IT WAS a long round, especially for those coaches copping injuries and underperforming premiums. On a positive note, crisis created  opportunity with a number of seemingly fattened cash cows finding a new lease on life and reigniting their cash generation, coupled with that, a number of them have also gained DPP status.

Fantasy Pig

Zach Merrett is back and this will be your last opportunity to get him at a bargain price for the year. He was in old school Zerrett mode against the Roos, finding the ball at will with 39 possessions, four marks and a telling nine tackles for a score of 143. Picking up premium players at a bargain price is what it’s all about and he should certainly be at the top of the upgrade priority list.

Honourable mention: Jake Lloyd was at it again and is certainly having himself some sort of a season. The go-to man in the Swans' back line had the ball on a string once again, not only continuing his streak of 120+ games alive, but reaching a new season high of 135 from 27 possessions and nine marks. His disposal is so effective that they need the ball in his hands, he is a must-have.

NINE THINGS WE LEARNED The Dogs are miles off the best

Rage Trades

Travis Boak has been a revelation this season since moving back into the midfield and he has fully embraced the Power’s new improved attacking gameplan. Unfortunately, as a result of his sensational form, he got the attention of the Eagles' highly regarded tagger Mark Hutchings for the game on the weekend. After starting ‘on fire’ with a 40-point opening term, Hutchings lifted his game and restricted Boak to 23 possessions, three marks and kept him off the scoreboard for a season low 79. Take it on the chin, he will be huge this week.

Honourable mention: Wayne Milera had made a great start to the season with a low score of 86 across the opening four rounds and he was well on track to keep that streak alive despite a shift to half-forward against the Suns. Unfortunately, it all turned sour in the second quarter when the young star dislocated his shoulder and is now in the must-trade category given the 4-6 week diagnosis.

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Piglet

The mature-age Will Hayes slipped seamlessly into the Dogs' line-up and looked as though he had played multiple games at the top level on his way to a respectable 71. He collected 21 possessions, but it was his ability to find space and take seven marks that was most impressive and he will be a popular downgrade target this week. Also, if you don’t have Marty Hore, he is still a great downgrade target despite his price rises backing up last week's great effort with 13 marks and 99.

AROUND THE STATE LEAGUES Bomber kicks a bag, Motlop fires

Top 10
Trade Targets
  • Zach Merrett
  • Will Hayes
  • Brad Sheppard
  • Jack Billings
  • Dustin Martin
Fantasy Mailbag

I have no idea why he spent so much time forward, but his body language and workrate was not good as a result.

Yes, jump on. Certainly haven’t missed the boat completely here. Has a very low break even and is one of the best cash cows available.

It’s fraught with danger but he is a genuine midfielder now and dare I say it, playing with consistency.

How good is Sam Walsh! Third hundred in a row and certainly outplaying most of my ‘premium’ players who cost an arm and a leg.

Who knows what they were thinking?

Has been a brilliant selection and is certainly playing himself into top-two contention. I am just mindful that he has not come up against a respected ruck in the first five weeks.

For more, follow myself @RoyDT

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