THERE are some big issues that need attention this week, none bigger than the hamstring injury to inspirational Blues skipper Patrick Cripps who was averaging 124 over his first three games.

The Blues have indicated he is likely to miss only one week, but he is unfortunately priced well below his worth after starting the season at a bargain price. 

MEDICAL ROOM Check out the full injury list

Coaches who have Braydon Preuss sitting at R2 will be eagerly awaiting teams to drop in oder to work out a plan to cover the suspended big man. It looks like there may be a number of bench options with Sam and Jack Hayes both in the mix for selection this week due to suspension and injury, while Hugh Dixon is also set for an increased role due to Nic Naitanui’s extended time on the sideline.

MOST TRADED IN

• Nathan O’Driscoll (DEF/MID, $275,000)
• Bailey Smith (MID, $872,000)
• Marcus Windhager (MID/FWD, $218,000)
• Will Brodie (FWD/MID, $595,000)
• Hugh Dixon (FWD/RUC, $278,000)

MOST TRADED OUT

• Patrick Cripps (MID, $803,000)
• Paddy McCartin (DEF/FWD, $359,000)
• Josh Ward (MID, $381,000)
• Matt Rowell (MID, $572,000)
• Josh Hayes (FWD/RUC, $367,000)

TOP FIVE PRICE RISES

• Nick Daicos (MID, $545,000) +$88k
• Will Brodie (FWD/MID, $595,000) +$76k
• Nic Martin (FWD, $422,000) +$74
• Nathan O’Driscoll (DEF/MID, $275,000) +73k
• Zac Williams (DEF, $658,000) +61k

TOP FIVE PRICE FALLS

• Josh Rotham (DEF, $525,000) -$59k
• Trent Bianco (FWD, $434,000) -$57k
• Aiden Bonar (DEF, $250,000) -$57k
• Luke Parker (MID, $761,000) -$56k
• Ollie Wines (MID, $883,000) -$54k

LOWEST BREAKEVENS

• Nathan O’Driscoll (DEF/MID, $275,000) -32
• Hugh Dixon (FWD/RUC, $278,000) -12
• Nic Martin (FWD, $422,000) -7
• Aaron Black (MID, $221,000) -3
• Nick Daicos (MID, $545,000) -2

HIGHEST BREAKEVENS

• Touk Miller (MID, $934,000) 160
• Ollie Wines (MID, $883,000) 160
• Christian Salem (DEF, $239,000) 160
• Christian Petracca (MID, $942,000) 154
• Kyle Langford (MID, $667,000) 151

BUY

Nathan O’Driscoll
FREMANTLE
DEF/MID, $275,000
The ‘must have’ rookie target is the Docker youngster following a breakout performance against the Giants. He has a break even of negative 32 following an impressive 109 from 20 possessions, five marks, six tackles and two goals leading into a nice match up this week.

Ben Keays
ADELAIDE
MID, $952,000
Despite not being a fan of paying top dollar, the Crow ball magnet needs to be considered for coaches that love a unique. He is owned by just three per cent despite the fact he is dominating with an average of 123. He is fresh off his third 130  game of the season after collecting 27 possessions and laying 12 tackles to be the third highest scorer of the year.

Zac Williams
CARLTON
DEF, $658,000
After a poor start to the season in round one, Z-Will hasn’t looked back with a three game average of 113 since then. He was outstanding across half back against the Suns, finding the ball with high frequency, eventually finishing with 36 disposals and 137. He has a break even of just 28 and is only owned by two per cent. Note: A high risk, high reward move.

Also consider: Marcus Windhager, Max Gawn, Justin McInerney.

HOLD

Touk Miller
GOLD COAST
MID, $934,000
The hard working Sun had another disappointing outing which leaves him with a huge break even of 160. He has been copping more opposition attention than he is used to the past two weeks but should bounce back this week against the Saints who have not been using a tagger so far this season.

Christian Petracca
MELBOURNE
MID, $942,000
After a huge start to the season, Petracca has received plenty of opposition attention the past two weeks scoring just 83 and 77 as a result. He has a good run of games coming up from teams that have been giving up plenty of points to opposition midfielders and he will reward coaches that stick by him. He has a break even of 154.

Clayton Oliver
MELBOURNE
MID, $890,000
After starting the season with three straight triple figure scores, the usually reliable midfielder was quite despite his teams dominance against the Power. He managed an uncustomary 19 possessions to go with just one mark and four tackles for 68.

Also consider: Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Adam Treloar.

SELL

Matt Rowell
GOLD COAST
MID, $572,000
The former number one pick had a sensational start to the season with a score of 117 but unfortunately, his role since then has changed and he hasn’t been a shadow of that 33 possession performance. He had just 17 touches against the Blues and took his second mark for the year on his way to 66. Rowell now has a break even of 65 and is a nice price to upgrade to a premium.

Matt Crouch
ADELAIDE
MID, $697,000
The Crow ball magnet has made a good start to the season but unfortunately his time on ground has been tracking in the wrong direction which obviously doesn't bode well for his scoring. He spent a season low 64 per cent time on ground against the Bombers for 66.

Patrick Cripps
CARLTON
MID, $803,000
Following a massive start to the season with scores of 112, 123 and 138, the inspirational Blues skipper unfortunately went down with injury at the end of the first quarter due to a hamstring strain on 36. I would only be trading if you believe he will miss an extended period. At this stage, I believe the club and will hold, fully expecting him back in my team next week to play the Dockers.

Also consider: Paddy McCartin, Josh Ward, Jake Bowey.

They have both been disappointing, but Rowell is the one that needs to go. I don’t even know what his role is at the moment, but it is a far cry from the one he played in round one when he resembled a number one draft pick. Crouch can go next week and hopefully he plays some reasonable time on ground in his swan song.

This is definitely a play mate! Remember to factor in Nick Daicos likely being available as a defender next week. He will probably make the Rollin’ 22 back there.

There isn’t much top end talent below Crippa’s current

price. I rate Simpkin as an option for that price but my preference is to go up to the likes of Steele, Macrae etc. if you can get him there.

Too risky I’d say. I highly doubt he will play this week. Can’t risk a prize bull in round five.

Don’t get caught up chasing a unique at this stage mate. Neale is fit and firing. The fact he is still scoring with a hard tag is testament to his form an fitness.

I am a big fan of turning a negative into a positive when a prized player goes down. If trading down to Brodie from Cripps gives you the opportunity to either get a rookie off the ground or fix a failed selection I would tick it off. Likewise, if it is a mini rookie upgrade, it is justifiable as a stepping stone trade. Keep an eye on returning midfielders from Freo because his role is currently elite but it won’t stay that way forever.

At this stage I will be holding, with the expectation he is back next week.

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