THERE are just six rounds left before the Toyota AFL Dream Team finals start and if you’re lagging in the race for the top eight, it’s time to get a move on.
Luckily, the boffins at Dream Team Market Watch headquarters have come up with a few options that might just save your bacon.
The first cab off the rank is Hawk star Lance Franklin who, with a price of just $284,700, is about as cheap as he’s ever going to get.
Sure, his price reflects his output – about 74 points per week – but he could be the wildcard you need to book a finals berth. There aren’t many players who can turn it on like Buddy and there are even fewer like him at that price point.
Speaking of wildcards, there’s sure to be a rush on Melbourne’s Liam Jurrah after his exciting performance against Essendon on debut in round 12.
While he produced a goal of the week contender, Jurrah also showed he’s got some serious forward nous. Only the telescopic arms of Bomber Dustin Fletcher prevented him from walking away from Docklands with a three-goal haul.
At just $126,600, Jurrah’s 65-point effort is very encouraging and given the Demons’ dire forward stocks, he’s likely to play a fair bit of footy in the run home.
Looking further up the field, Carlton’s Shaun Grigg looms as a reasonable prospect.
The $256,800 on-baller produced a 93-point game against league leader St Kilda, auguring well for the rest of his season.
He’s managed just four games in 2009 but he looks to be approaching peak fitness and the week off will only have helped.
Another likely type is former Richmond midfielder Danny Meyer ($75,300) who’s been given a second chance as a mature rookie at Port Adelaide.
He played his first game for the Power in the Darwin massacre against the Western Bulldogs and was one of the few Port Adelaide players to shine, racking up 71 points.
Fremantle’s Michael Walters was tagged by the DT market analysts in their last report and he didn’t disgrace himself in his side’s gutsy effort against Geelong.
He added 31 points to go with his 70 from his debut against the Power and his price will certainly rise after his next game.
If you’ve got some surplus trades, you could do worse than replace a rookie who’s unlikely to play with either of Meyer or Walters.
Finally, a Market Watch golf clap goes to Richmond’s Andrew Collins, who this week assumed the mantle of the league’s most improved Dream Team performer.
He racked up 96 points against West Coast to boost his rating to $304,700 – almost $220,000 dearer than his starting price of $86,600.
Collins knocked off young Hawk Brendan Whitecross, who has held the top spot for most of the season to date.
Time will tell if the Tiger can stay there or whether there’s a late-season bolter lurking in the wings.
Top 10 movers
1. Andrew Collins (Rich) $304,700 (+$218,100)
2. Brendan Whitecross (Haw) $288,100 (+$201,500)
3. Daniel Rich (BL) $311,800 (+$185,200)
4. Brad Dick (Coll) $253,800 (+$167,200)
5. Garry Moss (Haw) $237,600 (+$162,300)
6. Greg Broughton (Fre) $237,600 (+$162,300)
7. Robin Nahas (Rich) $246,000 (+$161,700)
8. Zac Dawson (St K) $238,300 (+$159,000)
9. Mitch Clark (BL) $371,200 (+$153,400)
10. Angus Graham (Rich) $239,600 (+$153,000)
Top 10 losers
1. Lance Franklin (Haw) $284,700 (-$143,300)
2. Luke Hodge (Haw) $295,400 (-$133,400)
3. Steven Salopek (PA) $308,700 (-$107,500)
4. Brett Jones (WC) $206,800 (-$104,700)
5. James McDonald (Mel) $256,300 (-$103,300)
6. Brad Green (Mel) $329,800 (-$102,100)
7. Troy Simmonds (Rich) $269,700 (-$101,200)
8. Matthew Lloyd (Ess) $257,100 (-$98,900)
9. Robert Campbell (Haw) $171,400 (-$98,800)
10. Daniel Kerr (WC) $245,300 (-$93,900)
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
