WELL, what a week of highs and lows - where highs were few and far between and the lows were all too common, starting with big name omissions on Thursday night, backed up by high-profile withdrawals and under-performing premiums rubbing salt into the wounds.
The late withdrawals of players like Steve Johnson and Dayne Beams highlighted the value of having good bench cover, so it may be worth spending a little bit of cash to invest in some security on the pine.
ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
Despite being on everybody’s ‘never again’ list, Shaun Higgins [FWD/DEF, $396,505] has found his way into 23,220 teams. But this week his run is likely to come to a very familiar end… with a trade.
After scoring 95 and 127 in rounds three and four, it looked like Higgins was finally ready to live up to expectations - and his price of just $370,507 and DPP status made him hard to ignore.
Since then, he has been up and down, scoring a couple of impressive 100s, but also dropping under 60 on four occasions, including twice in the last two weeks with scores of 52 and 59.
After dropping $14,000 this week and with a break-even of 97 this week against Port Adelaide, it is once again time to release the Dog.
Higgins has increased over $91,000 on the season overall but his upcoming opponents of the Power, Demons and Cats looks a daunting trio.
As I mentioned earlier, it may be worth spending a little more cash than usual as part of a downgrade trade this week, in order to bring in a capable scorer who possesses good job security.
Here are a couple of in form players, who look ideal options to cover injuries, or sit on the bench as emergencies.
Richmond’s mature age recruit Anthony Miles [MID, $307,055] came to the club after spending two years at GWS and he has worked his way off the rookie list and into their best 22.
He has been very impressive in his first two games, collecting 19 possessions and laying six tackles for a score of 87 on debut, only to back it up with a whopping 30 touches and four tackles for 105 points last week against Fremantle.
This strong start to his Tiger career gives Miles a break-even of 10 leading into this week’s game with the Swans at the MCG, with points on offer in the following fortnight against the Saints and Lions.
Stefan Martin [FWD/RUC, $258,121] has been outstanding in his first two games of the season with scores of 99 and 100 against respected ruckmen Will Minson and Shane Mumford.
Martin is making the most of the Lions' injury crisis in this position and his brilliant start to the year gives him a break-even of -16 as he heads into games against the Dockers, Roos and Tigers.
Obviously the hit-out count could be a little down this week against Aaron Sandilands, but his work around the ground should ensure a respectable score.
After coming back into the Eagles' line-up in round 12, Jeremy McGovern [FWD, $206,114] has been outstanding, locking himself into the best 22.
In his last two games, McGovern has taken an impressive 10 marks on both occasions, doing it at both ends of the ground and having a heavy influence in both games - one a loss the Hawks and then a close victory over the Suns where he kicked the winning goal.
He has kicked a total of five goals in the past two weeks and his scores of 88 and 95 have led to a break-even of -35.
OLDIES BUT GOODIES
Following the less traditional 18th year break-out path, Brent Harvey [FWD/MID, $538,265] is breaking all the rules on his way to becoming the best Fantasy forward in the competition.
Due to Harvey’s age, I have been a bit slow on the uptake, but it is time to eat my words and join the 25,000 coaches who have already been smart enough to back Harvey in.
Copping a tag is nothing new to Boomer, and in the past it has caused him some problems. But not anymore, as we can see by his five-round average of 117. For the first time in his 18 year career, Harvey is averaging triple figures for the season (105 per game) and the evergreen champion is a ‘must have’ in the forward line.
Why Jimmy Bartel [MID/DEF, $543,859] is only in 60K teams and not every single squad is beyond me.
Pre-season statements decrying his falling Fantasy average in the last five years have been blown out of the water with Jimmy averaging 106, his best since 2009.
Over the last month he has been in fantastic form, with two massive scores of 148 and 155 in that time, embracing the games where teammate Steve Johnson has been unavailable.
He has a break-even of 92 leading into games against the Suns, Bombers and Bulldogs where he should continue his rich vein of form.
WHAT ARE THE TRADERS DOING THIS WEEK?
Warnie
In: Brad Ebert, Luke Parker
Out: Kane Cornes, Brent Stanton
Warnie's trades are reactionary with Cornes' scores suffering due to tagging and Stanton also struggling to cope with the tag. Ebert is in great form and Parker opens up a DPP link between the midfield and forward line.
Calvin
In: Jeremy McGovern, Brent Harvey
Out: Gary Rohan, Taylor Walker
Calvin is jumping on the value of McGovern, while emptying the bank to bring in the star Harvey.
Roy
In: Stefan Martin, Jimmy Bartel in (via DPP)
Out: Shaun Higgins, Jared Polec
I am looking to strengthen my backline with the best in the business. While I am disgusted in myself for taking this long to get Bartel in, it will be a great relief.
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