Moving premiums is always fraught with danger and for those who have been playing the ruck merry-go-round, I feel your pain.
It also turns out that picking the right rookies to move on as they peak in price is not as easy as it seems (e.g. Sharp vs Roberts). So where to from here?
Trade Targets
Sam Walsh ($960k, Mid, Ave 119)
Walsh has now had 2 x 140+ scores in his 5 games since return and has not dropped under 100. All the things you want from a premium midfielder. Get him now before he hits the $1m mark.
Zach Merrett ($985k, Mid, Ave 113)
We can forgive the 87 on the weekend when looking for a midfield upgrade option as Merrett comes up against the hapless Roos this week. His BE of 140 is well within reach and a great captain option.
Caleb Serong ($978k, Mid, Avg 116)
Serong has ben super consistent this year and comes up against an ever disappointing Saints midfield this week. It looks a great match up and if you haven’t started looking at your bye structure yet, now might be the time to do so. Serong has the Round 13 bye making him even more valuable.
Zak Butters ($938k, Mid, Ave 108)
Butters relished the extra responsibility without the captain in the side on the weekend. Although Rozee should return, with the form of Butters, Wines, JHF and even Mead and Drew, there is a good chance he plays more forward to protect that hamstring and provide another avenue to goal. This could see Butters go on a mini tear with the Hawks and Roos before another handy Round 13 bye.
You could also consider guys like Adam Treloar ($987k, Mid), Tim English ($989k, Ruck), Nick Daicos ($913k, Def/Mid) and Luke Ryan ($894k Def) who have great form and match ups to come.
Time to go
Harry Sheezel (996k, Def, BE 167)
Often featured in the trade in section, it appears that Clarkson has folded to the media pressure and is now playing Sheez in a mid/half forward role and it is doing his scoring no favours at all. Again trading premiums is always dangerous, but if this keeps up, he is going to lose cash at a rate of knots and a trade could give you the edge you need.
Tom Stewart ($726k, Def, BE 119)
Unfortunately there is not much cash left on Stewart’s head which is a direct result of his 83 average for the season. Not what coaches hoped for and after Port tagged him to 64 on the weekend, other teams may follow suit. Keep in mind as an underpriced target after his bye though?
Matt Roberts ($600k, Mid/Def, BE 99)
Roberts has been one of the rookie picks of the season, but his time seems to have come to an end. Once the safest on field option going, Roberts’ scoring has dried up and now is the time to cash in.
Ollie Dempsey ($522k, Fwd, BE 77)
In a similar boat to Roberts, Dempsey has been excellent this year, but in a time where teams are starting to put up big scores, Dempsey’s last 3 average of 53 is not where he needs to be.
For the aggressive coaches out there, you could also consider Tristan Xerri ($861k, Ruck, BE 122) and Lachie Whitfield ($838k, Def, BE 143), as their break evens are high and there are excellent options on their lines.
Underpriced Options
Not all of us have the cash fattened rookies and lack of injuries to do the exact upgrades we would like, so here are some options for the cash strapped coaches out there:
Clayton Oliver ($725k, Mid) – Has found some form and is hugely underpriced for what he can do.
Lloyd Meek ($710k, Ruck) – Has established himself as the Hawks number 1 and is getting it done!
Andrew Baryshaw ($897k, Mid) – Only just in this category, but under $900k? Could be time to jump…
Colby McKercher ($592k, Mid/Def) – Sheezel’s move seems to have reignited McKercher’s scoring.
Zac Fisher ($650k, Fwd/Def) – Another who has benefitted from Sheezel moving. This was what we wanted Round 1…
Rookie Roulette
Top rookie options for this week:
- Joe Richards ($242k, Fwd, BE -13)
- Lachlan Sullivan ($272k, Mid, BE -9)
- Bruce Reville ($259k, Mid/Fwd, BE -4)
- Joel Freijah ($228, Mid Fwd, BE -1)
- Dante Visentini ($310k, Ruck, BE 9)*
- Clay Hall ($200k, Mid, BE 25)*
*If selected in best 22 this week.
Happy trading legends!
