Grand finals will be played out in public and private leagues across the country with bragging rights up for grabs.
And clever Dream Team coaches will have ensured they have a trade or two up their sleeves to ensure the best possible 22 takes the field.
With that in mind, the Dream Team market watch analysts have combed the latest results to find some value picks.
As always, coaches are spoilt for choice when it comes to the midfield.
West Coast’s Tom Swift has averaged 88 points per game in the past month and at $252,200, he looms as a good choice.
So too does North Melbourne onballer Leigh Adams, who’s become something of a market watch favourite in recent weeks. He has matched Swift’s 88-point average and comes in almost $30,000 cheaper than the young Eagle.
Another option is St Kilda’s David Armitage at $272,900.
The Queenslander has struggled for game time this year but he has shone in the past three weeks. His games against Hawthorn and North Melbourne both reaped totals above 100 points.
With the Saints taking on cellar dweller Melbourne on Sunday, Armitage is a good chance of filling his boots with another big Dream Team haul – if he makes the cut at the Saints’ match committee.
However, coaches face much less diversity in their options for key positions.
Collingwood forward John Anthony appears to offer excellent value at $303,200. The dead-eye Magpie has averaged 97 points per game without really snaring a bag of goals.
The Pies look untouchable as they march towards September and while the Bulldogs will offer stiff opposition, Anthony is every chance to rack up another good score.
At the other end of the ground, Essendon defender Cale Hooker impressed against Fremantle last weekend and will set coaches back less than $270,000.
If running defenders are more attractive, Adelaide Brad Symes looks promising at $329,600. The athletic half-back has upped his tackling rate recently and the benefits have flowed from a Dream Team perspective with a 103-point average in the past three weeks.
Finally, a glance at the overall Dream Team standings for season 2009.
Fremantle sensation Greg Broughton looks to have sewn up top spot in the most improved player rankings but North Melbourne midfielder Liam Anthony poses some threat.
The first-year Roo has increased his value by $50,000 in the past two weeks and another big game in the final round could lift him above Broughton.
At the other end of the Dream Team ledger, it’s hard to see Geelong small forward Mathew Stokes being dislodged.
With a margin of $31,000 to his nearest challenger, Essendon’s Mark McVeigh, it would take a remarkable turn of events for Stokes to avoid the questionable honour of being crowned the season’s biggest Dream Team disappointment.
Top 10 movers
1. Greg Broughton (Fre) $369,400 (+$294,100)
2. Liam Anthony (NM) $338,900 (+$252,300)
3. Dayne Beams (Coll) $324,300 (+$237,700)
4. Jason Davenport (PA) $302,900 (+$216,300)
5. Mitch Clark (BL) $429,400 (+$211,600)
6. Andrew Collins (Rich) $293,600 (+$207,000)
7. Robin Nahas (Rich) $277,400 (+$193,100)
8. Brendan Whitecross (Haw) $258,700 (+$172,100)
9. Matthew de Boer (Fre) $246,700 (+$171,400)
10. Daniel Rich (BL) $298,000 (+$171,400)
Top 10 losers
1. Mathew Stokes (Geel) $218,100 (-$173,100)
2. Mark McVeigh (Ess) $252,600 (-$142,600)
3. Nathan G. Brown (Rich) $266,900 (-$140,600)
4. Matthew Whelan (Melb) $191,500 (-$140,200)
5. Tom Lonergan (Geel) $168,200 (-$130,800)
6. Paul Medhurst (Coll) $258,500 (-$130,500)
7. Brett Jones (WCE) $190,100 (-$121,400)
8. Jimmy Bartel (Geel) $383,500 (-$118,300)
9. Nick Malceski (Syd) $183,200 (-$115,600)
10. Kelvin Moore (Rich) $172,700 (-$115,100)
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
