Hey Doc. My team was going fine until two broken legs broke my team. The two injured players are Barlow and Ziebell (who is currently in the forward line). I have cover for these players but neither of them will be back this year. Who should I trade in for them? Thanks, Alex (five trades, $87,700)
This was a brutal blow for Freo fans, Alex, and I dare say it took a while for the shock to reside and attention to be turned to potential ‘ins’ this week. But it’s a brutal game, Dream Team, and there are really so many options here.
Your situation with Ziebell isn’t unique, with a ton of coaches hit with this double blow, so let’s go through three different approaches to this week’s most common conundrum.
The first, for those coaches who don’t already have Swanny, is get the best available replacement for Barlow and whatever you can afford for Ziebell. This leaves you with Swan ($512,100) and Crow Patrick Dangerfield ($275,100), who has averaged a respectable 74 over his last five rounds and appears to be building.
It’s not the best option though. With your kitty of $816,400 you can afford to get two stars who I suggest will average more than a Swan-Dangerfield combo.
Alan Didak ($398,800) is a good value forward option and he’s averaging 104 over the last three rounds. Pick him up in the forward line and you can afford Joel Selwood, Chris Judd, Brent Stanton or Bryce Gibbs in your midfield. I’d take your pick, depending on who you have already, in that order.
Thirdly, and this is a nifty little trick, bring in Matthew Pavlich ($350,400) alongside Paul Chapman ($459,600) and open up a double position link. This will give you an added sense of security when it comes to injuries/players being rested in the run home, like Chappy.
Hey Doc, Last week was terrible for my team with Micky Barlow and Jack Ziebell going down with broken legs. I can upgrade to anyone but I am worried about players getting injured or rested for finals. Are there any good value midfield and forward players that could come in for Barlow and Ziebell that aren't at risk of late season resting or injury? Cheers, Joel ( six trades, $242,900)
Let’s take a trip back to round 19, 2009, Joel - a dark day in DT history. St Kilda was two games clear in top spot and facing the 10th-placed Hawks at Aurora Stadium in Tasmania - a cold place.
DT coaches were told in advance that Nick Riewoldt (concussion), Brendon Goddard (knee), Sam Gilbert (back), Leigh Montagna (elbow) and Lenny Hayes (back) would miss the match. Enough of a blow.
Then, in late team news, Ross Lyon rested Nick Dal Santo (illness) and Sam Fisher (back). It sparked fevered debate in not only DT circles but the betting world as well.
At Geelong - and it should be mentioned these are the two sides people will again be concerned about this year - Chappy was the only DT favourite sidelined in the run home, with a hamstring injury.
As you can see it’s a legitimate concern, but I think the landscape is different this year. St Kilda and Geelong are locked on 11 wins each in a battle for top spot, and the prize, a likely qualifying final against Fremantle or the Western Bulldogs (as opposed to Collingwood), is significant.
Having said that, there are players that I think are more likely to be rested than other - Chappy and Hayes.
If you’d like to play it safe, look for midfield recruits at Carlton or the Western Bulldogs, two sides that will be battling for the best possible finals spot right up until round 22.
Judd, Gibbs and Simpson offer great value and reliability at Carlton, while Matthew Boyd at the Bulldogs has hit some great form.
Hi Doc, I'm thinking about getting Nick Riewoldt back in. Would it be worth a trade? If so, I'm not sure which one of my forwards to trade out for him? Pavlich and Goodes haven't been playing their best footy and then I've got my cheapies in Lewis Jetta, Scott Gumbleton, Cameron Hitchcock and Nat Fyfe. I need your help! Thanks, David (six trades, $194,500)
I understand the run into the finals can prompt some desperate trades, David, but it’s much too soon to be looking at an exchange like this.
Financially, you’d be buying a player who is poised to drop in price significantly for at least two weeks after his parting score of 20 in round three.
Then there’s the issue of his form and that hamstring. Matthew Lloyd, a player who should know, has warned that Riewoldt will need time to regain his touch and match fitness. I reckon we listen to Matthew on this one.
There is still the issue of those young forwards though - and that bulging bank balance - so trading this week is hardly off the table.
Fyfe has been superb at Fremantle and his concussion should only hold him out for the week. Gumbleton is just going, but his side isn’t doing him any favours, while Hitchcock is selected this week.
Jetta ($198,700) has made you $93,200 but he’s the guy who appears to have run his race. You’ve got a kitty of $393,200 to turn him into a gun, so I suggest bringing in one of Judd ($391,00) or O’Keefe ($364,100) in that order. Good luck!
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The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
