Fantasy coaches have had their fill of donuts, it’s time to harden up with kids called Cockie and Sidebottom.
A reminder on the premise of this column: the “bubble” is what fantasy coaches call it when a player has played two games and thus will start having his price fluctuate in the AFL Dream Team and Super Coach competitions after he plays his next AFL match. This column lists the rookie-priced two-gamers who played last week, but also goes through some of the promising rookies whom fantasy coaches are drooling over at the trade table.
Backopalypse
There are no rookies on the bubble, and very little coming down the turnpike, which means that Jack Grimes is very much on the radar for fantasy coaches this week. Grimes’ first game back after preseason back problems produced a very healthy 80/92, and multiple injuries in the Demon backline means his JS (job security) is looking strong. At a price of around 180 grand in both competitions, there will be plenty of coaches hoping that Kyle Cheney gets another game this week so that he can earn enough money for a straight swap of Cheney to Grimes next week when Grimey is on the bubble. That is certainly my hope, especially in Super Coach. I can not make this trade myself, but especially for Super Coach I would also not rule out Cale Hooker, who has looked pretty good in his two games before being on the bubble this week, and like Grimey, Hooker is going to benefit from injuries, specifically to Dustin Fletcher. However, I think most fantasy coaches will look at Michael Hurley and Darcy Daniher lurking in the VFL and decide that Hooker’s JS is not nearly as good as that of Grimes. Then again, Cheney owners thought he was guaranteed a game a month ago, and he hasn’t played since. Beware Dean Bailey.
Centrageddon
Adam Cockie, WCE CTR. DT: 12062 selections, $75,300, -43 BE, 50 avg. SC: 10388 selections, $83,400, -47 BE, 49 avg.
Sam Sheldon, BRL CTR. DT: 1673 selections, $86,600, -34 BE, 50 avg. SC: 2486 selections, $94,200, -36 BE, 46.5 avg.
Matthew DeBoer, FRE CTR. DT: 5646 selections, $75,300, -8 BE, 32.5 avg. SC: 5036 selections, $83,400, -27 BE, 39 avg.
Cockie is the most likely one to get picked up this week, for several good reasons. First is that he’s a good player, the sort of player who can mix a bit of outside work with a fair amount of tackles, always a good attribute for a fantasy rookie. Another is the injuries to Daniel Kerr and Matt Priddis meaning he’s likely to get a consistent run for at least another two or three weeks, notwithstanding that Tom Swift is still posting good stat counts in the WAFL. Third, he’s going to allow you to reach just that little bit higher in a double trade due to his rookie price. Don’t be fooled by the closeness of the ladder, the Eagles know they’re in rebuilding mode and they will play the kids.
Ruckxtinction
Mike Pyke, SYD RUC. DT: 20247 selections, $75,300, -9 BE, 33 avg. SC: 22451 selections, $83,400, -28 BE, 39.5 avg.
Some of you like Mike Pyke, you’re psyched for Mike Pyke. I would spike Mike Pyke this week. Take a hike on a bike wearing Nike, Mike Pyke. Yikes, strike me Pyke, I mean pink!
Forwardystopia
The obvious rookie this week is Steele Sidebottom, still a week off the bubble. Malthouse has held him back too long, that much is clear. Many of us are still suffering from kenophobia (the fear of voids or empty spaces, aka the fear of donuts) in the forwards and a double trade of a Ryan Houlihan or Shaun Higgins along with a topped-out rookie for Frontbum plus a rolled gold forward premium is very much on the cards this week. Don’t expect to be trading Sidey out later in the year though, he’s a keeper benchwarmer if you’re trading him in this week. Just remember that. Unless you still have 17 or more trades left, in which case why are you reading this blog? You don’t need any help, rack off.
Mighty
May 14, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Cheney was picked and Roos said earlier in the week that Pyke was unlikely to play against the eagles.
Also just learnt that Ziebell will miss. Ouch that will hurt alot of teams who may already be hurting.
Nathan
May 14, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Ziebell out is a killer blow for me. I really didn’t want to have to trade this week
Watto
May 14, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Yep, Ziebell is out
Cheney in for the Dees
ong111
May 14, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Broughton and Raines also in!
Kornes named and Hartlett is on extended bench.
Some good news atleast.
Dicko
May 14, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I hate people who tell us they haven’t got the player I am cursing about not being named. Gives me the sh@ts!
……but I haven’t got Ziebell.
Gerry
May 14, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hey I was wondering whether i should do this trade(SC), I also have 120k in the bank:
OUT
Houlihan
Kornes
IN
Raines
Dal Santo
Thoughts?
Brad
May 14, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Whats the word on Higgins, Ziebell, Houlihan. How long are they likely to be out for? With those 3 and Garlett up forward would have 2 donuts. Sidebottom and a premium is an option. Is higgins the best one to keep? Thoughts please.
Dicko
May 14, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Higgins next week I reckon. Although he is named as an emergency so maybe they are leaving it to the last minute to see how he is. If he is OK now then he would be in the 22 not an emergency.
Disco (UK)
May 14, 2009 at 7:21 pm
haha, spike Mike Pyke. Seriously, what was his parents thinking?!?
al
May 14, 2009 at 11:05 pm
gerry 0/10
why?
Get in Raines just so you can upgrade him later, just udgrade houlihan.
and kornes is a much much better dter then NDS
What is that, a double downgrade to semi-keepers?
Mighty
May 14, 2009 at 11:37 pm
@Gerry
Yes in SC Dal Santo is a much better player than K Cornes, but Cornes is still a keeper. But Houlihan – Raines isn’t a wise move at all. Houlihan should be back soon trading him to raines is basically trading him to someone who is the same player, probably even worse. Raines also turns the ball over a fair bit and usually doesn’t score as well in SC as he does in dt.
Hooligan
May 15, 2009 at 2:17 am
OK, lousy haircut. Mum still hates me.
Great post m0nty (suck suck, why did you ban me?).
To me, it’s which of Cheney or Grimes (for Petrenko), but I like the look of Hooker.
The forward wrap looks spot on – but I bet we’re mostly worrying about our backline.
Isn’t the blog the right place for all this trade discussion?
Sammy H
May 15, 2009 at 10:03 am
You’re slipping Monty, Grimes popped a 109/92. More than healthy, bloody amazing…
Shane
May 15, 2009 at 11:54 am
ok, in my DT I have…wait for it… Kerr, Thomas, Cloke, Fraser, Higgins, Swan, M Brown, Beams, all who are out or doubtful. Don’t really want to waste more trades but can’t afford 5 donuts. I’m thinking Kerr for Cooney, and Thomas for Sidebottom. Gone from 2335 points in R6 to 1818 in R7.
juicy
May 15, 2009 at 11:57 am
in super coach cox is 100k more than h mac, i playin with kruzer and mumford atm with hille on the bench looking to trade hill to either of thse who u think is the best option. i got 14 trades left with 350 in the bank
donny
May 15, 2009 at 5:18 pm
petrenko or suban as 7th defender?
walker or m. brown as 7th forward?