TROUBLE with your trades? Coughing up cash? Fear not, Dream Teamers – the Doc hands out the cyber-equivalent of priority draft picks each and every week. Send questions to dreamteam@afl.com.au , remembering to include trade and bank information.

BEFORE we begin, I’d like to welcome back Chad Cornes to AFL action this weekend, and his terrific recovery from a finger injury. Cornes only missed two matches – less than expected. Quick recoveries are always good. Nick Riewoldt also deserves kudos for his rapid return, but Chad gets top billing as he’s such a massive DT player.

Hi Doc, I’m looking to off-load a rookie and free up cash. But I can’t make up my mind – defenders, centres or forwards? I want David Myers (Essendon), Trent Cotchin (Richmond) and Shane Valenti (Melbourne) in those respective positions. What do you think? – Adam (14 trades left, $14k cash in bank)

Adam, with that many trades and so little cash in your bank, I reckon you definitely need to trade for rookies. Of the ones you mentioned Myers is best for this week, mainly because both Cotchin and Valenti still have one more match before their initial price rises kick in. But Cotchin, in particular, looks a great DT player. His junior form was terrific. And Valenti will be a deservedly popular swap for Cyril Rioli or Kurt Tippett for many coaches.

However, one player complicates this and his name is Sharrod Wellingham. He’s played two games and averages 68 – and he’s a pacy WA wingman for the Pies. Every DT coach should beware how dangerous they can be; Dane Swan and Tarkyn Lockyer were an awesome DT combination last year.

Trouble is, Wellingham is named on the extended bench and may not even play. He was out for the round seven match against Hawthorn, and made his debut in the Anzac Day game as a late inclusion. Not terrific indicators, but he is talked up by the Pies and is worth considering. The other option is waiting a week for Cotchin – a more reliable bet.

Meanwhile Myers has played two matches and is averaging a so-so 59. That sort of score isn’t enough to justify a place in your 22, so I would only get him if you have an expensive defender on your bench who you want to off-load. (Myers is also a midfielder but is only worth considering as a defender, since there are many others like him as midfielders.)

On the other hand, if you’re merely swapping a cheapie like Albert Proud or Lachie Hansen for Myers, then you have to think carefully. Is it worth using a trade just to strengthen your bench? I would suggest not.

I have a theory: Everyone good has Dean Cox, so it’s your second ruckman who can win or lose matches. If that’s the case, then Cameron Wood will be traded out. But do you reckon I’m right, or should I keep Wood and invest my money in blue-chip midfielders? – Brent (10 trades left, $184k in bank)

You’re right, Brent. A strong second ruck is very important, and Wood is simply not good enough for that. He’s dropped this week, but I would have recommended cutting him anyway. His average is just 48 – would you accept that from a midfielder? (Any midfielder?) No way.

Wood suffers because Josh Fraser dominates Collingwood’s ruck department, but that doesn’t mean Fraser is necessarily a good bet. He’s looking a bit injury-prone to me – he’s not reliable enough for my liking. Jeff White is a better option. He has no competition within cooee on Melbourne’s list, and is in pretty good form this year. His only score below 90 came in round one, in fact. Get on him.

Doc, I foolishly got Adam McPhee in my squad and have kept him there all year. If his scores don’t improve I will trade him for Birchall but I am hoping like hell that with Lucas returning, he will go back to cheap half-back marks and kicks. What do you reckon? – Tom (9 trades left, $122k in bank)

Hard to say, Tom, but I reckon your thinking is right. If McPhee continues to play forward, it is anyone’s guess why. He has kicked just seven goals and is averaging only eight kicks per game – well down on last year. The good news is that he’s still getting cheap marks (more than anyone else in the Bombers this year) and you’d expect that to improve even more with a backline move.

Yeah, McPhee is worth hanging onto. There’s very little to gain from a trade like that, and you may end up costing yourself points if McPhee’s numbers do improve.