Hey Doc, I don't know if I should keep Lance Franklin or not. He has missed a few games where I could have used the extra points. My bench at the moment is Taylor Walker and Tom Rockliff and I already have a few big name forwards like Brown, Fevola, Hall and Podsiadly. Could Franklin's money be put to better use elsewhere? - Matt (10 trades, $33,000)
It’s not a case of whether that money be better used elsewhere, Matt, rather could that trade be better used elsewhere? I have no doubt it could.
Franklin ($355,600) has been a disappointment this season, particularly given coaches who took the risk on him did so knowing he wouldn’t play in round one through suspension.
It was probably after scores of 67 and 74 in his first two games, and with another suspension ruling him out for round four, that a lot of coaches would have sent Buddy packing.
You’ve hung onto him through that, been rewarded with a couple of decent scores and then had to cop his piddly attitude to flying with a sore ankle. You’ve got to keep him now.
Barry Hall is the forward you should bone. By downgrading Walker to Melbourne’s Hughes, you free up $140,600. Chuck in your bank balance and Hall’s dismal price tag and you can effectively take your pick of the forwards apart for Chappy. I’d be getting on The Pav.
Hi Doctor, I'm trying to improve my forward line by trading one of my non-playing emergencies. I was looking at Mitch Duncan. Will he play again any time soon? Thanks - Claire (14 trades, $12,000)
There’s no doubt the young West Aussie can play, Claire, and the Cats would have been thrilled that he forced his way into their side so early.
Unfortunately for him - and your DT - holding your spot at Geelong is a tough gig, especially with Travis Varcoe slotting back in beautifully and Matthew Stokes aiming to do the same this week.
On the plus side, he’s piled on $136,700 in five games and he’s got the job done nice and early in the season for you. So what to do with him now?
If you can afford to, it would pay to hold off for a couple of weeks and see if he sneaks in one more game - with recent scores of 80 and 89 he is sure to pocket you some handy coin with another run, and he is an emergency this week.
If you’d like to cash in this week though, Demon Danny Hughes ($94,500) is the only prospect in the forward line yet to play his three games worth looking at.
Freo’s Nat Fyfe ($133,500) has plenty of improvement left in his price tag after three games, as does Bulldog Jarrad Grant ($149,900).
Hi Doc, I am unsure what to do with David Armitage. I put him in my team expecting a 90-plus average, but it has since become apparent that he’s a Luke Ball replacement, rather than the high handball-receive player he was last year. On my bench I have Jarrod Kayler-Thomson and Kane Lucas. - Henry (11 trades, $8100)
The fourth midfielder is a tough position to fill in your initial squad, Henry, with Armitage ($313,900) a popular pick to fill the role and Chris Masten another. Neither has fired and it seems the most successful strategy was to load up with three first-year players on the field.
You’re right that he took on Ball’s old role in the midfield, and unfortunately he seems to have also taken on Ball’s role of being out of favour with the coach.
You can’t carry guys like this in your side, there’s far too much uncertainty week-to-week, so let’s make a change.
There’s not a lot of room to move on your midfield bench, with Kayler-Thomson only $55,600 up in value and Lucas playing some pretty good footy across half-back at the moment. If you trade him you’ll be without bench cover.
How about this; find a downgrade in your backline or forward line that nets you $100,000-plus and wait until next week, playing Lucas on your field this week to cover Armitage.
Keep an eye on St Kilda players Nick Dal Santo ($410,100) and Leigh Montagna ($457,300), and take your pick in a week or two - both will fall in price significantly. Lenny Hayes is ready to swoop on now, if you go that way.
Doc, I need a replacement for Barry Hall. I am looking to make a double trade, so I can downgrade Schoenmakers, Martin or Dangerfield. Who should I target? - Jonathan (13 trades, $20,100)
Out of necessity more than anything, I think a more accountable Schoenmakers is going to be a pretty dry scorer for the rest of the season, Jon. Martin has another level to go with his scoring, and Dangerfield is back this week. (You’ve hung onto him this long, time to give the Crow a chance to reward you!)
Schoenmakers ($205,100) is the player to cut, and your only real downgrade option in the backline this week is Tiger Jeromey Webberley. The mature-age recruit scored 61 DT points and appears likely to receive more opportunities.
With $418,400 at your disposal after the downgrade, The Pav ($422,300) is just out of reach.
There are some big DT names with tempting price tags though. Stevie J ($381,400) is down $55,500 and boasts recent scores of 111 and 153. Ryan O’Keefe ($407,400) will drop in price over the next two weeks, as will Jonathan Brown ($342,800).
Beyond those three, have a look at Didak, Higgins and Thomas, in that order.
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The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
