WE ALWAYS knew it was going to be the toughest of the bye rounds but no one anticipated the disaster it turned into for many coaches. It all started on Thursday night when required players such as Nick Coffield and Ed Phillips were omitted, leaving well-planned coaches sweating on a full squad. Who would have known that was only the beginning of the train wreck when the No.1 forward and midfielder in the competition Toby McLean and Jack Macrae were injured for less than 50 before nights end.

Fantasy Pig

Ollie Wines confirmed he was back to his best last week and became a prime trade target given his bye was long gone and he was priced at just $600K. Any coach who took the plunge was instantly rewarded with 137 from 35 touches and a goal.

Honourable mention: Elliot Yeo was another popular trade option as he is now considered the No.1 defender with Rory Laird out injured. He was massive for the Eagles (and his coaches) in a tough match-up with the Swans where he collected 29 possessions, laid eight tackles and kicked two goals for 136. He has elevated himself to 'must-have' status, given his high scoring play as a midfielder who is available as a defender.

Rage trades

Dan Hannebery hasn't been setting the world on fire, but what has the world come to, lowering himself to tagging duties. Running with Gaff, Hanners actually found a bit of the ball with 24 possessions but unbelievably 21 of those were handballs. He didn't take a mark and laid only two tackles on his way to 53. Draft owners would be scratching their head whether to field him, or even delist him.

Honourable mention: Luke Parker has a much larger ownership in classic than Hanners and this is the perfect week to trade the underperforming premium prior to his bye. After a full pre-season, many coaches expected him to return to his 110 ways, but he has fallen well short. Against the Eagles, his 19 touches and four marks for 75 may be the last straw.

FROM THE TWOS: Watts finds form

Piglet

Mason Redman and Joel Smith are the number one and two rookie trade targets this week after their great performances prior to their bye. Fellow cash Cows Bailey Rice (KO'd on 35) and Logan Austin (looked like Port Adelaide Logan Austin with Jake Carlisle back) may well be the ones to go in order to generate the cash to upgrade elsewhere.

Honourable mention: Josh Battle will be one to keep an eye on following his bye next week as a nice cash generator with a low breakeven. He backed up his 69 last week with 66 against the Suns from 12 touches and an impressive three goals to lead the team in that department.

Trade targets

  • Chad Wingard
  • Mason Redman
  • Joel Smith
  • Elliot Yeo
  • Josh Kelly

THINGS WE LEARNED: Are the Crows busted?

Fantasy mailbag

As annoying as it can be trading in preparation for the byes, these are the kind of ranking jumps you can make. Nice work!

Very tough, I love them all but Treloar and Kelly for me.

As much as I love holding premiums, three to four weeks is far too long. Trade.

For more, follow myself @RoyDT

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