ROUND eight's historic match in Shanghai tosses up an interesting problem for Fantasy coaches.
With Gold Coast and Port Adelaide players having their bye in round nine after their return from China, there's the temptation to bring in a couple of players who (in theory), won't miss a match after next weekend's games.
Houston, we have a problem: Port defender dumped
If you're so inclined, here are the lowest breakevens for Suns and Power players in contention to take the field at Jiangwan Sports Stadium.
1. Aidyn Johnson, FWD, $168,000 (Port Adelaide) – breakeven: -1
An emergency against West Coast last Saturday and every chance to build on his one game this year. Perfect bench cover.
2. Brett Eddy, FWD, $179,000 (Port Adelaide) – breakeven: 13
Battling to fight his way back into the senior line-up but 10 goals in his last two SANFL games means he could get the nod.
3. Brad Scheer, MID, $157,000 (Gold Coast) – breakeven: 14
An underwhelming debut last week scoring just 44 against the Cats but if Rodney Eade sticks with a winning formula, you should nab him.
4. Charlie Dixon, FWD, $439,000 (Port Adelaide) – breakeven: 26
Starred against the Eagles, and even if Charlie has a stinker against his former team, his price will jump substantially again.
5. Tom Clurey, DEF, $278,000 (Port Adelaide) – breakeven: 26
He's accountable, he's dependable, he's one of Port's first picked. But he doesn't score. Even with this low breakeven, look elsewhere.
6. Jack Bowes, MID/FWD, $275,000 (Gold Coast) – breakeven: 28
Dropped for the clash with the Cats but notched 71 against North in round six. Consider if he gets a recall.
7. Alex Sexton, MID, $398,000 (Gold Coast) – breakeven: 29
Torched the Cats for 104 last week and he's one of the better sub-$400,000 midfielders out there.
8. Karl Amon, MID/FWD, $373,000 (Port Adelaide) – breakeven: 29
Ken Hinkley said Amon was unlucky to be dropped against the Eagles. With scores of 101 and 90 in the previous two weeks, the coach was right!
9. Chad Wingard, FWD, $472,000 (Port Adelaide) – breakeven: 32
Has a tendency to be up and down but his 87.6 average is strong for a forward so 'The Chad' must come into your plans.
10. Callum Ah Chee, FWD, $342,000 (Gold Coast) – breakeven: 36
Notching 87 against Geelong last week shows he can score, but a back injury means he won't travel to China.
If you want to pick a real Fantasy dark horse, Angus Monfries (FWD, $347,000) could come into the selection frame for the Power for his first game since 2015. But admit to yourself, there must be better options.
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Top five price rises
- Aaron Black, Geelong (FWD, $259,000): +$39,000
- Ben McEvoy, Hawthorn (RUC, $520,000): +$38,000
- Jake Barrett, Brisbane Lions (MID/FWD, $279,000): +$38,000
- Bradley Hill, Fremantle (MID/FWD, $513,000): +$35,000
- Charlie Dixon, Port Adelaide (FWD, $439,000): +$34,000
Top five price falls
- Nick Riewoldt, St Kilda (FWD, $591,000): -$38,000
- Grant Birchall, Hawthorn (DEF, $439,000): -$37,000
- Nick Vlastuin, Richmond (MID, $291,000): -$32,000
- Brent Stanton, Essendon (MID, $449,000): -$32,000
- Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide (MID, $552,000): -$31,000
Get 'em in
Sam Mitchell, West Coast (MID, $522,000): Pretty quiet against the Power but still scored 81. Loves playing this week's opponent, the Bulldogs, and averages 118.5 against them.
Stephen Coniglio, GWS (MID, $623,000): Needed just the one match to show he's lost nothing in terms of Fantasy worth. Underpriced, even though he's over the $600,000 mark.
Harley Balic, Fremantle (MID/FWD, $250,000): Still time to grab the versatile Docker who has burst onto the Fantasy scene, particularly if you're part of the 62 per cent of coaches who don't have him.
Bye for now
David Swallow, Gold Coast (MID, $419,000): Just when we were getting excited, the Suns' gun mid is out again with a knee knock. Wait until after the bye to see where he's at.
David Mundy, Fremantle (MID, $529,000): After a decent spell of form, the veteran's breakeven (130) has pushed out of reach. Josh Kennedy is a safer bet at that price.
Grant Birchall, Hawthorn (DEF, $439,000): Looked a nice option this week against the Lions but a knee injury has him out for the next month.
