ALTHOUGH in circumstances a little different to James Hird’s, thousands of NAB AFL Fantasy coaches packed their bags and bowed out of the game this week, going down in their elimination finals.

A loss can hurt the pride, but there is still the challenge of Fantasy Match Day over the next two rounds and throughout the finals series starting in September.

If you were lucky (or skilful) enough to win your elimination final, you play a do-or-die game against the loser of last weekend’s qualifying final. The carrot for a round 21 win is a place in the preliminary final in the penultimate round, for a shot at premiership glory.

Trading this week should be all about bringing in players who could go big based on their fixture.

Many coaches are faced with trading the injured Luke Parker and the suspended Jack Ziebell. Consider bringing in an Essendon player for some big points. Not only because they take on the Suns who concede the most Fantasy points per game, but because teams who have lost a coach that week usually step it up in a big way.

Dyson Heppell (MID, $506,000) will set you back $28,000 if you trade Parker while $38,000 is the difference between Ziebell and Brendon Goddard (FWD/MID, $538,000).

Melbourne players haven’t been overly popular selections this season, however with their match up against Carlton this week, a Demon could be a point of difference for your squad. 

Tigers should also do well up against the Magpies as will Crows in their match with the Lions.

For those with the week off awaiting their opponent in the preliminary final in round 22, downgrading your bench will allow you to have the cash to pull the moves of your choice when lockout lifts on Sunday night.

Join The Traders in the Fantasy chat from 6.15pm AEST as the round 21 teams drop. Roy, Calvin and Warnie will offer the best trade advice and captaincy selections.