Dream Team Extra: Round 4

 

After the relative calm leading into Round 3, we were left in tatters after the weekend’s carnage, with plenty of DT-relevant news to cover this week. I’d go so far as to say that the majority of coaches will be hit by at least one piece of the grim tidings below, so read on for a bit more pain!

 

To Fyfe Or Not To Fyfe?

One-third of Dream Team coaches have Nat Fyfe in their squads and I reckon most of you will be considering your options after his shoulder was dislocated quite badly in a tackle last weekend. @Mark_Berry1 tells me that his shoulder popped out, was put back in but then popped out a second time. Seriously Fyfey that’s gotta hurt!

The initial reports were that he could require surgery and be out for up to three months. However, he latest report is that he’s had one consult and is getting a second opinion to possibly be cleared to play this weekend. Quite a turnaround, huh? Well, there are two trains of thought regarding what to do with the DT dynamo, so let’s take a look at the options.

If he’s named in tonight’s Docker’s team sheet to play, then most are likely to hold on to him. Why? Rewind to Round 7 last season: Fyfe dislocated his shoulder and limped off the field. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the DT world as coaches bemoaned the impending Armanathan but, lo and behold, The Lanky One strolls out in his best duct-taped-Chris-Judd impression the following week and spits out a lazy 114 against the Weagles. Then he soldiers on and plays out to Round 23 for an average of 98 for the year. After Fyfe’s 2011 heroics, he’s more than worthy of hanging on to if he’s named tonight. For those coaches wanting more incentive to stick phat with Nat (do the kewl kids still say ‘phat’?!?), have a read of this.

However, there is a fairly strong feeling among fantasy coaches that he’s a high risk for re-injury, that he’s likely to be either green vested or red vested, that he won’t be able to maintain his DT output for the year, or all of the aforementioned. Fair call too, as we don’t like seeing our guns limping around and struggling to play, let alone scoring poorly for us. If you’re in this school of thought, then this is trade week. I won’t list any of the trade-in options, but I will say that whatever your decision, this is the week to commit. As @Aki_DT highlighted in this morning’s Dream Team Stock Market, Fyfe’s value is estimated to plummet by around $55k after this round, so it’s trade now or forever hold your Fyfe!

There is inherent risk in either decision, so it’s not one to be taken lightly, particularly with the lack of consistent ‘premium’ forwards at the moment. Have a good think about it and don’t panic!

 

Goodes News Bad News, Lake Not-So-Placid & Jack The Slinger

One of Goodes, Lake or Grimes must have organised a catch up with each other, ‘cos they’ve all managed to get this weekend off. Make note though, that Goodesy went in to bat for his coaches at the tribunal, only to have his sanction upheld and also score a fistful of carry-over demerit points which are unfortunately not applicable to Dream Team in his absence! So the three of them will enjoy a weekend of bro bonding over herbal tea and cucumber sandwiches while being treated to the delights of hot stone massages and foot treatments.

I wouldn’t recommend trading Goodes and Lake out, but Grimesy hasn’t quite performed in comparison to his middling price, so this is an opportunity to offload him if you’re so inclined. In any case, some of you will be unfortunate enough to be hit by all three, so your bench cover will be tested this week.

 

Injury Woes

Unsurprisingly, Matty Leuenberger succumbed to his achilles complaint and the early estimate of six weeks to recover may blow out to 8-9 weeks. If you did start with him in your team, you can either sideways trade him for a premo ruck or downgrade to fellow Lion Billy Longer. I would seriously consider the latter option as Longer will be filling in for Berger and mooing nicely by the time Leuey’s back.

A word of warning to coaches playing a 1+3 ruck division. Matthew Lobbe is listed as ‘test’ for Port. If he comes back in over the next few rounds, I expect Redden to play second fiddle, so keep an eye on Port’s team list in the coming weeks to help you decide which rook to slot in at R2.

Those who jumped on Courtenay Dempsey last week will breathe a sigh of relief at him being marked out for a ‘test’, but I’m not convinced. The Bombers will err on the side of caution and rest him if he’s not quite right, lest they play him and risk losing him for longer if that hammy goes ‘snap’ instead of ‘ping’, so make sure you’ve picked a playing Emergency on your DEF bench.

 

Pick Me! Pick Me!

Dunno about you, but my faith in GWS’ rookies is growing by the week with some steady performances after the three opening rounds. In defence, Bugg is a fair way ahead of Tomlinson and Hombsch, with Ellis, Morris and Mohr bringing up the rear. Magner came crashing down to earth (a la Barlow in his third game), but still deserves top-billing out of your midfield rooks, then JMac, Shiel, Greene and Clay Smith. For the tall timber, Giles is still a head above Redden and an improving Big O; if you have man-mountain Billy Longer, he’s a must for your R2 after the demise of Berger. Dev Smith is my pick up forward, then Kennedy, Milera, Tomlinson and Hall.

 

Anyways, that’s the rub for this week. I think I may have jinxed last week’s Friday 13 round by hoping to see a few 2300s, so I’ll just wind up by wishing everyone good luck! Feel free to add any news bits, rants, raves, etc below to keep us on the move. See ya next Thursday for another bout of media trawling!

 

Any questions, suggestions, general chit-chat or stamp collecting hints for next week’s Extra?
Hit me up on the Tweetvine: @TeeTeeDT