Are you among the 97,843 glowing with smug self-satisfaction after selecting Brisbane Lions tyro Daniel Rich in their squad?
Or are you one of more than 148,000 people who overlooked the competition’s most improved player when he was going for a song?
As expected, Rich topped the list of most improved players when the new player ratings were released this week.
Formerly rated a $126,600 midfielder, he’ll now cost you $185,900 – an increase of almost $60,000.
Other popular pre-season gambles that have paid off include Essendon’s Hayden Skipworth (up $46,100) and the Western Bulldogs’ Shaun Higgins (up $39,100).
But several bolters have emerged among the more obvious choices for Dream Team coaches seeking value.
For instance, who would have picked young Hawk Brendan Whitecross as the second most-improved player after three rounds?
When a youngster’s got Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell, Luke Hodge, Michael Osborne, Chance Bateman, Grant Birchall and Xavier Ellis blocking his path to a midfield berth, he’s certainly not screaming out for selection.
But Whitecross rewarded the faith of almost 4000 coaches with a 110-point game against North Melbourne, pushing his value up by a whopping $53,800 to a tick over $140,000.
Demon defender Kyle Cheney, versatile Adelaide midfielder Andy Otten and Essendon on-baller Heath Hocking are other unsung younger players that have enhanced their reputation early.
At the other end of the scale, it’s a sorry story for many of the game’s bona fide stars.
The list of top 10 biggest losers from round three reads like a who’s who of the AFL’s elite –Nick Riewoldt, Brent Harvey, Barry Hall, Adam Cooney, Cameron Ling and Andrew Embley all feature.
But it was North Melbourne ruckman-forward David Hale who trumped them all to claim the most dubious of Dream Team honours in round three, with a price drop of more than $60,000.
No wonder his skipper Harvey threatened to expel him from his Dream Team last week. Just between us, Boomer: you should have acted sooner.
As for the rest of us cashed-up coaches who made out like bandits on the back of undervalued rookies, the serious horse-trading starts now.
Do you trade in your youngsters for some big name talent that’s dropped in price?
Or to quote the ever-quotable Danny Frawley from his days in charge of Richmond, will you “stick fat” with the blokes who have got you this far?
With the private and public leagues gearing up this weekend, there’s never been a better time to cast a critical eye over your squad.
Toyota AFL Dream Team round three
Top 10 movers
1. Daniel Rich (BL) $185,900 (+$59,300)
2. Mitch Robinson (Carl) $141,400 (+$54,500)
3. Brendan Whitecross (Haw) $140,400 (+$53,800)
4. Hayden Skipworth (Ess) $242,700 (+$46,100)
5. Kyle Cheney (Mel) $131,700 (+$45,100)
6. Andy Otten (Adel) $170,000 (+$43,500)
7. Aaron Joseph (Carl) $118,000 (+$42,700)
8. Jared Petrenko (Adel) $127,400 (+$40,000)
9. Shaun Higgins (WB) $251,000 (+$39,100)
10. Heath Hocking (Ess) $251,800 ($38,800)
Top 10 losers
1. David Hale (NM) $263,900 (-$60,200)
2. Adam Cooney (WB) $364,400 (-$45,600)
3. Brent Harvey (NM) $380,000 (-$39,900)
4. Andrew Embley (WC) $377,300 (-$37,900)
5. Barry Hall (Syd) $319,800 (-$35,800)
6. Cameron Ling (Geel) $355,700 (-$34,500)
7. Nick Riewoldt (StK) $407,800 (-$33,400)
8. Andrew Mackie (Geel) $370,100 (-$33,400)
9. James Kelly (Geel) $361,800 (-$33,000)
10. Clinton Young (Haw) $342,300 (-$33,000)
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
