UNFORTUNATELY, the time has come where we are faced with the dreaded bye rounds, and we will be missing players from six teams per round for the next three weeks.
This week will come as a rude shock for many teams with star-studded midfields, taking a huge hit as the Pies, Cats and Suns are among the teams having a rest.
On a positive note, only our best 18 scorers will count, which relieves us of some of the pressure when trying to field a full team.
Fantasy weekend review: round seven
It is important to note that your players must be on the ground in order to be included in the best 18 - for example, I already have Dean Cox and Aaron Sandilands playing on the ground, so my ruck emergency of Tom Derickx will not count towards my total unless one of my starting big men is a late withdrawal.
Here are some players that ARE taking the field this week and should be well worth a look.
ROOKIE RADAR
Depending on your structure, some coaches are using the first round of the bye for a double cash grab, taking full advantage of some good looking cash cows. I plan to get at least one of these two guys in this week.
Jake Lloyd [MID, $168,200] had a breakout game with a huge 29 possessions, eight marks and a goal to score an impressive 109 last week as the Swans thumped the Lions. After a slow start in his first two games where he scored 25 with a green vest and 49 in his first full hit-out, he looked to have found his feet at the Gabba. He has already had a price increase of $44,000, but with a break-even of -35, he is guaranteed to continue to rise in value.
Billy Hartung [MID, $218,414] started in the sub's vest for Hawthorn, which rarely ends well in terms of Fantasy output. But after getting his chance at quarter-time following Sam Mitchell's injury, Hartung didn’t look back, racking up 26 disposals, six marks and kicking a goal on his way to 105 points in only three quarters. He has a break-even of -7 and should have reasonable job security with a number of key Hawks out injured.
ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
As a big fan, and previous owner for many years, it is time to cut my losses and say goodbye to Joel Selwood [MID, $504,190], at least for the time being.
After a typically outstanding start to the season including four scores over 100, Selwood has struggled in his last three games with scores of 58, 73 and an 82 against Richmond that was saved with a match-winning fourth quarter effort. These uncharacteristic low scores have caused a drop in price of over $72,000 on the season and leaves him with a break-even of 138 after the bye.
Given his next game is against the Dockers (round nine), where Ryan Crowley held Selwood to just 38 in their last encounter, he looks set for a further drop in price.
It would be worth offloading him for a player of value whose bye doesn't correspond with that of many other gun players. On the flipside, as soon as Selwood bottoms out in price, and looks to be back to his high scoring ways, jump on!
VALUE PICK
After an injury restricted Brendon Goddard [MID, $483,204] to just 13 points in round four, his price took a huge hit despite his solid start to the season and he has consequently dropped over $88,000 on his starting price.
On return from injury last week, Goddard looked fully recovered recording 22 disposals, seven marks and a goal on his way to 105 against the Bulldogs.
His scores in rounds one and three of 119 and 110 shows he has the potential to score at a premium midfield level and with his next opponents (the Brisbane Lions) making a habit of giving up big Fantasy scores, Goddard should provide instant reward.
He is every chance to get within the vicinity of his 128 point break-even score, considering the Lions gave up eight hundred-point scores to the Swans last week. Goddard is currently owned by just three per cent of the competition and could provide a nice edge, even if only for the short term cover over the bye rounds.
HOT DOG
After averaging 111 points in his last three games, it is evident that Luke Dahlhaus [FWD, $460,170] is a much improved player who has embraced a role change after previously being considered a handy goal sneak.
He is the form Fantasy forward of the competition and currently has a break-even of just 57, making it highly likely he will add to the $80,000 he has already increased since the season began.
Dahlhaus has been collecting possessions all over the ground this year, making him invaluable as a forward selection. He comes up against Melbourne this week, which should provide his owners with some handy points in week one of the bye rounds.
WHAT ARE THE TRADERS DOING THIS WEEK?
Warnie
In: Luke Dahlhaus, Robbie Gray
Out: Nick Riewoldt, Jackson Merrett
Warnie's a bit light on for players in round ten, so he's planning now. This week will be a bit of a write-off, so before Riewoldt and Merrett lose too much cash, they're off-loaded for in-form forwards that should serve him well in this tough round, and in the last of the bye rounds in a fortnight where he's struggling to field a side.
Calvin
In: Jake Lloyd, Simon Tunbridge
Out: Gary Rohan, Xavier Ellis
In round eight, Calvin plans on pocketing some extra cash for the weeks ahead. He’s dumping some injured bench options for some cheap rookies. Although Tunbridge isn’t the best option going around, he’s hoping for some better talent to be named on Thursday night.
Roy
In: Jake Lloyd, Michael Hibberd
Out: Gary Rohan, Matthew Jaensch
My trades this week are aimed at getting as close to 18 players on the park as I can. I can’t see Rohan (traded via DPP) getting a game any time soon and there is no room for dead wood when the byes roll around. I am very hesitant to trade Jaensch, but if he is injured for rounds nine and 10, he will have to go.
