THE CATS meet the Bulldogs and South Australia prepares for the Showdown.

This weekend is a cracker and, with Dream Team finals getting much closer, it’s getting a lot more interesting.

Need advice on injuries, points and all things in between? Dr Dream Team has you covered.

Email dreamteam@afl.com.au, and remember to include trade and bank information.

Readers, before we go any further, trading Gary Ablett is not an option for anyone who’s serious. He’s worth the high price when he plays and is set to only miss one match. Don’t do it.

G’day Doc. I’m in the phase of topping up my midfield and backline with established players and I’m trying to think outside the square. I reckon many of the bottom-eight teams will either put players out to pasture, or else play sub-standard footy in weeks to come, whereas the finals contenders will be like a bull at a gate. What do you think – should we avoid players from bottom-eight teams? – Wayne (seven trades left, $30k in bank)

Yeah, that’s a good theory, Wayne. In the overall comp, higher-placed teams do score higher than the strugglers (with some exceptions … damn Swans) and there’s no doubt in my mind that the guns in a top eight are more likely to go all-out than the elites in a bottom-eight club. Call me stupid, but that’s what I reckon.

With that in mind, Bulldogs are great picks – Ryan Hargrave ($344k) is in good form while Brian Lake ($297k) is taking marks galore in the backline. Up forward, Gia and Aker are still not popular in Dream Team squads despite very solid numbers.

Other top-eight clubs are also offering good picks: Chris Knights looks to have finally hit form in the Crows’ midfield, while Nick Riewoldt and Corey Enright are at different ends of the star-status meter, but both in good form.

In summary, concentrating your picks on finals contenders is a good idea. Be prepared to make exceptions for certain cheap picks, but overall it’s a good theory to hang your hat on.

Hey Doc, I’m almost in the top eight … and I only have three trades left. I want to use two this week and go for it – leave nothing in the bag and go down swinging. What do you think? Gutsy or foolish? – Gary ($140k in bank)

Good on you, Gary!

Logic says that you’re going to get hammered with injuries soon, and with so few trades left you will be left scoring zeroes, which will kill your finals chances.

But every year, Dream Team throws an amazing pearl of luck to some freaky player, who suddenly finds the planets aligning in a momentous charge to the premiership.

Trades are made with spooky premonitions of injuries the next week, and opponents struggle in the face of mounting injuries which somehow avoid certain squads.

If this is you, I’m jealous. It always happens to someone and this could be your year.

So I say do it – it may be indeed foolish and you may end up losing out badly. But at least you went out with all guns blazing. So trade in some guns, make an unusual captain choice and back yourself for an upset win against some cocky opponent!

Doc, my backs have taken a pounding with Peter Burgoyne and Joel Macdonald both getting injured. I’m thinking of getting in Andrew Walker from Carlton … I know he’s just getting back from a bad shoulder injury – but do you reckon he’s a good pick? – Carl (four trades, $68k in bank)

Hmmm, when it comes to Dream Team, I have a theory that bad things come in threes.

Having said that, Walker is a tantalising option. He’s had shoulder injuries before and has certainly taken some time to get over this one. But the Blues’ emergence could mean Walker’s scores get a similar boost to Murphy and Gibbs this year.

Keen fans will remember that Walker was often given defensive roles in his early years and, although he grew out of that, he never got the ball-magnet thing happening. But some players take a few years to find their feet – such as Adam Cooney this year – and Walker could well be a good unusual pick in the final stretch of this season.

If you’re a risk-taker, then this one is for you.

Dude, Burton and Porplyzia are out … who’s going to step up in the Crows' forward line? – Tim (two trades left, $79k in bank)

Good question, Timmy. I like your thinking – these sort of injuries always offer more opportunities for points elsewhere, and two at once is indeed a good chance for sneaky points.

But this isn’t a simple case. Burton and Porps were their two leading goalkickers, and it’s fair to say they’ll rely on Simon Goodwin more now the two are gone. But whether the increased attention will benefit Goodwin’s scores (he’s averaging 95) are anyone’s guess. My gut says there’ll be a slight jump, but not too much.

Instead, I’d be looking at Richard Douglas, particularly if you’re short of cash. He hasn’t been too consistent this year but has scored 90-plus three times. He’s cheap ($255k) and if he can kick more goals, his points will level out and you can reap the rewards.

• Dean Cox has scored 120-plus in his last three outings against the Lions.

• Chris Judd does not mind playing the Swans at all – watch those two grand finals if you need proof. He averages a handy 95 against them and had a good run last week against the Saints. Judd is back.

• As for Fevola? Bear in mind potential trade manoeuvring… cough, cough… Fev could well pull out a big one this week to increase his future cash. Worth a shot for something unusual.

• A lacklustre history against the Eagles and that injury doubt means Jon Brown isn’t a good option this week.

• Gaz Ablett’s loss will mean that Bartel (averages 89 against Bulldogs) and Joel Corey move up the tagger pecking order. Whether it’ll work is anyone’s guess – I reckon the lads will be up for the challenge and score well anyway. Paul Chapman is also a good bet, while for the Dogs, their midfield guns probably aren't great picks this week.

• Nathan Bock has an absolutely appalling average (just 57) against the Power, but the loose match-ups may suit his style. Stand by for an avalanche of marks across half-back. Meanwhile, Kane Cornes is not much better. The proven DT star usually scores poorly against the Crows.

Best of luck.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.