Hey Doc, I have one trade left and, with Cox out for the year as reported, I don't know who to bring in. Hamish McIntosh is my other starting ruckmen and I have Zac Clarke on the bench. Should I trade Cox for Aaron Sandilands, even though he is injured or go for someone safe like Mitch Clarke? – Antonio ($12,000, one trade)
Well, Antonio, between riding off into the sunset with Salma Hayek and checking up on Cox's injury, I reckon you've read some mixed reports. Let's start by clearing up exactly where the big fella sits right now.
He hasn't had a line ruled through his name for the season and John Worsfold is expecting him to be available in two to three weeks.
The key man here is groin guru Dr Steve Saunders, an Adelaide-based physiotherapist with a bit of a reputation in this area. He's the man who will tell West Coast whether Cox's season is over or not.
He's tried the two weeks rest, and a tough night against St Kilda was proof that wasn't enough. So there's every chance the champ will be sent to rest and prepare for 2010, but if we learned one thing watching him play through 2008 with a fractured right foot, it's that Dean Cox hates missing games of footy. Groin injuries are a different story, obviously.
Those that can afford to wait for the groin guru's verdict early next week should. You, Antonio, have one trade left and must wait for the groin guru to speak.
As for bringing in Sandilands, he was close this week, very close in fact, but the risk of a minor hamstring tear turning into something bigger persuaded Freo to be cautious. Have a look next week when Spider is named and Cox's injury is clear.
Hi Doc, I, like everyone, am looking for someone to fill Dean Cox's big shoes. I currently have Cox, Kreuzer, Naitanui and Cordy on my ruck line. I can afford any of the ruckmen but I can't find a clear choice. Muddying the waters is the fact that most of the top ruckmen are playing in teams that have no hope of making the finals – Esky ($19,000, three trades)
Obviously with finals spots on the line some people need to fill the spot this week – not everyone's willing to put their plans on ice, are they, Esky?
I like the way you're thinking though; it's important to look at where your new ruckman's side is positioned and if there's any risk he'll be sent for early surgery.
I see five standout options and three of those are players whose sides are well and truly in the finals hunt – Mitch Clark ($358,500), Kurt Tipett ($327,200) and Matthew Kreuzer ($278,200).
Aaron Sandilands ($415,200) and Hamish McIntosh ($360,300) are the other two.
Buying Clark now is a hard one to swallow, seeing as he's already jumped $140,700, but with consecutive scores of 103 and a season average of 83.67 his numbers are hard to ignore. He hasn't missed a game either which, although that can change in an instant, is reassuring in its way.
Tippett has also shot up in price courtesy of a breakout season, but he's become a crucial part of Adelaide's set up and is coming off a couple of solid weeks. He has an average of exactly 100 for the last five rounds, which is also reassuring in its way.
Kreuzer is a significant downgrade but his average of 75 is incredibly honest. He'll give you a mid-range score every week and a wad of cash as well. A good trade if you've got surgery to perform elsewhere.
I don't see any risk with getting Sandilands or McIntosh in. Obviously wait a week on Spider, but if you're happy with your side or you're using your last trade on Cox, one of these two will do nicely.
Hey Doc. I am facing a dilemma, albeit a good one. My midfield currently consists of Dal Santo, Hayes, Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood, Bateman and Liam Anthony. I am looking to trade Bateman and Anthony over the next two weeks for two of the following: Swan, Montagna, Bartel, Sewell or Corey. I would love your opinion on this Doc! Thanks – Fazz. ($271,300, 11 trades)
I had to address this question, Fazz, not because you need the help, but because it seems like such a fun thing to talk about after the weekend we've just had. People are tearing out their hair wondering what to do with Adcock, Cox and some uninspiring captains and you trot on in with your upgrade targets, money bags and 11 trades!
Well, given your unique situation, I'd be chasing the two biggest guns in that lot – Swanny and Jimmy.
Bateman to Swan is a trade you can do this week, but Anthony to Bartel needs some more finesse – you want to maximise your moolah here and that is going to take time.
With 118 DT points last week, Anthony shot up $77,100 and there are plenty of price hikes like that to come.
Jimmy, on the other hand, scored a measly 49 last week and plummeted $22,700. Once that score cycles through he should be under $400,000. Time it right and the trade should cost you no more than $90,000 rather than the $249,000 it would cost you this week.
Hey Doc, my team suffered horribly last week, partly because of my captain Jimmy Bartel. Should I keep him as my captain this week? I have Nick Riewoldt, Joel Selwood or Adam Goodes to replace him. – Weir Kong ($40,500, two trades)
Your query is slightly out of date, Weir, but it's been so long since someone's asked for my captaincy prognostications that I feel obliged to address this one for you.
Jimmy is obviously out this week with a hip, and it's only fair after last week's 49. For you, I don't like Riewoldt against the Crows so why not jump onto Selwood? He's up against Melbourne and has a couple of recent 100s against Dean Bailey's men.
Teammate Paul Chapman has notched some monsters against the Dees in recent seasons and he hits them this week in top form.
The Little Master, as always, will be a popular and wise choice as he returns refreshed. One of his three sub-100 scores this season was against the Dees, but I wouldn't read anything into that. An average of 123.8 from his last five games is the relevant stat.
The Pies have some good options against the Hawks with Swanny and Didak at the fore, but if you want to add some spice to the Brisbane Lions' clash with Fremantle, get on one of Michael Voss' charges.
Looking west was fruitful again last week with Leigh Montagna's crazy score of 166 catapulting him over Bartel and into second place in the 2009 player rankings.
Jonathan Brown (140), Simon Black (127) and Luke Power (128) all had big games last week and can be backed to do the same against a young Freo at Subiaco Oval. Brown would make a handy skipper if you have him.
This week's top three:
Swan (121 last week)
Ablett (DNP)
Brown (140)
Best of luck to you all dream-teamers!
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
