurley joining Andrew Raines and Scott Gumbleton. It's forced me to play low scorers like Simon Prestigiacomo and Zac Dawson. Should I trade early? Who for? – Nick
Yes Nick, it's time to trade – but not your injured backmen. Raines (2 weeks) and Hurley (2-4 weeks) will be back contributing for your team in no time. But Presti and Dawson? They've been handy enough defenders, but they're going to be passengers for your DT all year. It's time to trade those two in.
I've got two kids for you and they both come in at the bargain price of $86,600 this week, before price adjustments start.
Adelaide speedster Jared Petrenko has scored 66 and 58 so far after being promoted from the rookie list at the end of last year. Pair him with Melbourne's Kyle Cheney (scores of 81 and 53) and you've got two kids who'll hold down the backline until Raines and Hurley are back, maybe even winning their own spot in the 22 from week to week thereafter.
I thought a Brownlow medal was a big tick next to a player, Doc, but Adam Cooney is killing me! He's filling one of my prime midfield spots and, with the league starting next week, I don't know if I can keep carrying him. What should I do? – Matt
Unfortunately in Dream Team, Matt, price is paramount and scores count for much more than Brownlow Medals. Cooney was a Dream Team star last year, something the umpires no doubt considered when entering their votes each week, but he's had a slow start to 2009.
After an interrupted pre-season, Rocket has been cautious with his star mid, playing him in spurts off the bench. But coming in at $410,000, scores of 51 and 63 don't cut it and it doesn't matter what he does this week, his price is tumbling.
If you're confident he'll lift sooner rather than later, keep him and keep the trade in you pocket. But if you're not, get Bryce Gibbs.
The No.1 ranked player in the League notched a round one 110 and a massive 152 last week. He's in super touch, but he won't stay at $387,300 for long.
Daniel Rich went right over my head and I'm copping it from everyone, Doc. I've tried to stick by my rookies in the past rather than using trades but Liam Anthony is injured on my bench and Rich looks set for a great year. What do you reckon? – Brett
You're just in time, Brett, but seriously, Daniel Rich went over your head? The fourth most popular player in the League earned a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination with 83 DT points in round one, and followed that up with a cool 91 last week against Carlton's DT dynamos. So let's get him in your side.
First round picks are lugging around some extra dollar value this year, so Rich is coming in at $126,600 for one week only. Anthony will be out for another two-three weeks with a stress fracture in his foot, but his price of $86,600 doesn't cover Rich.
You can trade down one of your underperforming players around the ground to free up some cash, but that means two trades early in the year to get Rich into your side. I'd keep Anthony on your bench and trade your worst performing midfielder on the field for Rich and play the kid. He may have gone over your head, but if he's on your field I'm sure you'll pay him the attention he deserves!
Got a guaranteed 100 skipper for me, Doc? Pavlich and Ablett have both let me down so far this season. – Nat
Alright, Nat. I reckon I've got a few this week. Everyone's favourite skipper, G. Ablett, may have let me down last week with 81 DT points against the Tigers. But let's look at the stats. He still had 29 touches, but laid just one tackle and gave away three free kicks – very un-Gaz-like.
After his 123 in round one, I'm sure Ablett can get the job done against Collingwood (he notched 118 against them last time, despite Geelong losing by 86 points).
Other sure things in my book are teammate Jimmy Bartel and the white-hot Bryce Gibbs.
But if you like a bit of excitement in your captain choices (and who doesn't) why not take a look at the out-of-sorts Matthew Pavlich? Adelaide defender Nathan Bock isn't making the trip to Subiaco and after scores of 81 and 78 the Pav should be ready to erupt.
This week's top three:
Bryce Gibbs (152 last week)
Jimmy Bartel (125)
Gary Ablett (81)
Best of luck to you all, Dream Teamers!
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
